Some of the best times I can remember involve a group. Whether it’s a small group of three or four, like my family, or a larger group of fourteen to sixteen, some of life’s greatest moments happen when we’re together.
For me, a small group we started many years ago sparked something inside of me that has lasted my entire life: there is a greater chance to grow and live a life that is pleasing to God if I am not alone.
The most impactful group I was ever a part of started about the same time Rick Warren released The Purpose Driven Life. One day Lori, a friend of ours, came up to me and said the church wanted to start small groups. She didn’t ask as much as she told me.
“We think it would be a good idea to have a group, you’re going to lead it, and we’re having it at your house.”
Wow. Okay. Sounds like fun. I’m in.
That’s really how the best group I’ve ever been a part of got started.
The group eventually grew to seven couples who spent the next several years getting to know each other on a deeper level than some families ever do. Every Sunday night we gathered at our house for a couple of hours and shared life together. Sometimes we vacationed together.
One time we even rented a cabin in the mountains for a weekend. It was a great opportunity to get away, relax, and enjoy each other’s company.
But those relationships weren’t built on the good times alone.
We also walked through real life together.
One couple had a child go to jail because of some poor life choices. Another set of parents walked with their daughter through a divorce. Several members faced serious health challenges, including cancer and another member eventually a heart transplant.
Sure, we had conversations about rough days and difficult family situations. But the real glue that held us together was learning more about God and His love for us. Because of that foundation, we not only deepened our relationship with God, but we also grew closer to one another as we grew closer to Him.
In past posts I’ve talked about mentoring. Most of those conversations focused on one-on-one relationships, but at the same time I’ve seen more growth—and more sustained growth—come from being part of a group.
Reggie Campbell said:
“Jesus, the world’s greatest mentor, worked with a group. That’s right, a group. All my life, I thought of mentoring only as an individual thing… one-on-one, life-on-life. But Jesus started… and ended… with a group.”
I’ve also taught several groups with the intention of helping people uncover more about why God created them the way He did. The goal was to help people discover the “why behind the what” of their lives—their personal ethos.
You may be asking:
Why did God create me?
Why did God allow me to experience the things I have experienced?
Whether you view your past as good or bad, God uses those experiences to shape who you are.
At the end of the nine months we spent together, the goal was for every person to answer this question:
God created me for the purpose of ____________.
Can you answer that?
And is your answer more than, “God created me to worship Him?” That’s true, but He created all of us for that.
Or, “God created me to love God and love others?” That’s also true, but that’s the calling of every believer.
But why did God create you?
With your past.
Your family.
Your gifts.
Why were you born when you were born, where you were born, and into the family you were born into?
My point is this:
You were created by a God who loves you and never intended for you to live life alone.
He wants you to learn, live, and teach others about His love and His way of life. Part of that journey is helping someone else along the way. In my experience, you’ll do that best in a group.
Who are you mentoring?
What group are you a part of?
What are you learning because of it?
Looking forward to seeing you Wednesday morning!!
— Bryan
ETHOS 4 LIFE 