BE INTENTIONAL
Since all of us are different, there are no two meetings or groups that are alike. But that doesn't mean we can't come with INTENTIONALITY to encourage each other first and foremost in JESUS, spend time in prayer and worship and providing a safe place for each to open themselves up and be real.
True growth and discipleship only happens when we connect, on a real and personal level, with other believers. If you don't have a safe place to be real, be known and be supported in your walk with Jesus, then maybe it's time to find a group of your own!
a place to be real... to be raw
Being real requires humility and transparency. Read that again.
The whole point about why redwood trees grow so strong and tall is because, under the surface, they allow their roots to be intertwined with one another. This means IN THE DIRT. This means around rocks, through tough clay, dry moments and muddy challenges. This means we're willing to share things that are happening under the surface of our lives, even when it's messy or hard.
But then being a Redwood in Christ means we encourage and support each other with intentionality - pointing to Jesus for every struggle and every need. Accepting and loving one another doesn't mean we have to accept each other's sin, but it DOES mean that when another tree in our "grove" is hurting, we all hurt. When someone bares their "roots" and shares sensitive information, it's important we support and love that person as Christ would. We fight FOR each other and not with each other. When we strengthen each other, we strengthen ourselves.
Ephesians 6:12, ESV
"For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places."
The whole point about why redwood trees grow so strong and tall is because, under the surface, they allow their roots to be intertwined with one another. This means IN THE DIRT. This means around rocks, through tough clay, dry moments and muddy challenges. This means we're willing to share things that are happening under the surface of our lives, even when it's messy or hard.
But then being a Redwood in Christ means we encourage and support each other with intentionality - pointing to Jesus for every struggle and every need. Accepting and loving one another doesn't mean we have to accept each other's sin, but it DOES mean that when another tree in our "grove" is hurting, we all hurt. When someone bares their "roots" and shares sensitive information, it's important we support and love that person as Christ would. We fight FOR each other and not with each other. When we strengthen each other, we strengthen ourselves.
Ephesians 6:12, ESV
"For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places."
