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When we asked “Why meet in small groups?” Chris wittily replied, “Well, I had to come. I live here.”
Others, who didn’t have to come, added more, equally valid, reasons. Here are some that were voiced:
· It’s the food. · Small group has been a catalyst in my life to spur me on spiritually. · This is where I experience God at work. This is where I get to see what he’s doing among his people and through his people. · Participating with the community and studying the Bible are the things God uses to change me. · I want to be part of people lives and I want to join up with a group that care for others, that serve the needy within and beyond the walls of the church. · These weekly meetings keep me on track and keep me in check. It serves as a kind of accountability. · This is where I belong. It’s where I feel at home. God hard-wired us to function best in communities like this. · This is a great learning environment. We can ask questions and explore answers together. The dialogue is valuable. · This is one place where we can experience God’s acceptance, receive his support and comfort, and hear his words of direction and challenge and hope. · Small group has great people who are fun to be with.
Connect and Grow
This is the reason many church give for meeting regularly in small groups.
Connect with what, with whom?
I hope we'll connect at several levels:
For more on how we connect with God through Scripture, see The Dynamics of Scripture
Grow. In what ways?
As Peter puts it, we are to "grow in grace and the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (2 Pet 3:18). To do that, we need to listen to God's word: "Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation" (1 Pet 2:2).
Paul also speaks of growth as a by-product of church life: "Dear brothers and sisters, I close my letter with these last words: Be joyful. Grow to maturity. Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you" (2 Cor 13:10).
He prays for our growth: "asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God" (Eph 1:17), and that "Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong" (Eph 3:17). Elsewhere he asks: "May the Lord make your love for one another and for all people grow and overflow, just as our love for you overflows" (1 Thess 3:12).
His goal for the churches? That we would be "growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church" (Eph 4:15).
And this growth is a community affair: "Christ makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love" (Eph 4:16).
Summary
This is growth in the knowledge of God and Jesus, and their grace and love, growth in our love for one another and helping each other grow, and our growth in character, Christ-likeness, and maturity.
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