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Here is the second part to why you should be in a small group: 

God calls us together in community so that the Word of Christ can dwell richly in our midst and grow us to be like him.

The reason God calls us together in community is so that the Word of Christ can dwell richly in our midst and grow us to be like him. This happens as we love each other by patiently, kindly and humbly speaking that word to each other in any way we can.

Colossians 3 mentions a number of ways we can do this—it speaks of teaching and admonishing and singing and giving thanks. We could easily flesh that list out with other speaking verbs like reminding, encouraging, exhorting, discussing, chewing over, and asking-the-kind-of-dumb-but-obvious-question-that-helps-everyone.

Whatever mode of speech is involved, the content is ‘the Word of Christ’ and the purpose is to help one another grow to be like Christ.

Now there’s a why to get us out the door on small group nights.

Small groups aren’t about helping me feel part of things, or helping me to connect with people, or even expressing my commitment to church. In fact, they are not really about me at all. The reason to go to a small group is that God has called me to love you and be an agent of your growth in Christ. I go because you need me to speak the Word of Christ to you (and because I need to hear it from you).

The how of belonging to a small group flows straight out of this why, and is not very hard to figure out. It would include things like this:

• We should turn up every week, unless there is some important other reason—because is there really anything more important in your life than the job God has given us to do with each other in a small group?
• We should come ready to speak in love. Read and prepare the passage in advance if that helps, and take the initiative to speak in any way you can to help others understand and apply this part of God’s word. Ask questions. Answer questions. Grapple hard with the text in front of you. Share what you see. Look out for people who were just about to speak but got cut off, and invite them to contribute. Open up about your own struggles to put the word into practice. There are scads of opportunities to allow the ‘word to dwell richly’ in your group—and that’s your task.
• This why also generates a copious list of don’ts that I find very easy to compile (by thinking back over my own thoughtless, self-oriented behavior in small groups over the years). Don’t sit on your hands during the discussion. Don’t try to save face or protect yourself. Don’t leave it to everyone else. Don’t jump on your hobby horses when they pass by. Don’t stick tenaciously to your point in the face of overwhelming evidence to the contrary. Don’t try to make yourself look good. Don’t give the lazy pat answer that you could have given without even looking at the text. Don’t take the group off to some other interesting passage that you like, unless it is vital for understanding the passage you’re actually reading. Don’t be afraid to open up and be honest about your struggles.

I’ll leave you to figure out your own specific list of how-tos, because it will be a little different for each person in each different group and  circumstance. But if you can grasp why God wants to you go to small group this small group night, then how is not so difficult.

At least, it’s not difficult to understand. Doing it consistently and lovingly? Well, that’s that the challenge the word of Christ brings us as we start a new of small group life together.

TheGospelCoalition. Why Be a Small Group Member. February 20, 2022. Tony Payne.

https://au.thegospelcoalition.org/article/why-be-a-small-group-member/

Why should you belong to a small group at church? Some common answers spring to mind.

Because that’s the expectation set by your church. In many churches, to be a true-blue member you’re supposed to come regularly on Sunday, give money and go to a small group. This is actually not a bad rule of thumb by which to recognize committed church involvement, but is it really an adequate reason for going to small groups? Because I kind of have to in order to belong to the club?

Because it’s a great way to get to know people and feel part of the church community. This feels better, and at least has a bit of relational zip to it. It is indeed hard in a church of even moderate size to really get to know people over a quick cuppa on Sunday morning. Small groups usually help with that.

Even so, I’m not sure any of these reasons are going to motivate us consistently to drag ourselves out the door every week at the end of a long day to engage in chit-chat with a bunch of other tired people. Not to mention the fact we still haven’t said anything related to … you know, God.

Does God have a why for us to join a small group?

He does as it turns out.

Does God have a why for us to join a small group? He does as it turns out.

The reason God gathers us together in Christian communities is not just so we get to know people or feel the warmth of being part of a group of like-minded people—it’s for a specific purpose.

Of the many places we find this purpose in the Bible, one of the clearest is in Colossians 3. This extraordinary chapter starts by summarizing the foundation and essence of the Christian life: “For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory” (vv. 3-4).

Our new life is summed up in one word: ‘Christ’. We’re united with him in his death and resurrection. His life is our life.

The rest of the chapter is about living in light of that stunning truth—that is, killing off every vestige of our old fleshly life (anger, lies, malice, that sort of thing) and clothing ourselves instead in the new Christ-like life that we’ve been given, “which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator” (v. 10).

The punchline is in verse 17. Since our life = Christ, then everything we do—every word and every deed—should be done in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

What does this have to do with why God gathers us into Christian communities, including the little communities we call small groups?

