Darryl's Dilemma
Interactive case studies on common small group issues
When Serving Becomes Too Much
Darryl needs help ministering to a group member who is in over her head. Read more …
Darryl is so excited about how his small group has been serving in the community. For the past six months, his group has been serving at a local soup kitchen. Each month the group cooks and serves food for around 200 men, women, and children. The best part, though, is that Darryl's group members are forming relationships with the people who come to the soup kitchen.
Susan, a deeply caring, single woman in the group is really making connections. Each week she has spent time talking one-on-one with someone long after dinner is over. Darryl appreciates her heart for people, and realizes all the group members could learn something from her.
At their meeting this week, though, Darryl learned that the other group members can also teach Susan something: how to set appropriate boundaries. It turns out that Susan has been connecting with people from the soup kitchen outside their monthly dinners. She has been visiting them, bringing them clothes and food, giving them gas cards, and helping them with various tasks. The problem is that she's in over her head. With all the connections she's made at the soup kitchen, Susan is helping eight people on a regular basis. And while she is happy to be generous with her time, money, and belongings, it's burning her out—emotionally, physically, and financially. In group this week, Susan shared she doesn't have the money to pay her rent this month.
Darryl wants to help Susan form good boundaries, but he doesn't want to discourage her compassion and focus on helping others. What can he and the other group members do to help Susan?
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