Three Ways Groups Draw You Closer to God

For all of us our reality is we are living in a disconnected world due to the pandemic.  But we are built by God to connect with others and hard-wired for belonging and love.  

Until we find our community, we can be loved but not known.  To be loved AND known is alot like being loved by God.  It is what we need more than anything else. 

We can come up with lots of reasons why we can’t get in a group: I’m too busy, I might not like those people, I’m not a relational person, the kids have too many things going on, or I can’t find anyone to watch my kids.  The list continues.  But also our busy, isolated lives continues.  It is easy to talk ourselves out of community with others and then justify it.  

To help nudge you to do whatever it takes for you to be in a group, here are three ways groups draw you closer to God:    

1. IT UNIFIES US INSTEAD OF DIVIDING US.  

“I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.”     1 Corinthians 1:10 (NIV)

Our world today gives us lots of reasons to be divided.  We camp out alone in our echo chambers where we hear what we agree with as we build walls around ourselves.  

In his first letter to the Corinthians, Paul encourages them to be unified and without divisions.  A group is gathering together, placing our eyes on Jesus and living out unity despite our differences.    

2. IT IS OUR SUPPORT.

“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”

Galatians 6:2 (NIV)

We are all going through difficult times right now.  The Bible challenges us to “bear one another’s burdens” which fulfills the law of Christ.  As you go through a challenging time, there needs to be a group of people by your side that are willing to be your support.  We all need that.  And you need to do that for someone else.

“Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”           Galatians 6:10 (NIV)

3.  IT CHANGES YOUR LIFE.  

“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”         Proverbs 27:17 (NIV)

We are all influenced by the people around us.  Without a doubt, who we are with affects us in many ways.  Just like you pick up the mannerisms of your family members, you start to repeat catch-phrases of a friend, you will even start to share the views and opinions for those around you if you are with them enough.    

We will be shaped by those in our life.  If you are surrounded by discouragement, cynicism, and negativity–you soon will be discouraged, cynical, and negative yourself.  

But the good news is that we are capable of positive Life Change.  It is what God does in us when we follow Him and see Him change us from the inside out.  The truth is: People can be your greatest blessing.  In our meeting and connecting with others God shows up in the midst.  And we are changed by others that God puts in our lives.  

We need to be known and loved.  It sets us free from pretense, humbles us from our self-dependency, and strengthens us for any difficulty that life brings our way.