Everything, and it is spelled out in verses 12-16. This new life in Christ is essentially and unavoidably a team life. It’s something we do together as God’s chosen and beloved people:

Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

Three things stand out in this paragraph:

1. Our [community] life is complicated by the ongoing sinful vestiges of our old selves. There’s a constant need for humility and kindness and forbearance. We all have growing to do.
2. The over-arching characteristic of our community life is love—which isn’t so surprising, given that it is a life lived in the name of Christ, who loved us and gave himself for us.
3. Our task—in love, and with much patience and kindness—is to increase the rich presence of the word of Christ amongst each other by speaking it to each other. The word of Christ is what grows and changes us to be like Christ. The more it permeates our lives, the more each word and deed of our lives will be done in his name.

*Come back next week to read the rest of why God calls us to community….

TheGospelCoalition. Why Be a Small Group Member. February 20, 2022. Tony Payne.

https://au.thegospelcoalition.org/article/why-be-a-small-group-member/

‘Identity’: a word that has become laden with meaning in a chaotically unidentified generation. Our culture offers us a pick-em’ list of items through which a person might self-customize their identity; gender, sexual orientation, social media image, financial situation, popularity, ‘body count’ (yes, horrifically, that’s a term now)… the list goes on. This violent attack on our faith comes for all Christians, but specifically in the crosshairs: the young adult who follows Jesus.

As we know, the heart of this attack lies in the idea that your identity is chosen by you, projected to others, and is ‘editable’ at will – depending on how you’re feeling. For a young adult looking for their own purpose, facing a world full of shiny identities brandished across social media timelines, flaunted on school campuses, and broadcasted in headlines all around them, the identity question is hitting harder (and perhaps earlier) than ever before.   

As a youth group coordinator, I get a front-row seat to the raging war between the (often fledgling) faith of the Christian young adult and the fiery darts of the evil one. The identity attack is one of his most effective weapons. As many of their unbelieving peers begin to ‘pick’ their identities, young believers are feeling a pressure to do the same, and ‘Christian’ is becoming a less and less acceptable one. 

 ‘Christian’ is being portrayed as cliché and irrelevant, or evil and close-minded, or immature and pitiable, or innocent and unrealistic. Take your pick, I’m sure we could fill this whole page. When the voices of the world grow more devious and soothing, enticing us with refined tact away from what we believe, how do we encourage other believers to remain steadfast in who Christ made them to be? We study His Word. We meditate on who He says we are. And we remind each other of it often. Many encouragements have been on my mind for the young believer working through this question.

You are not simply a child of sinners doomed to the same – you are a Child of God, and your life is hid with Christ in God. (Colossians 3:3)

You are not just a broken product of your sin – you are a new creation. (2 Corinthians 5:17)

You are not ‘just one more Christian’ – you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His own possession. (1 Peter 2:9)

You are not simply ‘one more human’ – you are His workmanship. (Ephesians 2:10)

You are not left alone to make the right decisions – your God knows the plans He has for you. (Jeremiah 29:11)

You are not an end unto yourself – you are the body of Christ. (1 Corinthians 12:27)

You are not defined by your past mistakes – you are to put on the new self, created in the likeness of God. (Ephesians 4:22-24)

You are not a body that exists for your own editing – you are fearfully and wonderfully made. (Psalm 139:14)

You are not made to be fully at home in this world – you are a citizen of Heaven. (Philippians 3:20)

You are not left alone here to discover who you think you should be – you are chosen in Him before the foundations of the world.  (Ephesians 1:4).

As we know, Scripture is full with callings of similar tender, and glory, and courage, and peace, and so much more.

In a chaotically unidentified generation, which loves things that destroy, might we encourage each other to pursue our identity in Christ, and lean into it with all the joy of one who has been given an incomparable gift, and will one day get to bow to the King face-to-face.   

I am – a man unworthy of anything good, deserving of eternal punishment, living only by His grace towards me, grateful to serve Him imperfectly, eagerly anticipating the day I get to dwell with Him, one whose price for life was impossibly paid by another, and a future citizen of the new heavens and the new earth. Thank you, Lord, for letting me have that identity.

By Cruz Talamantes

I have often been surprised at the number of people who volunteer to serve in any capacity for our church. Maybe it’s because I know that if left to my own selfish desire, I would leave the work to others. In its purest form, serving a need in our church is a work of the Holy Spirit. It is simply an act of obedience to Jesus’ call to love others better than ourselves. In recognition of your obedience to Christ, I would like to thank every single one of you who serve joyfully, determinedly and with great conviction in our Children’s Sunday School ministry. Thank you for choosing to dedicate your time in prayer, preparation and teaching our families’ kiddos on Sundays.

