Growthtrac Community

[Davep]

Small groups, nope. We asked once for a cell group of some sort, was told "no". We asked to be under another couple for accountability, never happened. It's like if it doesn't go through the pastor, it doesn't go through!

Growing up I never heard of anything other than people going to Church, and Sunday School for the kids. Since joining my present Church, which although is fairly small, we have over 20 LifeGroups lead by Lay-people, which meet every week in people's homes. Plus in addition to these LifeGroups there are groups who do 4-8 week Bible studies and one Marriage Group. These groups talk about any and all issues facing people and families in addition to biblical and faith issues. This Growthtac Forum is a "LifeGroup" of sorts.

Our Pastor says:
Our primary stratgey and social structure to care for people is through and extensive network of small. LifeGroups. Encouraging, supporting, promoting, and multiplying these lay-led groups is our top priority. These groups are the hub and heart of our church. They are not simply an elective component of church life; they are the essential centers of growth. Everything else we do is secondary to the promotion and preservation of these groups. Unfortunately, few people understand how critical these small cell groups are to true spiritual formation.

LifeGroups are needed to fulfill God's Will
Love one another -John 13:14, 34-35; Romans 13:8
Be devoted to on another - Romans 12:10
Honor one another as Christ accepts us - Romans 12:10
Accept one another as Christ accepts us - Romans 15:7
Serve one another in love - Galations 5:13
Carry each other's burdens - Galations 6:2; Colossians 3:13
Be patient with one another - Ephesians 4:2
Forgive each other - Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 3:13

[Grace]

Am I to understand that life groups are your neighbors? Our church is large. We don't see the people from there often. My neighbors are who I consider to be the people I do life with. They see my day to day stuff. Do I meet with people from my church, or my town? Grace

[SAM]

I think your Life Groups (great name) may be similiar to what we call Small Groups. Very same concept of doing life with people as well as developing community.

Groups can take place in many areas of ministry. It can be just men, just women, married couples, etc.

[Davep]

Am I to understand that life groups are your neighbors?

LifeGroup members are the same people that go to church. Sunday is considers time to worship and praise God. These LifeGroups are were people develop relationships with other christians, while Bible issues can and do come up they are not a Bible Study.

Our church is large

Church size? Look at Saddleback Valley Community Church in Orange County, CA. This is a very large church with over 14,000 members. They have so many of these small groups that they have a webpage in which you chose the type of small group from eleven catagories, the day of the week they meet, and the city.

[Grace]

Life group members are the same people who go to church.

My church or the body of Christ? Do interdenominational groups meet regularly. It seems to me that "religion" is man made. Spirituality comes from God reguardless of your religion. The core beliefs, God the Father, Jesus the son and savior, and the Holy Spirit, are the same. The difference is how we choose to worship.
Can we coexist in the same "life group"? ???
Grace

[Davep]

These groups are open to anyone, whether you go to the same church, different church, or no church. It is just that the Lifegroups tend to be made up of the same people you may see on Sunday, because it is the Pastors who support and help facilitate them. For example these LifeGroups can grow large over time, accordingly new groups need to be birthed; while other times someone maybe starting a new LifeGroup and wants to let others in the church community know about it.

What happens over time is you start to really know and recognize people at church. Also because you have a relationship with people you have a built in support network when you have a problem with kids, job, car, schedule etc. You find new Christian friends to just have over to the house for a BBQ or go out to dinner. Rather than just sitting next to be people in church, smiling hi, how are you; or not even talking, you start to develop a relationship with people.

In summary this is what will happen to you:
1. You will understand the Bible better in a small group
2. You will begin to really feel like part of God´s family
3. Prayer will become even more meaningful to you
4. You will be able to handle stress and pressure better
5. You will have a natural way to share Christ with friends, relatives, and work associates
6. You will develop leadership skills you never knew you had!
7. You will deepen your understanding of worship
8. You will be a New Testament Christian!

See and Read more information here

LifeGroups talk about the same stuff we discuss here in the Growthtrac Boards.

This is an electronic LifeGroup right here.

And No, I'm not a member of Saddleback Community Church.

[SAM]

Becoming a part of one of these typed of groups was the best thing my husband and I ever did in our early Christian years.

We have never been without a group for long every since then. It made our spiritual growth soar and our marriage as well.

I still look back on that first group with wonder and admiration for the leaders and for putting up with all of our questions.

[Davep]

It made our spiritual growth soar and our marriage as well.

I totally agree with Sam, how can you have any sort of meaningful conversation with your spouse if you have nothing to discuss or share. Sure you can share the same old stuff stuck in your head for years, but you need grow and develop your own awareness of your faith and expand your mind. Without you having your own growth, you can't grow with someone else.

Also the knowledge that you and your spouse come upon together for the first time, makes the discussion that more equal in sharing, that is one spouse doesn't have more knowledge to hijack the conversation, or having their mind already made up by old knowledge that was never challenged or checked.

RO 12:1-2
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.