7 Reasons Why You Should Join a Small Group
Relationships: A
small group gives you the opportunity to get to know people at a more intimate
level. Sunday mornings are an awesome
time to worship with the whole family of God, hear a sermon, engage in
corporate vision, but a small group gives you a chance to build deeper
friendships.
Learning
the Word of God: Sunday’s sermon is a great time to get a
broad teaching of the Word of God. However, small groups provide time for one
on one discussion. Your group can provide a time to clarify answers to
questions from Sunday’s sermon.
Opportunity
to Serve Others: One of the greatest joys of being in a small
group is the chance to bear others burdens, serve their needs, and step out
beyond your own issues.
Place
to invite friends: A small group is a natural place to invite
friends and family. Sometimes people are more comfortable going to a small
group then attending a Sunday morning service.
Place
to Pray and Share your needs: A gathering of a few people
is a natural environment for prayer. A big part of prayer is conservation with
God and small groups provide the perfect environment for communing with God.
Engage
in worship: Gathering in a small group allows you to
experience worship at a very intimate level.
Follow
the New Testament pattern: Acts 2:42-47 gives us a blueprint of
what the early church was passionately committed to. The early Christ Followers
gathered in homes, shared meals, read the Word, prayed, and worshipped. When
you participate in a small group you are following the New Testament pattern.
If we remain in Him, He will remain in us
Have you ever wondered how
it is possible for one life to end and another one to begin in a matter
of what seems like seconds? Or how a family can grieve over a
passing of a close friend one moment, and celebrate the beginning of
a new life the next? Many times we do not know what life will
throw our way from day to day, minute to minute, or second to second.
But one thing we can be sure of, if we remain in Him, He will remain
in us.
My immediate family, and I
recently had a close friend pass away during the holiday season.
While visiting relatives in Mexico, Maria Rodriguez died at the age
of 32 from pneumonia, and complications to the heart. She left
behind two children, and a husband. As you may assume, her passing was
extremely painful, and unexpected. Through the tears and questioning,
I was reminded of how tomorrow is never promised, and we must always
be spiritually prepared.
If you do not have a personal
relationship with Christ, I would like you to take this opportunity
to do so right now. It is a very simple but impactful process.
Please simply ask God to forgive you of all sin and invite Him into
your heart to be changed forever. We do not know what tomorrow
may bring, but one thing is certain, if we remain in Him, he will remain
in us.
During this time of grieving,
God allowed our family to celebrate the birth of our newest family member,
Juliette Marie Sosa-Dykstra. Juliette was born on January 15,
2009 at 9:27am. At 8lb, 9oz and 21 inches long, she is the most
beautiful little lady bug I have ever seen. God could not have
allowed her to come at a more perfect time. He always knows what
we need!
Now, God did not allow Juliette
to be born so the memory of Maria could be forgotten, but to remind
us that if we remain in Him, He will remain in us.
Blessings,
Christina Hernandez