Christian Small Groups

Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.

Romans 12:15

I’ve participated in Bible studies & prayer groups.  The ultimate value & impact of participating in a Christian Small Group is that, if you hang in there long enough, you get to the place where you a part of a tight small community that will rejoice when you rejoice, and mourn when you mourn.

When I first started attending my church, I didn’t know anyone; and even though people were friendly enough, it’s hard to get to know people and make friends by just coming to Sunday service.  I listened to the Sunday sermon, and then hung around church for a few minutes for “fellowship”, but it’s hard to establish friendships with people just after 5 minutes of talk over coffee & bagels.  I started to really make friends & feel a part of the church when I started participating in a weekly prayer group.  Sharing prayer requests gives you an opportunity to know people in a different way.  There’s no such thing as running out of conversation, because if you can’t think of anything more to say, you can always talk about God and His word.  As I got more and more comfortable with this group, I shared more and more personal issues with them; and they trust me more.  We developed a bond.  Last year, when I found out I was going to be laid off from my job, they had my back.  They offered job leads & advice; but, more importantly than that, they prayed for me, encouraged me, and prevented me from worrying & despairing.  When I found my next job, they rejoiced with me.

Small groups have worked for me because they’ve been confidential, friendly, all participants have a foundation that God has authority over us & that we look to the Bible to know His will; and we try to to strike a balance between holding one another accountable and allowing people to have a differing opinion about what a verse of scripture meant to them.  They’ve also worked because, even though we may have a leader, no one is an expert.  We all acknowledge that we’re all learning how to walk the talk.