Noise

The CG that glorifies God

So... my Young Adult CG recently hit a low point. Apparently, there were a few people in CG who were quite unhappy with the way things were going. They felt that the CG members' spiritual conditions were in very bad shape. We were not led by the spirit enough. Every week, the Bible Study was very one-sided, the leader doing all the work and members not contributing enough. We weren't being transformed by what we had learnt. We weren't excited enough about God! The fellowship of the CG was not exactly very bad, but the level of friendships were not very deep, and some probably felt left out. They felt that the Holy Spirit was grieving for us.

As I thought through all these problems, I just felt that they were so relevant to Effervescence as well. We've been in the same CG for what... more than 2 years now. Sure, things have been better since we first started. Attendance is getting more consistent and everyone's more focused during Bible study. But is that really all there is to CG?

I want us all to think for a minute, what is your reason for coming for CG?
1. To learn about God's word
2. To have fellowship with your friends
3. You've been forced to come

I hope none picked 3, because that would be quite sad. But if you had only picked 1 or only picked 2, you are seriously wrong about the purpose of CG. Do you expect to come for CG ignoring all the other members around you, waiting just to have God's word fed to you? If that's the case, does that mean that if we're not learning about something that interests you, you won't come? Or is picking no. 2 alone any better? Is CG a just a social club for you, a time to catch up with one another?

Well, if CG isn't just a place to learn about God, or have fellowship, than what is it? And how should our CG be like? I don't have the perfect answer, but the Bible does. Below is a passage that I personally feel demonstrates how a CG should be like:

Colossians 3:12 - 15

Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Now think:
Have we been compassionate, kind, humble, gentle and patient?
Have we been bearing enough with each other or getting irritated by one another?
Do we forgive members when they offend us or do us wrong?
And... have we been loving each other with the perfect and unconditional love that we've been learning for so long about? God's love!
Are we at peace?
Are we thankful or are we always finding something to grumble and complain about?

My favourite part of the verse is the last part-letting the word of Christ dwell in us (and transform us) and teaching and admonishing one another with wisdom. What a beautiful thing this would be, if we could be a CG where members are excited to teach each other truths that they have learnt about God during the week. Have we seen that happening in CG?

Whenever I see you guys talk, it's always about school, friends and more. Not that we can't talk about those, but why don't we ever talk about God and what he's been teaching us? I think the answer is plain and painfully simple: We don't know God well enough to talk about him like that. We don't spend enough time in his word to have him speak to our lives. It shows how lukewarm we are about God, and how little a place he has in our life. The thought of that saddens me. But I don't believe that things can't change.

We all need to have a new attitude about CG. With regards to God's word, the leaders cannot always be the ones feeding you God's truth. You are not supposed to come here like a spoilt child expecting to be taught. You are expected to discover God's truth for yourselves. The discussions are led by the leaders but the bulk has to be contributed by YOU! As for fellowship, how do you expect to be close if you don't share your struggles, if you simply get away by saying "nothing happened this week" how do you expect to receive care and concern. We need to put ourselves out there and be vulnerable to each other. Stop hanging around in your own circle of friends and start talking to others. Stop caring for yourself and start caring for the rest!

I'm sorry if this was a harsh post. I love, the CG, you know I do. But I feel that it's high time we really start getting serious about glorifying God. We need God's help to fix and perfect our CG before we can go out there in the world to change lives.

Do you love God? If you did, you would want to change.

Reflections

Write in your CG journal your thoughts about the passage. Which of the qualities listed are the most lacking in both yourself, and the CG? What are some active steps we can take towards becomming a CG that functions as well as the one in the passage? Now pray for God's power to transform you and the CG.

In his love,
Germs