Life Groups
"Connect It. Speak It. Receive It."
Why Do We Call Our Small Group Ministry Life Groups?
Eternal life is possible and only experienced through the gospel. In John 10:10 Jesus said, "...I came that they may have life and have it abundantly." In John 17:3, Jesus says this life is all about knowing the true God, Jesus Christ, "This is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent."
The Holy Spirit through the gospel (Jn. 15:26; 16:14; Eph. 1:17-18; 2 Cor. 3:8) reveals Jesus Christ and enables us to share and experience the abundant life He came to give.
God does not intend for this abundant life to be experienced in isolation (Life Self) but rather in community (Life Group). God Himself exists in loving, intimate community. Therefore, He has saved a people for His Name (Acts 15:14) to live and worship Him in community. The local church is the visible expression of this grace wrought community.
There is no such thing then as an isolated gospel-centered believer. The gospel always drives God's people into community not isolation. To be gospel-centered is to be community focused.
It is through a genuine encounter with the risen, living Savior in community with one another that authentic life-transformation takes place. Thus, our prayer is that each Life Group comes to experience this supremely satisfying Savior, who is the Life (Jn. 1:4; 14:6).
What is the Primary Purpose of Our Life Groups?
The purpose of our Life Groups is to provide a community of grace where believers can come together to learn how to connect the gospel to their daily lives (cf. Acts 2:42; Gal. 2:20). They provide an opportunity for our members to explore the gospel and live out its implications amidst the daily messiness of life.
Our Life Groups are a foundational element of our church and serve an important role in helping us fulfill our mission and vision. These groups are the primary place where every member is known (Where everybody knows your name!), cared for and encouraged in their faith.
Our Life Groups reflect one of our core values, which is "A commitment to creating gospel-driven communities of grace." Only the gospel creates an attractive community of transforming grace where people are welcomed, wanted and invited into a loving and caring environment. Alister McGrath in his book, Knowing Christ, makes the following observation about the highest blessing of the gospel:
“Adoption is about being wanted. It is about belonging. These are deeply emotive themes, which resonate with the cares and concerns of many in our increasingly fractured society. To be adopted is to be invited into a loving and caring environment. It is about being welcomed, wanted and invited. Adoption celebrates the privilege of invitation, in which the outsider is welcomed into the fold of faith and love,” (pp. 144-145).
Our Life Groups are intended to foster this "adoptive" environment. Through them, we seek to celebrate the privilege of invitation (i.e., God's gracious invitation to us and in turn our gracious invitation to others, Rom. 15:7).
Our Slogan: "Connect it. Speak it. Receive it."
We desire to see every member learn how to connect the gospel to real life; speak the gospel to one another for mutual edification and encouragement; and receive gospel encouragement and admonition.
Life Groups give people the opportunity to build and nurture personal relationships and practice applying the implications of the gospel to their lives (where the "one anothers" of the New Testament can be practiced; Rom. 12:10, 16; 15:7; 16:16; Gal. 5:13; Eph. 4:32; 5:19; Col. 3:16; 1 Thess. 5:11, 15; Heb. 3:13; 10:24-25; James 5:16; 1 Pet. 4:8-9). It is within these gospel-driven communities of grace (i.e., the church, the family of God) that every member comes to experience the abundant life Christ came to give.
When Do Life Groups Meet?
Our Life Groups meet twice a month for fellowship, worship, Bible study and prayer. They are composed of eight to ten people. All Life Groups are led by Life Group leaders who receive oversight and training from the pastoral staff.
Additional Information
For additional information on how to get connected in a Life Group send an e-mail to:
