Groups

The needs without

Though our culture is complex, cabled and computerized, many people find it increasingly difficult to establish real connection and depth of relationship with others. Our society may be high-tech, but it has come largely at the expense of high-touch relationships.

Think about it. Few of us live anywhere near the people with whom we work. We can do more than ever before, but our neighbors are often little more than strangers to us. Many people will tell with pain in their voice that they simply have no “circle,” but are, instead, living life “alone.”

And how have people tried to cope with this new reality? No small number have chosen to turn inward. They turn their homes into cocoons rather than choosing to live outwardly and help rebuild community. They simply do their best to distract themselves from the vacuum caused by the absence of others in their lives – and most sadly of all, the absence of the ultimate Other.

While our culture may choose such a path, the person who chooses to follow Jesus Christ must choose otherwise. In addition, those who follow Jesus must seek after effective ways to act as a preservative salt and as a guiding light to a decaying and lonely culture. (cf. Matthew 5:13-16)

The needs within

  • Are you a Christian, but still face any of the following:
  • Have you ever felt like you’re on the outside of a church looking in?
  • Do you yearn for a chance to find a meaningful place to put down roots and grow more in the Spirit of Christ with other Christians?
  • Have you ever prayed you could build some relationships that move beyond “faces and folks” and forward toward “friends and family?”
  • Do you feel “lost” in a big church and feel the need for a smaller context in which to grow? If so, you’re certainly not alone.

A foundational need

The church that Jesus built – and continues to build – must be a church that is serious about “loving one another.” True disciples of Jesus Christ must strive for depth in their relationships with other disciples. That’s why that as you consider the following Scriptures in light of the stated purposes of our 24/7 small group ministry, we believe you’ll not only find a strong Biblical base on which to build, but you’ll also find strong reason to consider this a good place to “circle up.”

  • “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:35-35
  • “Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.” Acts 5:42
  • “Be devoted to one another in love.” Romans 12:10
  • “Encourage one another and build each other up . . .” 1 Thessalonians 5:11
  • “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for one another.” 1 John 3:16

An answer

As part of an effort to address these needs within our community and God’s people, MoSt Church has set aside the second and fourth Sunday evenings of each month as nights for small group ministry (hence, the “2” and “4” in “24/7,” our small group ministry’s name). On those Sunday evenings, we gather as a church at 5:00 p.m. and following the conclusion of that assembly at our building, a number of our members break out into small groups.

All of these small groups, at least at this time, have five objectives in common:

  1. Enhance fellowship among members of the MoSt church family.
  2. Encourage more intensive Bible study among all involved.
  3. Provide a program for focused, sharing of the good new of Jesus Christ with those yet-to-believe.
  4. Nurture an atmosphere of closeness and intimacy facilitating better care for the spiritual needs of all group members.
  5. Help group members grow in all areas of their service and dedication to God, the church, and one another.

An agreement

When someone joins a 24/7 group, they are requested to enter into a Group Agreement. This agreement concisely summarizes four expectations placed on every group member and also commits all group members to a shared set of Christian ideals of community.

Those four expectations are:

  1. I will support my group by my regular attendance and participation.
  2. I will support my group by praying for its growth and taking every opportunity to invite outsiders.
  3. I will support my group by having a positive attitude both in and outside of our meetings.
  4. I will use my experience in the small group to help me grow in service to God, the church, my fellow Christians, and those outside the body of Christ.

You can’t help but notice that this agreement is worded in the first person. That means every member of a group is considered valuable to, and responsible for, the life and health of their group.

Equally obvious is the fact that each of the statements has an outward focus. Our 24/7 groups are designed with selflessness and service in mind. In our 24/7 groups, God has the greatest place, others have second place and you come third. Ideally, as you become more and more deeply involved in your group’s life, you will see yourself growing more and more selfless; more and more full of service toward God and others.

A typical group meeting

Each of our 24/7 groups has eight to sixteen members, a designated leader, an assistant leader, a host and a children’s coordinator. Group members who have children are encouraged to bring them along to group meetings. Usually the children will be taken to a different area of the home for activities or lessons appropriate to their age and needs.

A typical group meeting lasts about an hour. The first few minutes of meetings are used for greeting guests, fellowship, and relaxed sharing and ice-breaking. Next follows a time of worship together. We sing, read Scripture share communion, share thoughts and pray. Central to this time of worship is a focus on a guided, textual Bible study coupled with discussion questions designed to get group members to apply the scriptures to their lives and to share their concerns and successes with the group. All of our 24/7 groups use the same Bible study materials.

An invitation

When people think of looking over a church as a possible church home, you can get a bit of a feel for how things work and what a church is about by assembling with them when they all come together at one time – like in a Sunday morning worship assembly.

But that only tells part of the story. Get together with just a handful of them in a relaxed atmosphere, perhaps even in the home of one of that church’s families, and you’ll be able to tell a lot more about what makes that church tick.

Our 24/7 groups offer you just such an opportunity. And you have a standing invitation to come to one at MoSt church! Visit a group and build your relationship with God and some of his people!