The old saying, "What you don't know can't hurt you, " proves untrue in life and in small groups. Hidden agendas undermine a group and keep it from functioning effectively. Groups need to have a mutual understanding and commitment to one another to function at the top level.
It is so crucial that groups create a shared agreement of purpose, responsibilities, and understanding. Such a statement lets everyone know what they are getting into. This group may not be for everyone, but if you join in, it will be life changing as you make that covenant with the other group members. Covenant is a Biblical word that means serious expression of commitment with those under God's love.
Here are some suggestions of successful commitments to groups:
1. Attendance: You need everyone in the group in order to grow.
2. Affirmation: There is nothing you have done or will do that will make me stop loving you. We will sometimes "Agree to Disagree" This is OK!
3. Confidentiality: What's said here stays here!
4. Openness: I will strive to reveal who I am
5. Honesty: I will try to mirror back what I see others saying and doing, you can help me in the same way.
6. Sensitivity: I will try to put myself in your shoes and understand what it is like to be you.
7. Accountability: I am responsible for my own growth.
8. Prayer: During the course of covenant, I will pray for my other group members.
1 Samuel 18:3 "And Jonathan made a solemn pact with David, because he loved him as he loved himself."
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