by Brian Walters, Director of Adult Ministries @ MBC Loudoun

 “Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another, for that indeed is what you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more” (1 Thessalonians 4:9-10).

In the passage above, Paul is stating that love is a birthmark of a believer in Jesus Christ (1 John 3:14; 1 Peter 1:22; 1 John 4:9–12). We must love all of God’s people even the lost (1 Thes. 3:12), more every day. To love one another is to embody the family of Christ. God has taught us how to “brotherly love” (philadelphias) (Romans 12:10; Hebrews 13:1). So where can you find this mutual Christ like love at McLean Bible Church?

The answer is Small Groups. I know what you are thinking, “Brian is over this ministry so he is shameously plugging it.”  :)  But that is really not the case.  Small Groups are one of the primary ways we become more fully devoted followers of Christ at MBC. Small Groups are where we grow in our relationship with Jesus Christ as truth comes to life. Small Groups are where we connect in authentic biblical community. Small Groups are where we serve each other and where we discover our gifts and share the message of Christ so that we can impact Washington, DC. Additionally, Small Groups get people connected into a caring community and it is where agapan (love) can be lived out more every day.

Small Groups are a caring community because they foster and build healthy relationships within the body of Christ in the context of community, learning to love, encourage, take risks and be accountable to those in the group. Getting involved in a Small Group at MBC Loudoun is so important with the hustle and bustle that exists within our society because Small Groups help take us from the distractions of this world and refocus our eyes on Bible study and spiritual disciplines that lead to sanctification. Small Groups provide a loving environment where you can discuss that stressful day you had with others without being criticized or judged, it is a place where you find and feel love by others even though you may not find a caring community anywhere else.

So the take away here is to get plugged into a MBC Loudoun Small Group. For more information about Small Groups or to get connected in one, please go to: www.mbcloudoun.org/smallgroups. As the Director of Adult Ministries here at MBC Loudoun it is my prayer and desire to get everyone connected into a Small Group. Remember learning to love is a never-ending discipline to which we all need to strive to continually improve.  This is just another part of the sanctification process. May we all strive to love one another more and more every day of our lives.