Building One Another  

Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. I Thessalonians 5:11

Move Friendships into the Heart!

Dear Friend,

Two very practical ways to grow friendship are the shared meal and the small group.

Shared meals grow new friends of the road and move friends off the road into the heart.  

Dick Halverson, former Chaplain of the US Senate, used to say there is something sacramental about the shared meals of Christians since we know Jesus is among us.

Ask yourself, “How may I make eating with others part of my weekly life?” It’s not about the food, its about lingering with one another at home or out to eat.

If asking people to join you at home or out to eat is “not you,” then get a buddy to join you and the two of you begin to include others. It will change your life!

Small groups of three to eight (or so) people also create life-long friendships. If your church organizes small groups, then join one, and if not, then start one!

The great format for small group life is so simple yet so fruitful: Word-Share-Prayer. This link explains Word-Share-Prayer and offers many worksheets: http://www.vitalchurchesinstitute.com/pages/word-share-prayer

This link also offers useful material on small groups: https://www.pod-church.com “Pods” are just another way to speak of a small groups!

Make breaking bread with people and meeting with a small group every week a part of your life and you will know the joy of wonderful, lasting friendships!

Joy to you – Stan

© Copyright 2022 E. Stanley Ott

Scripture from the ESV

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1. Is eating with others (besides those who may live with you), part of your weekly life? If not, how wlll you make it so?
2. If asking people over for a meal (and the meal may be very simple, even just nibbles), makes you nervous, then who is a buddy you will ask to join you in this. Jesus sent people two by two since life's challenges are easier when we have a journey partner with us!
3. Are you in a small group Bible study? If not, does your church offer one you may join? And/or - form one. Who are two to eight people you may ask to join you - perhaps initially just for seven weeks?
4. If asking people to join you in a small group makes you nervous, who is a buddy who will do it with you!

For information on what to do during a small group meeting, see: http://www.vitalchurchesinstitute.com/pages/word-share-prayer

Additional information on small group life may be found here: https://www.pod-church.com

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Photo by Toa Heftiba on Unsplash