Thank you for being a part of Discovery Fellowship Church. Seeing those who I have come to love and greeting new people brings me so much joy that I look forward to Sunday mornings each week. You are the reason I love to serve here. Another thing that brings me great joy is meeting with my small group each week. I recently read a good article that helped to clarify even more the importance of a small group. Here are a few of the points that stood out to me.
COMMUNITY: There is no form of the Christian life except the one lived in community. You cannot make a case for the Christian life lived privately and alone with occasional or even regular visits into crowds of people listening to sermons.
FELLOWSHIP: We can understand and enjoy the New Testament concept of fellowship as described in Acts 2:42: “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” Learning, praying, and even sharing a small meal together helps us connect and brings a real closeness in the group.
FRIENDSHIPS: I have met some of my closest friends through meeting weekly in a small group. What began as a casual gathering developed into long-lasting friendships.
COMFORT AND HELP: Those who know how to comfort and help us in difficult times are those we know closely. Galatians 6:2 says to “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”
ENCOURAGEMENT: 1 Thessalonians 5:11 says, “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.” The best place to give and receive encouragement is with those who know us best.
CHRISTIAN LIVING: This is where we can really hold each other accountable in our walk with the Lord. Philippians 3:17 tells us to “Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do.” A safe place to do this is with others who love the Lord and each other.
ONE ANOTHER: There are 50 “one anothers” in the New Testament. We are told to love one another, rejoice with one another, mourn with one another, pray for one another, accept one another, and bear one another’s burdens. The goal in any small group is that we will experience all the “one anothers” together.
MEETING WITH JESUS: When we read about the life of Jesus, we see that even Jesus was in a “small group”. Have you ever wondered why He chose to have 12 disciples? Why He met regularly with his good friends, Mary, Martha, and Lazarus? A small group is a place where we can meet with Jesus, study the Word of God together, and learn and grow together.
If you are not currently in a small group, I would urge you to seriously consider being in one – and possibly even leading one. Please contact me and I’ll be glad to help you connect with others in our Body.
“Finally, brothers (and sisters), rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.” ~ 2 Corinthians 13:11