What the Church and small groups meant to our family

Ephesians 5:25Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her,

Shortly after my wife and I got married, we recognized that the two of us needed to belong to a local church.  Going beyond that, we knew that we needed to be accountable to God and other younger couples to help make our marriages strong. 

In the beginning, we were all striving for the same things in life.  From building our homes to starting young families we were doing life together.  This group was considered a 'mini-congregation' or a small group within the bigger church where everyone knew your name.

  In the beginning, we even had a weekly newsletter  referred to as 'the blueprint.'  We celebrated marriage anniversaries, birth announcements, and even birthdays.  We sought prayer from others as we entered difficult phases of our lives. We were doing life together.

As we entered more difficult challenges in life, Homebuilders became a group that cared. It became the lifeblood that sustained our Christian walk through the most difficult challenges in life. From the great recession of 2007 to the physical losses of loved ones, this group sustained us as our friends prayed for us.

One thing I have learned on m journey is that everyone needs to be involved in a local church and a small group where your spiritual needs can be nourished. I won't sugar coat this because at times life can be incredibly difficult to handle, but  I believe God uses the local church and the people within it to help us as we face the difficult life challenges.

My message to all young people is this: find a local Christian church and begin attending every week regardless of how you're feeling.  Our feelings are like the caboose of the train. It has no engine and it cannot drive us, but it is our faith in Christ ( the engine that drives that caboose) that keeps us going one day at a time.

Life is hard and it can be especially treacherous as unspeakable losses enter our lives, but God assures us in his word that he will help you on whatever journey you're on.