Our new
semester for small groups starts in just a few weeks. The planning is over,
leaders have chosen their studies, the brochures are fresh from the copier, and
our leaders are praying and gearing up for the upcoming weeks. Now all we need
is YOU.
I am
always excited when we a launch a new semester of small groups because I
can’t wait to see who goes to what group and to hear how life is
happening for my church family. Right now some of you are looking at the
listing of groups trying to make the decision as to the group you plan to
attend. While others of you are saying, I just do not have time to be in a
small group. Yet, I encourage you to make the time. God desires for us to
be in relationships with one another.
God
calls us to be in community with one another. In Acts 2:42-47 speaks of the
new believers doing life together being a part of the body of Christ.
Ephesians 4:3 tells us that it takes both God’s power and our effort to
produce a loving Christian community. A small group provides an opportunity
for people to find authentic community and deeper relationships that lead to a
closer walk with God through Christ. There is just no and, if’s or
buts, we are to stay connected to one another. So I encourage you this
semester to find a group to part of if you haven’t already. This coming
Sunday, check out your New Life location’s small group brochure and
commit to a group for the next 10 weeks. You will be glad you did.
Here are 12 reasons to ponder
from an article I read by Richard J.
Krejcir as to Why You Should Join a Small Group.
- Small groups
are the perfect place to understand and practice authentic relationships
to feel apart of God’s family.
- Small groups
are the perfect place to practice our call to be discipled and make disciples
- Small groups
are the perfect place for Spiritual growth to make His truth come to life
in our lives (Matt. 28:18-20).
- Small groups
are the perfect place to understand the Bible and heartfelt prayer and put
it into action.
- Small groups
are the perfect place to unwind, release your stress and reprioritize your
life.
- Small groups
are the perfect place to have our needs met and dealt with and fulfill
those burdens in others is in a stable community. In this way we can
handle stress, crisis, changes and the pressures of life better.
- Small groups
are the perfect place to be in study of His Word and to be in prayer, we
do this individually but we are also to do it in community.
- Small groups
are the perfect place to welcome your friends into the church and
introduce them to Christ.
- Small groups
are the perfect place to develop our skills, leadership and ministry so we
can be better servants of our Lord.
- Small groups
are the perfect place to understand how to share Christ with loved ones
and coworkers.
- Small groups
are the perfect place to deepen your understanding and practice of
worship.
- Small groups
are the perfect place to put into practice the teaching you are receiving
from your church, radio, web and your personal devotions. Remember the
phrase ”one another” is used over 50 times in the New
Testament to describe our relationship to other believers. So, small
groups are the perfect place to be with one another!
