How to Organize a Christ-Centered Support Group
The first thing is to find a few others who will commit themselves to a Christ-Centered recovery group. We need to pray and seek specifically God’s will in this matter. We don’t want to be meeting alone.
When we set up a Christ-Centered Recovery Group we are not competing with or criticizing any other group. We are simply creating an environment where Christians in need of recovery can gather and freely talk about Jesus and the Bible without concern of offending others.
It may be best to find space in a church where the pastor is supportive and understanding of the 12 steps. The pastor can give spiritual covering in addition to referring people to the group who through counseling has found them hurting and in need of help.
Small Groups have an important role in the body of Christ. It is difficult for intimate fellowship to take place in large Bible study or congregational meetings. The support group is a gathering of equals who come together to love, encourage and minister to one another.
(James 5:16 KJV) Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. A Christ-Centered Group gives the opportunity for this to happen. When we gather together with others who understand us we can get rid of the guilt from the past with reasonable assurance that we will not be judged or condemned.
Small groups also give us an opportunity to share what is going on in our lives in a confidential setting. If we never get a chance to share who we really are with others on a “gut” level, we can never be truly loved. They can only love who we are pretending to be or what they perceive.
We will forever be in bondage if we don’t learn how to be transparent and accountable to one another. (John 8:32 KJV) And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. As we share, listen and identify with each other, God brings us through denial. “God is truth and God is love”. As we share the truth in love we are imparting God one to another.
In establishing a support group it is important to be consistent. Make sure someone is there to start the meeting on time – every time.
Get a good foundation by inviting people who have a good attitude and have the courage to be honest. It might be wise to stay away from those who simply want to play church and impress others with their personal “holiness” or ability to quote Scripture at length.
Some people are fearful of attending meetings at their own church out of concern others may gossip. It is important to insure anonymity and confidentiality.