Most of the RMGs work in a similar way. There is some fellowship, worship, prayer, teaching, discipleship groups, and then more fellowship. So, one might ask, “What is the real reason for the RMGs?” They sound like a fancy Bible study or a small mid-week church service.

But, that is not it. In a word, the reason we have RMGs is “discipleship.”

That is where the bulk of the time is actually spent and everything else before and after is to enhance that time. We are interested in purposeful discipleship that holds one another accountable to growth in Christ in word and deed.

Talking about our faith is easy, but living it out is another thing altogether. That is where the discipleship comes into play. The accountability it offers allows those who are serious about God in their lives the opportunity to rely on other brothers and sisters for help.

The RMG’s are a practical example of us as the Body living out 1 Thessalonians 5:11, “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up …”; and Hebrews 10:24, “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works …”

This past week, in our RMG, as we sat in our discipleship group, I looked around the room I saw a group of men sharing in the endeavor to meet the commands in Thessalonians and Hebrews. We were having real conversations about our faith, our lives, and our sin. We could trust one another, and we could ask one another hard questions and, through that, challenge one another to live more Christ-like lives.

I left not only encouraged, but feeling that my faith had been anchored a little more deeply. It was a good feeling. Not an emotional “high, but a truer sense of joy.

If you are serious about real growth, you need discipleship, and you need the Body. That is the way God designed it. If you have not found an RMG, find one! That is the way FBC is working to meet God’s design.