Family Groups at Harvard
Deborah, a freshman at Harvard, tells of her introduction to small groups. “All the first semester revolved around getting used to the new environment and getting to know my fellow freshmen. In conversation, people would drop references to family group, and I was eager to see what the hype was about,” she said. When Deborah finally chose a group, the women accepted her immediately. “There was never a time that I felt awkward or like I didn’t belong. They included me in the inside jokes and just overall joy that overflowed from each person.
Deborah, a freshman at Harvard, tells of her introduction to small groups. “All the first semester revolved around getting used to the new environment and getting to know my fellow freshmen. In conversation, people would drop references to family group, and I was eager to see what the hype was about,” she said. When Deborah finally chose a group, the women accepted her immediately. “There was never a time that I felt awkward or like I didn’t belong. They included me in the inside jokes and just overall joy that overflowed from each person. Our individual quirks made the group that much more unique.”
Harvard’s Asian American Christian Fellowship (AACF) has twelve family groups. These groups are organized with a variety of formats. Some are single-gender and some are co-ed. Some have an emphasis on prayer; others, on personal accountability. Some study a single book of the Bible, others do a topical Bible study. Each group works out a balance between content and community, between time for Bible study and time for sharing and prayer. The students in the small groups have gained insight into the Scriptures and the power of prayer. They continue to enjoy the support and fellowship of a consistent group of people who are true friends.
Students pray for one another in family groups. God has answered these prayers: He has healed students of eating disorders, resolved interpersonal problems and helped students do well on exams.
Tiffany, a freshman, is excited about God’s immediate answer to a prayer that had been offered for a fellow student who was having trouble getting plugged into a spiritual community. The next day this student went to church with Tiffany.
The study of the Bible is also a focus of the groups. Studying the Bible with others has been helpful for many of the students. Tiffany tells us, “ In the past, reading Psalms on my own had often been extremely boring, but my family group has had such amazing insights – insights that are very telling of how each person experiences God and grows in faith.”
By far the most impressive result of spending several hours a week in a Small Group, sharing and studying the Bible, is the support and accountability fostered among the group members. Students can be open and ask questions without the fear of looking foolish. They are encouraged to follow the commands of God.
Dave, the leader of the Men’s Accountability Group, even learned some things about being a Christian leader. “As it turned out, my men’s group formed a sense of brotherhood that has humbled my prideful expectations as a leader. The six of us, men from different faiths and life backgrounds, have formed a level of trust that has allowed me to share deeply with my brothers.”
Members of the Men’s Accountability Group sum up the year’s experiences. Steve, a sophomore shares, “The brotherhood that exists within our family group is the kind that is rarely found in other college activities. It’s a time of bonding and vulnerability, and it’s definitely the high point of my week.” Ted, another member of the group, adds, “In family group, I’ve met and come to know excellent peer Christian models. It provides for good accountability, advice and great fellowship.”
The world can be a lonely place. God knows this, so he tells us to meet together, to care for one another and to love one another. The students of the Asian American Christian Fellowship at Harvard have given us a glimpse of what obedience to this command can mean to a person.