What are LifeGroups?

At First Christian Church at Brock Hall, our LifeGroups are small groups of 8-12 people coming together for a common purpose – discipleship, encouragement and spiritual growth. Groups meet biweekly, and all share the same purpose:

1) to STUDY the scripture,

2) to ENGAGE in community fellowship,

3) to ENCOURAGE/EXHORT one another in our faith walk and

4) to SERVE together as Kingdom emissaries.

Joining a group empowers you to live out the faith you profess, by refining your character, strengthening your knowledge and application of scripture, and providing the accountability necessary to encourage the spiritual transformation offered through a relationship with Christ Jesus!

You benefit most from LifeGroups when you make a commitment to meet regularly, stay connected to other group members and honestly care for one another.

What our LifeGroups are NOT? 

We are NOT A CLUB.

LifeGroups exists to glorify God and make disciples. Different groups find varied ways of doing that.

We are NOT A CLIQUE.

LifeGroups are meant to always be open to newcomers.

We are NOT AN ORGANIZATION.

A LifeGroup is a living organism. It is a distinctive part of the body of Christ.

We are NOT ONE DAY A WEEK.

A LifeGroup is more than just a meeting. The members of the group share life together as a family. The meeting is family-reunion time. The rest of the week, group members naturally care for one another–visiting, making phone calls, having dinner together, serving together, shopping together and even more. In truly life-changing groups, members meet together regularly and spontaneously.

We are NOT A CLASSROOM.

LifeGroups practice Colossians 3:16: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom.” The group lead is more shepherd/facilitator than teacher. The group lead is not the group’s designated “answer” person.

We are NOT A ONE-PERSON SHOW.

LifeGroups are teams where everyone has a role.

We are NOT JUST A BIBLE STUDY.

LifeGroups study God’s Word with an eye to apply it to our everyday lives. “Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up” (I Corinthians 8:1). “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says” (James 1:22).  LifeGroup communities should pursue Bible application as much as Bible study!

We are NOT A THERAPY GROUP.

Members of LifeGroups care for one another, but they are not meant to turn into counseling sessions. When a member has a need, the group responds with care and prayer…period!  They do not offer unsolicited advice beyond what is biblical. They come alongside the hurting person to say, “We’re going to go through this together.”

We are NOT INDEPENDENT BODIES.

Each LifeGroup is interconnected with other groups and with the overall mission and ministry of the church. Group champions receive support and training. They are accountable to leadership to keep things on track. The group is an integral part of the whole body of Christ.

Why would I want to be in a LifeGroup?

There are many biblical and practical reasons why everyone would want to be in a LifeGroup, here are a couple:

1.      Authentic community is designed by God to be the environment where people grow and make an impact in the world. God desires for us to live in real relationships. One of the first things God says about people was,  “It is not good for the man to be alone.” (Genesis 2:18). Through the Scriptures we see God’s desire for us to be in relationship with God and with one another. The two are inseparable. The early church did not have church buildings, but they met in small groups in homes and in the marketplace. 

2.      Life is better together. Logs in a fire remain aflame when they are together—separate them and they extinguish quickly. The same is true for us. Knowing God is better together. Serving others is better together. Recreation is better together. All of life is better together!  “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10)

3.      Faith grows in the presence of faithful friends. The best way to grow in your faith is to be around others on the same journey that can spur you on and keep you going.  It’s good to be with people who can model what faith looks like in real life!  “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.  For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins…” (Hebrews 10:24-26)

4.      A weekend worship celebration is not enough! Hearing a good, relevant message is beneficial to your faith, but where can you get face-to-face with others and ask questions about what you’ve heard? In a LifeGroup. Where can you implement what you are learning into your daily life? In a LifeGroup. Where can you actually put concepts into action in your life? In a LifeGroup.

I don’t know much about the Bible. Is a LifeGroup right for me?

Yes! A LifeGroup is an excellent place to become more familiar with your Bible as you study and apply God’s Word together as a group.  You will be looking into God’s Word together, discussing the implications, and applying its lessons to your life.

How can I find and join a LifeGroup?

Contact the church office at (301) 627-3646, the Lead Minister, Travis Hurley, by email at travishurley@comcast.net, or our Family Life Minister, Marvin Campbell, by email at campbellmg@yahoo.com for additional information.