Why are you Leading a Small Group anyway?

Over the last 4 years of leading bible study, I still haven’t figured out all the nooks and crannies and still forget to do things that are pretty routine; so I thought that it might be beneficial to share and explore different things that I have learned and things that I am currently learning. I figured at best we can help each other in the battle to fight for God and encourage our brethren to do the same. I hope that you can take any information I give you and make it your own, seeking God about what you should do, and have a vision for where you want to end up—ultimately we want to be relationaries – sharing not just God with each other but our lives as well.

There have been amazing things that have happened in the small groups that you have been in. Begin to think about what God has done in your life, specifically through your small group. It might be good to ask yourself the following questions:

- Do you think God will do great things through your group? Why
o At first when I was thinking about this, I had to struggle with God about it. I have prayed for bible studies in the past, I have fasted, I have done all I knew what and how to do and never did it turn out how I thought. And so I was disappointed; however, I really desire to have a group of women (freshies) that really love Jesus and want to be close to God and pursue a relationship with Him more than any other. I really want and desire this more than anything for them.

- Share some of the ways you’ve been a beneficiary of those who have gone before you in their walks with the Lord. In what ways does this motivate you to pass God’s Word on to others?
o I had a great opportunity to see and bare witness to an older woman who had walked with the Lord for quite some time. Since I was a new believer watching her and her passion for God it inspired me to pursue the same thing and want/yearn for the same thing. She taught me how to pour into other people, how to pursue God and be a woman of integrity. She also has radically changed my life and helped me to pursue healing and ultimately FREEDOM! A priceless gift that completely changed my entire life.

- George Whitfield said that a ‘sincere person will esteem it (a small group) one of the greatest blessings’. What reason did he give? Do you agree or Disagree?
o People in small groups share their hearts, and pray for and comfort one another as needed. People who experience it can tell the unspeakable advantage of such communion of souls. I agree – people who open their hearts and share parts of their struggles and joys and prayers and answers share a deep soul connection. These Connections are life changing, and motivate other people to pursue these relationships forever. Not being satisfied with surface level relationships. It’s a great thing and will encourage other people’s lives to be changed as well.


I will be looking more into TURT (the ultimate road trip) for tips, suggestions and questions to ponder about why you are doing what you are doing. Why are you leading a bible study anyway?

:Man:

MisterE



Nick



Matt Reppert

:Captured:

Rachel Williams


It always interests me... women.
Each so different and so confusing, simply complex. Being a woman myself you'd think I'd have an edge. But I do not. I am just as lost in the MiX as everyone else.

Even though I am new at taking photos I am attempting to discover my swagger. Here are a few shots I enjoyed from a bday party I crashed!

Beth Meyer & Jlee in the Background


There are a few with these ladies that I really like... such as:

Beth Meyer & Rachel


This picture reminds of a boring dinner where no one seems to be interested in anything particular.

At the Expense of a Cherry

There are things that bring us great pride and pleasure. And at the dinner table that night: this was one of those moments.

The skill and technique involved... unmatched.

Performance Scene 1

I looked for you to notice,
And danced around non-stop.
You think with all the commotion
Your glance would graze on by
Like sheep in a field .
Chickens were no competition for me…
Even as they are personified to be 8lbs lighter.

The light was on, the music playing
Each year it got louder as the cost went sky high.
Everyday I danced the dance I thought you’d like.
Everyday you would see, you’d watch the growth, maturity,
Strength and weakness. You saw the gleam in my eyes awaiting approval
As words came reeking of day old milk, left out in the sun.
It never tasted good, you never seemed to enjoy what we shared.

Training relentlessly disregarding exhaustion
As a worm crawls into the dirt; I crawled into my bed.
Hiding under the soil that was my blanket.

One kind word, one encouraging statement: Never!
Never noticing my heart, which only wanted to make you happy
And show you how much I loved you.
Show you that I would work harder, do anything for you.
All I wanted was you to love me back
Trying hard to earn and never getting paid.

I cannot help it now.
Every time I think of performance I think of ‘Our Dance’
It never fully became ours, it was always just mine.
Delusion of love. Aroma of lavender never escaped your mouth
The decay of rotten milk filled our lives.

Fall came and summer went as the stench only got worse.
My heart and nose endured too much—the Healer said it was a heart condition.
... No more dance.

I’ll never know what your love feels like,
At least I know the love of my Father.

Broken 11.17.2008

Being Damaged - living in captivity.
Imprisoned. Barricaded. Locked up. Shut out.
Best friends with yourself. Hidden from pursuits of others.

Territory guarded. Gated. Fenced. Walls up.
Jerk away from outreached hands.
Experienced pain once, twice, trice. Learned noted retained.

Diligently surviving, coping gives the allusion of a better life than to relived buried pain stored away deep within the corners of basements, attics and refrigerators.
Walls reaching the outer limits space, letting people in becomes impossible.

I RESENT ANYONE WHO TRIES TO CONTROL ME!!!!
And fear the words of friend. I fight for myself.

Change focus from inside to outside.
Everything becomes performance based. I work hard to forget my reality.
I delight in hearing about other people's pleasures - unattainable fantasies.

Fainting momentary glimpses of actual freedom show my heart's true potential.
Reveal a spirit - lonely - inside of me__Bound by the vow of silence
Fenced people out__DO NOT TOUCH ME!!
For even your touch is poison.

Frustrated. SAD. Angry knowing all this came upon me not because of someone else's choice.
My turn to make a decision.
22 years of brokenness and isolation turn to face a trouble heart.
Terrified. Afraid. See the reflection?
Against a pool of sadness and grief.

Unable to walk, I CRAWL along with a little tea light hoping it won't burn out.
My flame is low. Don't splash water or breathe deeply - this is a slow crawl out of the darkness.
I long for the sun and wholeness that I know God brings.
I have no hope in myself, even despite my perfectionist nature I experience a failed self.

Robbing Jesus
Heal me.
My spirit longs to be free.
I wait with anticipation to see how Beautiful a whole can be.

In my moment of need You were there.

Boties are so Straight