Almost every small group has “that person.” You know, the one who talks too much, interrupts other people, never brings snacks, eats all the snacks, causes drama, has all the answers to your problems but none for theirs, and generally raises everyone else’s blood pressure. “That person” makes others in the group think, “Our small group was awesome until ‘that person’ started coming!” By the way, if you can’t think of someone in your group who fits this description, it might be that you are the person who fits the description. 😉
Seriously though, what do you do with this person? Your conversations with them about their “issues” seem to fall on deaf ears. You want to haul off and smack “that person” upside the head, but you’re pretty sure that he/she would call the cops and have you arrested for assault. Plus, there’s the whole WWJD thing…I don’t think Jesus would smack “that person.”
So in our frustration the answer seems to be this: lovingly, gently, but firmly uninvite “that person.” If that’s the answer, then you’re wondering, “How do I kick ‘that person’ out of my group?” As a general rule, I say, “Don’t.”
God seldom brings others into our lives so we can “fix” them. Rather, He usually wants to use them to “fix” us.
The Bible says, “Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” Proverbs 27:17 (NASB)
Look at this verse a little differently today. Ask God, “How are You using ‘that person’ to sharpen me, Lord?” You’ll find it much more rewarding to stop whining about “that person” and begin focusing on letting God develop your character through “that person.” Who knows, you might even start thanking God for “that person.”
