Small group reflection...

As our small group comes to an end and we go our different ways, I’d like to offer a brief reflection on and celebrate its success. Something of a blueprint, perhaps, to take with us.

Over the last fifteen years, since we started with Martin and Sarah, quickly joined by Garth and Karyn, we have seen members come and go.  Yet the ethos of the group has remained the same and there is much to celebrate.

I think our group has, largely, been successful. That is not to say there have not been differences of opinion, absences, misunderstandings and tensions at times. Of course there have. We are flawed human beings, prone to sin yet saved by grace.

So as I reflect on what has made Thursday evenings the highlight of my week for many years, I find ten characteristics spring foremost in my mind.

1.  Commitment. We agreed to meet weekly, so we do. For fifteen years everything else, unless unavoidable, has come second in my calendar. Thursday night is home group: end of story.

2. Bible study. Seeking Jesus through His word has been a priority. This has been through a variety of ways: reading and talking through a chapter of the Bible, often with a study guide; watching an inspirational DVD while desperately trying to stay awake after a long day; or discussing a topic in the context of what the Bible says. Just a few of the ways we have focused on Jesus and tried to understand from His word how to follow him more closely.

3. Open sharing. A degree of honesty and openness, a willingness to share thoughts, opinions and application from our personal lives have all contributed to the building of ...

4. Close relationships. Developed through Bible study and prayer, coloured by...

5. Trust...developed by....

6. Praying for one another. The times of sharing and prayer have been infinitely precious , offering one another...

7. Support, especially through times of difficulty, grief and sorrow.

8. Laughter. Lots of it.

9. Meals. And more laughter.

10. Love. Last, but most important. Without love for one another, a determination to think the best of each other, forgiving one another when words touch raw spots and appreciating the deep care we have had for one another, this group would not have been able to continue for so many years.

Now, as the group ‘multiplies’, we will all of us experience separation to some degree or another. Richard and I have valued and loved everyone in this group and are grateful for the relationships we have. I hope and pray that we will all continue to seek Jesus, live out his words and seek to bring His kingdom, lavishing grace wherever we go.

So there we go. Opportunity awaits. What next, I wonder?

(PS. This was not without pain. We found ourselves unable to 'multiply' and so found ourselves without a group at all. The grief of losing this 'safe place' after such a long time has gone deeper than expected, although we recognise that the group had grown too large and so a split was inevitable. It is one thing to know in the head, but the heart feels differently...And so we find ourselves in 'liminal space', between the known and the safe and the unknown. This space inbetween feels uncertain, somewhat unsafe and a degree troubling...)

Thanksgiving: underpins everything

Hebrews 12:28 says, in the NIV:"Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe,"
In the King James version , it is: "let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:"
As for The Message: "Do you see what we’ve got? An unshakable kingdom! And do you see how thankful we must be? Not only thankful, but brimming with worship, deeply reverent before God. For God is not an indifferent bystander. He’s actively cleaning house, torching all that needs to burn, and he won’t quit until it’s all cleansed. God himself is Fire!"

Thankfulness leads to grace and WORSHIP.  And so: "Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing. And cultivate thankfulness. Let the Word of Christ—the Message—have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good common sense. And sing, sing your hearts out to God! Let every detail in your lives—words, actions, whatever—be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father EVERY STEP OF THE WAY." Colossians 3:16

And I thank God for my lovely, faithful small group of ten years. TEN YEARS! Ten years of knowing each other intimately, sharing deepest joys, struggles and longings. Ten years of faithfulness.