Small Group - Big Purpose

By Eileen Gathman

One of the greatest lessons I've learned these past 9 months is... spending 5 hours at small group is not unusual! Since our group began meeting last fall, there have been many weeks that our group doesn't leave until 1 am. We originally formed to gather young couples experiencing the different blessings and challenges that we find in the first years of marriage. As we met together, we could see that we all just needed a place to be free to share openly about what God is showing us. God has brought us together to teach us new things, connecting us into a community where we are stretched beyond our comfort levels.

When Central decided to participate in 40 Days of Purpose, our group wanted to support the campaign by being a place where new people could have a place to connect. After talking with our members and much prayer, we decided to open our group to new couples who might be interested in joining a small group for 40 Days of Purpose. We had no idea who God was going to bring into our lives and yet we knew confidently that somehow, this would be a blessing to some equally unsuspecting young couples.

God is already showing that He is a part of these 40 Days. We met a couple after the simulcast who thought that our group might be a good fit for them. As we continued in conversation I noticed that they seemed eager to share something with me, yet were holding back. I followed my intuition and asked if there was something else they wanted to share. She said, "We're adopting a child." I exclaimed, "How wonderful; I'm adopted too!" "Surely not from Guatemala," she said. "No. I'm from Bogotá, Colombia," I proudly responded. I felt the immediate connection of international adoption and as we reached over to hug, we both said, "This was meant to be." This is just one example of how God brings people together in small groups to help us minister to one another in special ways.

Are you missing something that was "meant to be?" If you have not already signed up for a small group, I hope that you will take some time to do that. I'm so thankful that these 40 Days are finally here and that our small group has grown to this new level. Let us praise the Lord for all that He allows us to experience as His bride!