The Group Scoop

My study girls and I have had some great classes these past couple weeks. It just tells me more and more how God divinely chose this group and this topic (Fear). One thing I gained from this group is that it really is the best setting for me. I love that there are only a few of us. I've been able to open up and share with them the way I am not able to do in a large group. While I can't speak for the others, I can guess they would agree with that for themselves too.

In a small group, there are not "groups" within the group. We're all one group! It does make a difference on whether a person will open up or not. It makes a difference on whether relationships will continue after the class is done. It helps to establish that "confession" time that all Christians need in order to learn and grow. It has helped me immensely to learn to trust others in a new way. I know I can be myself, and guess what? They still like me! I've had a chance to connect with them all in a personal way, and it's drawn us closer together. God is pretty clever about these things as it turns out.

This time with these special ladies has been a blessing beyond belief for me, and I know it has been for them too. I have learned so much from them and from our study. I will be sad to see it end, but I have a feeling this will become a habit for me. I've been able to use my spiritual gifts of encouragement, hospitality, and teaching (yes, teaching!) and get some really good practice!

When God urged me to do this study in the beginning, I knew it had to be His idea, because it's out of my comfort zone. Then he chose the people. I waited for Him to show me who and when, but I didn't get the "why". When the "who" I thought it was for didn't end up coming at all, I became a bit confused. Then as our study progressed, I realized that we are all the "who", including me. And the "why"? I think I get that now too.

We're almost done with our Fearless (by Max Lucado) study, and I have learned a great deal from the book. Now that I've read more of it, I would highly recommend it to you. I won't ask you to study it with me, because that method hasn't worked in the past. What I will do is wait on God for the who, the why, and the when.

Be blessed!