One of the most significant & challenging aspects of my life over the past 30+ years has been the privilege to meet together with others who were pursuing Christ in the context of a small group.
Janet and I have been in couples groups together & we’ve been in separate men’s and women’s groups at times. Before we were married, we were in mixed singles groups.
Small Groups (called LIFE GROUPS at GFC) have been a vital part of my growth as a Christian. We were never meant to do life alone & some of my greatest friendships and spiritual growth has taken place in the context of a LIFE GROUP.
Not every LIFE GROUP has been perfect; some clicked & some didn’t, but overall they still made such an impact on my life.
Our new LIFE GROUP Semester begins this month and you can get connected in a group this weekend. If you’ve never been in a group, or if you’ve been out of a group for a while, I hope you’ll get connected this semester and let God use you & your group in one another’s lives.
One of the key elements of LIFE GROUPS is they allow & encourage us to be vitally connected to Christ & other Christians. As Roman 12:5 says – we belong to and need each other. LIFE GROUPS also give us a great way to fulfill the directives of God in the way we relate to ONE ANOTHER.
Here are a few of those ONE ANOTHERS we can & should fulfill…
Rom 15:14 I myself am convinced, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, complete in knowledge and competent to instruct one another.
Rom 14:19 So then let us pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another.
Eph 4:32 And be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.
1 Thess 4:18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.
Col 3:13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
John 13:34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
Rom 12:10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.
Rom 15:7 Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.
Gal 5:13 You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.
1 Peter 5:5 You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.
1 Peter 4:9 Be hospitable to one another without complaint.
Mark 9:50 “Salt is good; but if the salt becomes unsalty, with what will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.”
James 5:16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.
