Dear New City Church Family,
You might think I’m a broken record when it comes to the importance of small groups. Unfortunately, creating small groups does not guarantee you will experience real community. Some small groups can get stuck at a superficial level and never experience genuine fellowship. They may share a meal together, but they don’t share their lives.
As your pastor, I’m reading regularly about how we can build small groups that matter, groups that provide a place for members to fully experience biblical fellowship. A while back I read an article on the four essential elements every small group should have. Perhaps you’ll do what I did and measure your group by these characteristics.
Authentic fellowship is not superficial, surface-level chit-chat. It is genuine, heart-to-heart, sometimes gut-level sharing. It happens when people get honest about who they are and what is happening in their lives – when they share their hurts, reveal their feelings, confess their failures, disclose their doubts, admit their fears, acknowledge their weaknesses, and ask for help and prayer. Of course, being authentic requires both courage and humility. Why would anyone take such a risk? Because it’s the only way to grow spiritually and maintain emotional health. We only grow by taking risks, and the most difficult risk of all is to be honest with ourselves and with others.
Mutuality is the art of giving and receiving. It’s depending on each other. The Bible says, “The way God designed our bodies is a model for understanding our lives together as a church: every part dependent on every other part” (1 Corinthians 12:25 MSG). Mutuality is the heart of fellowship. It’s building reciprocal relationships, sharing responsibilities, and helping each other. Paul said, “I want us to help each other with the faith we have. Your faith will help me, and my faith will help you” (Romans 1:12 NCV). All of us are more consistent in our faith when others walk with and encourage us.
Sympathy is not giving advice or offering quick, cosmetic help; sympathy is entering in and sharing the pain of others. “Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2 NLT). Sympathy means we understand what others are going through, and what they feel is neither strange nor crazy. The fellowship of suffering is the deepest, most intense level of fellowship. It’s where we enter into each other’s pain and grief and carry each other’s burdens. We need each other most during times of deep crisis, grief, and doubt. When circumstances crush us to the point that our faith falters, that’s when we need believing friends the most.
Mercy and Grace– a place where mistakes aren’t rubbed in, they’re rubbed out. Fellowship happens when mercy wins over justice. We all need mercy, because we all stumble and fall and require help getting back on track. We need to offer mercy and be willing to receive mercy from each other. God says, “When people sin, you should forgive and comfort them, so they won’t give up in despair” (2 Corinthians 2:7 CEV). You can’t have fellowship without forgiveness. A small group can offer encouragement, accountability, and grace.
As we prepare to come back from this pandemic, all indicators are that small groups will be the future of the church. Maybe you could be leading one? Let us know. Maybe you are leading one that has been on hold. Our Fellowship Hall is available with plenty of space for social distancing for you to meet. Maybe you’ve never been in a small group. Why not join in the Wednesday night Zoom Bible study this summer to get an initial experience of connecting with other Christ followers?
~ Bill
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HAVE IT / NEED IT
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UPCOMING
Sunday Worship Service Simulcast - 9:30 AM www.newcitychurchsb.org
Tuesday Bible Study with Lisa Lait via Zoom - Tuesday, July 7, at 5 PM. Contact: Lisa Lait
Wednesday Night Bible Study via Zoom - July 8 at 7:30 PM
Contact: Bill Crawford
