STUDY PARTNERS

Remember in school when we used to have study partners? I remember in elementary school, occasionally, the teacher would give us an assignment in class to work together. That was the best! This gave us an excuse to talk during class and not get in trouble. Then, in high school, those “working together” projects would be assigned. This was still better than working alone, but logistics (long before computers, mobile phones, file sharing and video conferencing) were always a problem. Then, in college (even in seminary), I grew to dislike those assignments. Working in a group usually caused problems, because there were always one or two people who didn’t fulfill their part of the assignment, thereby creating problems for the rest of us.

We know now that our teachers and professors had a valid reason to give us those assignments. It forced us to work together, allowing for a variety of opinions to be shared and considered. Although we may not have liked it all the time, we learned much more by working together!

Faith is exactly this way. When we work, study, and discuss topics together, we learn so much more! However, problems can and do occur. When we are grouped with people who aren’t like us, don’t think like us, or live their lives like us, it forces us into uncomfortable positions that makes us question our own beliefs. What’s the result? Many of us shy away from Faith-related small group opportunities, primarily because we don’t “have to do it.”

During this first week during Lent, I’d like to encourage you to find a Faith-based small group somewhere. The weekly opportunities to share and study our Christian Faith are everywhere. Churches, home groups, and off-site gatherings at restaurants, coffee shops, and even local pubs are easily found, but only if we make the effort to find one.

Have you ever been part of a Bible study group or class? Are you involved in one now? If not, make this your Lenten challenge and become part of a small group. Be sure to adjust your schedule and attend the group every week. Then, after Easter, reflect upon the time you’ve spent with other people. My guess is that you will have learned some new things, made some new friends, and expanded your horizons more than you ever expected.

God does big things during our private time in prayer and Scripture. But God can accomplish even bigger things when we add other people to the mix. Find some study partners. Make some new friends. Then, get ready to hold on! God will do more than you ever expected! (If you need a small group or Bible study, I bet you can leave a comment below and some opportunities will be presented to you!)

“Let us consider how to inspire each other to greater love and to righteous deeds, not forgetting to gather as a community, as some have forgotten, but encouraging each other, especially as the day of His return approaches.” (Hebrews 10:24-25, The Voice).