Time for a blog ...
Currently we are looking forward to joining a small group of other Christians to be their "leaders". They've been meeting for a couple of years with another older couple who've followed God's call to other things for 2007 - it's taken us till now to take this step with some degree of confidence that this is where God wants us ...
... if you sense some degree of pessimism - then you're not alone, I sense it to!! I find it hard to be certain in so many things - and when i'm functioning at less than 100% I'm cautious to take on too much!
Anyway, enough frail honesty - i wonder - how should a small group be run when it is full of 20 somethings who're fairly well grounded in their faith? They all attend our bible preaching church - do we need more studies?
I'm drawn to wonder how the early church operated when they met in homes. I understand from Acts that there was reading of the scriptures, lots of prayer, food, sharing & serving, ...
I desire to be involved with a group who's key passion is to love God, to long for God, to hunger after Him!!
I'm thinking we can read the scriptures together, and discuss things as they come up - what they mean/ how we apply them/ challenges we face ...
I want us to learn to pray - to really pray!! i remember doing that when i was younger - i'm hungry for more (and know i find it easier with others - I'm ashamed that i'm not driven to seek God's face earnestly in my own time - i do hope to grow in that as i learn again to pray with others)
I want us to rediscover honesty & accountability & brotherly/sisterly love in mini groups
I want to abandon formula's & to rediscover community - being His body
I want to lead this group to God (including my wife & I - we know we need to embrace more of Him) ... that is all i want, is that too much to ask?
I remember discovering a lot of this as a 15 year old with a good friend, too much has passed, lead us on God, lead us on ...
I would really value any thoughts / input / experiences / comments that you may wish to share ...
3 comments:
Hey Mate,
I honestly believe the most important thing about a small group is relationships.
It's the place where once a week/fornight you get together with people you can be honest with who can keep you accountable.
It's a place for pastoral care etc...
I firmly believe that Studying the bible is important, but you need a diverse group of people to carry you forward and challenge your understanding and views about God
Hey Woz,
I think that you are spot on in Re discovering 'Community'. I have recently had a moment of clarity on a few things, Firstly that it is quite easy to meet new people and find new friends if we are open to the opportunities and secondly (although iv'e heard it a million times) that you reflect the values of the people around you and the people you hang out with. Yes, simple but very important! Choose your company carefully and Grow with God together!
Bless you and your Fam Bro!
hey my bro,
im feeling ya and believe you are heading down the right path and this is what we are trying to do with our church...
we are trying to hold these three things in tension cause i believe they are all valuable...and we draw these things from Acts also...
COMMUNION [in relationship with Christ]-through His word and Worship.
COMMUNITY [in Relationship with One Another]-through Learning and Fellowship/Friendship.
COMMISSION [In Relationship to the world]-through Serving/Giving and Gospel telling/sharing.
We believe that all 3 are so important to developing depth to relationship and that in all 3 asking 2 questions...what is God saying to me as an individual? and what is God saying to us as a group of believers?
We believe that everybody is longing to find there place in the unfolding story of the Bible and we need to challenge them as we are challenged ourselves...
look up, look in, and look out.
and if we can provide that enviroment to do that, they will find that place in the story...
hope this can help a little even if the comment is delayed...
bless ya my bro and the family
look forward to that 5 yearly catch up haha...always good times
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