Chip Paul's Blog Site

Andy Stanley says it best when he says, growth happens in circle not rows.   For the longest time I thought that in the Middle School world that we could never have successful small groups.  I was wrong!  Small groups really do make a difference. Yes small groups are messy and it’s much easier just to lump everyone together for another game night or lecture-style sermon but true growth happens in circles.

• Small groups are really fun! Small groups embody all of the values that I think make church fun: They are Real, Relevant, Relaxed and Relational.

• Small groups are intimate. It’s in our small groups that students share their hurts and fears. It’s in these groups that decisions are made and students are held accountable. It’s in these groups that students take time to lift each other up in prayer.

• Small groups are safe. In our small groups students can be who they really are. In a large group setting, it’s easy to hide behind a mask.  In a small group those masks are quickly called out for what they are and students are free to be the unique individual God intends them to be. In a small group a nerd can be a nerd, a jock can be a jock and nobody needs to apologize for it.

• Small groups help students grow. Believe it or not, middle school students are capable of spiritual growth. This growth happens best when questions are asked, thoughts are expressed, lessons are experienced together and their faith is made real. This seems to happen best in a small group setting.

• Small groups give students a place to belong.

In short, small groups can be the backbone of a healthy youth ministry and the environment in which the most life-change happens. Small groups are a lot of work, but they are worth the effort.

So, are you a part of a small group?

Have you volunteered to be a small group leader?

Small groups really make a difference.  Do you want to make a difference? If so let us know so we can help you be a part of making a difference in the lives of Middle School Students.

I remember a funny SNL skit that was done several years ago with Christopher Walken, Will Ferrel, and Chris Parnell entitled More Cowbell. This was a skit done where a band was trying to record a big hit song.  The first take of the session begins soon after. The recording seems to be going well but the band stops playing after a few moments because the cowbell part is rather loud and distracting. To the surprise of most of the band,Christopher Walkens character asks for “a little more cowbell” and suggests that the cowbell player, Will Ferrel, “really explore the studio space this time.” Now this goes on for a few takes and there is constantly this battle between the band playing and MORE Cowbell.  Christopher Walkens character becomes overcome with MORE that it impacts the entire skit.

Have you ever felt like you just need MORE of something?

In my family, we are big Disney fans and every time we go to Disney we always leave with thinking if we only had one MORE day we could have done this.  Or maybe you are like us and when you get back from you vacation you just feel like you need a vacation from your vacation. So you need MORE time off.

Maybe you can relate with needing MORE money.  You can’t get enough of that right!

How about, MORE TV channels.  We have like 300 channels and there are times that I just sit with the remote and flip channels looking for something to watch and can’t find anything on. Come on what happened to Saturday morning cartoons and after school specials. If I just had MORE channels maybe I could find something to watch.

This is my favorite.  What if I had more time in a day to get things done. Lead Bible study, head to office, check e-mails, respond to e-mails (remember when we called people to ask them questions?), got to meeting, try to grab lunch, work on lessons, plan events, pick up kids, go to dance, go to baseball practice, coach softball, try to get a run in,  come home and help kids finish homework, get kids a bath, Supper somewhere in there, get kids to bed, family devotion, and then finally say hey to my wife, go to Bed and get ready for tomorrow. Does anyone else feel like this is how there day goes.  MORE time!

These are all things that daily we desire MORE of, but what about God? Do we ever sit back and plan out MORE of God in our life. You know flip through the pages of scripture looking for MORE of God, needing MORE of God in our day, or not being able to get enough of God. What if today we decided we are going to spend MORE time with God then we did yesterday.

What would that look like for you?

Maybe a 10 minute devotion time instead of a 5 minute flash by to say we spent time with Him. Or maybe through-out our day we decide to just be still and recognize that God is God and take in MORE of His presence.  Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 15 that we should remember the Gospel that was preached to us.  The Gospel that saved us. Paul also tells us in verse 10 that is is “by the grace of God that I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect.” See Paul understood that having MORE of God in his life made an effect on his life.  Such an effect that he was able to infect others with Gospel of Jesus.

We will only be able to spread this infectious Gospel to others when we surrender our daily schedule to God and desire MORE of God in our lives.

Rick Warren says it best when he says…

“Surrender is not the best way to live; it is the only way to live. Nothing else works. All other approaches lead to frustration, disappointment and self-destruction.” I personally can think of no better way to stay focused as a believer than to completely surrender my life to my Lord and Savior.

How about MORE God today!

John 3:30

“He must become greater; I must become less.”

Time flies by! She is now ready for Kindergarten.

Spoke at Pine Mt FCA this morning and had the blessing of having Laurie and Abbie there with me.

So I did my first Triathlon this past weekend over at John Tanner State Park in Carrollton, Ga. and I really enjoyed it.  It was a 600 yard swim, 14 mile Bike, and 3.2 mile run.  I wasn’t sure how I was going to do but I guess I did ok.  I got 4th in my division.  I finished in 1hr and 39minutes.  I thought that was pretty stinkin good. I am looking to do another before the summer ends and then start training to do a half-marathon in Disney World in January 2012. I will post some pictures form the race as soon as they go up online.