Since becoming committed to Jesus, I have always been involved in different groups of people who are committed to Him.  My dear mom led me to the Lord and right away she encouraged and helped me to find a church and then a Bible Study. I don’t remember a time since then that I wasn’t involved in two or more small groups focused on either prayer, Bible study, or both. I loved being involved in any capacity: student, teacher, or facilitator. It has always been something I looked forward to each week!

In this entry, the group was an extension of our church, and we called it ‘Growth Group!’

From the journal . . . . May 2001

Lord, how great You are!  I am so grateful for the growth group.  The ladies really bless me.  We are going to study 1 Peter.  I know that You will bless it.

And God Said to Me:

Yes.  My words never return void, especially when a yearning heart seeks Me.  I desire to bless each woman who comes to the group.  I will bless the time that they give to come.  I will bless their efforts and committment to study My words.  I will change all of you.  I am drawing you all closer to Me.  Sometimes I am drawing you when you are looking away. Even though you watch the world around you, you find security as I draw you close to Me. Lean on Me and be secure.  When you are scared look into My face and I will reassure you.

Isaiah 55:11 So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth;
It will not return to Me empty,
Without accomplishing what I desire,
And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.  NASB
Jer 29:13 You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. NASB
Matt 7:8 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. NASB

Oh Lord, what a wonder You are! Sometimes You seem too good to be true.  Yet You are true. I love You.

That particular group lasted several years, and I facilitated more than taught it.  We loved digging into the Word of God together and of course we would always pray for each other.  The 1 Peter study took us at least two years!  I remember because I would make an announcement in church from time to time and I always felt sort of apologetic to say, “We are still studying 1 Peter!”  Some weeks we would only cover a few verses, but the women came prepared, and the Lord gave us lots of valuable insights!  It was fun but it was also a time of bonding with other women who loved the Lord and His word. We weren’t meant to do this life alone!

Gen. 2:18 Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him.”

Ecc 4:8-10 Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. ¹⁰ For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up.

Matt 18:20 For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst.”

Hebrews 10:24-26 and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, ²⁵ not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.