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6 WAYS A SMALL GROUP WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE #4Recent Comments
There are no comments yet.Aug 4th, 20096 WAYS A SMALL GROUP WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE #4
ac·count·abil·i·ty
Pronunciation: \ə- ˌ ka u̇ n-tə- ˈ bi-lə-tē\
Function: noun
the quality or state of being accountable ; especially : an obligation or willingness to accept responsibility or to account for one's actions accountability >
By definition, wouldn’t you agree that accountability has almost vanished from society? What comes to mind when you think of the Enron CEOs, Wall Street executives, John Ensign, Manny Ramirez, Ted Haggard, or Judas.
In my mind I think, lack of accountability . What if those mentioned above had a person or a group of people that held them accountable – especially in their greatest areas of temptation? Would their choices have been different?
One of the best benefits of a Small Group is the opportunity to build authentic, trusting, and long-lasting relationships. It is in this type of relationship that we gain a great gift – accountability. It begins with a simple invitation; “will you hold me accountable in the following areas?”
I once heard that we all live three lives, one in public, one in private, and one in secret. 1 John 1:7 says, “But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, cleanses us from all sin.” (NLT) Accountability is powerful, in part because it brings our private temptations into the light. And when we live in the light, God’s power is available to us.
Of course, accountability not only keeps us from falling into sin and temptation. It also strengthens us in areas we want to grow. For example, you may want to be more consistent in reading your Bible, or to exercise more and get in shape. You may want to achieve specific professional or financial goals. Inviting others you trust to hold you accountable in these areas can be the difference between success and failure for you.
During my twenties, I was part of a Small Group with other young single guys. One night we decided to bring all of the major decisions we had individually before the group. We agreed that if the group did not think the decision was wise, it could “veto” the matter. It was actually very freeing to talk through any life circumstance or decision with people that I totally trusted. In most cases, we didn’t outright veto very many things. But I do remember vetoing a couple of potential dating relationships. J
Do you have a group of friends like that? It’s invaluable to have people in your life that you trust enough to hold you accountable for the changes you want to make. The beauty of finding those people in Small Group is that you already share the most important value of an accountability partner, the foundation of your faith.
Next Blog – Fifth Way a Small Group will Change your Life.
Jul 13th, 20096 WAYS A SMALL GROUP WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE #3 -STUDYING THE BIBLE
My journey of following Jesus started at age 23, shortly after graduating from college. While really fired up about my new faith, I had a big problem. I didn’t know anything about the Bible. I owned a Bible, but had never read it. I didn’t know the difference between the Old Testament and the New. I couldn’t even tell you the story of the guy who was swallowed by a whale!
Before long, I was invited to join a Small Group. I had no idea what a Small Group was or what they did, but thought I’d check it out. Once there, I realized it was all about the Bible. I was supposed to bring my Bible, open it, read it, and discuss it with others. Oh no! I felt intimidated and embarrassed in having to go to the table of contents to find the book we were reading. Thanks to a great Small Group leader, my fears and discomfort didn’t last long. Despite my ignorance, Bible study had a dramatic effect on my life. I was amazed at how quickly I was changing (and I had a lot of things that needed changing!). Naïvely, but faithfully, I just tried putting into practice what we learned each week. Later I learned that we call that obedience. God honored my obedience and helped me grow in ways I could never have imagined.
The Christian life is all about following Jesus. The primary way we do this - through the power of the Holy Spirit - is by reading, studying, and applying God’s teachings found in the Bible. Sometimes we do these things alone and other times we do it together, in a Small Group. The Bible is at the heart of a Small Group. Learning God’s Word together in Small Group will undoubtedly change your life.
One final thought. A few years after I participated in my first Small Group, I was challenged to lead my own Small Group. This was a huge surprise and a step I felt very inadequate to take. But with encouragement, I took that step of faith. Since then, I have been privileged to lead many Small Groups and have met the greatest friends of my life along the way. Isn’t it ironic that a guy who once knew nothing about the Bible is now being used by God to help others who feel the same way? Only God can change a life like this. Only God.
