7 Reasons To Join A Small Group

Being apart of a group is something we as humans naturally like to do. We enjoy coming together with others that have similar interests as ours and we like to soak up each other’s company through sharing stories and in general growing together. Coming together to share the love we have for Jesus is no different and one of the best ways to mature in our relationship with the King is by joining a local small group.

After joining my first women’s small group I found myself wanting more interaction with these women. This is because through weekly interaction on Sundays and Wednesdays when we would meet, I would always return home feeling more filled yet carrying less weight.

I am able to come together each week with other women who share the same moral values, faith, and our love for Jesus as I do and discuss scripture, personal experiences, goals, and give each other support. Because of these wonderful experiences, I have had so far by being apart of a small group within my church I want to share with you all, 7 Reasons To Join A Small Group!

7 Reasons To Join A Small Group

1. Fellowship

Being able to come together each week with others who have the same interest as I do is a true blessing. Fellowship is so important and is spoken about many times in the Bible.

God knows the best way we can grow our relationship with Jesus isn’t by doing it alone but by coming together with other believers to help bring more knowledge and insight through God’s Word. We should be doing this more than just and few hours on Sunday but always trying to surround our selves with believers in Jesus Christ.

“We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.” 1 John 1:3

2. Sharing God’s Work

Sharing with one another in your small group the many ways God has been working in your life is one of my favorite things to listen to and share. It is personal and many times you can see the difference or the impact that event has moved or changed another person in your group.

Sharing God’s work is also great because it reinforces your faith, letting everyone know that something didn’t just happen by chance but an act of God made it happen! God wants to help us and by sharing His wonderful blessings and answers to our prayers, it will only make God’s work that more apparent in each other’s lives.

” For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.” Isaiah 41:13

3. Support

We often reach out to those who are close to us for advice and support. The main question you should be asking yourself is this, is the advice I am seeking coming from a worldly view or a Godly one? This is so important because often we will reach out to those friends or family members who are going to tell us exactly what we want to hear. Instead, we should be first praying to God then reaching to other believers for support.

This is another reason why attending a small group is so beneficial for our walk with Jesus. We are surrounded by others who are reading God’s word and applying it to their daily lives. So when we get support from within our small groups, we can support advice with the support of what the Bible is telling us.

” What you are doing is not good. You and these people who come to you will only wear yourselves out. The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone.” Exodus 18:17-18

4. Planting and Watering

There will be believers in many different stages of their walk with Jesus. Some members may just be reading the Bible for the first time and the scripture you cover each week will be something new they have never heard and others may have verses memorized and have been in a relationship with Jesus for years. This is the beauty of small groups!

Whether we pick up on it or not the gatherings you have with your small group can have a planting and watering effect on the group. Meaning, by discussing scripture and your experiences with God you can be planting new seeds among the group especially those who have gained much wisdom from the Bible. Just as others maybe planting seeds, others can be right behind you watering them, supporting those thoughts and deep discussions then it is God’s turn to do the rest!

“What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow.So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.” 1 Corinthians 3: 5-9

5. Discussing God’s Word

Being apart of a women’s small group allows me to focus on God’s Word 7 days a week. Some weeks it can feel difficult to prioritize this first but it truly replaces anything else I could fit into that time because it brings me true living wisdom.

Meditating each day on a piece of scripture before my day starts, I find, to be the best and most effective way to fill myself with God’s Word before anything in this world does. And by ending my day in the middle of the week with in-depth discussions on these verses fills me in a different way. It widens the meaning of the scripture and lets me see if from a different light by hearing it from another group member. This is something I always benefit from because I get to hear and see the scripture’s effect on other’s hearts, not just mine.

God’s Word has an amazing way of speaking directly to you based on what is on your heart which I find remarkable!Never have I found a piece of literature more profound and applicable than the Bible and nor I ever will! This is because the writings found from within the Bible are God’s Words.

” For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12

6. Growing Together

As you take on new studies within your group you will get to see the fruit your group produces, both individually and as a whole. I can already see group members blossoming and ever changing from the beginning of our journey. Some of that growth can be small but it doesn’t mean it is not fruitful.

The best thing to do with your group when you notice these changes is to let others know the changes you have seen. You might be surprised to find maybe they had no idea of their progress and it may be something they needed to hear!

“…We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God ” Colossians 1: 9-10

7. Praying Together

Ending each small group gathering with prayer is so important. It allows you to pray intimately for the other group members, build a stronger relationship, and it gives the Holy Spirit an opportunity to be present at a quiet moment.

I know for me praying in a small group was difficult at first, I truly thought I had not the right things to say or I feared nothing would come to mind in that quiet moment of prayer. But the exact opposite would happen because I would put my trust in the Lord and know that the Holy Spirit would work through me.

“In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.” Romans 8: 26-27

If you currently are not apart of a small group within your church or community I would highly recommend searching and reaching out to one today! The growth you have seen within yourself just from studying God’s Word individually will grow substantially faster and stronger through the fellowship of your group members!

Leah Lincoln

Hello Friends! My Name is Leah Lincoln and I am the co-founder of Abide and Seek, which is mine and my husband’s Christian Blog. I write articles based on my past experiences and point of view as a Christian woman in hopes to help others find their everlasting relationship with Jesus Christ. Although I am a follower of Jesus, I have a background in science which I feel only enhances my understanding of God’s creation. I am a stay at home mom who enjoys watching our 2 year old son grow and learn something new each day and we just welcomed home our newest child this past December! A sweet little girl! My passions include writing to inspire others, crafting and creating art, tending to and saving animals, gardening, and enjoying a hot cup of coffee with the company of good friends and family.