Recently, one of our pastors told me about an experience he had of visiting a small group. The leader of the group graciously listened through the check in, remembered names of family members, and set out the goals for the session. But it’s what she did next that really surprised the pastor. Her group had just finished their 7-word testimonies, an exercise found in the Year 1 small group journal. She had ordered small glass plaques for each member with their personal 7-word testimony inscribed in the middle.
This act of kindness by the leader speaks to more than just the power of the group members’ testimonies. It also speaks to how special it likely made those members feel to know that their testimonies had been seen and heard by someone who cared for them.
Sometimes the best gift we can give to others is seeing them and hearing them, perhaps even going out of our way to tangibly let them know they are valuable. To build that kind of care and trust in a group that started from strangers is the experience we hope everyone has at Resurrection in small groups.
