It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.” ~ Genesis 2:18
God himself who created man knew that we cannot be alone. Therefore, he created the woman to be a suitable helpmate for man.
Since the beginning of creation, we have been designed to have others support us. We need other people to help us learn, carry our loads, and bring encouragement to our lives. We cannot do everything on our own. At some point in our lives, we will definitely need someone to help us in our life’s journey.
Life is not always trouble-free, as we all know. And hardships can really intimidate and discourage even the strongest person alive. But when there is another person, or a group of people, who are connected and accountable to you, you can overcome the challenges of life no matter how tough they may be.
It is vital that you have a support group to stand with you in the various seasons of your life. This can be like-minded individuals who share the same passion or advocacy, or a community where you can find assistance in an area you need. However, some of these support groups will only be one-dimensional, and most of the time you will discover that some of them will not really walk with you in the most trying moments of your life.
As a believer of Jesus, I am part of a local church where I am growing in my faith and it has connected me with other individuals who also have a relationship with Jesus. It is in the church that I have found people who taught me and guided me to know more about God and to become a better version of myself, so I can serve him and live out my purpose for his glory.
But since there are so many people in the church, maintaining connection to all of them can be overwhelming. This is why being part of a “small group” will help narrow it to a number of people whom you can be personally connected with on a much deeper level.
A “small group” is a group of people within the church, who guides you in knowing God, prays with you, grows with you, cries with you or rejoices with you in every milestone of your life. The term “small group” varies, depending on the church you are part of. Some call it D-group, cell group, or life group. No matter how they are called, they all function in the same way—a support group who will guide you in your maturity as a person and as a believer.
If you are pursuing a minimalist beauty lifestyle, having a small group will be very beneficial for you because you will have people who will stand with you in your goals and encourage you to achieve it. They can even provide some recommendations and other suggestions to support you in attaining a minimalist lifestyle. They will cheer you on when you feel discouraged and even pray for you when you are struggling. This is the true value of living a minimalist beauty lifestyle—having people who will truly enrich your life in every way.
Having a small group in church has done so much for our family. When we were being restored in our marriage, my husband and I sought marriage counseling and joined a Couple’s D-group to help us grow closer and stronger in our marriage. Our children were also part of a teen’s D-group, which guided them as they were growing through their teen years, especially when there were trying times in our family. Our small groups/D-groups helped us persevere through our healing process and stood faithfully as our prayer warriors, in the entire time that God was restoring our marriage and family. Without these men and women who believed with us and prayed with us, our family wouldn’t be where we are today.
It really helps that you join a small group that is similar to the season you are in. Here are some small groups that you can find in the church and how they can support you:
- Married Couples Group
If you are a married person, it is advisable that you and your spouse attend the same group so you can both learn and grow together as a couple. However, if your spouse is not yet attending with you due to various reasons (i.e. busy at work, estranged, working abroad, etc.), you are sure to have people who will sincerely pray with you for your husband/wife. When you are also part of a small group of married couples, you will begin to realize that what you are struggling with in marriage are the same things other married couples struggle with too. But the wonderful thing here is that, you can now have people who can stand with you and help you be stronger in your marriage.
In instances that marital concerns are difficult to reconcile, couples should be humble enough to seek marriage counseling if needed. This is not “airing your dirty laundry,” it is called “fighting for our marriage.” It is also important to note that when you go through counseling with your spouse, it is handled by trained and experienced individuals in the church, like a pastor and/or a small group leader, and you can be assured that all matters are held in high confidentiality. Being in a married couples group gains you life-long friends who will also journey with you in your marriage and family life. - Singles Group
Paul said to the Corinthians, “Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character.’” (1 Cor. 13:55 NIV) Single men and women need to be surrounded by other single individuals who hold the same faith and values to keep themselves from being corrupted by the world. Being part of a singles group will also guide you in biblical principles to enjoy and enrich your season as a single person. Some even meet their potential lifetime partners in a singles small group. But more than looking for a spouse, being in a singles small group helps you grow more in love with God first and foremost. - Small groups for children and teenagers
Parents need a support group that will help raise their children in God’s ways. Young as they are, children and teens need to be mentored by their small group leaders and establish them in the truth of God’s Word. It is also through these small groups that our children learn how to live out the Word of God and find friends who will influence them in a godly manner.
Being in a small group provides you with spiritual covering and a physical support system in making sure you live out the life God wants for you. You can really simplify and shine in the purposes that God has called you to. Sustaining a minimalist beauty lifestyle will be much more attainable when you have a support group who is willing to journey with you all the way.