Thanks for joining us on this journey of building a consistent habit of reading our Bibles every day. The Bible reading plan we are using this year can be found here: One Year Bible or here on the Bible app. As always, if you miss a day, don’t feel compelled to go back and catch up. Just skip it and start back on today’s date. I am reading the NLT this year, but feel free to use whatever version you prefer. Now here are some thoughts from today’s readings:

Jesus called his twelve disciples together and gave them authority to cast out evil spirits and to heal every kind of disease and illness.
– Matthew 10:1

     Here in Matthew we see the commissioning of the 12 disciples of Jesus. This was basically Jesus’ small group! Through this group of guys (and the women that made all their work possible!), Jesus was going to turn the world upside down and make the biggest impact of any person ever.

     Wow! That’s how powerful small groups can be when Jesus is their leader. That’s no exaggeration! That small group broke up to start other small groups, which started others, which started others… All the way down to where we are today. We are a part of the chain impact of that original small group! Let’s not let that chain stop with us!

     Are you involved in a small group? It’s where the rubber meets the road and this Christian thing becomes real in your life. You have people who can help sharpen you, help challenge you, and love you in your times of need. There’s nothing quite like it on the planet. If you’re not in the community of a small group, now’s the time to join one. Ask your pastor how to get involved in a small group. If your church doesn’t have small groups, ask some of your Christian friends. If that fails, start your own! I promise, you won’t regret it. And you’ll continue the chain reaction that started with Jesus.

      Final thought: Jesus was the leader of the small group. If it is our goal to become more like Jesus, that might be a good place to start. It’s OK if you don’t feel ready to be a small group leader. Start with being part of the small group and let God develop you. Then when he opens the door for you to be a small group leader, don’t back away! Step up to the plate and take the next step to becoming more like Him!