Having established that your desire to serve is born out of your obedience and love for Christ, I’d like to suggest some of the reasons why you choose to serve Him teaching children. Is it because you see yourself in them when you were growing up? Do you recall your own Sunday School teachers and the impact they had on you by their loving-kindness? Or maybe, it’s because you did not grow up in church at all but now wish you’d had the opportunity that is now your own child’s? My own experience is very similar. My very first introduction to God’s word was by a young, teenaged girl who exuded kindness and patience as she taught my friends and I the story of Noah. That experience has never left me. It colored my understanding of a God who is a righteous judge, and though at the time I dreaded that I would face a similar fate, it also served to plant the seed for a joyful celebration when in my late teens, He opened my eyes to the beauty of His grace found in Christ’s suffering on the cross on my behalf. Simply put, this young lady Bible teacher laid the foundation in my heart for the gospel of Christ.

And very simply put, most of you serve with us in Sunday School because you want to let the kids entrusted to us know the beauty of the Gospel. One of you recently wrote me and said, “My goal in teaching Sunday School is to accurately handle God’s Word, point to the gospel and our need for Jesus.” It does not get more complicated than that. It is a profound message that by the Holy Spirit’s work through the life of an obedient servant will resound in the heart of a child and make them to be born again - just like you and I.

Will you join us in this important work? Do not be afraid to say yes, God equips us all for the very work he calls us to do. You do not know everything there is to know, you know Him and He is the One who equips us to teach. We currently have needs for volunteers teaching K-1st, 2nd-3rd and 4th-5th for both services. We would love for you to serve with us.

* * *

By Mike Brazie
I would encourage everyone to consider becoming involved in the Sunday School programs. Having been a Sunday School teacher for most of my Christian life, I can tell you it is a wonderful experience and blessing, and leads to greater spiritual growth. The effort of preparing lessons provides a more in-depth understanding of Scripture and the Holy Spirit’s work in your life.

Teaching middle school and high school classes was a great experience as I was able to impact youth for Christ before their views had hardened, as happens in many adults.

I have also enjoyed working with young children in Vacation Bible School, as have many of you, but having them in a regular, on-going Sunday School class leads to greater spiritual growth of the youth and deeper personal relationships with them. It is a joy to be recognized by them as a spiritual leader with whom they can ask questions and share their concerns and fears with an attitude of trust, as they seek to know God’s purpose for their lives.

Everyone I know in Sunday School leadership sees the work as a great blessing from God and one that has eternal rewards in their own lives and the lives of those they are privileged to teach. Just ask them!

You can enjoy those blessings as well, and the church will provide the help and resources you need. Please volunteer to be a part of the Sunday School team.

I have noticed now as an adult that we all look back to those years some time ago when we were kids. Whether our childhood was wonderful or difficult, it is those moments that shape how we see the world, and what we value in life. We don’t think about it much when we are that age. Especially for those of us growing up in a home of believing parents who know how to guide and direct us. We don’t realize how much of our world is being shaped, but it is. 

When I was in middle school, God turned on the light in my heart and uncovered a truth about His character through His Word that I had never quite understood before - His unconditional love. It did not matter how much of a mess I was and still am, He loves me. What got me, however, was not the fact that He loved me, but the fact that He cared about what I cared about. What mattered to me, mattered to Him. 

What I cared about began to change as well. Jesus says to store up our treasures in heaven, not in this world. That verse changed my perspective. It wasn’t about being a good person, doing good deeds, living a good life, obeying all the laws, or any of those things that had previously made me feel good about myself. It was about the people who are coming with me to heaven someday.

I looked around and watched my peers, friends, and younger cousins. They were going to church because they had to. They were praying and reading God’s Word because they were asked to. It also appeared to me several of their teachers or Bible study leaders seemed to walk into church, speak words into the room and checkmark a box that recorded their “good deed for the week”. It bothered me some. I cared about my peers but didn’t have the platform to speak truth. It seemed to me that some of these teachers didn’t value the opportunity.

A few years later, God pushed me into the work myself. He wanted me to do it a different way, the way that I was taught by my parents, and my own high-school youth group leader: the personal way. What I mean by this is to allow the kids to see my own mistakes. It isn’t always fun, but I hope they know that I care about what they care about. God loves them, and He loves what He created them to get excited about. I want kids to understand this by seeing my example. I want to be invested in who they are, not just waiting for them give me the right answer. Many kids may know the answer, but God doesn’t want the words, He wants their hearts.

Sometimes I sense that they don’t understand. Most of the time, it’s just a routine for them. I know it was like that for me when I was their age, I can’t expect anything different from them. Yet, if they hear the truth, and see that I care about who they are, these are the memories that will never leave them. I have to be willing to address problems I see in their character; I have to be willing to say no to things that sound fun (even to me). Sometimes I’ll get to say yes to things, and then I have to be willing to take the fall for my own poor decisions. In the end though, when they look back, they’ll see Jesus doing his perfect work through an imperfect person who truly cared.