Strengthened by Grace, Growing Together

By Erik and Nikki Weaver

Although summer is a busy time with a lot of fun plans, it's easy to feel disconnected from the body of Christ if we're not gathering together regularly. We have found in our own lives that spending frequent time with other believers spurs us on in our personal walk with the Lord. That’s why we decided to keep gathering regularly throughout the summer months when the elders gave the option to meet a little less. Even if only a few people can make it on a given week, we remember Jesus's promise of His presence, "for where two or three are gathered in my name, there I am among them." (Matthew 18:20)

As we're coming up on a year since our GC began, we've seen the Lord growing the relationships among the members. This summer especially, there's been growth in the areas of sharing thoughts and vulnerabilities in both the sermon discussions and mutual ministry. While Gospel Community, by nature, has its challenges and imperfections, by the Lord's grace, He grows us all to be more like Christ.

Many members of our group have been willing to leave their comfort zones and sacrifice their time to get involved with service projects, such as Noah's Ark graduation, helping move a neighbor, and providing lunch for the students of Solid Rock. In mutual ministry time, we've seen many taking steps in their obedience and delight in the Lord, which has encouraged us to do the same.

The Lord's greatness and grace have encouraged us. There have been so many days where we don't feel "good enough" to lead our group - because we're not. But by God's grace, we can bring Him our weaknesses so that His power is displayed. We often remind ourselves of 2 Corinthians 12:9, "my grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore, I boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me." 

Pray for our GCs as we enter the Fall season, that the Lord would deepen relationships, grow us in Christlikeness, and give each group grace and strength to faithfully care for one another. We praise the Lord that our GC's can be a place where people are experiencing the Spirit at work in one another and are being equipped to serve Him and others. Let's pray that the Lord would continue to grow us into mature believers, who are dependent on, devoted to, and delighting in Christ.