“God is the creator of all human beings, with their differences, their colors, their races, their religions. Be attentive: Every time you draw nearer to your neighbor, you draw nearer to God. Be attentive: Every time you go further from your neighbor, you go further from God.”

Where can we find the hope in our own brokenness?

Why don’t we WANT to join a small group?

There are two reasons.

1. We don’t TRUST people.
We don’t want to sit in a room full of strangers and tell them the deep dark secrets of our lives. We’ve been judged and we’ve been talked about. We don’t want to risk loving people who will only hurt us in the end. No thanks.

2. We don't want to be HONEST.
When we sit in a room full of people and let’s say they do not immediately reject us for all of our faults and sins, we are then forced to take a look at ourselves. The risk of speaking the truth about you means taking off the mask we all wear. The truth leaves us exposed and vulnerable.

So why join a small group?
Herein lays the paradox. The two reasons we run from close intimate relationship with people are the VERY reasons why we should. We need people. God made us for relationship with Him and with others.

The true joys in life require tremendous risk. If you ever want to feel whole and live the way God created you to live then you are going to have to risk being known and trusting people who might turn out to be some of life’s biggest blessings.

• Trust means loving others.
• Truth means loving yourself.

Our hope is that you will embark upon the journey of fellowship in small groups and embrace being known and loved at Salem Fields Community Church. Small groups are a place where people are Keeping Hope Alive through relationships.

“No one has ever seen God; but if we love another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.”
1 John 4:12

MORE INFORMATION

Contact Mary Grace Eichler, Salem Fields Small Groups Coordinator, at marygrace@salemfields.com or call (540) 786-6212.

Download the list of current Small Groups and find the right fit for you!

volunteering

Are you interested in hosting a small group in your home? Or perhaps you have a particular interest that you feel would make a great small group? There is always room for more Salem Fields Small Groups! To learn more, contact Mary Grace Eichler, Salem Fields Small Groups Coordinator, at marygrace@salemfields.com or (540) 786-6212.

Join a Group & Download study guides

To download Illuminate: An Advent Experience study guides or to view a list of available groups, click HERE.