LifeGroups are usually not what people may think. Many traditional Christians who have been in church for many years are convinced that a LifeGroup is a Sunday School Group that meets in a home in the evening on various days of the week. Like the Sunday School tradition, many believe a LifeGroup must have a gifted teacher to present a lesson while those present ask an occasional question and take notes.
But this is not true. LifeGroups need a leader, but that leader does not have to be a gifted Bible teacher. He or she simply needs to be a good facilitator and is not required to have all the answers. A facilitator is someone who leads by asking questions and guiding a discussion on the Bible or a chosen topic.
Discussion builds confidence in people and it empowers them to know they are capable of drawing their own conclusions. This is how we make disciples of Jesus. By raising questions and encouraging discussion we deepen our relationships with each other, and we learn to think independently so that our answers become our own.
Our purpose is to know and trust Jesus and each other deeply, to develop a Christlike character as the Lord enables us, and to become a light in the darkness.
The facilitator will guide the group, but there is no pattern carved in stone that must be followed. With the Bible as the centerpiece of the LifeGroup learning experience, the facilitator will guide in three ways.
A LifeGroup does not have to be in someone’s home in the evening. It could be a group of people meeting in a fast-food restaurant or a coffee shop once a week to talk about the Bible. It could be in the early morning, at lunchtime, or in the afternoon. There could be a regular meeting at a pizza restaurant where the group can discuss the Bible together and get to know the staff as they become a Gospel light to others.
LifeGroups are meant to be simple. We encourage Christians to meet outside of church on Sunday. When we meet, we pray and invite the Lord to guide us. We explore the Bible and discuss real-life issues. We support and encourage each other, and pray for each other. We want to develop a Christlike attitude and character, and as we do, we become a light to those around us in our community.
But this is not true. LifeGroups need a leader, but that leader does not have to be a gifted Bible teacher. He or she simply needs to be a good facilitator and is not required to have all the answers. A facilitator is someone who leads by asking questions and guiding a discussion on the Bible or a chosen topic.
Discussion builds confidence in people and it empowers them to know they are capable of drawing their own conclusions. This is how we make disciples of Jesus. By raising questions and encouraging discussion we deepen our relationships with each other, and we learn to think independently so that our answers become our own.
Our purpose is to know and trust Jesus and each other deeply, to develop a Christlike character as the Lord enables us, and to become a light in the darkness.
The facilitator will guide the group, but there is no pattern carved in stone that must be followed. With the Bible as the centerpiece of the LifeGroup learning experience, the facilitator will guide in three ways.
- To pray together.
- To keep the Bible the main focus.
- To develop Christlike character.
A LifeGroup does not have to be in someone’s home in the evening. It could be a group of people meeting in a fast-food restaurant or a coffee shop once a week to talk about the Bible. It could be in the early morning, at lunchtime, or in the afternoon. There could be a regular meeting at a pizza restaurant where the group can discuss the Bible together and get to know the staff as they become a Gospel light to others.
LifeGroups are meant to be simple. We encourage Christians to meet outside of church on Sunday. When we meet, we pray and invite the Lord to guide us. We explore the Bible and discuss real-life issues. We support and encourage each other, and pray for each other. We want to develop a Christlike attitude and character, and as we do, we become a light to those around us in our community.