Jesus, help me understand why most churches have small groups that are designed for special needs and age groups. Let me see how these small groups are helpful for meeting all the special needs found in the larger group of Christians. Now, teach me about another kind of small group that I need to create. Show me that it will exist so I can not only get my needs met, but can help others with their special needs.

Jesus, help me see how good it is to work with people on an individual basis. But, also show me the importance of allowing my friends to get together. Help me introduce them to each other so they can see how You are using me in all their lives. Let me give the stronger ones an opportunity to help the weak ones; and, help me show them how Your family is built. Show me that this small group is vital for reaching out to the desperate needs of the community. Prepare my heart for the next study as it addresses the methods of me finding people to mentor. Let it help me reach out to others like someone reached out to me. Show me that just like I needed You and all Your provisions, so do they.

Jesus, protect me from the problem of wanting to spending all my time with Christians. Help me understand that Churches can be fun places for Christians to gather; and, it can gradually absorb all my time and energy working on and with Christians. Show me that the building, the organization, and the people will have needs that can take up all my time and use up all my energy. Help me be sure to stay in Your plan for reaching my friends that live in my community.

Jesus, prepare my heart for the fact that unsaved people can be difficult to talk to and help. Prepare me for the fact that their life can be so bad that it hurts me to see all the pain they are going through. Help me accept that they can be argumentative and resistive to various aspects of Your message. Help me be ready to deal with them being cooperative at moments and then fail to work with me the next. Give me a love and commitment even when they are faithful for awhile and then drop out all of a sudden. Help me not enjoy being with Christians so much that I find it hard to break way for awhile and help these hurting and needy people.

Jesus, help me see myself in these people. Just like I did, those I have helped to become Christians also have ups and downs in their commitment to You. However, let me help both the unsaved and the new Christians with my encouragement. Show me that I am their lifeline to starting and growing in You. Help me think about how important it was for me to have all those things You provided to me. Help me think back to the time when I didn’t even want You. Then help me think about all it took to get me where I am now. Make it clear to me that these people are depending on me to help them make the same journey. Guide me to those You want me to spend time with. Help me be willing to work with those who aren’t much fun being with. Empower me to let You decide where I should spend my time.