What we found very exciting about Growth Groups was that we had a chance to have our teenagers, their friends, and our parents in the same group. Earlier this spring, we studied “The Gospel, by J.D. Greear. We learned what J.D. calls the “Gospel Prayer”: In Christ, there is nothing I can do that would make You (God) love me more, and nothing I have done that makes You (God) love me less.
We learned as a group the power and simplicity of the Gospel of Christ. Our teenagers and their friends really responded to this message. This is a message they can hold on to. We also had our parents and grandparents there to share their experiences. Teenagers respond when you can share some of your struggles in life. It is a chance to move beyond the roles of parent and share your heart.
What we also experienced is the sharing that happens in Growth Group. We share God’s Word, we shared snacks, we watched the lesson videos together, but we also shared outside of the class. Earlier this spring, our daughter shared a copy of “The Story” to one of her friends who was in Army basic training. He read the whole book. This was the first time he read the Bible, and it was very accessible to him. He was very grateful that she had shared “The Story” with him, at a time in his life that he needed it most.
Willie McIntosh
Elder, Centreville Presbyterian Church
