Saving...God provides guidance for us in the journey of life. However, it is up to us to follow those directions and define the path. My wife and I began our true journey of life, leaving behind the common Christianity way of life. We made the decision to fulfill one of our most important promises to God: expanding His Kingdom through discipleship. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 states “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”
We embarked on this journey when we formed a small group through LifePoint. Of course we were afraid, not having an extensive knowledge of the Bible, but our hearts were so heavy with the need to grow. We had the desire to grow spiritually, but an even more pressing desire to “do God” with others.
Recruiting others on the recruitment day, (GroupLink), was our first major task, which was a complete success. How? Banana bread…yes, food lures everyone into your web. Baked goods were the beginning of relationships, community, spirituality, and family. The first series of small group sessions were challenging since this “small group” thing was new to all of us. Each Sunday, we would gather at a designated home for our meetings. We would have our session and then a potluck feast would follow. During our potluck feast, we would socialize and learn each other’s habits, likes, and dislikes. Ah, we were building our spiritual family.
We continued to strengthen our foundation with community service projects. The Exchange Family Club was our group’s first experience executing community service. We all did our share of yard work (planted flowers, pulled weeds, cut the grass) throughout the summer. It was truly amazing to see us all work together. We put our selfish desires aside to assist others, wow!
Serving dinner on Easter Sunday, (yes Easter Sunday), to the senior citizens living in the Meadowlawn Manor senior housing community is another example of the group’s dedication to releasing selfishness and advancing in selflessness. We invited, cooked, delivered, and served! The community was so appreciative and wanted to know why we were doing this. My answer was simply that we wanted to show them that we loved them and that we care. I had an elderly lady call me over in the middle of her dinner, and to my surprise, she asked me to marry her. That is what I call gratification!
Our group has grown tremendously, not referring to just size, but growth spiritually, socially, and relationally. We have learned to be more than the average Christian. Yes, we realize that we may have our fire insurance on hand, but we have to fulfill the desires to keep serving, caring, loving, and simply being like Him.
~Marcus & Timeka Mister, LifePoint Church Small Group Leaders
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