February 25, 2009

Dear [FIRSTNAME],

If I could have followers of Jesus commit to do one thing each week, what would it be? What activity would do the greatest good in helping a disciple of Jesus to grow into Christ-like maturity?

There’s something to be said for worship, where we hear God’s Word, are fed by Christ’s body and blood, and sing God’s praises.

There’s something to be said for daily reading of God’s Word. Christ’s Word is the seed that grows and produces abundant fruit (Mark 4:14).

There’s also something to be said for prayer, service, tithing, and other spiritual training. Each is a blessing in your walk with God.

But one thing above all that we need is encouragement. Over 100 times in the New Testament, we are told to “________ one another.” And in that blank are words like love, serve, pray for, encourage, admonish, and care for.

A military man told me, “you get what you inspect.” I’ve definitely noticed the power of asking questions. What would happen if you had a trusted friend ask you each week about what’s most important in your life?

 + “Have you been kind, loving, and generous to your wife/husband and kids?”

 + “Have you been honest and faithful in your work?”

 + “Have you spent time with God this week?”

You might spend some time coming up with those things you most value. And remember: we account for what we truly value. If you do not have an accounting for something, it shows you do not care about it all that much.

To me, the greatest power of Small Groups (and Life Transformation Groups in particular) is that they put people together to ask the most important questions of life. Asking these questions and giving honest answers helps us grow in Christ-like love, maturity, and grace. Such Q&A in the privacy of your own head may be helpful, but it is not nearly as powerful as dialog with a friend.

Over the next several blogs, I’ll discuss what I consider the most important questions for my walk with Jesus.

In Christ,

Pastor Steve

swillweber@trinitylutheranpaso.org

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