New Small Group Big Ideas

My wife, Kat, and I started a new home group today in our small town of Louisburg, KS. Right now we have two other couples coming and tonight we talked about what each of us hopes will be the results of our group.

I went over what I plan for the structure of the group to be and the guidelines for the group. The teaching part will be 10-15 minutes and the discussion and sharing will be 30-40 minutes followed by fellowship of 20 minutes.

My guidelines are simple:
1. Respect each other
2. Sharing is encouraged but not mandatory
3. What is shared in the groups stays within the group.

Some of the goals we set for the group where:
1. No matter what the topic or book we study always refer back to the Bible as our guide and authority. Be open to the Holy Spirit moving the group to where He wants us to be on any given night.
2. Build group with the idea in mind of developing new leaders for new groups.
3. Do service projects to meet the needs of those in community who less fortunate than we are.
4. Have the small group at the park now and then giving away hot dogs to those at the park.
5. Go to local nursing homes and visit those who reside there.
6. End every meeting focusing by praying about the needs of those in the group.

Most of you do not live in our area and you may be asking what does this post have to do with me? This group is beginning with 3 couples but we have set BIG goals. What this post has to do with you is to encourage you to move beyond where you are today. Set Big Goals for yourself and for those you are involved with.

The problems in your community or in your church can be solved if you will do three things:
1. Lay them before God in prayer.
2. Agree as a group or as an individual that you will use your gifts and talents to help better the situation. Be a part of the solution not the problem.
3. Plan Big Goals and then seek the involvement of the Holy Spirit to make them come about.
4. Do not, do not give up. If you fail get up and try again.

Now go light your world.

My Saturday

I spent most of Saturday at a breakfast for men. I will share with you over the next few days the things the speaker stirred in me.

Much of my afternoon was spent raking the fall leaves which covered our yard. Only the third time raking my neighbors leaves out of our yard. You might be wondering about where our leaves are, well, they blew over into my other neighbors yard before I could rake them up. In our little town of Louisburg, KS we believe in sharing.

I have decided to re-read a book I read when I was in grade school, "John Paul Jones" by Vinson Brown. I found this book a few years ago when my wife, Kat, and I were looking through a flea market close to my home town of Eldon, MO. I found the very book I held in my hands as a young boy. It was though I had found a priceless book when I found it. And to me it was because of the memories of how this book struck me back when I was a youth. As I read it again I will share with you each part his story that impacted me.

How I wish I had the same type of memories from my youth of having read the Bible and being struck by the truth that is found in its pages.

This post contains no great words of knowledge or stirring wisdom but for someone it will stir a memory. I encourage you to allow that memory to come out in your comment so that we can all benefit from your experience.