What is a Life Group?
A Life Group consists of 4 to 20 people gathering in a Life Group leader’s home or a designated Life Group room at the church building, either weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly, to share food, fellowship, Bible study, and prayer. Life Groups exist to accomplish certain key goals of the Kingdom. The main goal is to edify believers by connecting them on a more intimate level and helping them to become more like Jesus Christ. Another goal is to evangelize by offering another venue, besides that of the regular Sunday church service, that may be initially less intimidating to seekers, newcomers, and those interested in finding out more about God and Jesus.
At their core, Life Groups are small Christian communities. Evangelism and discipleship are most effective when they are interwoven into personal relationships. Life Groups can provide an environment where these types of relationships are fostered. In Life Groups, people may come to know God more fully and experience His presence in their lives through the Christian community and fellowship. Individuals are nurtured, equipped, and released to be used by God to accomplish the work that He has called them to. They provide an opportunity for intimacy, mutual sharing and support, practical love and service, greater devotion to God and others, prayer, spiritual growth, and real-life examples of how God is working in our midst. They are led by pastors and trained Life Group leaders from the congregation who are given ongoing support.
What happens in a Life Group?
When you attend or join a Life Group, you can expect a warm time of food, fellowship, Bible study, and prayer. Life Groups are open to all Christians and those seeking or investigating Jesus Christ and His message. Long-term trust and relationships are nurtured, and loving support and accountability as followers of Jesus Christ are cultivated on an ongoing basis.
These groups may also serve as a great way to integrate new members and new believers into their new church family, and as a way to keep the leadership informed of the issues and concerns faced by members of the congregation of which they might otherwise have been unaware. Life Groups are a place where spiritual gifts can be discovered and utilized to benefit the group itself, the congregation as a whole, and the world around us. They are a place where a vision for ministry and service is developed. Individuals seeking truth can be invited and encouraged to enter into a relationship with Jesus Christ. They also serve as a place where we can remind one another of our call to share the gospel and pray for those with whom we share the good news that God has reconciled Himself with us through Jesus Christ.
Most of the groups gather and come together every week and go through a lesson based on the previous weekend’s sermon. The lesson may include a time to get to know each other, Bible study and application, worship, and an evangelistic or service focus. As a natural byproduct of all this, people in these groups can experience true community and a snapshot of what the original Church in the book of Acts looked like. Again, each group’s goal is to encourage and challenge each other to live the life that God has planned for each of us.
What goes on at a Life Group meeting?
Though every group differs in how they do things, many groups enjoy a time of food and fellowship to start with, then transition to a time when they share in Bible study and pray for each other. Each group can decide how much time they will spend on fellowship, sharing, Bible study, and prayer.
Group time is focused on intentional training to push each other toward Jesus. Typically, group time will involve most or all of the following elements:
- Catching up on life: Checking in with each other, asking and answering the question, “How have you seen Jesus at work this week?”
- Discussing Scripture: Discussing a passage from the Bible and the teaching from Sunday’s Gathering.
- Reviewing the mission: Talking through relationships with our friends, coworkers, and neighbors, asking, “How can I bring them around?”
- Engaging the heart: Being honest about our sins, struggles, and suffering. Praying for one another and speaking truths about Jesus to one another.
Every time the group meets, they spend time connecting by building relationships, growing through a discussion-led Bible study, and making an impact by supporting each other through prayer and service. As a result, the group members experience growth, belonging, and care. Life Groups create an opportunity for you to pursue healthy relationships and spiritual growth.
What do Life Groups study?
Each Life Group may have a structured study that revolves around God’s Word. Examples of a structured study are things such as:
- A chapter-by-chapter study of one book of the Bible
- A one-year Bible study
- Sermons or sermon series by respected preachers or teachers
- A Bible-based Christian book
- DVD series (Francis Chan, Beth Moore, Focus on the Family, etcetera)
Whatever the chosen curriculum may be, the primary time and discussion typically revolves around each person sharing “What God is teaching me” from Scripture.
