LIFE GROUP PURPOSE STATEMENT
The purpose of the Life Group Ministry is to be a vessel, through community, for discipleship. Life Groups are meant to reinforce the principles set forth as the purpose of Grace Bible Church of Phoenix.
Purpose Statement of Grace Bible Church
“The purpose of this church is to glorify God by developing committed followers of Christ through the teaching and encouragement of God’s Word.
Life Groups will seek to accomplish this through creating a safe and supportive atmosphere for people to wrestle with the truths of God as they mature in their faith. Growing love for God, and obedience to Him are expected norms. A balance of these elements within each group is important:
- Learning – Scripture is intentionally present at each Life Group meeting – God has provided the Bible for our benefit. It is “profitable for teaching, reproof, correction and training in righteousness so that we will be complete and equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16). For example, re-reading a passage of Scripture mentioned in a sermon and discussing it, using Bible verses (in context) for a topical study such as personal finances, or going through Scripture inductively.
- Loving – The Life Group is to be a family where you can know and be known. Members will be encouraged to love and serve one another, including people who are “unlovely” or challenging. Accountability and transparency are part of doing life together, and are ingredients to maturing in our relationship with Christ and others. Opening our lives to each other happens by spending time together – getting together for lunch, enjoying a hobby together, or helping with a tangible need are examples. This should not be “one more thing to do” but rather an invitation into “something we’re already doing.”
- Worship – Worship is a natural outflow of who you are in Christ. The early disciples attended temple, took their meals, celebrated the Lord’s Supper, and praised God together on a daily basis. They were filled with joy and gratefulness, and spent devoted time in prayer as an expression of their praise and adoration of God.
- Prayer – Prayer is the expression of dependence on God. Life Group members will be encouraged to participate in prayer through sharing praise, thanksgiving, confession, and prayer requests with others. Life Group members also share one another’s burdens as they bring needs to the Father in prayer.
- On Mission – Life Groups are to join God as He builds His Church. Life Group Leaders will encourage members to initiate relational outreach to unbelievers in their sphere of influence. This is in obedience to God’s desire for us to be His ambassadors in this world (2 Corinthians 5:20). For example, asking someone to a weekend service or life group, engaging someone in foundational faith questions or sharing the Gospel, and building relationships over coffee or dinner are all missional activities. The Life Group Leader will model, encourage and guide the group, giving an ongoing challenge to the members for outreach. The group will intentionally pray together to fill the “empty chair.”
- Service – Service within the church or outside her walls is a mark of a growing disciple. It is a way of expressing our love for God and others in a tangible way. Service can be within our Life Group through the use of the gifts God has given us, or as a means of rubbing shoulders with those we seek to share God’s love and gospel.
- Replication – Life Groups will work toward replicating. Our goal in Life Groups is to “make disciples who make disciples.” Life Group Leaders intentionally equip and build into new leaders using an apprenticeship model. The Discipleship Pastor or Small Group Coach will walk Life Group Leaders through this process. We will intentionally work to make room for the people God brings to enjoy the blessing of being part of a life group.
