Sorry about all the questions, but I am going somewhere. The biggest reason people stay at a church is not the stuff that happens on Sunday morning. All the programs and elements of worship are purposeful and play a powerful role in our faith, but most people need to feel like they belong. This need is woven into our core, we call it relationship. That’s what small group is all about.

Who do you know at MCC? I mean really know. Developing real friendships with people who have placed Jesus in the center of their lives is a vital step in nurturing your faith. We are forming groups that will meet for 6 weeks. Would you be willing to try a small group for a short time? This could be the tool God uses to take your faith to the next level!

• I do devotions (a task)
• I read the Bible (a book)
• I go to Church (a place)
• I have eternal life (an “it”)
• I have a code of conduct (a list of do’s & don’ts)

I guess it deserves explanation. How are we supposed to do this relationship with Jesus? We take all (or both) of our relationship skills that are workings so well in the rest of our relationships, and try to apply them to a Lord we cannot see, touch or hear. So how’s that working out for you?

Every one of those bullet points are valid. They all represent parts of the equation, but the calling is greater than the sum. We can’t just place a check mark by each item and expect a deep, meaningful relationship with Jesus. He knows us best. He made us (John. 1:3) and does not call us to something without preparing a way.

“My prayer is not for them alone (the Disciples). I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” John 17:20-21

His prayer was for UNITY! Jesus knew we could not do it on our own. It looks like Jesus is saying the world will not believe the message if the church is not as connected to each other as He was to the Father. You see the viability of our personal relationship with Jesus has a great deal to do with our connection with the Body of Christ – His Church!

If you struggle with “feeling” a connection with Jesus, may I suggest connecting with one of His children. You will learn, they will grow and the whole world will notice the LOVE. The good news goes on!

I listened to a room full of counselors talk about embarrassing moments and the pinnacle of success. A great deal of the detail they shared was what was said to them or about them. The highs and the lows were defined by the words they heard. Praise or criticism.  Building up or tearing down.

Ephesians 4:29 – Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

This is not to say all criticism is unwholesome. We all certainly need to benefit from the perspective of our friends. Proverbs 15:22 says – Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed. I might continue down the wrong road if I don’t get a little help. But did you notice the bold section in the Ephesians passage?

“According to their needs” The “their” is not referring to the speaker, it is aimed at the listener. Our words are supposed to be carefully selected to help the hearer grow, and know that they are loved. Too often, we are just ticked off and unload on the person we feel is in the wrong. They might be wrong, but if our motive is to vent we are talking to the wrong person.

Don’t ever forget that your words are powerful. Proverbs 18:21 – The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit. Make sure you are planting a blessing in someone’s memory!