Prayer For Purpose
One church learned that prayer is the essential ingredient for small group success.
Anonymous
Linda lay in bed recuperating from knee surgery. As
much as she wanted to go to church and participate in the weeks leading
up to the 40 Days of Purpose campaign, Linda could barely get out of
bed. . .
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100 Percent Community
How one church connected an entire congregation through small groups.
By Allen White
"Connect 100 percent of your congregation into small groups." Now that's a sales pitch. Our church was stuck: A small number of our
adults—only 30 percent—were involved in small groups. . .
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Old but Not Worthless
An elderly woman is used by God despite her age.
Edith, recently widowed, was depressed. After
her husband's death, she experienced a stroke and was partially
paralyzed. Against Edith's will, her daughters urged her to move to a
nursing home. . .
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Loving the Unlovable
How one woman forgave her father.
Anonymous
"Can you love God if you don't love your neighbor?" Jenny asked her small group. It seemed like a simple question, but the lengthy
pause suggested otherwise. Martha, a new believer, broke the silence.
"I suppose the 'right' answer is we can't love God; but right now I
feel like I love God, but I can't love my dad. He's hurt me too deeply." . .
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Expecting God's Miracles
A paralyzed woman witnesses a miracle of a changed heart.
Anonymous
Barbara, paralyzed during a car accident, can't
drive. She relies on several caregivers, one specifically designated to
drive her to and from church. . .
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The Call from the Holy Spirit
And the leader's obedient response.
Anonymous
Amy had completed a year of leadership in a women's
ministry at her church. When asked to lead a small group of
stay-at-home moms, she immediately agreed. Days earlier, she had felt
the Holy Spirit nudging her in this direction. . .
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Dominated by One
Confronting a member in love.
Anonymous
Connie loved to talk. Most of all, she loved to psychobabble.
She'd prattle on during Bible study: "My boyfriend
won't talk about the future of our relationship, but he spends each
weekend with me. I think he likes me. But why doesn't he tell me his
true feelings? Is he just being a guy? . .
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From Bargainer to Believer
After a tragic accident, a man finds purpose and rewards in obeying and leading
by Dennis DeKay
Four years ago I was in a terrible accident. Rolling
over four times, I broke my neck in four places. During emergency
surgery my vocal cords became paralyzed. I often wondered why God
spared me. I thought, He must have a purpose for me. . .
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Making Room at Your Tables
by Stacie K.B. Maslyn
In Luke 14, Jesus tells a parable of a man in need
of guests for the elaborate banquet he had prepared. To get these
guests, he sent his servants out into the streets and alleys of the
town to bring anyone they could find to his table. He told them, "Go
out to the roads and country lanes and make them come in, so that my
house will be full." . .
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Pushing through Fear
The emotions ran so high for that first meeting of my small group. Who
would show up? Would the personalities mesh? Would everyone be
friendly, or would I have a member that would require "extra care"? And
what if I was asked a question that I couldn't answer? Would God bless
the group with immediate spiritual growth and spiritual fruit? . .
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Relationships That Last
Moving from out-of-state to a new area was such a transition. In
addition to a new job and new schools, we would have to find new
friends. Family seemed so far away. . .
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From Seeker to Believer
I'm really glad that our hosts were bold enough to
take this step forward and open their home for the small group study.
My cousin has just moved to town with her fiancée. . .
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