Last Lessons #77 – GROUPS

“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”  Hebrews 10:24-25

God seems to like groups.  He made a family for Adam, he made cities and nations. He makes congregations and Sunday School classes.  Christians belong to a variety of groups so that they can stir one another up for love and good works. 

Before I went to California in 1973 to be trained as a BSF teaching leader, I gathered my group (my family) to discuss how I could take on this ministry since it would place a burden on my husband and my children.  They would have to pick up the work I would normally do so that I could have time to study and attend a leaders’ meeting and class each week.  My family agreed that this was something that we should do and they encouraged me.

After my training, I needed a different group to help me get a BSF class started.  God graciously gave me a class administrator, a children’s supervisor, and a number of discussion and children’s leaders who became my best friends.

After two years of teaching BSF I was asked to be the Area Advisor for Texas and Oklahoma.  When I questioned Miss Johnson’s wisdom in asking such an inexperienced person as I was, she assured me that the job was “just like being a Teaching Leader, just a little bit bigger.” I found that was not true!  I also asked what I would do with my class and she said, “Oh, you can do both!”  Mercy!  But I did both for three years because God enabled me by giving me a team (group) to help me.  He helped me choose an Area Class Administrator and an Area Children’s Supervisor to travel with me.  They were perfect partners to complete our team.

The first time I went to Oakland, California, for a group meeting of Area Advisors, Miss Johnson shared with us that she thought she had shingles.  When I came home and told my doctor husband Bob, he suggested that she come to San Antonio where her illness could be diagnosed.  She came, went to the State Chest Hospital where Bob was Superintendent, and was diagnosed with cancer.  She stayed in our house for a week, and from that time on she insisted that I call her “Wetherell” rather than “Miss Johnson”.  We also set up another time for her to come and have surgery to remove the cancer from her spine.  Her surgery went well, and she stayed with us to recover so that I could care for her.  Needless to say, we became very close.  From that time on she called me every day and we would talk for hours about BSF.

Then in 1988 I was invited to be a member of a new group that would stir up one another to love and good works - the Board of Directors of BSF.  I couldn’t imagine how I could be of benefit to this distinguished board, but apparently God and Wetherell Johnson had a plan.

I am grateful to God that he put me in such loving and encouraging groups.  He knew that I needed to be with others.  He knew I would never accomplish any good works without other human beings to stir me up with love and encouragement.

What groups are you part of that stir you up with love and encouragement for good works?  Your family, your church, your charity group, your prayer group?  There is nothing wrong with groups like a book club, an exercise group, a sports team.  They are helpful in making friends and enjoying the good things God has prepared for this life, and they can lead to good works if you are wise in their use.  So ----

“And let us consider (think about) how to stir up one another to love and good works (in a Rafiki Bible Study Group available through www.rafikifoundation.org), not neglecting to meet together (in person), as is the habit of some (who only use electronics), but encouraging one another (with smiles and hugs), and all the more as you see the Day (that Day when the Lord returns and judges our works) drawing near.

P.S. I’m trying to start a RBS group where I live with old folks like me, extra-large print Bibles and everybody with hearing aids.  All of us here know that our “Day” is drawing near!