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I got involved with my small group about one year ago. At first, it seemed like the group wouldn't be able to relate to one another. There was such a mix of ethnic groups and varying ages; we also had a mix of both singles and couples. But I quickly found that we all shared one desire—we all wanted more of the Lord in our lives.

So we made a commitment to one another. We decided that for the six weeks that followed, we would stick together and try to make our group work. We all agreed that this meant we needed to make an effort to be available for one another. For example, knowing that everyone experiences crises at one time or another, we said, "If something comes up, we need to be there for each other, even if it's three in the morning." That's a pretty heavy commitment, but we made it. And actually, several people in our group did have hard situations come up that we had to help them through. But that's what was so beautiful—we truly supported one another.

One of the biggest lessons I've learned this past year is that I don't have to go it alone in my Christian faith. I have other people around me who want to help me grow closer to God. I think all Christians should have this experience. That's why I want to encourage you to give your group a try, even if it doesn't seem like a very good fit at first. No matter how diverse you all appear on the outside, I think you'll be able to find some common ground. Your desire to know Jesus is the strongest unifier you could have. The key is to commit to one another as you pursue Christ.

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