Why CONNECT in Groups?

Why should we have a CONNECT (Small Groups) Ministry at Grace Church? Well, if you're already in one of our 29 groups, you probably have a few reasons that you continue in group. This week, I am going to do something a little different - I am going to post daily rather than weekly to this space. Primarily, I am doing that for your sake. I could post the reasons to be in a group in a single post, but I'd rather dish it out in smaller portions so you can stop reading about it and get out in the world and start doing it! So, here we go...

Over 50 times in the New Testament the phrase “one another” is used to indicate the interdependent relationships which should characterize the people of God. Most of these are found in the imperative mood: they are commands. We are told to love one another, encourage one another, pray for one another, accept one another, bear one another’s burdens, and build up one another. Think about it for a minute... How would you fulfill Ephesians 5:19 in your Sunday School class, "Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs"? People would think that you had lost you mind! But I know of one of our CONNECT groups where exactly that happens. Should the study lead them to a truth illustrated in a traditional hymn, one of the members will break out in song. Most times the rest will join in. How about living in light of Hebrews 10:24? "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds." How does that work apart from meaningful relationship? As you bump into someone you barely know in the foyer, you can say, "Hey (because you can't remember his name), you should serve in the Children's Ministry!" Rather, how about you have been in a group with a guy for several weeks or months and you mention to him one day, "Have you ever thought of being part of the Water Street Outreach? The reason I ask is that I know they need a worship leader on Monday nights and you do such a fantastic job of leading our group worship time. It's like we're following you right into the very presence of God." The only way you can obey these commands is in intimate community.

While some might seek to find these relationships within their biological family, Christ’s desire was that this communion would be found among people of radically divergent backgrounds, so that the world would look at their unity and know that it was produced supernaturally by God Himself. His prayer for the church included, "May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me" (John 17:23). Our faith is intended to be worked out in community. There is no such thing as a "Lone Ranger" Christian.

So, let's take the next few days to look at Eight Reasons to Join a CONNECT Group