Life Groups are small, intimate small groups (no more than 10) that function within an overall Bible study community. To get a better understanding of how this ministry works, we want to familiarize you with our key terms.
What is a life line and what are life groups? We're glad you asked! Our Life Groups ministry values the transformative power of the Word of God and the strengthening power of small group communities. As such, our ministry's schedule uniquely rotates emphasis week by week.
- "Life Line" takes place on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of each month. On these days we have a pastor teach us, verse-by-verse through a book of the Bible, as an entire congregation/assembly. Each of us follow along, filling out an accompanying study guide to the lesson
- "Life Style" happens during the week between our meetings (Monday-Saturday). It is a strategic, daily, step by step discipleship guide that we have prepared for every member of our Life Groups to work through. During the week we focus on prayer, encouragement, accountability, devotion and application. This really is our individual primer in the text prior to our Life Group meetings. In this way we each come to our small group time, having spent meaningful time in preparation prior to our small group discussion
- "Life Groups" take place on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of each month. On these days, each person spends the entire time in their own Life Group (small group of no more than 10). On these days we seek to discuss and apply the biblical teaching from the previous Sunday. Utilizing the study guides and the take home devotions, Life Group facilitators lead their group to consider probing questions in order to discover application of the Scripture. Finally, there is time allotted for spiritual prayer
- "Life Links" are coordinated opportunities to keep community within our entire department and deepen intimacy within our individual Life Groups. During the odd months (January, March, May, July, September, November) we have a planned fellowship event for the entire department. Every Life Group is invited to participate. During the even months (February, April, June, August, October, December) each individual Life Group plans its own fellowship event
- "Life Touch" is the ministry and service aspect of Life Groups. We believe that each individual Life Group will grow in intimacy as individuals within the group exercise their spiritual gifts by serving one another. Since each Life Group consists of no more than 10 people, each person in the group is expected is have a ministry to their own group. Group members may choose to fill these group positions:
* Group Facilitator (1 person)- Lead a Life Group by facilitating discussion
* Group Facilitator Assistants (2 people)- Support the facilitator and be available to fill in when needed
* Group Care Leaders (2 people)- Make sure that no one in the group "falls through the cracks." Care leaders make contacts when group members miss Life Groups
* Group Fellowship Coordinators (2 people)- Takes the lead in planning monthly outings for the group by collecting fellowship ideas, planning and coordinating outings and reminding group members about upcoming gatherings
* Group Prayer Coordinator (1 person)- Takes the lead in praying for each person in the Life Group on a daily basis and in leading the group to pray for one another
* Group Outreach Coordinator (1 person)- Keeps the group on the task of reaching the lost and making disciples by emphasizing awareness of lost and unchurched people. Leads the group to have a list of people in their lives who they are seeking to bring to know Christ
* Group Celebration Coordinator (1 person)- Leads the group to celebrate major events in the life of each group member (birthdays, anniversaries, etc...). Leads the group to celebrate major spiritual events in the life of the group (salvations, baptisms, spiritual goals reached, etc...). In addition, this person coordinates any snacks (coffee, doughnuts, etc...) for group meetings
