“They would sell their property and possessions and give the money to whoever was in need.” Acts 2:45 (CEV)

Spiritual growth happens best in community, which is why small groups are so important. They help us pursue God’s plan for our lives. But another important mark of a healthy small group is that they help each other in practical ways. 

The Bible says that the early church would “sell their property and possessions and give the money to whoever was in need” (Acts 2:45 CEV).

That’s what small groups are supposed to do. When you need to borrow a lawnmower, someone brings their lawnmower to your house. When your childcare cancels last minute, you have people you trust who can help you out. When you need a job reference, you know who to ask. When you’re having a hard time and you can’t even express what you need, someone shows up with a meal or coffee or just some company.

This is what it looks like when Christ’s body, the church, helps each other.

Is there anything more personal or more practical than praying for each other? Small groups do that too.

Acts 2 says that the church also “devoted themselves . . . to prayer” (Acts 2:42 NIV). I’ve seen the power of group prayer countless times—story after story of small groups praying for people in crisis and seeing amazing things happen—even miracles have happened!

Have you ever been through a time when you didn’t know how to ask for help, but you also didn’t even know how to pray or what to pray? That’s when you need other people praying for you. You’re so stressed out, so tired, so broken, so discouraged, so overcome with grief that you cannot pray for yourself.

That’s when you need a small group of people to pray for you, to believe God for you, to have faith for you.

We were never meant to carry burdens by ourselves. We’re meant to help each other. We’re made for community. We belong to each other.