Were you to ever venture just north of San
Francisco into Muir Woods, you would find an incredible forest of Sequoia
trees. Sequoias are sometimes referred to as the largest living things on
earth, reaching almost 250 feet in the air and standing for as many as fifteen
hundred years.
You would probably assume that deep roots would
be the fundamental reasons the sequoias could date back a few decades from the
collapse of the Roman Empire. That is not the case at all, because each tree’s
roots grow only about four feet deep in the ground, while going deeper helps
many trees remain upright, the Sequoia has not overcome the difficulties of
life because of its depth.
If you looked around, you would notice that
Sequoia trees grow only in groves. While their roots go only about four feet
deep into the ground, their roots intermingle with the other Sequoias next to
them. One tree has other trees surrounding it, supporting it and keeping it
strong. Each tree stands strong through the centuries because each tree depends
on others.
No believer is transformed alone. Sunday School,
and small groups are so important, because it is during this time that we gain
a sense of community, friendship, accountability, and comfort.
Does it really matter if you are involved in a small
group or not? Take a moment and look at the results of a recent study that
found the practical life differences between someone who just attends worship
and someone who is involved in a small group:
(Highlight the below boxes and you can read text)
(Highlight the below boxes and you can read text)
Question
|
Did not attend a group?
|
Attended a group 4+ times a
month
|
I intentionally spend time
with other believers in order to help them grow in their faith.
|
22%
|
63%
|
I have developed significant
relationships with people at my church.
|
57%
|
89%
|
I am intentionally putting my
spiritual gift(s) to use serving God and others.
|
42%
|
73%
|
Throughout the day I find
myself thinking about Biblical truths.
|
45%
|
74%
|
Spiritual Discipline
|
Did not attend a group
|
Attended a group 4+ times a
month.
|
Read the Bible
|
27%
|
67%
|
Pray for my church and/or church
leaders
|
30%
|
64%
|
Pray for fellow Christians I
know
|
54%
|
82%
|
Pray for the spiritual status
of people I know who are not professing Christians
|
35%
|
60%
|
Confess my sins and
wrongdoings to God and ask for forgiveness.
|
54%
|
79%
|
Behavior that is characteristic
of a growing disciple
|
Did not attend a group
|
Attended a group 4+ times a
month.
|
About what percentage of your
total annual income (before taxes) do you contribute to your local church?
|
6.07%
|
10.34%
|
Are you currently involved in
ministries or projects that serve people in the community that are not
affiliated with your church?
|
26%
|
47%
|
Do you currently have regular
responsibilities at your church (for example: greeter, teacher, musician,
etc.)?
|
25%
|
63%
|
What is holding you back from getting
involved? I want to invite you, I want to encourage you in every-way that I
know how… find a Sunday School group and begin to grow.
*see Transformational Groups
No comments:
Post a Comment