Rick Warren recently wrote about a person’s safety net, but he wasn’t talking about social programs or even money in the bank. For him, a safety net means people you can count on when life is tough and times are hard.

He spoke of having people to sit with you when a relative has surgery or help you pick out a casket or simply someone who will cry with you.

Do you have that kind of safety net? Art Garcia gave his testimony recently and spoke of knowing he needed to call someone but having no one to call. That’s when he decided to attend church and get to know people.

Rick Warren says that kind of safety net comes in the church, especially in the meeting of small groups.

Small groups come in various names and sizes. We know them as Bible Fellowship Groups, Life groups, community groups, or Sunday School. It’s the place where people know each other and pray for one another. It’s a place where you have people you can count on and a place where you call when you have difficult news or happy experiences.

A recent study by LifeWay Research found that almost 3 in 4 churchgoers have significant relationships with people at church, but less than half intentionally help other believers grow in their faith. Only 1 in 6 churchgoers are trying to get to know people they meet at church. When we don’t get to know others we significantly cut back the effectiveness of our safety net.

Scott McConnell, director of LifeWay Research, said the characteristic that best predicts better relationships (or a safety net) is attendance at adult small groups or Bible Study classes. Is it time for you to find your place?

Would you join with me in getting to know people–people who can be your safety net and people you can bless and help? Would you look for people to know and people to bless?