Your comments, please ?

KIDS FIT WELL IN SMALL GROUPS

A few Sunday nights ago, my wife and I experienced the delightful small group that meets in the home of some friends.

We arrived at about 6:00 PM, and the husband escorted us into the kitchen, where some families had already gathered, standing around the spacious kitchen counter, talking excitedly about their week, and helping themselves to the generous supply of chips, dip, and soft drinks.

Others continued to arrive, and eventually we all made our way to the living room, where we were invited to participate in a group worship experience led by a DVD and the children of the group. My wife and I were so blessed as the kids eagerly called out selections that they wanted to sing. Some of the girls spontaneously led the group in some sign language they had learned in KidZone.

My friend read a short devotional and asked for prayer requests. The kids were amazingly attentive through this whole time. Soon they were dismissed and scrambled to the basement, where familiar sounds of childhood play lasted the rest of the evening.

The couples began to enjoy adult conversation. We were delighted at the level of friendship in the group and the freedom that each couple had to share important parts of their lives that needed prayer and mutual encouragement. Topics like family, career, schedules, and children were uppermost in their minds. Deep and meaningful prayer together concluded the evening.

All of us left that home that night with a feeling that the Lord Jesus had also been there and had helped us all to minister to one another.