Until one month ago, I had never experienced the fellowship experience known as "small group meeting." If any of the other readers have an opportunity to participate in a small group fellowship, I highly recommend it!

It seems very like the New Testament church to me, with families meeting together in a family home, children playing together and all sharing a meal. After supper, the adults discuss the morning sermon, share prayer requests, and support one another in their faith journey.

I can tell already that this experience is going to challenge me in my Christian walk with God and inspire me to grow in Christ and reveal to me my sins and weaknesses. The honesty and love shown by the other families is just breath-taking as they open their hearts, fearlessly confronting the selfishness and weak, sinful tendencies they find. As together we work through the Scriptures the Lord is bringing to our attention, we share the things He puts on our hearts and benefit from the chance to learn from one another.

I thank God for this gift of fellowship, and praise Him for His wisdom in designing this kind of close community for brothers and sisters in Christ.

Hi Jennifer,

I just commented on this in another spot but wanted to just back you up on this.

I sincerely believe that small group settings are vital to the growth of our Christian walk. For example, let's say a person goes every Sunday to church, faithfully, feels great about the service, leaves, goes through their week (not having any other involvement with bible studies, other groups, or any other areas where they can serve God by helping in a kids ministry or disabilities ministry, or whatever), that person not only closes the spiritual world around them by making it "only about them and what they alone can get out of church" but always taking, but never giving; they can miss out on a huge blessing. The moment you allow yourself to be transparent in a small group setting, you allow God to move to bless each one (including yourself).

I believe satan works overtime to isolate us. So, it is extremely important to surround ourselves with other Christians that have true focus on Christ, that are not afraid to admit when they are wrong or have faults (Romans 3:23 comes to mind "that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God) and can be supportive in areas we may be weak or lack wisdom, or even to the other side of the spectrum; small groups can be that strong shoulder of support in assisting others in learning and growing in Christ. The setting allows one to be able to have that platform to ask questions that you might not feel comfortable asking your pastor or preacher.

The other benefit a small group does is promotes accountability. All of us in a sense do not want disappoint anybody. Coming into a small group for a bible study helps you to be prepared to participate. It helps promote a solid self study habit that can get you rooted in the word deeper that you ever imagined. I personally can attest to this.

TD

@TD,

Yes, I lead a what we call a Community Grroup and as you say, it is amazing how transparent people are. They readily confess their sins and shortcomings. The group becomes extremely tight, but is vitally interested in outreach and is constantly brainstorming about how to reach out to the lost.

tsur