Share Your Victories

“Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor.” (Galatians 6:6 NIV)

I recently worked through my church’s training for small group leaders. Each week, we study the Bible or something biblical that will lead to personal growth in our relationships with Christ, and thereby, in our relationships with each other. In doing this, we are basically instructing each other on what we are seeing in the Word and what it means to us or how we can apply it in our lives.

The method was simple but well-thought-out. We share what we noted about God, ourselves, or mankind, and then dive into how that could be applied to our lives. We encourage each group member to think of just one way to apply God’s Word to their own growth in the coming week. We also check to see if anyone has questions so those can be addressed.

There is also a time of accountability wherein we share the state of our relationship with God as well as how we feel about life in general. We share sins and struggles. We encourage one another toward a path that does away with these things. However, we also celebrate the wins. We celebrate the big and small moments where we see the Lord at work in our lives, especially when those wins are in areas we’ve been struggling. Ideally, we check in with one another throughout the week so we can maintain accountability.

We practiced this for six weeks because we want to be group leaders who lead well and love well. It wasn’t perfect, but it was a good start for me. The idea of sharing how God’s word affects us in Galatians 6 stuck with me because of that leader training. I was reminded that sharing our victories with people who have taught us about the Lord’s great love and how we can live in it increases our faith and encourages us to continually walk in his ways.

The Lord loves us! He desires that we walk in the footsteps of his Son, Jesus, and allow the Holy Spirit to mold us into people who look like him.

Often we need practice, commitment, and accountability to be more like Jesus. These things happen naturally in a group setting where people are committed to attending and being authentic about their struggles and victories. I look forward to seeing growth in my relationship with Jesus and sharing that with others. I look forward to sharing my successes with people who point out ways the Bible tells me to be different and better. The Bible is full of encouragement and instruction on how to live a life of love for others and obedience to God. Studying together and sharing what we see in Scripture with a long-term group will surely give me new perspective on who God is and how he loves me. I cannot wait to start on this new adventure!

Lord, help us to share all the good things we learn that draw us closer to you, so that we can encourage one another and truly enter into relationship with you. Let us celebrate our wins together, so we can remember and celebrate who you are in our lives. Let us be people who instruct others in your great love and be open to instruction when you are giving us that nudge. Amen.

Scripture for Reflection

“He replied, ‘My mother and brothers are those who hear God’s word and put it into practice.” (Luke 8:21 NIV)

“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” (Ephesians 4:29 NIV)

“And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” (Hebrews 13:16 NIV)

Reach for More

Is there someone with whom you can share a win this week, a win that you know is only because of God? Is there Scripture that might speak to your situation and make God’s presence even more obvious? Maybe there is someone who has been in your life that you didn’t realize had instructed you in the ways and words of God. Take stock of the people in your life and how they are speaking into it. Can you see Jesus in them, in those relationships? If yes, tell them so (if you haven’t already).

If you are not in a small group already, look into taking that next step toward deeper relationship with both Jesus and other people. Can you join a church small group? Can you start a weekly group among friends?

Carla Clemens enjoys a crazy, beautiful life with her military husband and four sons. A baby and toddler interrupt her homeschool days in the best ways, and she is always attempting to live with mindfulness of each moment. She hopes to look at the world and each person in it in light of our amazing Creator and therefore, to see each moment presented as an opportunity to love and serve him more. Carla relishes time to ponder God’s Word and have quiet moments with him and her coffee. She loves doing life with other mamas and encouraging them to simply be who God has made them to be.

Photograph © Priscilla Du Preez, used with permission