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| Gently “insisting” that you join us |
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The men of our “small group” meet every other Saturday morning for much needed fellowship, accountability, and prayer. We support and encourage each other in our relationships with God and family. It’s always an amazing time, spiritually speaking!
For a few months now, one of our members has been AWOP (absent without permission – lol). So, committed friends that we are, we asked ourselves, “How do you go beyond merely inviting someone to join you, without offending them or running afoul of the law???” Answer: You appoint them to host your next meeting, without necessarily informing them ahead of time!
The plan was hatched with the involuntary host’s wife’s full knowledge and cooperation. Reminders and a map to the host’s house were emailed to everyone but the host. Saturday morning we all showed up and quietly gathered on the host’s deck in back of his house. A couple of minutes after our usual start time, the host’s wife roused him from bed (7 a.m.) and asked him to “go look at the deck”, which he did. It was quite apparent that we were about the last thing he expected to see when he came outside. But the shock and surprise quickly wore off and he broke out into the widest grin imaginable and let loose with a hearty and cheerful “hey guys!” After a round of man-hugs, our host then proceeded to share over the next 45 minutes how difficult life has been, struggling to maintain his walk with God while balancing family and a fledgling small business. It was apparent that this was just what he needed, and God knew all along!!
This story is likely not entirely unique, and is one amazing plug for small groups (cell groups or whatever you want to call them) within larger churches. And there were other takeaways from this experience as well. Relationships are a key to victorious living! Loving people is a great way to ensure that they feel like they belong! And yes, taking risks on others’ behalf can pay huge dividends…..for them! |
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Robin |
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December 04, 2007 at 5:34am |
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Mike,
I so agree, our church also has small groups, we call them "Life Groups"...doing life together. I attend one and am so blessed. It has been an encouragement and lift during some difficult times. The relationships made are everlasting. I have also previously led a group and the relationships formed during these times are so vital. Now, one lady in my previous group is facing challenge us (medical) with her 2 year old. She feels comfortable coming to me and sharing. It is so great to be used by God in the body.
Thanks for the encouragement.
Robin 
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Ragland |
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December 04, 2007 at 6:14am |
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| Wow Mike! I am part of a small group. I enjoy the small group. I long to meet on the appointed day, which is every Monday. We as CBMC ( Christian Business Mentor's Council ), meet every Monday and have fellowship, prayer and discussion on God's Word. I am glad that you are part of it in the other side of the world. I am THRILLED my friend to know that we have some thing in common. |
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Mike,
Such a promoter you are !! (it's a good thing) |
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Now, this is what it is all about! People actually caring and showing concern! After many, many years of searching we are in such a place! Awesome story and an encouragement for those who are having a hard time getting it or understanding!
Thanks,
Cathy |
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| I love this!!!! We have done this with youth groups. We call it kidnapping. We find kids that are friends of our youth. Unchurched. We inform their parents we are coming. Then the youth group loads up in vans we show up at the house, charge their room and carry them out. We then take them to McDs or Taco Bell. We pay their way. Immediatly this student feels like they are wanted and they belong. It's a great outreach and it much more fun for the students than knocking on doors. :D |
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Amen to kidnapping Francine! (the legal kind that is!)
Ragland, we have much in common! (add this to the list!)
Thanks Paul, I do try to promote was is good (holy, good, acceptable, pleasing to the Lord). Glad people notice! :-)
Cathy, Christ calls us to be concerned - first and foremost! This was demonstrated by the good Samaritan, and it's implicit in the command to "love thy neighbor". I am so glad you have found this concern from others! (And as we know, it is a blessing to be one who shares this concern too!)
Robin, we have seen them called many things -- ours are "Community Groups". And they are essential! I had the opportunity to illustrate this to our church's leadership recently, and the Holy Spirit truly spoke through me. Exciting! |
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| Boldness! The one thing that is missing in the church today, Good Job guys. IT could have went the other way, but God knew Just what was needed and you guys Did what he led you to do. |
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Randy |
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December 04, 2007 at 8:48am |
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| Wish I had a group like yours. |
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Randy, I hope you find yourself in a group (like ours), soon. In fact, it would be great if you were in ours!
Yes that was somewhat bold of us, Keith. Of course, it must be stressed that involvement of the guy's spouse was key to making it work in this case! :-) |
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suzanne |
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December 04, 2007 at 9:13am |
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| Thanks Mike n Laura for this encouraging blog. I just started attending a new church and am anxious to get involved in a Life group--because the congregation's pretty big--800 people. |
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| Your last sentence says it all! Thanks for a new idea! |
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| Suzanne, you are most welcome! I pray you find yourself in a Life group very soon! (Perhaps eventually leading one?) ........Thanks Cheryl, I hope you can put the idea to use! |
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| Oh, that is great! And a real show of how badly we need each other! |
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Glenn |
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December 04, 2007 at 10:46am |
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Mike, small groups are very important. Especially in a larger church. We can't really plug in and feel a part when there are so many names and faces around us on Sunday morning. When we are able to share our lives in a closer setting we are able to build one another up in Christ.
My wife and I belong to a couples group and that has been great. All the couples in the group have teenage children. Having others to share your problems and brudens and pray with about your children is wonderful! I will plug small groups with you, because God moves in lives through fellowship around his Word and that is what small groups are about.
peace |
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Gene |
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December 04, 2007 at 11:28am |
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| Mike, I see small group "kidnappings" springing up all over the country! |
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| Watch out Gene, you might be next... |
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WOW! I even had a tear form in my eye when I read this! I have been hearing a word in my spirit since Sunday, & I hear the same word here. "Arrest the spirit". You guys step up in a Holy Spirit led strategy to arrest this mans spirit & it worked! Very cool. Thanks for sharing. I am encouraged!
Shannon |
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| Great comment, Arlene. It made me chuckle. Shannon, interesting terminology! "Arrest the spirit", never heard it put that way before. Another reason I enjoy MyChurch! |
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Glenn,
Thank you for adding your plug for small groups!! They are definitely not an optional component of Christian living in my book! (reminds me of Acts 2, the church in it's heydey?) |
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Glenn |
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December 04, 2007 at 4:52pm |
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I tried that Acts 2 thing and was not so great. But I think we need to remember that we are all human, and nothing we do will be completely right, because we are human. God works where we are in many ways but only he is perfect. We are just trying to reflect as much of his grace as we can. Anyway great blog.
peace |
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| Ah yeah, JPUSA. Well, small groups don't have to go all the way to Acts 2. But the principal of meeting intimately in homes to supplement Sunday church attendance seems faithful to that model. |
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Mike-
We have longed for intimate lifelong relationships and maybe for the first time in 16 years of christianity we are developing some and even considering starting a small group at our house. Probably a change in us to desire intimacy with the body. Keep moving Lord Jesus! |
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"considering starting a small group at our house"
Jeff, that is really exciting to hear! I'm so glad you're finding the relationships you long for. When we agreed to host and lead a small group, it was life changing! Participating in a small group vs. leading one can be like the difference between hitting a single vs. a grand slam, as far as the spiritual benefits go. |
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| Mike-expound on that if you would. How long have you been leading a group? Would you say you have developed life long friends? |
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Chrissy |
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December 04, 2007 at 7:48pm |
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I think I can say that for my sweetie and I, we never really knew intimacy with the body until we came to a small-group based church. What a change in our lives! I believe God is moving to make us realize that its not about tradition, a building, a particular song or order of events--its all about relationships! With Him and with His children! As always, Mike, I greatly appreciate the blog! :>) |
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Jeff,
Lifelong friends, yes indeed! We have dear friends in Charlotte NC, Americus GA, Phoenix AZ, and best of all, Vicenza ITALY, who were all in our small group at one time. Love them dearly and will never forget em! (And still talk from time to time.) We've also had a couple of families come and go that didn't "stick" but that's totally due to their reasons for coming and then going. The group we have now is very tight, but NOT in a cliquish way. It's pretty awesome.
As far as leading, about 4 yrs ago, just a few months after coming to our current church, the opportunity presented itself to lead a meeting, then a few more. I agreed to the first, then the subsequent meetings, as a direct result of an exhortation in a sermon my pastor gave, about Peter getting out of the boat to walk on water. I got out of the boat, trusted God, and grew spiritually like I never thought possible!! It was difficult, awkward, nerve rattling.... and REWARDING. I then agreed to a permanent group leadership position, and now am (somehow) looked up to in our church as one of the most experienced small group leaders at Calvary. Not that it's me who's accomplishing anything here. As soon as I forget that it's the Spirit who actually leads our group (and not me), things tend to go awry. Does this help? |
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Thanks Chrissy, that is another great plug for small groups!
Folks, if you aren't in a small group, you're really missing out on some major blessings here! Spiritual blessings, as well as the blessings of friendships, aid and assistance when needed, meals, advice, transportation, fellowship, prayer support, etc etc... |
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Gene |
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December 05, 2007 at 8:24am |
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Mike, if I may add a word about small groups:
Our church is struggling to get more people involved in activities and to stay connected. the small groups is the best way we've found to do that. many of the current small groups started as a result of the "40 Days" program we did. Those small groups that were established to follow through the book continued afterward with encouragement and suggestions on topics/focus.
My small group meets on Sunday mornings because that's the only time in our busy schedules taht we can get together. And yes, it has forged some deep relationships among the participants.
Amen, Mike. Opening up to the Spirit allows even more growth. |
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| Thanks Dave! And thanks Gene! ....and please, feel free to add as many words as you like about small groups, Gene. Any words of testimony are welcome! |
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Deb |
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December 05, 2007 at 10:59am |
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| Mike, I belong to a small group like this. It is one of life's great blessings. You are so fortunate! |
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Gene |
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December 05, 2007 at 1:11pm |
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Ahem. Thanks you, Mike.
Of the many small groups in the church one is devoted to Bible study; one is actually a book club; one is studying a book about women in the scriptures (and then women in Christendom); one is doing an in-depth study of beers of the world (it's called Be-ers of the Word. Each week someone shares their favorite beer and leads in a study of a particular section of scripture - there a book they follow); my small group is following the Companions in Christ series by Upper Room Ministries.
The key with any small group is to know that you can trust one another. We open and close with prayer. Nobody wants to sing so we pass on that (but some groups will spend a lot of tie in music). Where there are prayer needs, we share those. And, each person is free to speak on any subject without ridicule (except as noted in Mike's blog above - lol).
Our group was for a year. At the end, we held a mini-retreat and talked about what we did and where we were going. Each felt stronger and more a part of something bigger than themselves.
I can't say enough good things about small groups. One last comment: In England, there is a church of over 15,000 members. They rent a hall once a year to meet all in one place. Otherwise, they have over a hundred small groups which meet and party on a regular basis as a fundamental part of worship and praise. It's very important.
And now, I'm stepping off that soap box you lent me, Mike.
:) |
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hehe, no prob Gene, thanks ... and you're welcome! As for your in-depth study of beers of the world, there's a lot I could say, but will refrain - lol! |
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Beer is a brawler and wine is a mocker and whoever is lead astry by them are not wise. Proverbs 20:21
5:22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.
I'll say it! |
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Gene |
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December 05, 2007 at 2:52pm |
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| And THAT is the point - do not be lead astray by them! |
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Gene |
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December 05, 2007 at 3:17pm |
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btw: I can't find that verse in my Bible, Jeff.
20:21 An inheritance [may be] gotten hastily at the beginning; but the end thereof shall not be blessed.
What passage in Proverbs are you looking for?
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Sorry Gene. Proverbs 20:1. Do you think it is OK for a christian to drink beer? |
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Gene |
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December 05, 2007 at 3:49pm |
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I found it too.. You're faster on the draw!
Yes, I think it OK for Christians to drink beer. I do not think it is OK for Christians to get drunk. I think it is OK for Christians to eat desert. I do not think it is OK for Christians to be Gluttons.
I don't want to digress on Mike's blog but I want to answer your question.
Beer and wine were common drinks in Biblical times as water was not safe like it is now. The fermentation process "cured" the liquid and made it safe to drink. Today we don't drink because we need to to but because it is an optional liquid. It's not the presence of alcohol either. There's more alcohol in cough syrup that in beer. It's the fact that you don't consume large portions of it that's important.
back to you, Mike. . . . |
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I don't mind a little "aside" from time to time, sometimes they're more interesting than the original blog! See Gene, I knew you should have hypenated be-er in every usage! :-0 Speaking of beer (non-hyphenated), I'll never forget this blog (Will this beer bother you) written about a year ago on the subject.
Ok, now back to small groups! :-) |
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| I like small groups, medium groups, large groups fraturnities, mixed groups as long as I'm staying accountable. Tonight was wednesday prayer night. I love corporate prayer. |
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