| Enthusiasm can be high when you first start | | | | fruit.' Prayer is a precious and essential tool that |
| putting your plans together to start a small group | | | | God has give to us to be able to communicate |
| ministry for those with chronic illness, but even | | | | with Him. Without using it we are unable to do the |
| the best of intentions can actually lead to a | | | | work that God Himself has already planned in |
| decrease in prayer time. Although you may have | | | | advance for us to do (Ephesians 2:10). |
| the best of plans, it will all be pointless if you do | | | | Chronic illness ministry support groups in a |
| not first have a daily walk with God and spend | | | | Christian environment are a special group where |
| time with Him in conversation. Small Groups web | | | | people can find encouragement for this path they |
| site recently did a study and found the following | | | | are on. Eventually they can become disciples |
| results about the relationship between prayer and | | | | themselves, encouraging others who are going |
| small group success: | | | | through moments of suffering. We can set our |
| They found that 83% of leaders who had a | | | | sights on having our small group illness ministries |
| strong prayer life reported that at least one | | | | being more than just a typical secular support |
| person who attended their support group came | | | | group where members attend to compare the |
| to know Jesus through the influence of the group. | | | | horrors of living with chronic illness. Too frequently |
| But of those leaders who had what they defined | | | | regular support groups can be places to vent and |
| a weak prayer life, only 19% of groups had a | | | | compare who is in the most pain or suffering the |
| member that came to know Christ. | | | | worst. This doesn't accomplish anything. |
| Leaders with a strong prayer life have groups | | | | Through small groups with a Christian |
| have more than four times the evangelistic | | | | environment, however, a special oasis for those |
| impact as groups led by leaders with a weak | | | | with illness can be designed. It can be a place |
| prayer life. Are you familiar with the scripture | | | | where the members and visitors feel safe, |
| John 15:5? It says, 'I am the vine; you are the | | | | comfortable and accepted. Together, they can |
| branches. If a man remains in Me and I in him, he | | | | share about their daily challenges, but also what it |
| will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do | | | | is that gets them through the difficult times. It |
| nothing.' Regardless of what tips you may | | | | can become a place where God and illness can be |
| discover from friends, church small group trainings, | | | | spoken in the same sentence. People are provided |
| books, or seminary and congregational care | | | | with a place where they can find eternal hope, |
| resources, remember to keep prayer always the | | | | even when their temporary circumstances seem |
| first priority. | | | | overwhelming. |
| Note that the scripture does not say, 'I am the | | | | If you are wondering where to start as you begin |
| vine, you are the branches and he who gather | | | | to consider starting a support group for those |
| together the most resources, seminary | | | | with chronic illness in your church, the first place |
| resources, books, funds and claims the most | | | | to begin is with a conversation with the Father |
| mentors, time, and energy will bear the most | | | | Himself in prayer. |