SPIRITUAL COMPANIONSHIP
Faith was never meant to be a solo journey, and every single one of us needs an earthly friend as a companion in the light.
Consider joining or starting a "micro-group": a group of 2-4 people living in the light together, practicing reading Scripture, prayer, and honesty, and meeting once a week.
Your greatest spiritual transformation is likely to happen in the context of one or two or a few trusted people in your life---much more reliably than in a large worship gathering or even perhaps alone in your prayer closet. Important as those things are, they are likely not enough on their own to get us all the way to where God is leading us.
Consider joining or starting a "micro-group": a group of 2-4 people living in the light together, practicing reading Scripture, prayer, and honesty, and meeting once a week.
Your greatest spiritual transformation is likely to happen in the context of one or two or a few trusted people in your life---much more reliably than in a large worship gathering or even perhaps alone in your prayer closet. Important as those things are, they are likely not enough on their own to get us all the way to where God is leading us.
What is a micro-group?
A group of 2-4 people who meet weekly to share together and who are committed to shared spiritual practices throughout the week. There is no appointed leader who calls the shots, and no curriculum to study.
Why so small?
It's easier to share honestly with a smaller group and easier to schedule too. Everyone can share without the meeting going too long, and everyone can pray for everyone else's requests in a reasonable time each day. The ideal group size is 2-3 people. It is recommended that once a fourth person joins and stays committed that the group divide into two groups of two (each of which could then welcome a third person into their circle).
What are the weekly practices?
- In the circle of friendship, decide on a passage of Scripture to read every day for a week. It could be as short as the Lord's prayer, or as long as an entire epistle. Everyone reads it once a day between meetings. Read with an ear for what the Spirit may be saying to you.
- Each person gives 1-2 names for intercessory prayer, and everyone prays for everyone else's names every day between meetings. You can change the names you put forward for intercession at any time.
What are the weekly meetings like?
- They can be in homes, coffee shops, offices, or hiking trails -- anywhere that works for you.
- Meetings are 45-90 minutes, depending on your availability and preference.
- Meetings have no leader, but members of the group rotate acting as the facilitator, helping the group move from one item to the next.
- Each person shares 1-3 short reflections from their Bible reading that week. You can bring up something that you notice, something that challenged you or encouraged you. Did the Spirit speak to you through this Word this week? What did He say?
- Each person shares 1-2 names for the others to pray for. Often it feels right to provide short updates about how they're doing.
- Each person answers 1 question that they have asked their companions to ask them.
- End with prayer.
What kind of questions do people ask each other?
This is designed to provide a space for safe sharing; it is not an inquisition. You choose the question that you want others to ask you. You're encouraged to make the question relevant to you: something you want to pay attention to in the week, something you want to be encouraged in, something you want to be accountable for. Here are some examples:
- Where have you seen God working this week?
- What has God brought to your attention this week?
- When has it felt hard to be honest this week?
- How did you experience God parenting you?
- Where did you experience comfort this week?
- What do you sense God is calling you to do in this season?
- What are you most grateful for this week?
- Is there anything you wish we wouldn't ask you about?
- How many nights did you leave work on time this week?
- In light of God's love for you, do you need to reconcile with anyone this week?
- What has “Yes, Lord 😅” looked like for you recently?
Who decides who is in my group?
- Men meet with men; women meet with women.
- You can choose your own group members.
- If you want to join a group and have no one to invite, we can try to link you up with an existing group or someone else looking for a partner. (See below)
Why should I register my group?
- It helps us as your pastors to know who is connected and who isn't, and how effective the groups are.
- We may occasionally have questions for you---simple stuff like "Are you still meeting? Have you run into any obstacles? How can we help?"
- Let us know that you've initiated a group and we'll give you a small gift card to invest in your group.