The PURPOSE of a Life Group
God made us as relational creatures who need each other in order to live healthily as His people. We were made to experience the abundant life of Jesus together! Life Groups are intended to serve as an avenue for relational connection and spiritual growth within the life of the church.
The purpose of a Life Group is to provide a consistent context in which group members can personally stir each other up in faith and spur each other on in obedience toward Christ.
The COMPOSITION of a Life Group
Life groups will typically have 8–16 adults.
Group members are expected to be professing Christians and to be regularly worshiping with us on Sundays at Southview GBC.
Groups will be expected to receive new members periodically, with the goal of eventual multiplication.
The MEETINGS of a Life Group
Frequency
They strive to meet at least twice a month, typically on Sundays, during the school year. The school year is broken into multiple sessions: the fall and the winter/spring. Groups are encouraged to meet occasionally in the summer to connect.
Location
They meet in group members’ homes or at the church.
Length
Meetings should be between 90 minutes and two hours.
Content
When groups gather, their time will be spent with two main goals in mind:
1. Mutual Care
Sharing and prayer based on real-life circumstances of group members. For this portion of the meeting, members will connect through sharing celebrations of God's grace and work in their lives, cares that they wish to unburden, situations for which they want to seek biblical advice, and confessions of sin that they want to make known.
2. Sermon Discussion
A weekly discussion guide will be provided based on the most recent sermon. Questions will be focused on real-life application of the sermon passage.
Gender-Specific Time
Each group incorporates gender-specific times into its rhythm of gathering. These could take place as part of the regular meeting or as separate gender-specific meetings throughout the session.
Service / Outreach
Once a session, each group will commit to at least one act of service for our church family or in the community. Church leadership will help leaders plan and facilitate these service projects as needed.
Childcare
Groups are responsible for securing and organizing their own childcare. Leaders will be given recommendations with regard to this important dimension of group life.
The LEADERSHIP of a Life Group
Each group is led by one or two couples who are members of the church and have received training to serve as hosts and facilitators of group meetings. Pastoral staff will regularly encourage them as leaders and check in on the health of the group.
How to SIGN UP for a Life Group
If you are interested in joining a life group or have other questions, please contact the church offices.