How do I join a Life Group?
Are you interested in joining one of our Life Groups? If you would like to call Grace your home church, sign up and become a member or contact one of our staff members and let them know you are interested.
What is homecell?
A homecell is a gathering of believers who often meet together for fellowship purposes. It is a platform to win, equip, and edify people who believe in Christ. The gathering usually takes place on a weekly basis and is held at appointed locations with a designated leader responsible for coordinating the group at large.
Homecell is a tool or vehicle whereby evangelism in the Church is done and is also a way to incorporate and develop new Christians to spiritual maturity and into the Church by providing fellowship, follow-up, and nurturing for Christians. A home cell operates through a home cell leader and an assistant home cell leader. The group’s study material is based on the previous Sunday’s service messages.
A home cell is a place to equip its members for the work of the ministry. The cell leader also reduces the pressure and responsibility of the pastors. If or when members have problems or life challenges, this can be sorted out on the cell level.
The home cell and its leaders have a non-threatening environment for spiritual growth. It is a place to build strong, life-changing relationships and is also a place for accountability. Homecell is a place where the unsaved person is given the opportunity to see God’s work in the lives of true believers and establish Christian morals and values in their own lives. The homecell meeting is a place of fellowship, ministry to one another, and outreach. Relationships are, therefore, of vital importance for cell growth and functioning.
Home cell ministry leads to home cell multiplication and so to church expansion. Each member of the home cell’s primary purpose is to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ and invite people to the home cell and Sunday services. The home cell raises future leaders and trains others to take responsibility for new believers.
Life Group for seniors
PrimeTime Plus is a Life Group for anyone in their second half of life and is designed to inspire and engage believers in meaningful Kingdom living. This Life Group is a place for people to build relationships with like-minded individuals and to share similar life experiences. It is a place to care and be cared for; for people who envision reaching others for Jesus as ministers of reconciliation. PrimeTime Plus takes place every Sunday morning at 9:00 AM in Room 216. Psalms 71:18 says, “So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to another generation, your power to all those to come.” For more information about this Life Group, contact Pastor Mike Clunie.
Life Group for men
Being a true man is modeling your life after Jesus. Jesus Christ taught us to love, serve, and disciple others. We want to encourage and equip men of all ages to rise to this calling. Men’s Life Groups provide a setting for men to grow in their faith journey through prayer, the study of God’s Word, and character-sharpening relationships. The ultimate end goal is to walk as Jesus walked, in resolute commitment to fulfill God’s purpose on earth. Our Men’s Group is a place to learn about God’s definition of authentic manhood in the company of a great fellowship of men. Men of Grace meet in Room 244 every Sunday at 9:00 AM. For more information or to receive prayer, contact Pastor Johnathan Morin at 972-985-1112 ext. 112.
Life Group for women
No matter what season of life you may find yourself in, Women’s Life Groups are about finding your identity in Christ. In a society that moves at such a rapid pace, it is essential to help establish strong, godly women who are unwavering in their faith throughout any season of their life. Whether you have been in a Women’s Life Group before now, or if this is your first time, we welcome you to come and join a multi-generational group of women as we learn to live out God’s Word in our everyday lives. Join us for class on Sundays at 9:00 AM in Room 243. This Life Group for women will strengthen your relationship with the Lord and build relationships with other women. Breakfast and coffee are always included. For more information about this Life Group, please contact Hannah Brooks or at 972.985.1112 Ext. 101.
Life Group for young married people
The Young and Married Life Group is a community for young couples who desire intentionality and growth in their marriage. The mission of our Young and Married Life Group is to love our Lord Jesus Christ more so that we can love our spouse better. We do this not by just meeting each Sunday before or after service, but by engaging with one another and by serving and connecting outside of the Church’s four walls. The Young and Married class meets weekly at 10:15 in Room 214. For questions about this Life Group, please contact Pastor Malcom Mann via email or at 972-985-1112 ext. 133.
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