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Your Virtual Small Group Can Still Be Vibrant
Your Virtual Small Group Can Still Be Vibrant by Becky Kiern & Jenilyn Swett “For many of us, attending small group has been a regular routine for years. This past spring brought that routine to a screeching halt. While we all hoped COVID precautions were just a temporary inconvenience, for many churches the need for virtual meetings has remained. The apostles Paul (2 Tim. 1:4) and John (2 John 12) each spent a portion of their ministries distanced from their…
5 Tips for Leading Your Small Group
5 Tips for Leading Your Small Group by Kevin DeYoung “As school starts back up, so will plenty of church-sponsored and church-related small groups. Some will study the Bible. Others will read a Christian book together. Almost all will have a designated leader or leaders. While knowing your Bible and having Christlike character are the more important factors, there are also a number of skills which go a long way in leading an effective small group.”
The Power of Confession in Your Small Group
The Power of Confession in Your Small Group by Kristen Wetherell “Our small group is unlike any other group I’ve known. It’s not because we all get along (though we do), nor because we’re like-minded (though we are). And it’s certainly not because we have it all together. Actually, the fact that we don’t have it all together is the reason I love our small group. Confession marks our time together, and it has changed at least three things: the way we interact, the way…
How to Care for Someone Battling Anxiety and Depression
How to Care for Someone Battling Anxiety and Depression What is the best way that we can help those who struggle with depression and anxiety? Paul Tripp and David Powlison answer this question by addressing the importance of humility and patience. Instead of trying to “fix” people, we can move toward them by being a faithful friend that consistently and patiently points to God, as long as the struggle continues.
When My Sister Had COVID-19
When My Sister Had COVID-19 by Cecelia Bernhardt, Director of Counseling Ministries at Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation “On hearing my sister was sick, my first reaction was to cry out, “How long, O Lord?” How long will my sister face continued hardship? So many trials plague her. This feels like too much! I was reminded of Psalm 13 and of David’s same cry as he faced overwhelming trials. And I found myself praying through it.”
An Open Letter to Those Suffering from Depression
An Open Letter to Those Suffering from Depression by Shona Murray “My dear friend, I’m so sorry to hear that you are suffering with serious depression. Although you feel hopeless and helpless, I want to assure you right up front that there is hope and there is help. I’ve been there myself and I’ve felt the same despair and darkness that you feel. But God, in his great mercy, brought me out of it and I trust and pray he…
An Open Letter to the Suffering Christian
An Open Letter to the Suffering Christian by David Powlison “Dear friend, What words can I say to you when your life is hard and you are hurting? If we were face to face, I probably wouldn’t start with words at all. I would want you to talk when you are able. I want to know you, what you are going through, what it is like for you, and how you are doing. Simply being present and conveying that tears,…
An Open Letter to the Parent of a Strong-Willed Child
An Open Letter to the Parent of a Strong-Willed Child by Sam Crabtree “Dear weary parent, Few things are as burdensome to a parent than a pattern of a small child’s growing reluctance to cooperate with you. Such ache can reflect loving concern for the child. My heart goes out to you in this difficulty. I’ve heard parents say things like, “I feel like I’ve exhausted all my options. No approach seems to work. I’ve tried praying with him. I’ve…
An Open Letter to Those Frustrated by Their Progress in Sanctification
An Open Letter to Those Frustrated by Their Progress in Sanctification by David Powlison “Dear friend, We all love it when life leaps into forward gear and we make all kinds of progress. Problems just seem to fall away. Perhaps in your life you’ve had a season like that, a season when your life seemed to shine and flourish. Maybe it was when you first became a believer or during some period when you were very well nurtured by good…
Why We Give in to Temptation
Why We Give in to Temptation by Mike Emlet, Dean of Faculty at Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation “Why do we give in to temptation? This question often arises in the context of counseling for repetitive struggles such as pornography use, masturbation, substance abuse, and overeating. There are many biblical ways to answer this question, but I want to focus on just one: we give in to temptation because we get tired of fighting the battle. It feels too hard…
Five Ways to Jump Start Your Devotions
Five Ways to Jump Start Your Devotions by Alasdair Groves, Executive Director at Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation “Spending meaningful time alone with God is one of the most important aspects of the Christian life, but it is also one of the most difficult to sustain. Failure in this area, real or perceived, is common and is guilt inducing for most Christians. We give many different reasons for our struggle: it bores us, it discourages us, it’s work, we’re busy…
Learning about Sanctification from Groundhog Day
Learning about Sanctification from Groundhog Day by Mike Emlet, Dean of Faculty at Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation “We recently celebrated that oddest of American traditions, Groundhog Day. Every February 2, the nation awaits a weather prediction from “Phil,” a groundhog who makes his home in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. If he sees his shadow that morning, it means six more weeks of wintery weather or so the lore goes. If he doesn’t see his shadow, it predicts an early spring….Are you…
Five Things to Encourage You as You Read through the Bible in a Year
Five Things to Encourage You as Your Read through the Bible in a Year by Jayne V. Clark, Chief of Staff at Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation “A year ago today I embarked on an adventure I’d undertaken several times before—reading through the Bible in a year. The only difference this time was that I was going to read the English Standard Version (ESV). Looking back, it occurred to me that one could trace the history of the “Bible of…
How Much Should I Share?
How Much Should I Share? Leaders have difficulty knowing what to share about their struggles with their small groups. by Allen White “Every believer sins. No one is perfect—not even leaders. On the other hand, when you’re struggling with temptation or are caught up in a sin pattern, how much should you share with your group? After all, while confession is good for the soul—and for strengthening a group—it can be bad for the reputation or make a messy situation…