Life Groups

This is a safe group

• Confidentiality is key. What is said in the group stays in the group.

• Be aware of how you are affecting the environment with your words, actions, and nonverbal communication.

• People should feel comfortable opening up and sharing.

Be considerate of others as they are sharing

• No side conversations or cross talk.

• Refrain from checking your phone, responding to texts or email, etc.

Listen

• Value one another by really listening to what is being shared. Try to avoid thinking about what you are going to say next.

• Allow a pause after someone shares to allow them to finish and others to consider what was said.

• Eye contact and body posture play key roles in creating a positive or negative group environment.

No rescuing or fixing

• We are not here to fix each other. God does that.

• Avoid the tendency to rescue when someone is attempting to get the words out or shares a struggle or conviction.

• Allow silence in the group as it provides an opportunity for the group to process the topic or question and space for God to work.

Use “I” statements

• It’s easy to talk about the issues of others, but for our purposes, we want you to put yourself on the table. Try to use “I” statements rather than “they,” “the church,” “society,” “people,” etc.

Share openly

• Don’t over-talk, but don’t be afraid to share.

• We want to create time and opportunity for all members of the group to participate in the discussion.

• A group member should not be the first responder to every question. Be careful not to dominate the time of the group.

Fight for relationship

• We commit to fight for relationship with each other.

• It’s not if conflict or hurt feelings will happen, but when.

• Go to that person and share your struggle or seek wise advice if you are not sure how to handle the conflict.

Household Rules

• We appreciate those who open their house up to a Life Group. Out of respect to them we need to… (e.g., take shoes off, clean up toys afterward, put chairs back, leave by 8 PM, etc.)

In addition to Life Groups, we also encourage regular participation in an accountability group, or “Me & 3”. These smaller, gender-specific groups give us a place to dive deep into the nitty-gritty of our discipleship to Jesus, building authentic, and vulnerable relationships.

Where to Begin:

• Step 1: Ask God to help reveal 1-3 other people of your same gender who have a desire to grow in God.

• Step 2: Organize a regular time/rhythm of connecting (weekly or at minimum, every other week).

• Step 3: Pray for each other and work your way through the following or similar questions:

  1)   How was your walk with Jesus this week?
  2)   What are you thankful for?
  3)   What is causing you stress?
  4)   Do you or anyone you know have a need that we could help with?
  5)   What has God been showing or teaching you? (Maybe from this week’s sermon)
  6)   If this is what God is revealing, what do you want to do about it?
  7)   Who will you connect with this week to share what God’s been doing in your life?

• Step 4: Pray for each other, reach out, and do real life throughout your week. Enjoy the journey.

Connect with Mitch Jones to let us know if you have any questions.