need-to-know / need-to-grow: spiritual growth & small groups
My spiritual growth has almost never followed a linear path. Since beginning my walk with Jesus my growth in holiness resembles a meandering and wandering trail through the woods more than a steady step-by-step passage through an assembly line. Spiritual growth rarely happens by sitting through a training program or a set course of study. Pastor and author Larry Osbourne writes that most spiritual growth “comes as a result of life putting us in what [he likes] to call a need-to-know or need-to-grow situation.” In his book Sticky Church Pastor Osbourne defines need-to-know and need-to-grow moments this way:
“Need-to-know moments happen when we find ourselves in a predicament where we need to know God’s viewpoint on an issue we’ve never dealt with before. Need-to-grow moments are similar, but they’re usually accompanied by a tough trial or a stretching experience. It might be a new job with a jerk boss, the rough sledding of a financial mess, or the pain of a broken heart. Each in it’s own way calls for a deep and more obedient walk with God.”
When I look back over my Christian journey thus far, I can identify need-to-know / need-to-grow situations, seasons and environments that had a profound effect on my growth in grace. One situation in particular was when my wife Sherrie and I were baby Christians and attending a small charismatic church in Atlanta. After a year of worship services where people in the pews all around us spoke in tongues with regularity, we began to wonder what was wrong with us that we didn’t. We were told that speaking in tongues was the “second blessing” of the Holy Spirit and we should be earnestly pursuing the Spirit’s blessing. We needed to know if this was true, so I bought and read R.C. Sproul’s book The Mystery of The Holy Spirit. In the book we were introduced not only to the person and work of the Holy Spirit, but to the Reformed faith. We learned that regeneration precedes faith, and that it is the Holy Spirit who made us alive and enabled us to see our sin and to desire God.
Our “need-to-know” situation at the little charismatic church compelled us to find an answer that transformed us in a profound way. We experienced a greater desire to live a godly life and to know God deeper through His Word and grew immeasurable from the situation and season. It wasn’t long after that we joined a PCA church (Perimeter Church) and embraced the Reformed faith as well as discovered the benefits of the small group environment.
As we drew close to a group of people in our small group we found the benefit of other Christians during those need-to-know / need-to-grow situations and seasons. It was reinforced in our mind and heart that not only do we need other people, but they need us as well. More than anything, others need Jesus and need to be taken to where we found Him. In other words, we really have nothing to offer others except Jesus, which puts us in a continual need-to-know / need-to-grow situation. Because when you put 4-7 couples in a group, the life issues and difficult situations increase exponentially. We realized that if we were going to be able to offer wise counsel, a shoulder to cry on, or a word of admonishment, pursuing our own spiritual growth was a necessity.
Giving yourself regularly to the means of grace of Scripture and prayer takes on a new sense of urgency when you place yourself in the small group environment filled with other messy meandering people making some of the same mistakes you’ve made and continue to make. As you meander and wander on your walk with Jesus, the small group environment is an excellent place for you to experience spiritual growth. We really believe it and our purpose statement for small groups reflects that:
The purpose of a Small Group is to provide a safe and predictable environment where people experience spiritual growth lived out in authentic community.
If spiritual growth is what you desire, let us help you find your
group. Take our online survey and take a step in that direction:
www.southwood.org/growingsmall Also, you can take the survey here at Southwood in the Guest Center. But hurry, the NextWave deadline is midnight February 19th!!