Small Groups

This semester, I have been reminded of one of the best parts about being here at TMC - small groups. My freshman year I was part of one and it was seriously one of the biggest blessings in my life. Last year, unfortunately, since I was so busy with classes (in the fall I had 7, in the spring, 6) at all hours of the day, 6 days a week, I was unable to participate. Even though there were two, on different days, neither semester it worked out for me to be a part of one. So, I was extremely excited to be able to join one this year.

Let me tell you...I so look forward to that time every Tuesday. Though our group is bigger than one I've been in here (10 people total, I believe), it is still small enough for everyone to be open. Or, maybe it's the fact that our wing is very open in general. Either way, we are all comfortable enough to tell things that we normally wouldn't tell so many at once. The girls are such a sweet encouragement, always.

For the last two weeks, we've begun with singing. It's awesome to sing together as a group of friends/sisters in Christ. And, it's cool to see people using their talents you did not even know they had (e.g. Bree playing guitar..never would have known otherwise). Then we share what God has been teaching us the past week, either through classes or chapel or personal time in the word or through whatever other venue He uses (and man, does He use many different kinds). After that, we dive into the Word - we are studying the "I am" statements Jesus made in John. It is so cool to see what He proclaims Himself to be, and how it was shown in the context, and how it is shown today (because He never changes).  After this, we share prayer requests or anything else on our minds. We then close in prayer, and the last couple weeks we have also gone to dinner together afterward.

Some benefits/blessings that come from small groups I've come to appreciate over the years:

• Getting to know people you would not necessarily know otherwise
• Getting to know people on a deeper level...
• ...which leads to deeper relationships
• Investing in others, who are also investing in you
• Having time set aside for conversations of eternal value
• Accountability
• Related to that, having people who will ask you about your walk with the Lord, consistency in devotions, prayer requests, struggles, etc.
• People being real. Sometimes, in passing, it's hard to be genuine. But small group is a safe place to talk about your problems and get advice from others who love the Lord and will encourage you to walk uprightly before Him
• More time studying the Word. Time in the Word with other girls. (Plus, now I'm studying Isaiah and reading Joshua for class...it's nice to be studying in the New Testament too.)
• Talking about my own struggles and sins (and having others relating to the same things) and how the Lord has worked through them with me and given me victory
• Sometimes, we have some girl time thrown in there. There are conversations we just need to have sometimes. It's good to have a time to talk with several girls, to share in one another's joys and sorrows

There is so much more I could say. I love my small group. Though at times I'm sure we're loud enough for all of Cdub to hear, it is such a sweet time of encouragement and conviction. If at all possible, I would encourage every Christian to be a part of a small group. In my opinion, it's worth any sacrifice you can make (reasonably...I wouldn't say drop a class you need for your major, for example) to be a part of one. The blessings are immense, and the rewards are eternal.