The Purpose of Life Groups
Human beings are social creatures. Not only did God create us to interact with one another, He also created us to need one another. Just as we are not socially healthy if we keep to ourselves and never cultivate relationships, we are spiritually unhealthy if we never involve ourselves in true Christian community. We were not meant to live out our Christian lives alone. We need each other.
Small groups provide the best way for us to connect with one another and grow spiritually. In small groups we can share our needs, hopes, fears, and dreams and have others pray for and encourage us. In a small group we can find the support we need to make it through hard times and the friends we need to celebrate the good times. In small groups we have the best opportunity to put our love and faith into action by caring for others in our group. Because these small groups will impact every aspect of our lives and ministry, we have chosen to call them Life Groups.
Life groups also provide the best way for us to reach out. We come in contact with people every day who are searching for answers to life's questions. Going to church is probably the last thing that would occur to them. A life group provides the perfect place for them to be introduced to the gospel message. Whether it is a group that is exploring the teachings of Jesus or a group that is centered around a passion for gardening, Life groups give non-Christians a way to encounter the love of Christ and make those first steps towards Him.
We believe that Life groups will be the key to connecting us to one another and reaching out to the lost.
The Process of Life Groups
Beginning in April, Life groups will become a permanent part of the way we minister and worship at
North Shore Assembly of God.
The year has been broken down into 4 semesters:
Winter (Jan., Feb., March);
Spring (April, May, June);
Summer (July, August);
Fall (Sept., Oct., Nov.).
December will be set aside as a month when no Life group activities take place.
Each of these semesters will contain whatever small groups have been approved for that semester.
In other words, there will be a clear beginning and end for each Life group. Some groups may recycle from semester to semester and some groups may be specifically designed for a seasonal activity. Before each semester begins, a list of the upcoming groups will be published and made available for the congregation to prayerfully consider which group they would like to be a part of that semester.
Anyone interested in starting a Life group can click on the link to complete a group leader's application, you will then be contacted shortly to come meet with the Life group leadership team. The team will help the Life group leader organize and prepare for their small group. In addition, the first Sunday of every month will be set aside for small group leadership training. At these trainings various topics will be covered to help leaders learn the skills they will need to host a successful Life group.
The main emphasis of Life groups at North Shore Assembly of God is that they are birthed from the talents, skills, and burdens of the congregation. We believe that the Holy Spirit will lead people to start small groups that will make the difference in the lives of the people in our church and in our community.
|