When I first attended my small group I wasn’t sure what relationships would arise and if the topic they were covering would apply to my life. God humbled me and reminded me that He put me in this group for a reason (Proverbs 16:9). Our group prayed and trusted that as we sought God, He would meet with us, show us what we needed to learn, and create the fellowship needed for our small group to flourish. In our small group God has created friendships that continue to develop and deepen, but, best of all, I can see the growth in each of our relationships with the Lord as we tackle life and study His Word together. 

Being in a small group has allowed me to feel safe enough to be myself, and the group has shown they love me just as I am. I also love my group members just as they are, and I thank God we each bring something different to the group. I believe our small group, and all small groups, are a reflection of how God says He has designed His body (1 Corinthians 12). We are all different, but we each play a valuable part. There are so many blessings that have come from sharing in each other’s joys and pains. We continue to grow deeper with each other, obtain support in our own lives, and gain encouragement to grow closer to Him. I have experienced this firsthand as I have gone through a challenging season and my small group was a strong pillar of comfort and strength for me. In our group we have seen how when “one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honoured, all the members rejoice with it” (1 Corinthians 12:26). Our small group is a safe place to discuss God’s Word, our lives, and to walk with each other in our relationship with God.

As we enter the fall and a new season for our small group, I look forward to seeing how much more God is going to move in our group and in our own individual lives. Hebrews 10:24-25 says, “And let us consider how we may spur one another toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”