For a great re-cap of my small group's trip to Koh Kret today, check out Steph's post! [click here]. A big "amen!" on all that she wrote and shared.
Here are a few of the things God's taught me in the past 4-ish months of leading this wonderful small group...
- Never underestimate the importance of consistency. Sometimes we had only one or two people come, but we would still meet. Consistency communicates that each person is important and valuable and worth investing in.
- Take time to be a community. This thought was first introduced to me by my college pastor, Doug. Yes, small group is first and foremost about the glory of God through learning and studying His Word. However, a well timed trip or outing to break the routine allows for friends to be invited and integrated into the group... It also reinforces the philosophy that you are a family. As Christians, we are more than just "Bible learners," we are people. And the group needs to see that, too!
- Be generous. Especially in Thailand, to be generous is to care. As a leader and a member of the group, being generous is a way to show investment. Celebrate together: birthdays, accomplishments, spiritual birthdays, etc. Give gifts or give time, but give generously. As I was reminded recently while reading in Romans, "Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another..." (13:8a). Create love-debts within your group!
- Push through the awkward. I started learning this lesson about two years ago when confronted by Doug about my inclination to bail out of uncomfortable conversations (Agh! There was a pause in the conversation, I'm out of things to talk about, better go, bye!). I'm still far from proficiency, but Thailand has given me a lot of practice in this area! Your relationships will have awkward moments because we're all a little awkward at heart. Don't let it deter you from continuing to pursue the conversation. You never know what sort of a lovely conversation you might have once you push through the awkward. People notice if you care enough to keep conversing.
- Value the friends of your group! God has grown our group entirely by the friend-invites (and friend of friend invites) of our original two members. When friends are brought, include them, invest in them, and treat them well. Nothing makes someone want to invite more friends, than when the friend they did invite is included and valued.
- And lastly, and also foundationally, have some people commit to pray for your group. For those of you who have been specifically praying for this small group since my first post on it August 18th, thank you! God is hearing and honoring and answering your prayers! Please don't stop :) There are still a lot of transitions ahead for the group, and we need your continued prayers.
Our small group (minus the three who weren't able to make it):
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| [Back L-R: JJ, Steph, Onn, Thep, Front L-R: Aom, Me, Nicha, Jum, Aey] |
- Never underestimate the importance of consistency. Sometimes we had only one or two people come, but we would still meet. Consistency communicates that each person is important and valuable and worth investing in.
- Take time to be a community. This thought was first introduced to me by my college pastor, Doug. Yes, small group is first and foremost about the glory of God through learning and studying His Word. However, a well timed trip or outing to break the routine allows for friends to be invited and integrated into the group... It also reinforces the philosophy that you are a family. As Christians, we are more than just "Bible learners," we are people. And the group needs to see that, too!
- Be generous. Especially in Thailand, to be generous is to care. As a leader and a member of the group, being generous is a way to show investment. Celebrate together: birthdays, accomplishments, spiritual birthdays, etc. Give gifts or give time, but give generously. As I was reminded recently while reading in Romans, "Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another..." (13:8a). Create love-debts within your group!
- Push through the awkward. I started learning this lesson about two years ago when confronted by Doug about my inclination to bail out of uncomfortable conversations (Agh! There was a pause in the conversation, I'm out of things to talk about, better go, bye!). I'm still far from proficiency, but Thailand has given me a lot of practice in this area! Your relationships will have awkward moments because we're all a little awkward at heart. Don't let it deter you from continuing to pursue the conversation. You never know what sort of a lovely conversation you might have once you push through the awkward. People notice if you care enough to keep conversing.
- Value the friends of your group! God has grown our group entirely by the friend-invites (and friend of friend invites) of our original two members. When friends are brought, include them, invest in them, and treat them well. Nothing makes someone want to invite more friends, than when the friend they did invite is included and valued.
- And lastly, and also foundationally, have some people commit to pray for your group. For those of you who have been specifically praying for this small group since my first post on it August 18th, thank you! God is hearing and honoring and answering your prayers! Please don't stop :) There are still a lot of transitions ahead for the group, and we need your continued prayers.
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