Benefits of Small Groups

Disclaimer #1:  I am the pastor of Emmanuel Baptist Church's Soul Care ministry, which is our small group ministry.  This fact should not disqualify me from sharing how much I enjoy our small groups.

Disclaimer #2:  I am in no way, shape or form saying that you will have these same small group experiences

Over the last several years we have really enjoyed leading small groups in our home.  We have been blessed with opportunities to continue learning and growing with a family we have been with for years.  We have also been blessed to meet new friends.

I want to share five different blessings I have received through Soul Care this past year.

• Meeting new members.  On several different occasions we have gotten to know individuals even better through Soul Care before they became members of our church. 

This pile of shoes has the footwear of old and new members
of our Soul Care group

• Hearing from a parent that their child asked when Soul Care starts up again.  We do something in our Soul Care groups that might be a little unique.  We have everyone, children and adults, meet together for a short devotional usually based on Sunday's lesson.  The children then have some time to play together as the parents look at what they are studying that night. 

• Great meal times.  We have had some great conversation and fun (water guns and can jam) over a meal at someone's house.  
    

• A trip to North Carolina.  Now this one is a little extreme but it was an extreme blessing to me.  Former members of one of our groups moved to North Carolina.  Recently we had the amazing opportunity to visit them.  And while it was great that I had the opportunity to go to a Duke basketball game with Ryan, even more than that it was AWESOME having a relaxing, fun time with the Takenaga family. 

 

• Personal Spiritual Growth.  Finally, and most importantly, I have really enjoy growing alongside brothers and sisters in Christ.  The most recent ONWARD study we did was particularly helpful.  

One of the best things I have appreciated over the last several years is getting to know new people through our small groups.  We have also been able to maintain some great friendships over the years also.