For Rainy Day Monday today, I am going to be doing something slightly different. As you know, the point is to post one of my old posts again, or to borrow one from a friend with their permission. Today I am going to steal one without the author's permission.
Many years ago, when I was going through a difficult time about my purpose in life, and quite a few frustrations with my Small Group, I found a site called. On Being A Small Group Leader. I discovered it completely by accident, where I was actually googling some some lyrics he quoted.
One post in particular really touched me. It reminded me why I wanted to be a Small Group Leader. It re-confirmed that this was where I was supposed to be. It helped me understand that whatever else I might do for the Lord, this was something I was.
The post could have been written by me, it so clearly expressed my feelings. And they are still as real today as they were back then.
All excepy number 15, since I don't have any wife or children. But the rest are all gold. :-)
The reason I say it is stolen, is because shortly after I discovered the blog, and while I was still reading through all the old posts, the writer stopped posting. He jsut dissappeared. I was so moved by some of his posts that I tried to contact him, and put a little effort into contacting him to let him know how it had changed my life.
I never found him.
But luckily the blog is still up and running, so the posts are still there.
So if you are Matt Howell, or know where to find him, tell him I am sorry I couldn't get his permission to share this today; and tell him to pop over and visit, and see how he helped a little FISH find his place in the world.
Right Where I'm Supposed To Be
I was talking with Mark, my friend and small group apprentice, about the small group we lead together.
The conversation reminded me again of one of the best things about being me right now ... I feel absolutely sure I'm doing just what God put me on the earth to do. I really believe that, at this point in time, my life's work is to be a small group leader. All the experiences, all the learning, all the studying, has brought me to this point.
This is a place I've rarely visited, and it's a great place to be.
So, what do I like about being a small group leader?
1 - I like the preparation for the study portion of our sessions.
2 - I like thinking strategically about how to help our people grow spiritually.
3 - I like the challenge of finding new ways to communicate old truths.
4 - I like the snacks afterwards.
5 - I like the way our group laughs together.
6 - I like talking about God with others who like talking about Him.
7 - I like the look on someone's face when something "clicks on" for them.
8 - I like listening to our group members pray.
9 - I like the challenge of coming up with opening questions that have a purpose behind them.
10 - I like reading about leading small groups.
11 - I like the positive feedback I get from our small group director.
12 - I like having people to pray for.
13 - I like having people who pray for me.
14 - I like feeling like I'm not alone in our church.
15 - I like having the kids in the house, seeing the value Mom and Dad place on their spiritual lives.
16 - I like the way that I have to keep growing so I can keep up with the others in our group.
17 - I like listening to relatively new Christians struggle to understand the Bible, because I know their struggles will pay off.
18 - I like the way I feel when people walk into the house for our meeting.
19 - I like the way being a small group leader has become such a large part of my daily thoughts.
20 - I like knowing that, for whatever reason, God trusts me to do this for Him.
21 - I like watching people grow spiritually.
22 - I like watching the walls gradually coming down in our group as people become more willing to "be real" with each other.
23 - I like the fun we have when we have social events together.
24 - I like belonging somewhere.
25 - I like giving others a place to belong.
26 - I like knowing that I'm not responsible for making eternal things happen in the lives of others.
27 - I like learning to trust in God to effect life change.
28 - I like having a purpose for my life.
29 - I like feeling like I'm making a difference in the lives of others.
30 - I like feeling like I'm making a difference for the kingdom.
Join the madness. Do a RDM post as well.
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I like this, too. You know what I like about this? A small group can collaborate on their own version, and put it in their Church bulletin to encourage others in their parish to become part of a small group.
ReplyDeleteEven if you are more interested in reaching those outside the Church, knowing what you and your group like about your group is a handy dandy thing.
Great! Makes me even more excited to get our small Bible group going for the youth! :)
ReplyDelete