6 Ways to Get the Most Out of Life Group
By Zack DeBerry
At Journey, we believe that Community and Life Change happen best in the context of a small environment that we call Life Groups. The hard truth that we have to realize is that in order for Community and Life Change to happen, there are some things YOU MUST commit to do individually.
By the way, we are having a GroupLink on Sunday, Feb 8 at 5:30pm at Journey Church, where you can meet new people, and leave with a brand new Life Group that night! CLICK HERE to Register for GroupLink.
The truth is that Life Groups are incredible and they can be work, which means they demand something from YOU. Here are 6 ways to make sure that you are getting the MOST out of your Life Group experience.
1. Show Up
The first and maybe most obvious way to get the most from Life Groups is to SHOW UP. It should go without saying that if YOU are not there YOU will not experience the Community and Life Change that is possible.
In an overly scheduled society, it means that we must make Life Group and Community with others a priority in our life. Hebrews 10 talks about the importance of meeting together in Community for encouragement to get through the tough times in our lives.
And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.
Hebrews 10:25 (NLT)
2. Share Humbly
It’s not enough to just show face, but YOU must be willing to share your life, thoughts, and opinions with others that are a part of the Life Group. This is done in a humble and gentle way and with the attitude of both sharing and learning from others.
We are all trying to get through this life together. The Bible has much to say about not being too proud or selfish to give yourself to a Community.
Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And donât think you know it all!
Romans 12:16 (NLT)
Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.
Philippians 2:3-4 (NLT)
3. Show Respect
One of the things that goes a long way in developing authentic Community in Life Groups is showing respect to others. No one has ever experienced life change and community in the context of a “heated debate”. We must be respectful and realize that many people are looking for answers, they don’t all have them yet.
Accept other believers who are weak in faith, and don’t argue with them about what they think is right or wrong.
Romans 14:1 (NLT)
4. Be Honest
If there is one place where we should be able to be honest about our life it should be in the presence of other Christians. It’s easy to show up, to share humbly, to show respect.
What turns a social gathering into an authentic community is when we drop the facade and get honest about our triumphs and our trials. The truth is we are all fighting the “Good Fight” of faith and we all need people to fight along side us.
But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin. If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth.
1 John 1:7-8 (NLT)
5. Show Concern For Others
What I love most about Life Groups is that they help us realize that they are not alone. If we are the body of Christ that the Bible talks about, then we should care for others and offer support to those in need. A Life Group becomes a Community and Family when we begin to show concern for others.
Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.
Galatians 6:2 (NLT)
If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad.
1 Corinthians 12:26 (NLT)
6. Be Accountable & Hold Others Accountable
Finally, Life Groups provide a level of care and accountability that’s found nowhere else in your life. It is a lot harder to skip a meeting if you know YOUR Community will be holding you accountable to your commitment. We need each other if we are to experience life to the full as Jesus intended us to.
Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.
Hebrews 10:24 (NLT)
When we get together, I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours.
Romans 1:12 (NLT)