Groups that Allow True Connections 

 

This is often the greatest challenge in ministry to women. How do you engage women in a way that allows for deep connection and safety to be vulnerable with each other? While large group activities have their purpose in the life of the church, deeper meaningful connections will seldom happen there. Having a place where women feel safe to share their hurts, struggles and fears will only happen in smaller clusters with a few women who are committed to each other over a longer period of time. This is where small discipleship groups can have long lasting impact. Women of all ages are so hungry for relationships in which they know there is acceptance regardless of the struggles they are facing. If leaders can create a movement of smaller discipleship-focused groups, then I believe we will see women grow, thrive and impact the lives of others in unimaginable ways. Here are some things to consider:

 

• Keep the groups on the smaller side – 3 to 5 women maximum

• Include women from a mixture of ages and stages in life

• Commit to meet weekly for at least one year

• Agree to keep all conversations confidential 

• Agree on bible study material

• Spend time in prayer as a group, but also commit to pray throughout the week for each other

• Hold each other accountable for homework and scripture memorization

• Spend time as a group ministering within your community – women’s shelter, etc.

 

While there will be a group leader, take turns leading the discussion so that everyone is learning to lead. This will help build confidence and equip future disciple makers.

 

“Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.” Colossians 3:16

 

If there are no small discipleship groups or clusters in your church, I would encourage you to be in prayer about starting one. Speak to your Pastor and ask for his guidance on how to begin one with a few ladies. Yes, this requires a little boldness to step out, but I guarantee it will be an enriching experience. 

 

My prayer for each of you this coming year is that you will know the richness of God’s Word as you dig deeply and share what you are learning with others. Paul has said it so well that I cannot improve upon it and so I say, “Amen!” to his words!

 

“I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”  Ephesians 3:16-19