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Life Groups are an opportunity to grow in the the knowledge and grace of Jesus.  These are good things. This summer, I have been praying about my opportunity to help lead life groups.   

 Last week I was sitting down on my deck with my coffee and bible for some time with God.  I snapped a picture thinking “this is good.”  

I had been reading through the book of Luke.  And I came across this passage in Luke 8:26-39, where Jesus heals a demon possessed man.  The people came to see what had happened and were amazed at his healing.  

The key verses for me were verses 38 and 39.  The healed man approached Jesus:

 38 The man who had been freed from the demons begged to go with him. But Jesus sent him home, saying, 39 “No, go back to your family, and tell them everything God has done for you.” So he went all through the town proclaiming the great things Jesus had done for him.

 The man begs Jesus to go with him, to be with him, to just... spend time with him.  And Jesus says, “No.”  

There is a time for everything.  Often I want to spend time reading about Jesus, talking about Jesus, and even talking about doing what Jesus says.  

 Did the man have everything lined up, had he read enough, had he discussed with his bible study enough - no, no, and no.  All those things are good things, but Jesus also tells us, to go and tell others “What Jesus has done for me!”  I may not know everything that he taught, but I know what he has done for me.  This is a good place to start.

 If we truly believe that Jesus is God.  That He created the heavens and the earth.  That He saved me from my sins when he went to the cross.  That he rose again and ascended to heaven until he returns.  

If I truly believe this, I need to do more than discuss Jesus with my christian friends.  I need to shout it from the rooftops, in word and in deed.  I have much to be thankful for.  I have everything to be thankful for.  

 Jesus says in Luke 4:43:

 “I must preach the Good News of the Kingdom of God in other towns, too, because that is why I was sent.”

 In Life Groups, we will meet in groups of 6-12 to take God’s word and talk about it each and every week.  We are going to look at the scripture that we hear on Sunday morning (sermon) and as a group discuss what it means and what do we need to do.  We are all imperfect people who want to be changed by the spirit and we get to do this in community.  It is great to learn more about Jesus but we must be changed by what we learn.

 Sometimes, I have to put my coffee cup down, and share with those that God has put me amongst.