Why home groups? When my head is full of scripture and teaching… when I attend every Sunday service, why do I need more?
Home group is a home. You can come and meet people who accept you. You can eat good, fresh, homemade food. When you are tired you can sit and say nothing. You can ask for help. You can say what troubles you. You can ask for conversation or advice. You can cry with others when something is very hard to stand. You can laugh when you feel that something is crazy and you cannot help it. You can be proud when someone accomplished something, or a kid passed an exam or has his first teeth. Together everything is better, brighter, full of hope, full of future plans. Problems are smaller and enemies not that frightening.
Home group is a church. We pray, read, study and worship. We learn from each other. I may know more details from Mark and you may be better in Psalms. You will explain David’s situation to me today, I will share my favorite chapter next week. I remember today a verse of God’s righteousness, and you remember a verse about His grace and love. You can tell me what He expects from His children, I can say that, even when it is hard to fulfill, He will always love us. I can play guitar, you can play drums, we can worship and play together. What a wonderful time playing and singing together without any special occasion.
Home group is a friend. Appreciation is never too much. I will often tell you that you are good at something. When my roof is leaking, I can share my problems. You can tell me that your neighbor is a good carpenter and can help. I have struggled with problems and share my story, now you can learn from my experience. I hurt someone, and can repent with you for it. You can see how someone was feeling when they hurt you last time. I have a busy day tomorrow and need help. You can come and take care of my children. I did something wrong. You will tell me in love that it wasn’t good and what we can do together to help it.
Home group is love. I have learned more about you. I know that you are often very tired coming for our meeting. But I know that you like strawberries. I baked a cake with strawberries for you. You said something that hurt my feelings. Perhaps I feel bad and I don’t want to come next week…. But I decided to come to you and ask what happened. You told me about your hard day and now everything is clear. It wasn’t about me, it was about you.
How is this possible? We meet regularly… we gather to encourage every week. We eat together and talk. We know a lot about each other. We see more. We love each other more. Nothing could be missed.
At home group, we learn how to be sensitive and loving to each other. And maybe my presence is not about me but others. They need me. They need my presence, my word, song or that delicious strawberry cake. When you look at someone’s face you immediately know what is going on. The spot on his shirt is not water but tears.
With this knowledge I can go to the world, to work, and school. I feel good knowing that there is a group of “my closest people in the world” who are always there for me. Even if I make mistakes I am accepted and I always get a second chance.
With this knowledge I can go to the world and see more in others. I can see if they are in need and I can help in many ways. I know that people sometimes don’t need money… they just need time and attention. All we need is love, acceptance and forgiveness.So, let’s go and share…. starting at home, let’s go on a mission.…
-Kasia Newswanger