Digging Deeper – Why Small Groups?

I pray you’ve hung in there through a week’s worth of historical anecdotes about small groups. Learning the stories and biographies of Christians who faithfully lived out their faith in generations past ought to inspire us in our own walk with the Lord—I know it has inspired me. Now, let me tell you why small groups matter so much to me.

In 2016, my wife and I were in a difficult season of life. I had just gotten sober after a decade-long battle with alcoholism. We were enduring financial and legal hardships as a result of my addiction, and we had three children, including a newborn. Yet, in the middle of it all, the Lord was stirring in our hearts.

We began looking for a church, and NorthStar is where we landed. We desperately desired biblical community for several reasons: (1) we wanted to grow in our faith within the local body of Christ; (2) we needed support as we navigated the trials we were facing; and (3) we wanted our children to grow up surrounded by godly friendships.

I remember praying during those early days, asking God to give us Christian friends. Before long, we found ourselves in a married couples’ small group, and I was pouring out my heart to strangers in living rooms as we worked our way through books of the Bible. Before we knew it, we were having guys’ and girls’ nights, our kids were enjoying playdates together, and we were discovering that everyone else’s life was messy too.

Even more importantly, prayers were being answered. We were growing closer to God. Fruit was being produced in our lives. And somehow, by God’s grace, I was still sober.

Eventually, we began leading small groups ourselves.

One day, I came home to find that my wife had bought a framed picture that still hangs in our bedroom today. It simply says, “I still remember when I prayed for the things I have now.” Even as I write these words and remember that season, I am overcome with emotion—or perhaps a better word is gratitude.

I cannot say enough about the importance of being plugged into a small group or about the work God is able to do in the hearts of people who gather together out of devotion to Jesus Christ. Whether viewed through the lens of church history or personal experience, I hope this week has demonstrated that truth.

My prayer is that, wherever you are reading this today, you will have the opportunity to encourage someone in the Lord—and to be encouraged by someone in the Lord. We were never meant to follow Jesus alone.

God bless.