Both my kids are in travel soccer teams. I’ve never played team sports or had any interest in following a popular sports team. But after few years of experiencing travel soccer through my kids, I can’t help but see a parallel between my church small group and my kids’ soccer teams. Let me explain. 

For the past five years I’ve always been an active member of a small group in my church. It’s part of my lifeline, my oasis and a place of refuge for me. My faith and peace depended much on my weekly attendance. No matter who lead it or what we studied, it always blessed me and filled me with wisdom, strength and power. I know my commitment to the small group played a big part in my spiritual growth and development. 

In the same way, when the kids are in a soccer team, they have to be committed to go weekly to practices and the games. If they don’t go to the practices due to laziness, bad weather, poor time management and other excuses, then at game time, they’ll play poorly, risk injury and get benched more. Practices are critical because the trainers and the coaches are fully available to the players to work on their individual and group needs and weaknesses. Some players are more physically gifted but over time, persistence and perspiration come through in the game. 

Similarily, I see my participation in a small group as essential practice times to get ready for an upcoming important game. The more I put in, the more I get from the coach and trainer at practices and the more I get to play in the games. When I talk to Christians who are not rooted into their church through a small group, I feel bad that they are not part of a team. They are missing out on very important practices to learn new skills and I’m not sure if they are participating in exciting games. Plus the comaderie of your team mates can be so awesome too. Also just like a soccer team, I can’t help but notice that there’s about 12-14 members in a small group. 

Like any sports team, there are ups and downs, and occasional butting of egos. However because God himself is the Head Owner of the team, if the team members don’t reconcile on their own first or leaves the team then eventually He steps in. Umm…I advise you to reconcile on your own first. 

If you aren’t participating in a team yet, please pray about this. You are missing out on valuable practices and exciting games. Plus no matter how tough the game is, we are always the winning team if we don’t give up! I’ll be praying for you. Please pray for me too. Thank you and God bless you! Xoxo

Hebrews 10:23-25 (NLT)
23 Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. 24 Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. 25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.