I was taught in school growing up that the shortest distance between two points is a straight line. In traveling from one point to another this is true.
When traveling from ignorance to understanding this is not true.
In fact a straight-line method of learning is the least effective and will result in failure more often than success.
I don’t say the word “ignorance” in a factious way, I mean it as it is intended that whatever we do not understand we are ignorant to.
It only becomes an indictment on us when it is something we need to know and choose to remain willfully ignorant.
Here is what I discovered at an early age going to church.
CIRCLES ARE BETTER THAN STRAIGHT LINES!
Everything of lasting value that I have learned has happened in Circles.
-Circles of accountability
-Circles of spiritual growth
-Circles of family gatherings
-Circles of relationships
WE:
I’ll bet the same is true for you. Every time you have tried to live outside of community you have suffered.
THE BIBLE SAYS…
Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: (Ecc. 4:9)
Who has been there when you fell down?
Who has reached out when your marriage was in trouble?
Who has stepped up during a financial crises in your life?
The Bible says…
If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.
But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. (Ecc. 4:10)
Here is my real question for you this weekend…
Who, in your life right now, feels free to ask,
“Are you Ok?”
And won’t accept
“I’m Fine” as an answer?
Is there are group of people in your life right now that if they ask how you are they won’t accept “fine” as an answer?
If you step into a crises in the next few days WHO is ready to meet you there and walk beside you?
GOD:
Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves… (Ecc. 4:12)
(Overwhelmed)
When you face overwhelming circumstances you will do better when someone is there to walk through it with you.
A Cord of three strands is not quickly broken (Ecc. 4:12)
The Bigger your circle the better your chances for:
- Making wise decisions
- Receiving the Physical, Emotional, Financial and spiritual help you need.
- Emerging from the crises a stronger person
CIRCLES ARE BETTER THAN LINES
Here is the real advantage: Circles have the ability to prevent many of the crises we could face in the first place.
GROUP LIFE IS PREVENATIVE
In other words…Somebody will see “it” Coming.
What is “It”?
That’s the point if you could see “it” you may do something to prevent it. We need Circles to help us see!
How many times have you been around a couple and you see the way they discipline their children or do not discipline their children and you see “it” coming?
How many times have you been around a couple and you hear the way they talk to each other and you see “it” coming?
How many times have you watched the spending habits, of a friend and you see “it” coming?
How many times have you discovered a friend, family member or co-worker has an addiction and you see “it” coming?
It’s not that you have a special gift its just that you are able to observe from outside the situation.
Others will see things in your life that you will be unable to see.
CIRCLES ARE CRUCIAL TO OUR…
Emotional Health
Spiritual Maturity
We have a wonderful group of single people at the Grace Place.
At the risk of being misunderstood I want to say something, to our Singles.
It is so important for you to have Circles to be involved in our small groups.
One of the cool things about being single is that you are able to make huge life changes quickly.
If you don’t like your job you can move to a new city and take a new job.
Decide you want a new challenge you can change careers and work your way up.
The problem with Freedom like this is that you are tempted to ignore the “it’s” in your life. One or more of those It’s may be chasing people out of your life that God wants in your life.
Chances are great that someone in your life see’s something and will say something you have to be more committed to CHANGE than you are committed to your freedom.
GET IN GROUP!!!
To our Married Couple… You need Circles in your life!
Every marriage needs some support now to avoid the need for Life Support later!
Small groups are preventative.
How many marriages will not face divorce because they valued circles and faced their issues before they got fed up?
How many financial crises will be averted because people were alerted to dangerous trends in their lives through circles?
The most difficult calls I receive by far are from people who are in crisis but not in Circles.
One of the first questions we ask when people call in for help is are you in a small group?
We want to make sure their community circle is there to help.
WHY? Because the church is not the reception desk or the pastors office…
THE CHURCH IS A CIRCLE GATHERING OF THE BODY OF CHRIST!
When I was in Las Vegas at Canyon Ridge I would meet people in the community that would say “I checked out your church last weekend”.
I would smile and say that’s great. But inside I knew they had not met my church they were in the line but not the circle.
They attended a worship service but they were not plugged into the church. That only happens in Circles.
Relationships take time and you must be committed to making room and time for them in your life!
Michele and I have been surrounded our entire lives by Circles of people who love us, watch us and pray for us.
Here is why Circles are so important…when we faced crises in our lives
People were already there so they were already to be there for us!
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