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| July 24, 2008
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Groups Offered
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DISCOVERING Groups:
This one time, four-week group, will be offered on Sunday mornings and will consist of all Discovering Heritage graduates that have not already connected in a group. The Life Group Ministry Team will lead participants through a structured three-week study on what group life is all about and how to build relationships.
CARE Groups:
Developed for those who have recently experienced or are currently experiencing speed bumps along lives highway. Life happens, sometimes out of our control and sometimes by the decisions we make. Whatever the reason, bible based principles can help you get reacquainted with yourself, your family and your Lord and Savior. These weekly groups, meet various nights of the week, but are predominantly on Wednesday’s, currently offer extensive studies in Divorce Care. Grief Share coming January 2009!.
SHARE Groups:
Developed for those who have already connected in a CARE group or are a little further along the recovery road than what CARE group participants are. Designed for helping you with your next steps to your current situation. These Wednesday night studies take you deeper into the world of life-transformation and spiritual development. Group studies vary in length and include topics such as Blended Families, Next Step - after Divorce Care, Financial Health, Blended Families, and Marriage Enrichment.
DARE Groups:
Designed to bring community to a group of people with like interests. Reaching out to those unchurched neighbors, co-workers, family and friends by offering activity-based groups. Groups will meet monthly for an event (motorcycle ride, running, fishing, sewing, etc) and share in a project or activity, then have a few moments of devotion,
and prayer. If you have a hobby and would like to share your interests with others in DARE groups setting, please contact our ministry leaders.
Launch Groups:
Short-term, sermon-based groups for those new to group life. Launch groups use the sermon-based curriculum and will run for the duration of the sermon topic, generally 3-5 weeks, followed by a group social, then decide if they want to convert to a life group or take some time off and get back together on another sermon series. Designed for those people not in a Life Group, new to group life or new to HCC seeking to learn more.
Life Groups:
Life groups are for those looking for deepened Bible study, relationship building and discipleship making year round. Meetings available every night of the week and also on campus during Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings. Life groups will follow the sermon series with structured sermon-based lessons or use one of the many other options recommended by the ministry leaders, and generally meet each week from early September to late May with the exception of December where we encourage all our groups to take some time off from regular meetings and serve, as a group, in our Dickens Village.
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FAQ
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| Q1. What is a life group? |
| Traditionally known as small groups, our Life Groups offer Friendship and Fellowship. Most groups meet weekly for snacks and to enjoy each other’s company. We help each other through the speed bumps in the road of life through prayer and offering our time and talents to those in need. With groups available almost every night of the week and by offering on-campus as well as in-home groups we feel we have a group for everyone. |
| Q2. What about Bible study? |
| One of the primary functions of a Life Group is to study weekly the Word of God and apply it to our lives, not just for an hour or two, but everyday! The ministry offers recommended studies, but each group decides their course of study. In life group you can ask questions, participate in discussions, and share insight with others on illustrations of the truth you are trying to grasp. You ultimately gain a better understanding of how to apply Biblical truths in your life. |
| Q3. Can I change from a group after joining? |
| Yes, the ministry leaders work with all who join to place them in a group that fits their individual needs. If you feel you would be more comfortable in another group, just let us know and we will do what we can. |
| Q4. My home is not conducive to large group, is this a problem? |
| Not at all! While most groups rotate homes weekly, it is not mandatory that anyone “host” a meeting. All these details are discussed and planned in individual groups, but NO ONE is expected to host. Remember life group is about: WHO” (Friendship & Fellowship), “WHAT” (Bible study and serving), not “WHERE” |
| Q5. What is expected of me if I join a group? |
| Nothing of difficulty! Group members are asked to make a commitment to attend on a regular basis, be on time for meetings, and call someone within the group if they are not able to attend a meeting. No one is asked to or expected to pray out loud, however we encourage all members to grow in their walk and we feel part of growing is sharing, both your lives and your prayers. |
| Q6. How long do groups meet? |
| Depending on the type of group you are in, you might be a short-term Launch group, which follows a particular Sermon series, generally 3-5 weeks, or a CARE or SHARE group that follow a structured 13-15 week curriculum. DARE groups generally meet on a monthly basis to share life and affinity for a sport or hobby.
Normal Life Groups meet September through May, taking the entire month of December off. Some groups choose to continue meeting in the summer months on a much more casual format. |
| Q7. What happens at a Life Group meeting? |
| Typically a weekly meeting goes something like this……….
Gather at a home at a specific time. Have a short time (15 minutes) to re-enter or re-acquaint since your last meeting.
Have a Bible lesson and discussion lasting 30-45 minutes.
Have a time for prayer requests and discuss specific needs of members followed by group prayer. (10-15 minutes)
Have a time of refreshments and sharing of lives.
Some groups have desserts and coffee, while others opt for a complete meal. Groups decide individually what they want to do on a weekly basis.
Normally the entire in-home meeting lasts between 1 ½ and 2 hours. We try to respect those members with child-care so groups end in a timely manner. If you are meeting in an on-campus group, depending on the day of the week the group time may vary to coincide with Worship Services or Children’s needs. |
| Q8. When is a good time to birth my group? |
| We prefer to use the word REPRODUCE. If we are reproducing ourselves to be more Christ-like, we, at the same time, need to be pouring ourselves into the lives of others. a.k.a. Making Disciples!
As a reproducing church we have to have reproducing groups. In order to be a reproducing group we believe there are four things you must do:
1. Value the NEW more than the OLD.
a. Place a high value on new relationships and new people. We love the people we are currently doing life with but we need to place equal value on meeting, inviting and growing new people.
2. Value the EDGE more than the CENTER.
a. When we find the center we become content and fall into the thinking that we can’t live without those around us. Always stay on the edge, fearful of falling (into the center) yet faithful enough to know God is in control of our lives, our groups, and our relationships and HE will sustain our friendships after we move onto new groups.
3. Value the LOST more then the FOUND.
a. Place a value on bringing lost people to your group, your church and ultimately to a relationship with Jesus Christ. We have to leave those we have found in order to aggressively target the lost. Divide and conquer
4. Value the GOING more than the SUSTAINED.
a. We must recognize and honor other leaders within our groups and encourage them to go out and start groups of their own. No need to wait for the church or the small groups ministry to ask you and to provide you with group members, go out and find 4 people that you can pour your live into and pour away!
We also must make the move from being a reactive group to being a proactive group. Don’t wait until your group is too big before you start the conversation on reproducing. Whenever you have anyone in your group that is ready to lead, launch them with others from your group into a new group.
This philosophy will move us from a ministry of addition (trying to add new groups) to a ministry of multiplication (groups forming on their own by numbers) |
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