There is alot of talk in the Small Group world about "the empty chair" Now, the empty chair is usually a reference to every small group always having room for another person to join them. I do want to make a point though that an empty chair is not always an open chair. It is always easy to have an empty chair or make a reference towards an empty that could be filled but the idea of an "open" chair is a little bit different. The use of the word open is more than just a change of terminology. It is also an attitude of openness and inclusivity.

The following excerpt is from the book "7 Deadly Sins of Small Group Ministry". Bill Donahue quotes Bill Hybels on page 129. 'As much as God loves uplifted hands, he may love outstretched hands even more. Our God is radically inclusive. Listen to the angel's announcement: "I bring you good new of great joy that will be for all peoples" (Luke 2:10) Listen to the Savior's plea "that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us" (John 17:21) Outstretched arms, radically inclusive community: that's our standard.

The open chair is an essential part of the daily walk of each believer and in the small group the chair needs to be open and inclusive, not just empty.

"Your words have been arrogant against Me, says the Lord. Yet you say, What have we spoken against you? You have said, 'It is vain to serve God; and what profit is it that we have kept His charge, and that we have walked in mourning before the Lord of hosts? So now we call the arrogant blessed; not only are the doers of wickedness built up, but they also test God and escape.' Then those who feared the Lord spoke to one another, and the Lord gave attention and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the Lord and who esteem His name. And they will be Mine, says the Lord of hosts, on the day that I prepare My own possession, and I will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him. So you will again distinguish between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve Him." (Malachi 3:13-18)

This has involved two very encouraging times with small groups/spiritual families. I feel that both of these experiences correllate with this passage of scripture from Malachi somehow. In the midst of a wicked group of people there is a select number that still fear the Lord. Isn't it interesting how those people are described?

"Then those who feared the Lord spoke to one another."

This group of people were in relationship with one another. Relationships are important! It is not vain to serve God, to be honest after spending time in my mission field I can see where it is easy to start thinking that it is vain to serve God. But then Tuesday night comes and I gather together with my small group and I speak with them and we share our spiritual journeys and once again I am reminded about the importance of following God and that there is a group of people that I am in an authentic community with that are walking the journey of life with me. This group encourages my soul as I encourage them and together we sharpen one another to follow Christ and to pursue His mission.