Small Groups – Our Unique Strategy
Wednesday, November 19th, 2008
As many of you know, about a year ago a significant paradigm shift took place in how our church strategically approaches relational and spiritual growth. Specifically for adults, we believe these two areas of growth can most effectively occur in a small group environment. Small Groups meet in local homes on a weekly or biweekly basis. They are designed to be consistent environments where a group of 8-12 people form a group for an 18-24 month time period. Small groups are also designed to be a place where people, like you and me, can live life together – both spiritually and relationally. Philippians 2 calls all of us to “work out our salvation…in a crooked and depraved generation”. Scripture is very clear that as children of God, we are to “be holy” as God is holy (Leviticus 19 and 1 Peter 1). We are convinced the most effective way to work out our salvation, grow in our understanding of absolute truth found in Scripture, and develop strong biblical friendships is through Small Groups.
We believe the Small Group environment is also the best place for sustained life change to occur. In these groups, people experience four essential components: Fellowship, Bible study, Prayer, and a Safe Environment to discuss the issues and challenges of life. It’s also where we care for one another and are spurred on to live Christ-centered lives.
2 Basic Purposes – A Closer Look Spiritual Growth The first purpose is summed up in this reality: significant spiritual understanding and application will not take place by simply attending a weekly worship service. Certainly, corporate worship is vitally important. However, services are designed for mass audiences of varying life stages, backgrounds, and spiritual understandings. We believe greater understanding and application occurs through environments where you are able to discuss and wrestle with biblical issues relevant to your everyday life with people of similar life stages, backgrounds, and spiritual understanding. Every group will have a leader, or facilitator, whose main objective is to help you take the next step in your spiritual life. Relational Growth Secondly, we believe members need to grow in their sense of belonging with others in the group. Every group must truly become family, authentic in relationships, and support one another. Heather and I have hosted a group in our home since May of 2006. It is absolutely incredible to see life transformations occur through our time together as a group. Our discussion times are often rich with conversations we believe would most likely never take place outside our Small Group environment. We strongly encourage you to take the plunge and commit to try out this life changing opportunity! To learn more: Simply reply to this email with questions or to express interest in trying a group in 2009.
Blessings, Pastor Scott
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