It was a popcorn question meant as an opening at our group’s recent Tuesday night Bible study.
“In your faith walk in recent years, what kinds of things have held you back from moving toward or deepening your relationship with Christ?”
The challenge opened a flood of responses around the table.
“Fear!”
“Money!”
“Friends!”
“Career!”
“The culture!”
In the course of the evening, several people shared how important this Bible study group – which was formed through Ascension and has been meeting weekly for more than 20 years! – has been in their faith walk and in helping them deepen their relationship with Jesus. It has helped all of us overcome obstacles that previously distracted us or held us back.
That’s the blessing of community, the ability to gather, be lifted up, encouraged, strengthened and better able to discern God’s will in our lives.
It’s also the reason the early church flourished. Small groups, usually gathering in homes, ministering to one another. Iron sharpening iron (Proverbs 27:17).
Do you participate in a small group? Perhaps it’s just what your faith walk needs right now.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for the encouragement of and fellowship with others. Please bless those (specific names?) who have been such an important part of my faith walk and have shown me your love in sometimes remarkable ways. Bless them, and please bless me today. I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Ed Klodt
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