In our post-Covid environment, small groups are becoming one
of the best primary points of entry for new attendees within our churches. Even
if our social circles may have shrunk within the workforce or within our
social engagements, our hunger for relationships still has not dissipated.
Theologically, we understand this because we are made in the image of a God who
exhibits perfect relationship within the Trinity. But how does this spiritual
truth impact our ability to grow inward within our small group ministries, and
how might this contribute to our small groups’ ability to minister to the
deepest spiritual needs of our fellow group members?
In this next series of posts, we will unpack and explore how
small groups are able to minister at some of the most profound levels to heal
the soul. While some of our wounds may be buried deep or are carefully tucked
away to help us function as close to normal as possible during the
day-to-day, there are times when the presence of the Holy Spirit can fall upon
a small group and meet one or more individuals in a powerful way that brings a
wound or a lie to the light.
Yet for our purposes here, we will tread carefully. Our conversation on inner healing will not be meant for scenarios or seasons of
life that are devastatingly urgent. Indeed, small groups can never and should
never be considered a replacement for professional counseling. Nevertheless, there
are moments when the Lord chooses to use a small group to either initiate a
journey of inner healing or to walk alongside someone and be a partner for
them in the journey of inner healing (It will be these scenarios in
particular that this new series will focus on).
In his book Healing Care, Healing Prayer, Dr. Terry
Wardle’s exploration of inner healing prayer provides an in-depth look of how it allows us to not only identify
the wounds of this world but also replace their dominion over us with the
affirmation of God’s love. Writing from the personal experience
of his own “dark night of the soul,” his multiple books over the years have empowered
both the caregiver and the individual who is receiving care throughout the inner
healing process. While Dr. Wardle’s book mainly focuses on the model and structure
of inner healing between a caregiver and a single person who is receiving the
care, here we will instead reflect upon the core principles of his text through
the lens of a small group ministry.
Throughout this new series, we will discuss topics such as how
group members can help to contribute toward inner healing, what the group
leader’s role is within such a process, and how prayer can be utilized to
engage the Holy Spirit within the group setting. Since the journey ahead requires
great care and respect, it bears repeating that small groups are
not meant to replace counseling (nor could it be promised that small groups are
as effective as or more effective than professional care). Nevertheless, I have
witnessed the impact that the presence of the Holy Spirit can make within the
small group setting and it is very possible that the Lord may soon choose one of our upcoming small
group meetings to stir the hearts of one or more of our group members. To help us
prepare for such an event, let us prayerfully explore and meditate upon what we
group leaders can do to help our group members meet the person of Jesus Christ
in a powerful and transforming way.
