"W" #9: Outward Focused

Contributed by:
Eric Dunaway
small groups pastor

A couple of weeks ago I started a series of posts in which we're taking a look at the "wins" of a life group at PCC. I've made a list, and I'm making my way through it at random. Here's today's "W": when your group maintains an outward focus.

This is one of the lessons our group is learning at the moment. If we want to be a healthy, growing group, then we can't simply look inward all the time. At some point, we need to turn our attention to things just outside the group. At some point, we need to get out of the living room, and start engaging some of the missional opportunities in our backyard. When we do this, it's a big win for the group. When we don't, however, we're missing a fundamental ingredient for what Biblical community was intended to be. 

One of the greatest pitfalls for any group is the rut of inward thinking. This is a natural disaster for groups. It's common, and even logical at times, to start to believe that the group exists solely for the members of the group. After all, we meet regularly to encourage each other, we take care of one another, and we may even decide to remain closed to outsiders indefinitely - all of this in the name of fostering intimacy within the group. The problem with this, however, is that we lose sight of the fact that the church in any form - a large gathering on the weekend, or a small gathering midweek in homes - was intended to be a missional organization. So when groups get stuck in this rut of inward thinking, we miss out on the fulfillment and growth that come as we get out of the living and begin to live out this mission as a group.

Think for a minute - what would happen if your group started serving together at PCC on the weekends? What would happen if you took one of your regularly scheduled meetings each month and made that your time to serve in the community? There are many opportunities for your group to experience this very thing. In fact, your group may be one that's already doing this.

Here are some practical ways your group can extend beyond the living room:

1. Serve as a group at PCC. There are literally dozens upon dozens of opportunities just waiting for groups to step up. Be a greeter, an usher, serve coffee, work in the nursery, serve in our student ministries, and so on.
2. Serve in our community. We have a whole team of people who work at creating opportunities for individuals and groups to get out and serve in our community. Serving food to those in need, providing home clean up and repair, among many others, are excellent possibilities for you and your group.
3. Sponsor a missionary/child/family. Your group can have an amazing impact together as you pool your financial resources to support others in their ministry, and/or those who are poverty-stricken. This is a neat thing that can be ongoing, and extend the reach of your group beyond national borders.

I'm sure there are many other opportunities - in fact, you may have done some things with your group that I haven't mentioned. If so, leave a comment that we can all benefit from. Because maintaining an outward focus is a huge win for your group. There's a deeper joy, a stronger sense of camaraderie, and an increase in group unity when we serve together beyond ourselves.

If you're interested in getting more information on the opportunities I mentioned above, feel free to post a comment with your interest.