As Community Group leaders, you want to make investments in your group that cultivate growth, transparency, and encouragement. As the writer of Hebrews says, “Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called ‘today’, that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.” (Hebrews 3:12-13 ESV).

Daily encouragement and investment in others has power to provide protection from a hard heart of sin. Let’s talk about three ways you can encourage and invest in your group outside of your regular group meetings:

Do the Small Things
Some of the greatest encouragement comes from the smallest gestures. Start a text-message thread with your group and encourage them. Let them know when you pray for them. But don’t stop there; make it a goal to call one or two group members each week and find out how they are doing. An open line of communication is one of the easiest ways to encourage and invest in your group.

Spend Time Together
Work to spend time with some of your group members outside of group. This might not be natural for some of you but you can work hard to make it happen. Some of the most encouraging and uplifting conversations come from simply spending time with people. Learn to invite them into your everyday life. If you have to go pick up lumber for a project, ask one of your buddies to go with. If you want to go get your nails done, invite one of the girls to go with you. It doesn’t have to be fancy – just commit to do life together in the simple ways. But remember your goal: encouragement.

Celebrate Growth
As the leader of the group you get to see growth first hand. Sometimes this requires asking the hard questions and pointing out sin to those who might be struggling. These circumstances are difficult but will be great eternal investments. Make it your aim to walk with these individuals or couples as they commit to grow. Keep them accountable. Check in on them. Celebrate victory over sin!

By Curtis Johnson