Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful. And let

us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up

meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another – and

all the more as you see the Day approaching. (Hebrews 10:23-25)

Growing up, I used to love watching Mister Rogers – who always included in his program the

loving question: “Won’t you be my neighbor?” He also said, “Neighbors are people who are

close to us and friends are people who are close to our hearts.” When I think about our small

groups at IBC, I reflect on all the connections and friendships that have blessed my life over the

past several years – not just people in close proximity to me, but people who are very dear to

my heart.

In today’s passage, we find that the author couples the idea of being able to ‘hold unswervingly’

to our hope in Jesus with our ability to practice faith in community. The two are importantly

intertwined, because honestly, we need each other. Think of all the great examples from our

past: Adam had Eve. Moses had Aaron. David had Jonathan. Paul had Timothy. Peter had

John. Jack had Diane. Simon had Garfunkel. The list goes on. Our faith has a very personal

component for sure, but it’s not meant to be experienced alone.

There is a ‘spurring’, as Paul put it, that happens when we meet together -- and it’s different

from anything we experience elsewhere. Podcasts, books, devotionals, TED talks, whatever is

your weekly or daily go-to for motivation, it’s never going to be enough. One hour at church on

Sunday is not enough. Nor was it ever designed to be that way. Our weekly gathering is the

launching point for our week. It’s the starting position; but it’s not the race itself. To run the race

of life, we must surround ourselves with likeminded believers, spurring us on to the finish line. 

And that’s what makes our IBC community groups amazing. Can it be intimidating when first

getting started? For sure. But I can offer some encouragement: there is a blessing that comes

upon the people of God who truly make an effort to grow and share life together. As we turn our

focus to the resumption of small groups in a few months, would you consider joining? We have

a cadre of leaders who would love to have you and groups designed to fit whatever stage of life

you’re in. Please be in prayer about this amazing opportunity. Won’t you be a small group

buddy?

By Ryan Pearl

Ryan and his wife, Susie, are community leaders at IBC's Georgetown campus and volunteer in

the nursery. Their four kids are blessed by IBC Georgetown's children's ministry and enjoy

finding ways to serve.