SmallGroups.com

Service projects are a great way to strengthen relationships within a small group. Our group was always finding needs within the church that they could minister to. If someone was sick or recovering from an injury we would help them out with meals. If someone was having financial struggles we would help with groceries and clothing. There were always so many opportunites to help other people in the community as well as the church. There are so many places to volunteer as a group, such as nursing homes and homeless shelters, who are always needing people to help.

What my small group did back home was write and send letters to the sick in our local hospital this past Christmas. We wanted to encourage them and lift their spirits, while reflecting the love of God through what we wrote. Also, a couple weeks before Christmas, a local young man, who is very involved in our community, was involved in a serious car accident. He suffered multiple critical injuries, and was hospitalized for nearly two weeks. By the grace and miracle of God, he survived, and is doing well today; he has a long recovery process ahead of him. So, my small group also wrote letters to him, and also helped his family, financially, for his medical expenses.

Serving a meal at a homeless shelter...what a great idea! Writing out cards (as a group) with a word of encouragement letting people know that you are thinking of them, especially family/friends/coworkers that may not know the Lord or the love of God. Visiting someone who is sick or who may be older and cannot leave their home and praying with them. We need to think of the people that are in our lives and think of ways to show them... we are here for them and that we care. That kind of support is hard to find but what a great way to serve and reach out to others as a small group. It is truly refreshing when the design of your small group is fulfilling a specific purpose of spreading the gospel and sharing God's amazing love.

Service projects like short-term mission experiences many times have the most impact on groups because you are spending extended amount of time out of your routine and comfort zone to focus on serving. Those types of experiences almost never come back void. However, short-term mission trips are a big step for many, so start by serving locally as a group. Focus on serving someone out of your culture or economic status. Serving cross-culturally or serving the under served, can also have a big impact. Avoid doing all your service for people within your church only. Doing a work-day at the church building is a good idea, but it won't have the impact on your group that serving a meal in a homeless shelter will have.