Small Groups as Family

"God sets the lonely in families". (Psalm 68:6)

Sometimes this promise is fulfilled literally when a family adopts a lonely person. Other times the church becomes a person's family. In a large church, one's small group becomes one's family.

I saw this demonstrated a couple of weeks ago at a wedding that took place here. The bride comes from a somewhat chaotic family, and her small group stepped in and put on the wedding for her and her beloved. The couple who hosts this group in their home is especially gifted in all things pertaining to hospitality. At the wedding, the hostess of the Bible study served as wedding coordinator. The host, who has exquisite artistic taste, did the flowers--and what flowers they were! He turned our Fellowship Hall into a real flower garden, utterly transforming it's open, barnlike atmosphere into something really beautiful. And the rest of the group? I found them in the kitchen, preparing the reception, under the direction of a group member who is a gourmet cook. Everyone was attired in aprons, ready to set out the fabulous spread that they had worked together to prepare.

Evidently one of the bride's family was doubtful, even sarcastic about the small group doing anything that would be of reasonable quality. Evidently the cynic didn't know this group: they are quality people who do things well and beautifully to the glory of God. What the Bible study host had done with flowers, they did with food and served a very elegant collation for the wedding guests. It was a gift of love from these good people to one of their own.

It reminded me that the Lord is preparing a wedding feast for us, too. He has, after all, adopted us into His family. If we are invited, it will not be as a guest, it will be as the bride. The Marriage Supper of the Lamb will be the most elegant, beautiful and delicious feast that has ever been prepared. I look forward to being there, to be joined with our Heavenly Bridegroom and to participate in this wonderful feast. Will you be there?