We at New Life Christian Church are vitally interested in seeing each of you experience the fullest measure of God’s blessing in your life. The blessing comes about, to a large degree, as a consequence of placing yourself in the context of responsive relationships with others, being in close spiritual, emotional and social proximity with fellow believers, and making yourself a living example of love for others.
Our home groups, called Life Groups, are necessary for the church to grow properly and live dynamically. Face it…it is easier to just attend service on Sunday morning than it is to make yourself vulnerable and accountable to one another on a regular basis. Being available for one another and to one another, however, is the basis for the kind of life Jesus wants us to live.
Life Groups create an opportunity to share with one another, to care for one another, and to provide prayer for one another. They also provide an environment for teaching, discipleship, and development of spiritual gifts. Along with caring and nurturing those who are hurting, Life Groups introduce an excellent opportunity to reach the unsaved in a comfortable and family type atmosphere.
THE BIBLICAL MANDATE FOR LIFE GROUPS
As a primary goal the church is called to unite people together with God. Jesus commissioned His church to “Go” and “Tell” the good news about the abundant life available to all who want it. As we observe throughout the Scriptures, the touch God has with people is always through relationships.
Perhaps it is for that reason the Holy Spirit is so emphatic through the Apostle Paul’s writings to present the pattern for relationships among God’s people. If relationships are the means by which people will see the life of Jesus among us, then being in relationship and gathering together with fellow believers simply is not optional for the Christian!
In describing the quality of life in Christ we have been invited to share and demonstrate in our relationships, the Word of God is very clear. We have been instructed to bear one another’s burdens (Gal. 6:2), to encourage one another (Heb. 10:24), to be concerned for each other’s interests (Phil. 2:4), and to pray and rejoice with one another (1 Thessalonians 5:16,17).
SMALL GROUPS FOR LARGE GROWTH
According to the Book of Acts (2:46, 5:42, 20:20), the primitive church met in the temple (church building) and from house to house. The church in Acts 2:42 continued steadfastly in four things: the apostles’ doctrine, fellowship, breaking of bread and prayers. Most contemporary churches practice two of the four in their meeting times. Because of the unique demands of schedule and thrust, the corporate times of most congregations are comprised of the apostles’ doctrine and prayer. The remaining two parts, fellowship and breaking of bread are left undeveloped for the most part.
Life Groups provide a pathway for the completion of the quality of life practiced in the churches written about in the New Testament. The nurture and development of relationships within the body will happen through “sharing together”, “caring together” and eating together expressions of fellowship at every Life Group location! Then, because of the natural drawing together characteristics of this home group setting, there is a normal extension of the life and power of Jesus as we meet “house to house.” The result of these small groups is large growth…personally and corporately!
KOINONIA – The True Fellowship of the Life Groups
In a world that places a premium on independence, it’s easy for us to conclude that “going it alone” is a sign of strength – even in our Christian walk. But we really do need each other. God made us that way! In His family we are interrelated…fellow members of the Body of Christ. Our lives are to touch others deeply.
The Bible calls this “fellowship.” The Greek term is koinonia. This is the word the early Christians used to describe the bond that held them together. It wasn’t a shallow, meaningless pat on the back. It was an authentic display of love, acceptance, forgiveness, and all those things that characterized the Lord Jesus Christ when He walked on earth.
We can draw four truths about koinonia from Acts Chapter 2 that will help us accurately define it. First, Christian fellowship included all believers (2:44). No distinctions and no discriminations were to be made (Gal. 3:28). Second, Christian fellowship held believers together (2:44). It promoted unity in the midst of diversity (Acts 4:32a). Third, Christian fellowship met the needs of believers (2:45). It was not designed to be just another gathering, but its purpose was to provide help for those Christians who needed it.
Forth, Christian fellowship released God’s glory and power. True koinonia gives birth to miracles, signs, and wonders. People were amazed at the outpouring of God’s love and the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved (2:43,47).
The Life Groups are biblically designed, with the purpose of expressing the characteristics of love and acceptance, honesty and humility, refreshing and restoration, confession and forgiveness, encouragement and availability in the context of a small group setting! This is what the Body of Christ is called to be for “one another.”
Will you allow the Spirit of God to minister to you, and through you, by making yourself available to be a part of a Life Group? Together we make a difference! Call the church office @ 310.326.4900 for the Life Group meeting times and locations.
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