The Lilac Festival is happening this week, the warm days of spring have finally arrived, and summer is right around the corner.
There is a lot to be loved about the summer. Everyone loves the warmth, the break from the school routine, and the opportunity to take some time off work and maybe even do some traveling.
But summer can be dangerous for your faith. With summer comes a new rhythm. With summer comes a change of routine.
When you get out of your weekly routine, it can be easy to stop healthy habits:
- Attending Sunday services
- Bible reading and prayer
- Connecting regularly with other believers
While summer provides a chance to take a breath and enjoy a break, life never takes a break.
Summer doesn't provide a break from:
- A difficult marriage
- Sexual temptation with your boyfriend or your co-worker
- Paying off your debts (credit card, vacation, the new roof)
- Difficult children who are now home all day
- Chronic illness
- Job loss
When summer hits and your routine is changed, life's difficulties often tend to escalate rather resolve.
So, how do we prevent ourselves and others from drifting away and stumbling?
Paul gives us this reminder:
See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called "Today," so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness. - Hebrews 3:12-13
When life happens, the relationships built in Community Group provide a safeguard from drifting spiritually or even worse, shipwrecking your life and your faith.
Each summer Northridge Community Groups take a break from their weekly schedule. But just because groups are ending for the summer doesn't mean that community should end.
- Does this mean your group needs to meet all summer? No
- Does this mean you should connect with the people in your group this summer? Yes
We can't grow spiritually unless we connect relationally.
So what is your plan for helping your group connect with each other this summer? If you don't make a plan, it's probably not going to happen.
While you don't need to meet together weekly to stay connected, you should still be connecting regularly. Remember, Paul said "encourage one another daily".
While not required to meet over the summer, here are 2 connections we would encourage every group to do:
1 Social Gathering Each Month:
Schedule 1 social gathering per month on the night your group normally meets (for example, if your group meets on Tuesday's, meet every 3rd Tuesday each month). Put these dates on the calendar before your last group meeting of the trimester.
Text Each Other Weekly:
A text may take less than 5 minutes out of your week, but it reminders people they are not forgotten.
These are just 2 of many ways your group can connect this summer. HERE are several others.
This summer life is going to happen. And when it happens, who will be there?
We are praying for you. If you have questions, concerns, or challenges this summer, your coach is a text or phone call away.
THANK YOU for all you do as Community Group leaders to care for the people God has entrusted to you.
Some other resources you might find helpful:
10 Simple Ideas To Connect With Your Group This Summer
- Here are a few simple ideas to enjoy your break while staying connected.
9 Tips To Finishing Group Well
- As we finish up the group year, here are 9 tips to help ensure the spiritual health of each group attendee and the future success of your group.
- Here are 4 next steps every group needs to succeed.
