Small groups

Last week I was blessed with another week of vacation. We spent it in New York state in the Adirondacks at the place we fondly call Woodchuck. This is the 5th year in a row our group has gone but it was my first time back in the last 3 years. Although I've thought quite a bit about why Woodchuck is such an awesome vacation, I'm still not sure I know why. It's some bizarre magic with the combination of the people and the place. I think maybe the group of adults that go come together with all the attributes you want in a good small group. This week we are going to pray about small groups. First and foremost, if you are not in a small group, you really need to be. I've never met a person who tried small groups only to find they were a waste of time. They can really be a life changing experience. I joined my first small group before I was saved and I have to say that the influences in that group were a key part of my re-birth.

A good small group makes an effort to know each other on a deep and personal level. This is essential to honest sharing and honest confrontation if needed. A good small group has deep conversation. Surface talk is quickly brushed aside to get to the stuff everyone really wants to talk about. People share what's going good in their lives and they share what's going bad. As they do so, their small group members love them without judging them. The side effect is that everyone really has a lot of fun and everyone grows extremely fond of each other. It's that coveted synergistic environment in which all boats rise. The whole is greater than the sum of the parts and all members come away thinking "these people really make me a better person". It's a place where the presence of Christ is felt in a very real way and the work of the holy spirit is done.

Have a great week and a great fast.
Your brother,
Bob