Next Blog – 4th Way a Small Group Will Change Your Life.
Jun 16th, 2009#2 - Life Long Friends
6 WAYS A SMALL GROUP WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE
#2 - Life Long Friends
Some of my best summer memories are the road trips I took with family and friends. Taking a trip alone just doesn’t bring the same joy. The road seems long, the miles drag, and it’s more about just getting there than enjoying the journey.
The Christian life is much like a road trip. God never intended you to journey through life alone. In fact, He has great things in store when you travel with companions. These are your Christian friends in small group; the people who often become life-long friends. And life-long friends are priceless.
In Small Group we begin to share life. It doesn't happen overnight. But week-by-week, as trust and friendships grow, we begin to convey the stuff of life - both good and bad. We celebrate new babies, new homes, birthdays, promotions, career change, and accomplishments. We encourage, comfort, and walk along side through job loss, parenting challenges, difficult decisions, accidents, painful memories, loneliness, and medical concerns.
As we go through everyday life, our Small Group is right there beside us. This is why those close bonds form and forge deep and lasting friendships.
Spiritually, we grow closer to God and each other in ways that can only happen in Small Group. We pray for and with each other, challenge each other, offer accountability, learn Biblical teaching, confess our failures, and encourage each other to follow Jesus day by day. When you are in Small Group with fellow Christians, your burdens are shared and you’ experience true joy in the journey.
As always, Jesus is our supreme example. After three years in His own Small Group on earth, Jesus said His disciples would “be with me always.” Wow! Best friends with Jesus for all eternity! What could be better?
Something to Think About:
In his book Intimate Encounters, Dr. David Ferguson discusses one way that people build strong friendships. Ferguson says that doing activities together or what he calls, "joint accomplishments" foster true friendships. Small Groups can experience “joint accomplishment” by doing a service project, lending a hand when one member is moving, painting, or landscaping, or even taking a road trip together.
Next blog...THIRD WAY A SMALL GROUP WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE
Apr 28th, 20096 WAYS A SMALL GROUP WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE
#1 -- COPY JESUS
Jesus is the supreme example of doing life together. And whenever you pattern your life after Him, you can expect change.
If anyone could do life alone, it’s Jesus. Instead, He began His ministry by surrounding Himself with 12 guys – his own Small Group who became His best friends.
Why a small group? First and foremost, God does life together. The Trinity consists of The Father, the Son Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. They’ve always done life together as the very first Small Group. So Jesus did life with others in on earth, just as He did in heaven.
When I first began following Jesus, I wasn’t sold on doing life in a Small Group. Like many guys, I had an independent spirit of self-sufficiency. I was uncomfortable talking openly about God. I didn't know how to pray conversationally and had rarely opened a Bible. A Small Group? What if someone put me on the spot or asked about my sins?
Of course, none of my fears were warranted. In fact, my Small Group friends helped me learn how to follow Jesus in ways I never would have come to on my own. My buddy Mark taught me how to study the Bible. Larry coached me in talking to God and listening to the Holy Spirit. Other friends showed me how to grow and maintain healthy relationships.
When you copy Jesus, He honors the steps you take. Become a part of a Small Group and He will use that group to change your life. What kind of change? That’s for Him to know and you to find out. But one thing is certain. You’ll be on your way to becoming more like Him. Do life together!
Next blog...SECOND WAY A SMALL GROUP WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE
Viewing 10 Most Recent Blogs
- Aug 4th, 20096 WAYS A SMALL GROUP WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE #4
- Jul 13th, 20096 WAYS A SMALL GROUP WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE #3 -STUDYING THE BIBLE
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- Apr 28th, 20096 WAYS A SMALL GROUP WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE
- Apr 18th, 2009ATTN: Small Group Leaders & Small Group Members
- Apr 6th, 2009A Tap On The Shoulder