Breakwater Coaching sponsors The Relationship Center at NorthRidge Church in Haines City, Florida. One of the functions of The Relationship Center is to offer small groups to married couples. Why are small groups important?
…. They provide fellowship. Married couples today need to fellowship with one another. They might share a meal together. Couples today have very few role models for marriage, and joining a small group helps them to fellowship with other couples who are seeking a biblical model for marriage.
…. They are mentored. The role of the facilitator couple in the small group is to mentor the other couples. They learn how to communicate effectively and resolve conflict with one another. They discover through fellowship with one another that they are not alone with their issues. They encourage one another to maintain a healthy balance in their marriages.
…. They do life together. Couples who are committed to their small group will realize they have help when it is needed. Perhaps they need a meal when someone in their family is ill; they might need a babysitter; or perhaps a ride when their car breaks down. Whatever the problem, people who “do life together” are there to help one another.
…. They evangelize. People in small groups share their faith with one another. When one person is down, their brother or sister is there to lift them up. They continue to grow stronger in their faith because they are members of a small group. They also invite new people into their group to share their faith with others.
…. They worship. God’s word tells us to worship together. A small group might sing a song, pray together, or simply share a positive word about the Lord. The small group collectively acknowledges that they cannot do life well without the strength that comes from the Lord.
Acts 2:42-47 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 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, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
David and Cindy Southworth are certified marriage and relationship coaches through the American Assn of Christian Counselors and members of the International Christian Coaching Assn. They lead The Relationship Center at NorthRidge Church and are the Executive Directors of Breakwater Coaching.