You are a Group Project

Encounter: Find a quiet place and read or listen to John chapter 13 verses 31-35. Now Read Matthew 5, traditionally known as The Beatitudes and Galatians 6:1-5. What do these scriptures say about how our spiritual growth and maturity is a group project?

God wired us for growth. But how does that happen? There are many methods in helping people learn and grow. The most effective has been shown to be the “group project.”  For the introverts among us, or those that just don’t want to be around people who are different from us, the group project could cause you to skip out on class or drop the assignment altogether. The extroverts among us would be the first to raise their hand and gather with their group. Ready to succeed in whatever the project required of them. They were natural team players and they were assigning tasks, setting goals and scheduling the next meeting before the ring of the bell. 

I remember really struggling with group projects. I liked being with people, except I didn’t think I was as smart or creative as others. Not to mention people weren’t always nice. Someone always wanted to compete, or one up you. I just didn’t think I measured up and I would find myself embarrassed or unable to finish something out of a fear of failure. Can you relate? 

I was always more comfortable just working on my own. In that way, I didn’t have to deal with different perspectives or put the energy into trying to understand another person or be challenged by their personality and attitudes. Groups are not easy. But they are necessary.

We need each other. Jesus was always grouping people together, ever notice that? The good thing was he was ushering in the ways of God and His Kingdom. Which was full of compassion, mercy and justice. There was love, forgiveness, kindness and I could go on and on. But we also read about the difficulties it presents when you put people together in a community.  What do we expect? 

On the other hand, we read in 2 Kings, how one bad king after another would also put people in groups but for the purpose of evil, idolatry and to lead them away from the ways of God. It was like my mother always said, you become who you hang out with. The effect we have on one another is incredibly powerful to form who we are becoming.

And that’s a good thing if you find yourself in a healthy church like Eden. There may be times when you rather just go it alone, but Jesus said the way people will know we follow him is when we love one another. He’s already grouped us together. Our relationships shape us to be more like Jesus, because we have to take on his character. When we rather be angry, but we choose kindness, or instead of a harsh word we encourage someone. The way we love another person may bring new life where there was something dying. 

Yes, community is that important. It’s essential for life in Christ’s Church. As we enter into Holy Week, Jesus reminds us along the way, that he associates with the humble, the content in Christ, those hungry and thirsty for God, those who care for others and put selfishness away. It’s the peacemakers and those who boldly share about the Way of Jesus, those are our friends. They are the ones who will be with us when life births new joys, healing surprises us, our crosses become heavy, some things die so the new life can be resurrected.

We witness this in baptism. We see the joy as someone witnesses to their faith, healing begins and we try and prepare them for when the walk gets challenging, ever reminding one another that resurrection and new life comes through the death of many things. It is then we become thankful for our “group project.” We have the joy of witnessing to this transforming sacred moment on Sunday.

We must remember above all things, the cross shows us that “...love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” Our invitation begins with lifting our voices together in a shout of Hosanna!! 

Hosanna!

Pastor T

Reflect: Think about the way God led you here to this community and how you have spiritually grown in some way. Think of a time when something rubbed you the wrong way. How did you deal with it?

Spiritual Practice: Take time to go through the Stations of the Cross during Holy Week and attend Good Friday service. How is God rooting you into His great love for others?

Gather: Try inviting 10 people to Easter services through a BLESS card or an EPIC brochure. Pray for that person for 30 days and journal anything that may have changed.