1. God designed you for relationships!
After God created Adam, he said that it was “not good for man to be alone.” So he created Eve and initiated family as a means to filling an essential need in life. God made every human being with an internal need for authentic relationships, and when we don’t have them, we experience loneliness.

In the New Testament, both Peter and Paul refer to the church as the “family of believers.” God provided you with a spiritual family, and in that family you will find the relational connections that defeat the discouragement of isolation.

2. Your spiritual life will grow best when you are in community of people!

Consider this: You have about an 80% chance of staying on the path of growth with Jesus if you are in a Small Group, but only about a 10% chance ON YOUR OWN!

When we’re on our own, we’re vulnerable to being led astray by our own desires, by the world’s priorities, and by Satan’s schemes. The Bible says he is “... like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour…”He’s like a lion in Africa looking for the animal that strays from the herd and then attacks.

See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called 'Today,' so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness." Hebrews 3:12-13

We might think that some sins are “no big deal” or that “it doesn’t hurt anyone.” But as these verses describe, when we dabble in sin, it causes us to grow cold toward God and we turn away from Him as a result. When we’re in community with others who are also on a spiritual journey toward Jesus, they encourage us and help keep us from being ensnared by the deceptiveness of sin. On the other side of the table, your Christian brothers and sisters need you to be there to encourage them to keep walking with Jesus and not be deceived by sin! You need your brothers and sisters, and they need you.

3. Prayer will become more meaningful to you.
Many people are hesitant to pray in front of others, especially in a large church. In a small group of 6 to 12, you will learn to participate in prayer by having a conversation together with God. No one is pressured to pray, but as you become comfortable, you´ll be able to pray sentence prayers and join in. There are many promises in the Bible related to group prayer. In praying together with a few others, we are drawn together and we find answers to the needs in our lives.

4. Fulfilling God’s mission on earth happens within the community!
There are thousands of people around us that have little or no hope, and we have the responsibility to love them and serve them in the name of Jesus. Community Groups shouldn’t be like a fortress, where we are protected from the world, but rather we are to be the fragrance of life, taking Jesus with us to those who are hurting and need life!

"For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared before-hand that we should walk in them." Ephesians 2:10

5. You’ll have a blast with the new friends in your group!
Every 20:20 Home Group needs to include a good dose of food and fun! And if you start going to one and they’re not having any fun, maybe God sent you to the group to liven it up!

So… what do you think? Is your spiritual life worth the time and effort needed to be in a community of friends? Invite a friend to join you and go find a 20:20 group this week!