We, as pastors, are often asked why it is that we place so much emphasis on joining a small group. Whether someone comes to North Ridge from an another non-denominational church or a Bible church or a Baptist church, or no church at all, we believe it is essential to commit to being an active member of a small group.
So why is do we see this as so important? Here are five reasons why we think you should think seriously about joining a small group here at North Ridge Community Church:
- RELATIONSHIPS - A small group gives you an opportunity to have a deeper and more intimate relationship with others of like faith. It’s easy to meet others before, during, or after a church service here at North Ridge. It’s easy to exchange first names and even information such as where you work and what you do for fun. But to develop a relationship that can help carry you through the tough times in life, a relationship has to be deeper and stronger. Going to church on Sunday is similar to attending a movie. You walk in, smile at the person next to you (hopefully with a little distance from you), enjoy the “show” together, and walk out.
- APPLY THE BIBLE – There is no better place to apply the words of the Bible to our own lives than with others who are doing the same. Sunday mornings lack the ability to interject comments, share struggles, and simply do life together whit others. In fact, a great way to be ushered to the door is to stand up in the middle of church and ask a question or make a comment. No matter how profound the comment, it probably won’t be received very well. When a person joins a small group, it is much easier to apply the Bible to where they are in life, not where they think they need to be (or should be).
- SERVE AND BE SERVED – When a person joins a small group, they are now responsible for being an advocate for someone other than themselves. And it also works the other way too. When a person joins a small group of others of like-faith, they automatically have friends who are anxious and ready to serve them and love them when they need it the most. Most people can’t fathom the day that life becomes so hard that they realize that they can’t do it alone. Our advise is, get involved in a small group before that happens. It will rain, prepare for shelter now.
- PRAYER - When a person joins a small group, prayer becomes more meaningful in two ways: 1) it’s a privilege to pray for someone else in need, and 2) it’s comforting to know that someone really is praying for you and your specific needs. How many times have you said to another person, “I will pray for you!” but you forget? When a person joins a small group, people pray then and there. No broken promises and feelings of guilt later. If prayer is needed, prayers are prayed on the spot.
- CONNECTION AND PURPOSE AND LEADERSHIP – Aside from everything else, having a close connection to others of like-faith, provides a strong sense of purpose for being in a particular church. God never intended the church to be about paid pastors meeting the needs of a growing congregation, but rather a group of “equippers of the Kingdom” inspiring and leading others to take care of the needs that are closest to their own community. God intended for all of us to be ministers and pastors in our own sphere of influence where we can physically and spiritually reach out and touch someone else’s life. Only when we gather together in small groups can we experience true community and Biblical care with people who know and love us in the deepest sense.
So whether you are able to join a small group that meets in the evening once a week, or a weekend night that meets once a month, or a group that meets every Sunday morning, please make a decision to join a small group of people soon and begin to reap the benefits of doing life with others.
(Pastor Randy Williams, 2011)