The Power of Small Family Groups
“I am so moved by the topics and warmth of this group,” K.M. says. “It’s not just our faith that brings us together; we can share about anything and support each other. It’s easy to [get lost in] what’s happening with work, school, child care, and other things. But our small group is a break from all of that.”
As a mom, it’s been important for K.M. and her family to be involved in their church community beyond, well, church. It’s why she initiated a small family group that now includes four families from the Chicago area who gather twice a month.
K.M.’s group takes time to discuss Unification scripture, including passages from the Divine Principle and True Mother’s memoir, applying those messages to their personal experiences. The group also engages in different activities like board games and cooking. “It’s a meaningful time that is inspiring for us,” K.M. says, noting it’s been helpful in bringing her own family members closer together.
In a recent community message, Rev. Naokimi Ushiroda, FFWPU USA president and Clifton Family Church senior pastor, spoke of the positive impact family groups can have on people.
“In the past few weeks, I’ve had three family group meetings,” he recalls in a community update January 2. “I met with ... a family group with ACLC and it was very interesting ... We shared about the vision for the future [and] how to connect with different people. It’s a very unique group ... including a Christian clergy member. [I heard] what they’ve been doing and how God has been working in their family group.”
The foundation is certainly there to connect more deeply with people of all ages and backgrounds through small family groups in the religious sphere and beyond. New data from Pew Research Center breaks down the spirituality and religious practice of Americans in a report published in December 2023. Overall, 70% of U.S. adults describe themselves as spiritual in some way, while an overwhelming majority of U.S. adults (83%) say they believe that people have a soul or spirit in addition to their physical body. About 81% also say there is something spiritual beyond the natural world, even if we cannot see it.
The findings track with spiritual revivals that are happening around the country. In February 2023, Asbury University, a Christian college in Kentucky, made headlines for its 24-hour revival worship that lasted two weeks and attracted thousands of people from across the U.S. Similarly, more than 50,000 young people ages 18 to 25 gathered at the sold-out Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta for worship earlier this month, from January 3 to 5.
True Mother has said the youth will usher in a resurgence of spirituality and faith in America. K.M. believes planting the seeds at home, through regular small family groups and other faith-based activities, will help create this reality much sooner.
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