Let’s Keep Talking
We host a meal about twice a month, where people can come to the house, eat Wife’s good cooking and practice their English afterwards when I lead a discussion on a Bible text. Normally, it’s just our family with one or two people from church and a couple of visitors. The discussion lasts an hour, but participants habitually stay for a tea and “biscuits”. Although we’ve been doing this for 15 years, it hasn’t been a very successful program. It hasn’t grown and, to tell the truth, there’s about an evening a year when no one comes.
Confession: I tend to judge our home meetings, Bible studies (catechism), even Sunday worship times and LKT meetings as rather insignificant. Yet I know the people who come are significant. L. comes from the next town over. She’s totaled her cars three times in the last 4 years. She traveled by bus-train-bus last night and brought me a book published in 1845… A. has come since the beginning. She was one of my first students in the language school where I used to teach… H. attends, always bringing something to eat… M., a Muslim, came for years, but her job and grandchildren make it hard now…
Last night we were thirteen. S., J., and a neighbor who came for the first time were present. We spent an hour on 1 Corinthians 13… Reminding me, of course, love sees no individual, or event, as insignificant.
May 4th, 2007 at 2:48 pm
It’s impossible for us to judge our own successes the way that God does. It’s enough that you are a light in a dark place.
Getting thirteen people at one of your gatherings is probably at least as nice as getting 20 comments on one post.
May 4th, 2007 at 5:05 pm
That’s a good size for a small group setting. And you’re right … it’s the people, not the number present. I’ve actually come to believe that, by the way!
May 4th, 2007 at 5:22 pm
Seems to me that when Jesus is talking to the “sheep” He didn’t give them a minimum number required to be a sheep. Hang in there brother.
May 4th, 2007 at 11:56 pm
I sometimes think people are at their worse, when my back is turn, but over time I have felt differently. I think the greatest work will not always be made known to us, but will be seen by the ones we love. I am not sure if that makes sense to you now, but remember who is the ulitmate director of the worship services, bible studies, fellowships, LKT meetings, and the other services we may do.
Even though I know God is control…It is still depressing to see small numbers and a decrease in numbers from past meetings. It kind of makes me wonder what happened to the good ole days.
The human heart is fragile and when it breaks, lets hope they know who to turn to for healing.
May 6th, 2007 at 1:52 am
I think this kind of setting is the very best there is to connect with people, getting to know and love them first, and then teach. You’re doing a good job.
Re the Mayor’s last paragraph, I couldn’t agree more. But to borrow a quote from Cecil, “they” are sometimes “us.” When the heart breaks, sometimes even we forget who to turn to……………
May 7th, 2007 at 3:12 pm
I’m sure we’d all rather make a difference in the lives of 3 people instead of perpetually babysitting 300 people.
May 7th, 2007 at 6:12 pm
Thats true Randy. Jesus certainly changed 12 men lives and look at where we are now.
Respond back to Meowmix, sometimes we do forget, but let us hope we never do again.