You are here: Home / Archives for friends

GUEST POST: What my Small Group has done for me – Part 2

July 7, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Yesterday we ran part one of Erick Alvarez journey in his walk with God. Today we feature part two. Click here to read part one.

 I was considered by everyone in the small group. We shared life together. We made a Facebook group to keep each other posted, went to high school service together, hung out with each other during the week, and called/texted each other when there was a prayer request or struggle in our life. When I did something stupid, I was confronted about it. When I did something not stupid, I was given a high-five. And Hugs! We hugged a lot… The point is, I wasn’t left unnoticed

I was connected to my small group. We added a new member to our small group three weeks ago. He rolled into our small group from the outside, he’s new to church (hasn’t been to church in a long time), doesn’t really know what he thinks of God and as he saw the love between us, his hardened heart began to melt. The first thing he noticed was probably “those guys love each other”- I know that because he kept coming back. He had never seen relationships like ours but he wanted to know what it was all about.

 

I can’t imagine my life without those guys – they challenge, comfort, counsel and consider me through a Christ-based connection. After every meeting on Tuesday nights, I want to be more devoted to God– when I’m with them I sense that kind of encouragement. Best part about this is taking that love and acceptance into the internship I’m currently in. As a local PEACE intern I serve the community throughout the week. It’s a privilege and an awesome responsibility but it can get stressful. Having these dudes as friends makes my job much more motivating (especially when two of them show up at random times, another one interns with you, and your leader tells you he accidently set a small fire at your desk during the weekend!!!).

Tips for every small group leader/member that wants a purpose-driven small group:

  • The small group lesson should encompass what they need to hear not just what they want to hear
  • The small group should learn to bring their whole-self into a trusted relationship
  • The small group should intentionally make sacrifices to show love
  • The small group must apply The Cross to everything

 

 

Filed Under: Guest post, Small Groups Tagged With: , , , , ,

GUEST POST: What my Small Group has done for me – Part 1

July 6, 2012 by 1 Comment

Today our guest post comes from one of the students in Matt’s high school small group. Erick has an amazing story about how his faith has grown because of a small group. Erick is interning this year with the Membership Team At Saddleback Church. Here’s part one, check back tomorrow for part two.

 It’s funny, today we are more connected through different media like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram but we feel more disconnected! One purpose of a small group is to have people speak into our lives when life sucks and to listen when something cool happens in someone’s life. The second purpose of having a small group is to belong in God’s family. When I think of my small group, I think of the second purpose, the purpose that keeps us together.

From the moment I could walk I wanted someone to help me every time I fell. When I got older I stopped falling onto concrete and started falling into things that hurt more.  Lies, drugs, bad group of friends and porn. My friends wouldn’t pick up the phone when I was hurting-but they would text me to tempt me into making bad choices! In junior year of high school I asked myself, “are these people my friends, is this a friendship?”

 That summer of my junior year, I made real friends for the first time! I felt a connection to these guys, they were different from me but had the similar problems. I had met them at camp (High School Ministry Camp), but I latched on to them because our cabin leader suggested staying as a small group

I wasn’t alone anymore. When we talked about struggles, our small group leader (Matt Reynolds) turned to the Bible for answers. He didn’t try to solve our problems; he gave us the opportunity to trust God through them. What stood out to me about my small group leader was that he took the time to have a one-on-one conversation with me whenever I needed to talk.

Here’s what my small group did for me this year:

I was challenged to live a Christ-like lifestyle. Every small group lesson is applicable to my life. Jesus is the center of our discussions and of the lessons. Most importantly, our small group leader reflects Christ’s love! High school guys don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care. My small group leader always listens, focuses and relates to my struggle

I was comforted by belonging to a body of Christ. Like in 1 Corinthians 12:12, my small group is “not made up of one part but of many”. My small group has a spectrum of personalities. We have guys that are incredibly funny, popular, great abs (Matt Regueiro) quiet guys, awkward reserved guys. Each of us contributes something to the group. How? Accountability partners. The unique talent(s) and spiritual gift(s) of each guy is put to use through keeping a friend accountable

I was counseled when I shared a struggle. Small group was a safe place to share my R rated struggles. My leader’s advice came from the Bible, his own experience, or a Pastor’s quote. It was said with love, truth and to the point. A lot of times confessing my struggle was an opportunity for another guy to confess his! To give you an idea, here are three main reasons why I could share my struggles: 1. I wasn’t going to be judged or interrogated 2. My small group leader didn’t interrupt or give an “opinion” 3. A simple rule was set when we began small group:   Whatever is shared in the small group, stays in the group

Check back tomorrow for part two!

Filed Under: Guest post, Small Groups Tagged With: , , , , ,

Pratice What You Preach!

May 31, 2011 by Leave a Comment

 

This week I had one of those “come to Jesus moments” when I realized I really need to practice what I preach, and I also came to realize that God has placed some pretty amazing people in my life. It’s ironic that the week I write a post about not giving up, I actually gave up on something in my life.  Instead of giving it up to God, I just gave up. I felt defeated; I felt alone, I felt like I had failed.

Sometimes when we’re being a butthead, we realize that our real friends will call you on the carpet and not let you get away with it, and that’s exactly what happened to me. After a two hour conversation I realized I had over reacted and needed to turn to God. I had a great quiet time and gave up to God what was on my heart, asked for His help in growing in this area, and being better able to realize when Satan is getting in my head and pushing my buttons. I think I’m good at giving problems up to God, but I seem to take them back also! I need to give them up to God…and leave them there.

God knows what we need; God knows how to grow us. Today I’m looking at my experience yesterday as a growing and stretching process. God used that problem to grow my faith, and grow me as a person. Today I feel much better, I feel re-charged and ready to fight the good fight, but I know if I hadn’t taken the time to share this problem with someone, and given it up to God, I’d still be troubled and stressed today.

Here’s the bottom line:  No matter how strong you are in your walk with God, there are times when we all need help and support. Make sure you have a support system around you…AND USE IT!

Filed Under: Encouragement, Spriritual Life Tagged With: , , ,