My Small Group

Last evening the small group Bible Study we are in from our church met for a picnic. We have a rousing good time when we get together these days. The weather was perfect for a picnic; in the high seventies, calm air and evening sunshine.

When our group got together the first year, I was disillusioned. We were all people that had socialized together and some of us had known each other for many, many years. When it came time to share during our study times, it seemed it was difficult for us to be transparent with each other. That was not the kind of Bible study I was interested in continuing even though I loved each of the members deeply. I felt that if I were to grow spiritually from my small group, I was going to have to find some people that I didn't know as well. My husband and I talked about this problem that was basically mine and he agreed with me. However, he felt he loved these people and didn't want to leave the group. We decided to join another group and also stay with the original group. The new group had some new Christians in it and I felt it would be very exciting to let the energy of a new follower of Jesus rub off on me a bit. Well, it seemed that each date the new group decided to hold a meeting, we were busy. During that six week session, Ken went once and I wasn't able to attend at all. Then something happened in our old group that would change the whole complexion of the group. A new Christian, recently seperated from her husband and faced with difficult medical problems, joined our group. Suddenly, those same people who seemed hesitant to share the deep things of their hearts, began to open up to this dear woman and pour out their hearts of faith and encouragement to her. As they shared with our new friend they also began to share with each other. Later another couple joined also and though they are seasoned Christians, we didn't know them as well as we had the others. This turn of events has thrilled my heart. Now the group is what my heart had be longing. I can feel a closeness that wasn't there before.

Last evening, one of our members quietly said, "I think each family that can should put x amount of dollars together and give it to Nancy". (not her real name). Nancy's husband does not send her money regularly and she can't work to make money because of her phsyical condition. It thrilled me that the heart of the people in our group is for the benefit of our new friend. Unbeknown to Nancy, people were pulling out their wallets and placing a few bucks in an envelope.

While we sat around a mesmerizing camp fire, Nancy shared with us the things she has learned that would indicate her husband has been living a double life. They were sad and humbling things. They were even scary things when one considers how she may end up financially after all this is settled.

One of the guys of our group is also an elder. He gently walked over to Nancy and handed her the envelope telling her that we thought she may need a few dollars and that we wanted her to use it for what ever was most needful. She responded as most of us would, first with a no I can't accept this and then graciously surrendering to receipt of a loving gift. The amount was not a big one. That wasn't the point. The point was that out of the blue, a group of Christians felt led to give a gift to one that is going through a huge trial. It was moving and made me so proud and happy to be part of this Bible Study group.

After Nancy had spilled her mourning heart to us we took it all to the Lord in prayer. A quiet moment followed. One of our guys said, "Well, your "over the hill" friends here are for you.". It broke the silence and because most of our members are over fifty, every laughed lovingly. As we parted in the darkness of the night, I saw various members, men and women alike, walk over to Nancy and place a heartfelt hug of Christ around her.

My point in all this is that God does mighty things when we pray to be used. I know I wasn't the only member of that group that felt stagnant. Others had joined me in praying for God to do something among us and He has in a most wonderful way. It all comes down to serving others. When there is an opportunity for serving, there is opportunity to grow.