Chapters
This Sunday’s message, “Sharing Life Together,” is found in Acts 2:43-47.
“Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day, they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”
Life is divided into chapters. Like a good novel, sharing life isn't just sharing the beautiful things in life; it's also walking with someone during the hard times of life. Some chapters will make you cry for weeks, and there are others you never want to end. Sharing the chapters of someone’s life is a privilege, and just like life, a small group can be divided into chapters.
In Scott Boren’s book, “Missional Small Groups: Becoming a Community that Makes a Difference,” he writes about the evolution of a small group. These are abbreviated versions of his descriptions:
The Story of Personal Improvement: You join a small group to meet a few friends. You get together, talk a bit about God, study the Bible, and share what is going on at work and in your life, but nothing too deep.
The Story of Lifestyle Adjustment: The group has become a priority, and schedules are adjusted to allow time to meet each week. Social events are created, and when someone has a need, the group is there to support them.
The Story of Relational Revision: The group meets weekly, and it is no longer called a meeting in a formal sense. It is a time of genuine sharing of what God has been doing, praying for each other, and talking about how God is using you in your daily life.
The Story of Missional Recreation: The group has established a transformative way of connecting with God and each other that has resulted in deep and lasting friendships. The group is ready to reach out and become a transformative presence in the community.
Our first small group consisted of young families united by the common goal of raising kids in a Christian home. Back then, we called them TLCs or tiny little churches, and that's exactly what they were. Thankfully, the church hosted many family get-togethers, which was helpful since most of us were on a tight budget. Life-long friends definitely came from those early small groups.
Our group is now made up of empty nesters, so we have a lot in common. Everyone in our group is a grandparent, so our prayer requests include each other, kids, and grandkids. We are a mixture of long-term marriages and second marriages due to divorce or death. Our group is a testament to the power of sharing life.
I am deeply grateful for the presence of a small group in my life. Daryl and I don't have family in the area, so our small group is our cherished family. In every small group we have been a part of, we have witnessed an evolution, and each group progressed to becoming life-long friends. Living life together in a small group will definitely expand the definition of family.
Blessings,
Peggy Zumhofe
Executive Pastor
