An open letter to a future small group leader

I guess that this letter can be addressed to anyone going into ministry, but after being a small group leader for two semesters, I feel justified to just comment on my own experiences.
Get ready for your life to get interesting. 

Being a small group leader is one of the most difficult, yet most rewarding college experiences. And if someone tells you its easy and NOT emotionally wrenching and draining, they are doing it wrong. And, if you think you already know everything about it...get ready to be incredibly humbled.

Being a small group leader takes your shortcomings, weaknesses, and struggles and smacks you in the face with them. It is impossible to avoid seeing them and noticing how far you still have to go. You realize how inept you really are and how much you. need. God.

Through being a small group leader I realized my need to show incredible grace and compassion to every person I came in contact with, especially those within my group. I learned that I suck at communicating my feelings with others. I learned that I need to be humble and accept the criticism that others give me. I learned that I should always try to better myself because of my great love for God and my desire to love His people well.

These may be some of the things that you struggle with too. But one thing is for certain, be prepared to fail and be knocked on your butt; and that is OKAY!  It is part of the experience. We are human, it is expected that we will fail! Isn't that a glorious thing?! It's glorious because Jesus already paid the price for our shortcomings and He loves us regardless.

Be prepared to deal with people. I know it seems obvious...but you don't even know!  Be prepared to fall in love with your small group (not in a romantic way, of course). You will care deeply and passionately about the people who you end up spending A LOT of your time with. You will hear their stories and their present struggles and your heart will break for them. You are no longer just concerned for your own well being, but also for the well being of these 2-10 other people.

Your time will be spent discipling, meeting with, praying for, comforting, and recklessly loving these people. NOT because it is even required, but because you would do absolutely anything for these people, even though you only met them 3 months ago.

I have learned SO MUCH about myself, others, and God, through my experience of being a small group leader. Most of this was through trial and error. However, through it all, I know that God was always by my side, helping me along, showing new things to me about Him and His Kingdom. 

My advice in all of this...look to God for everything. For your words, actions, rest, love, grace, time management, encouragement, companionship, and everything in between. Love Him first with all your heart and then watch your heart grow for His people.

Being a small group leader might be one of the hardest things you will ever do, but it is also one of the best things you will ever do.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10  ⁹ But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. ¹⁰ For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.