Small Groups can be ‘A Wonderful Life’
Thursday Morning Proverbs Group at Einsteins Bagels
During the holidays, I enjoy watching one of my perennial favorites aptly named, It’s a Wonderful Life. For those of you who have never seen this classic, it depicts the misadventures of a small town banker named George Bailey. George has the misfortune of losing some of his bank’s funds on the eve of an audit. He becomes so distraught that he prepares to commit suicide. Then, he is approached by an angel named Clarence. Clarence gives him a glimpse of the unfulfilled lives that would result from his tragic act. George eventually comes to his senses and is rescued from a stint in prison by a community of loving friends. The dynamics of their tangible expressions of love for him will warm your heart and help you to appreciate the virtues of long-term relationships.
In a society where people move every three to five years, it’s hard to develop “George Bailey-type” relationships, in the natural. By the time most children graduate from high school, they have attended several schools and don’t have any long-term friends. My mother, who is a youthful 83, has a few friends she has known for over 75 years. That’s one of the rewards of growing up in a loving community with longterm relationships.
What does all of this have to do with small groups? Well, for the most part, the George Bailey days are long gone. However, you can still have a small slice of George’s hometown of Bedford Falls in our small groups. By that I mean you can cultivate elements of community and relationship. Most of the people that come to me for pastoral counseling, in a range of areas, have two things in common: One, they have been attending church less than a year, and two, they are bereft of any healthy relationships inside or outside of our church. What many don’t realize is that their particular weakness is someone else’s strength and vice versa. As I viewed the movie, the faces of many of our members flashed across my mind. I saw the couple whose marriage was headed south but the prayers, mentoring and friendship of one of our small groups rescued them. I thought of several members who have lost their spouses and their small group supported them and continues to help them to return to normalcy. I thought of the scores of children who will sleep secure each night because their parents learned parenting skills in a small group. I thought of the couple that was living together, unmarried. A small group befriended them, led them to Christ; then the group assisted in their wedding ceremony and gave them a surprise reception here at church. I am sure you get the picture by now. God is working through people in our church to coach others in making good choices.
As we continue through the summer semester and enter into the fall semester remember this: There is always room for one more. That one may be you as a member and/or leader of a small group. In being a part of this great adventure you will enhance your life and the lives of others. Furthermore, you will be an integral part of the fulfillment of Acts 2:46, 47 (The Living Bible) which says, “…They worshiped together regularly at the temple each day, met in small groups [my emphasis] in homes for communion, and shared their meals with great joy and thankfulness, praising God.” The choice is yours, you can watch things happen or be a part of what is happening in the “wonderful life” of our small groups.
Oh, I almost forgot…here are some practical steps for choosing a small group or preparing to lead a group:
1. Pray and ask God for wisdom in selecting a list of small groups after reviewing the small group directory.
2. Call the selected leaders and get a feel for the group. You might want to know if the groups have childcare, will it meet as scheduled? Where will they meet? (one place or several?)
3. If you find one you like, go visit. You might want to arrive early and talk to some of the other members.
4. After you select a group, attend, support and pray regularly for the leader and the members.
5. After attending for a while, seek God as to whether you should
attend a small group orientation (leadership preparation) meeting during the year. Remember, there is always room for one more!
I pray that your small group experience will be mutually fulfilling and rewarding. May God guide you to a group that will help you to grow in Him and give you the opportunity to help others do the likewise.
PS-I pray that by the grace of God you will have ”A Wonderful Life!’