Revision Week 4 - Join A Group
Finding Perfect Hope Through Authentic Community: Why Small Groups Matter
At Hope Summit Christian Church, we're embracing a powerful vision: "Imperfect people, perfect hope in Jesus." This vision reminds us that anyone can walk through our doors with their struggles and imperfections, knowing they belong and are welcome. We're not trying to "fix" people—we're introducing them to the hope that will change their lives forever.
But how do we pursue this vision? Our mission statement begins with a crucial phrase: "Together, loving Jesus and others by..." followed by five key steps. Today, we're focusing on one of those steps: joining a group.
Why Is Community So Essential to Our Faith?
Let me illustrate with a story about barbecue. I recently smoked two identical pork shoulders. The first one was cooked "low and slow" for 11 hours. When finished, the bone slid right out, and the meat fell apart with minimal effort—tender, moist, and flavorful.
The second pork shoulder? I cooked it in the microwave (until it actually broke my microwave!). While it reached the same temperature, the results were dramatically different. The meat was tough, the bone wouldn't budge, and it required significant effort to pull apart.
Are You Microwaving Your Spiritual Life?
Too often, we approach our spiritual journey with a "microwave mentality." We want quick results—just hit the one-hour button at church on Sunday and get our "Jesus zap" for the week. We've grown accustomed to getting everything fast in our culture, and we bring that same expectation to our relationship with God.
But spiritual growth doesn't work that way. Those who experience deep, flavorful spiritual lives are the ones who are consistent in the "low and slow" disciplines—the ones who understand that transformation happens over time, not overnight.
Jesus' Mission Statement for Us
In Matthew 28:18-20, Jesus gives us His mission statement:
"All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Notice something crucial here: discipleship cannot happen in isolation. The very lifestyle Jesus calls us to requires community. We cannot fulfill His mission statement alone.
What Does "Joining a Group" Actually Mean?
When we talk about groups at Hope Summit, we're referring to several possibilities:
Traditional small groups meeting in homes during the week
Groups that gather at church on Wednesday nights
Sunday morning groups (like Sunday School, but focused on life together)
Even just a few people meeting consistently
The common thread is discipleship—following Paul's example when he said, "Follow me as I follow Christ." It's about pouring into each other's lives, sharing experiences and wisdom, and as Solomon said, "iron sharpening iron."
The Early Church's Example of Daily Community
Scripture repeatedly emphasizes the importance of regular, consistent community:
Acts 2:46-47: "Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts..."
Acts 5:42: "Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news..."
Hebrews 3:12-13: "See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart... But encourage one another daily..."
The common theme? Together, daily. God has a plan for each day of our lives, but every day, an active enemy seeks to destroy us. If we live in isolation, if our relationship with God depends solely on us, we're missing God's most potent tool to help us become like Jesus—daily community with other believers.
Real Stories of Life-Changing Community
A women's group from our church shared powerful testimonies about how their group has transformed their lives:
"This group is my everything... We're sisters in Christ, truly. We share everything from small things to deep things."
"When I lost both my parents in the last two years, friends I'd had for 15-20 years weren't there for me. These ladies were at my house the same day."
"When my husband suddenly passed away, I would not have made it through without this group."
"Our group is a safe space. We can be very vulnerable with each other."
"If it's big to you, it's big to us. We do our best to help carry each other's burdens."
What started as a social group meeting for breakfast at a restaurant has evolved into deep spiritual friendships that have changed their lives. They've moved from casual conversation to studying Scripture together, praying for one another, and seeing God work in powerful ways.
Why "Good Enough" Is the Enemy of God's Best
Some might think, "I don't have time for a group" or "My walk with Jesus is good enough already." But good is the enemy of great. Good enough is the enemy of the best God could do in our lives.
Yes, the microwave pork was edible—even somewhat tasty. God put good flavor in there already! But is "edible" what you're aiming for in your spiritual life? Do you want to settle for "good enough" in your relationship with God?
God's Love Is Made Complete Through Community
First John 4:11-12 reveals a profound truth: "Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us."
What was lost through sin wasn't just good behavior—it was relationship. Sin drives a wedge between us and God, between us and others. When we choose to love one another, to get involved in the messiness of others' lives, God's love is made complete in us
as one group member shared: "I used to think everything in my life was up to me. It wasn't until I joined this group that I started to see God in every aspect of my life."
Life Application
My greatest fear as a pastor is that we settle for "good enough" in our relationship with God. We can survive on microwave spirituality, but we'll never experience the richness God intends.
I challenge you to consider joining a group. Yes, you might join one and not immediately mesh with the people—that can happen. But keep trying until you find your people. At Hope Summit, we have an abundance of groups and even a full-time staff member dedicated to helping you find the right fit.
Ask yourself these questions:
Who do I have in my life that's helping me walk forward in my faith?
Am I settling for a "microwave" relationship with God when He's offering something much deeper?
What's one step I can take this week toward meaningful Christian community?
How might God want to use me in the lives of others through a small group?
Remember: We are not complete without each other. God's love is made complete in us when we love one another. Don't settle for good enough—pursue God's best through authentic community.
