Small Group Life

At the beginning of this year Matt and I decided that it was time for us to get back involved in a small group.  We had the option to find an already existing group or form a new group.  There were some couples that we knew of that were newer to the area/church, so we thought that forming a new group would be a good opportunity to get others not in a small group plugged in.

We started going through the ebook Small Group Life by Rick Thomas. (http://www.rickthomas.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/How-to-equip-envision-experience-small-group.pdf)

It has been a gift in setting the ground work and expectations of the purpose of a small group.  It has helped us all get on the same page and desire the same vision for our small group.  It has helped us open up our lives to each other in a rapid way by prompting us all to share personal triumphs and struggles and prepare our hearts to invite those in our group to lovingly call us out in our sin.

We recently went over Chapter 11 in the book titled "Gospel-Motivated Discomfort".  Here is an excerpt from the chapter that I think is key in our sanctification as a group and our desire to glorify God as a group.

*A strong small group is made up of individuals who possess the courage, integrity, honesty, transparency, and grace to state the obvious about themselves: we are flawed. 

An incredible thing happens when a flawed person tells the truth about himself: he releases the person he is talking to from the bondage of hiding. We, like Adam, love our fig leaves. We love covering our true selves up.

It is important to tell at least from time to time the secret of who we truly and fully are because otherwise we run the risk of losing track of who we truly and fully are and little by little come to accept instead the highly edited version which we put forth in hope that the world will find it more acceptable than the real thing. (Frederick Buechner)

There will always be a gap between who we are and who we present 

ourselves to be. The gap itself is not the issue, but the size of the gap can be a problem. 

If you really want to glorify God and bless your small group, then I recommend you lead the charge in letting them in on your dirty little secrets. 

Be real. Be honest.*

Opening up to people does not come naturally or easy for me.  It has been difficult, awkward, and humiliating yet VERY REFRESHING!  I need other Christians and other Christians need me.  

Hebrews 10:24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.