New Small Group

A new small group is starting up at our church. I am very excited about it. It is made up of 4 younger married couples. Aaron and I have had a hard time with small groups since moving to Illinois, but I have renewed hope. This will be our 5th small group in the 3 1/2 years we have lived here. Our first small group leaders left the church, taking with them all but one other couple and us. We led the second small group for a very short time and then the other couple left the church. We decided to join our pastor's small group, which was a very awesome small group. However, after some rearranging and "good" splits of the small group we decided to go to a different small group. Our 4th small group consisted of us and two other young couples. One of the wives left her husband and therefore leaving us and the leaders. The leaders, which are close friends of our now and will be a part of this new group, just recently had a baby and felt called to step down. So, we begin another journey with another small group.

Why small groups? What makes us want to continue in searching out and being involved in a small group?

The relationships that are built are irreplaceable. We would have never gotten to know people as deeply as we have without being involved in small groups. I love the accountability that comes with digging deeper into the Word with one another. Even after our first small group split, Aaron and I grew closer together as a couple because of it and God used that group in a season when we needed it. When it split, we were hurt. Because of it though, we were connected to the church quicker than had we just showed up on Sunday.

If your church has small groups, give them a chance. God uses them in mighty ways. It takes trust and vulnerability, but doesn't a relationship with God take that too? God has made us relational beings and through it He brings about blessings and healing.