WHAT IS A LIFE GROUP?
At LEFC, we define a Life Group as a group of people, usually 6-15, who gather regularly to share their lives, study Scripture, and pray. They are an integral part of our church and are a key way of experiencing authentic, multiplying, Christ-centered community within our body.
Keep reading for more information about Life Groups at LEFC and to access Life Group Resources!
SIX DISTINCTIVES OF LIFE GROUPS
Life Groups are encouraged to consider how the following six distinctives can be central to who they are.
Relationally Connected
Life Groups exist to provide life! Members of a Life Group share a close personal connection that serves to exhort, encourage, and care for each other. Groups gather on a regular (weekly or every other week) basis to maintain close relationships.
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Biblically Based
One of the markers of a regular gathering of a Life Group is time spent in the Word of God. Many Life Groups are sermon-based and use the weekly sermon discussion guide. Other groups study through books of the Bible, pre-written curriculum, or faith-based books.
The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul.
The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple.
The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes.
The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever.
The decrees of the Lord are firm, and all of them are righteous.
Radically Vulnerable
Life Groups foster relationships that fulfill a God-given longing to know and be known by others. Members of a group authentically share joys, struggles, and heart aches as well as confess sin with each other as they pursue maturity in Christ.
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
Mission Minded
Life Groups are on mission together through service and the support of others on mission. This looks different in each group but often consists of serving together regularly or supporting one of LEFC’s Global or Strategic Partners. Prayer for each other’s Oikos’ or creating a shared, group Oikos is another way of being on mission together. Groups living on mission embrace the biblical call to multiply disciples.
Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”
"For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me."
Then the righteous will answer him, "Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?"
The King will reply, "Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me."
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Intentionally Led
Each Life Group has a leader who oversees care, organizes gathering details, leads Bible study selection, facilitates discussion and prayer, and attends LEFC trainings.
Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.
QUESTIONS?
Contact our Connections Pastor Jeff Travis at travis@lefc.net for more information about joining or leading a life group!