Our Life Group experience has exceeded
all of our expectations! With open Bibles,
open hearts, and open minds we study the
Word and apply it to our daily lives. Be led
by the Spirit and share with each other the
joys of growth in our Christian lives and seek
help during difficult times. The weekly
fellowship also allows us the opportunity
to share our own individual experiences.
Weekly, through the sharing of our personal
lives, we all rejoice together, pray together,
laugh together, support each other, and
continually challenge and grow together.
The uniqueness of each individual, the
intimate setting, and the open culture have
truly benefited us all and helped us all grow
in our Christian life. Michele and I look
forward to Wednesday nights every week.
The blessings we receive from everyone
that has shared our home are too many for
us to count (honestly). The only thing that
could surpass our blessings is the group wide
eagerness and excitement that surrounds our
Life Group and praise be to God -
IT CONTINUES TO GROW!!
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The Life Group concept that Friendship Baptist Church embarked up on in September of 2005 has been a truly unique experience and a Godsend. The usual Wednesday night church service has been replaced by "Life Groups" meeting in the same home, every Wednesday night, to read, study, and apply the word. To pray and sing together and share in the joy that is life and a Life in Christ.
The Life Groups are spread out through the Lincoln Park, Allen Park, Trenton, Grosse Ile, and Brownstown communities. 6 for adults and 4 for youth. Thankfully, Michele and I were asked by the church leaders to host an adult Life Group in our home. Somewhere between 8 - 15 of us gather around our dining room table and over a couple pots of coffee have a church service. I cannot help but sometimes think we are being just like the early church (like the book of Acts church). Except we are not in hiding, with windows closed and shades drawn and lights out. We may not have a Paul or Peter or Silas or Barnabas teaching us but we have open dialogue and study over God's word.
One day, God willing, the Life Group will grow too large to fit in our home and we will spin off a 2nd location. Then this location will spin off another (we'll spin off a 2nd one), and they'll spin off more, and on and on it goes. This is the "goal" or idea surrounding the Life Groups. Spread throughout the downriver community and slowly work individuals who normally do not do the "church thing" and bring more people to Christ.
The letter that kicked off this post is a letter to my Pastor in response to him asking about the experience Michele and I have had with Life Group. I would be very shocked if anyone felt opposite of the feelings conveyed in the letter. It is truly an idea many churches should attempt in one way or another.
The Life Groups are spread out through the Lincoln Park, Allen Park, Trenton, Grosse Ile, and Brownstown communities. 6 for adults and 4 for youth. Thankfully, Michele and I were asked by the church leaders to host an adult Life Group in our home. Somewhere between 8 - 15 of us gather around our dining room table and over a couple pots of coffee have a church service. I cannot help but sometimes think we are being just like the early church (like the book of Acts church). Except we are not in hiding, with windows closed and shades drawn and lights out. We may not have a Paul or Peter or Silas or Barnabas teaching us but we have open dialogue and study over God's word.
One day, God willing, the Life Group will grow too large to fit in our home and we will spin off a 2nd location. Then this location will spin off another (we'll spin off a 2nd one), and they'll spin off more, and on and on it goes. This is the "goal" or idea surrounding the Life Groups. Spread throughout the downriver community and slowly work individuals who normally do not do the "church thing" and bring more people to Christ.
The letter that kicked off this post is a letter to my Pastor in response to him asking about the experience Michele and I have had with Life Group. I would be very shocked if anyone felt opposite of the feelings conveyed in the letter. It is truly an idea many churches should attempt in one way or another.
2 comments:
We canceled our Sunday evening service to free up time for cell groups. We have three groups going right now, and we will "offically" be kicking off the groups in the fall! So far (two weeks into it) it has been GREAT! (Tony the Tiger!)
Thanks!! The Life Groups have truly been amazing.
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