Small Groups and why you need to join one

I am taking a break from my Prayer Series today to discuss Small Groups (the next post will be on Prayer)

"Is any pleasure on earth as great as a circle of Christian friends by a fire?" 

-- C.S.Lewis.

As summer ends, and school begins the age old question is asked... "What should I do this year?" At the University of Florida, there is no shortage of answers! Today I am specifically going to advocate for one way of "getting involved". I feel confident in suggesting joining a Church small group or Bible Study due to my experience with them.


However, before I begin I need to include that there are many ministries and apostolates you can join that will bring you closer to God. The reason I am suggesting Small Groups is because that is how I came to deepen my relationship with Christ. You are not me, and you might not like what I like. That is why you need to take what I say with some discernment. Always ask God to show you where He wants you to follow Him and get involved. 



I was not involved in Church when I was in High School, and when I came to UF I knew I wanted to start seriously considering my Faith. The problem with starting at a new school and wanting to try something new is that you have no idea how to begin. Luckily enough, I met someone who did know what to do. He got me involved in Catholic Gator Small Groups and I met other people like me who wanted to know more about God.

There is something really awesome about being a part of a group of guys who want to explore their Faith and come to know Jesus Christ in a deep way. My St. Joseph small group was perfect for someone like me who did not want to separate deep discussion from deep friendships. Some of the people I met in that small group are some of my best friends and we still discuss how great that group was even though we all have moved on to other ministries or have taken leadership positions.

Another reason I love small groups is having a leader in the group. As a growing Christian it is nice to have someone in the group who is in love with Christ. My small group leader was able to instruct me in a lot of things about my Faith and at the same time give me a great example of what it means to be actively living a devout life in college. His witness to Jesus still resides with me and helps to shape how I live now.

"Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another."

(Proverbs 27:17)

Exploring Sacred Scripture with a small group of guys is a great way to come to know Jesus in His word better. Before college I rarely read the Bible, and after being involved with a small group I was filled with a desire to read and pray with it (see my "praying with the scriptures" post). I came to see how other guys applied Scriptures and Faith to their lives and that helped me to be inspired as well.

The most important thing I gained from Small Groups was a lifelong discipleship with Jesus. I learned how to follow Him. The most important thing we can do with our life is to follow Jesus Christ and learn from Him how to live.

"And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and prayer."

(Acts 2:42)

At the end of most of our Small Group meetings we had a challenge. So my challenge to you will be to ask God how He wants you to give your time to Him this year. It is easy to forget that God is the one Who gives us our time and He deserves all of it back. Offer some of your time each week in a participating in a ministry like Small Groups.

Contact me if you would like more information about Catholic Gator Small Groups or about any other ministry at St. Augustine's Catholic Student Center.

List of Apostolates at St. A's:

Catholic Gator Small Groups
CSF (Catholic Student Fellowship): Large group fellowship and discussion on the Faith
Newman: Free food and fellowship
Nueva Alianza: Faith group for our Spanish brothers and sisters (all are welcome)
Liturgical Ministers: Don't forget it is important and spiritually fruitful to participate and aid in the Liturgy of the Mass.



AMDG



PS: All of this information applies to women as well! haha