Of course, church small groups have become a part of the programming most churches offer their people.For some that do not give them a long try, one of the reasons could be, that they are disappointed by the lack of closeness.
I believe that you can not just throw a random group of people together for a study of some kind, and expect them to become immediate intimate allies.
I am not saying that small church groups do not do this, for they do.
What I am saying is that within small church group, true friendship may take awhile.
As this is the sort of devotion that we all want and need but it takes place within a shared life.
This is how it was meant to be and it is completely normal.
I love this description of the early church: "All the believers were one in heart" (Acts 4:32).
There is a camaraderie being expressed there, a bond, an espri de corps.
It means, that they all love the same thing, that they all want the same thing, and they are bonded together to find it come hell or high water!
For hell or high water will come, my friends and this will be,
the test of whether or not your small church group will make it.
That is, if you are of one in heart.
Judas betrayed the disciples because his heart was never really with them.
Just as churches which have split over the size of the parking lot, or the color of the church carpet.
Then again, most churches are at times "not one in heart", as this is also completely normal.
Beware though, that if you are not of one in heart like a cell you to, will also divide.
There is a camaraderie being expressed there, a bond, an espri de corps.
It means, that they all love the same thing, that they all want the same thing, and they are bonded together to find it come hell or high water!
For hell or high water will come, my friends and this will be,
the test of whether or not your small church group will make it.
That is, if you are of one in heart.
Judas betrayed the disciples because his heart was never really with them.
Just as churches which have split over the size of the parking lot, or the color of the church carpet.
Then again, most churches are at times "not one in heart", as this is also completely normal.
Beware though, that if you are not of one in heart like a cell you to, will also divide.
Our God is calling us together, in little communities of the heart.
To fight for one another and for each other to fight for the hearts of those who have not yet been set free!
That camaraderie, that intimacy, that incredible impact by a few stouthearted souls, should be available anytime anywhere, to anyone.
This is the Christian life as Jesus gave it to us.
For it is completely normal.
As always, with God you are never alone but our Lord also asked us to come into fellowship in His name.
So lending an ear when needed is also part of the plan, or else we would all be mute and deaf.
Sir Richard...
To fight for one another and for each other to fight for the hearts of those who have not yet been set free!
That camaraderie, that intimacy, that incredible impact by a few stouthearted souls, should be available anytime anywhere, to anyone.
This is the Christian life as Jesus gave it to us.
For it is completely normal.
As always, with God you are never alone but our Lord also asked us to come into fellowship in His name.
So lending an ear when needed is also part of the plan, or else we would all be mute and deaf.
Sir Richard...
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