Colonial Presbyterian Church | Kansas City Metro
Tuesday, September 07, 2010
Helping people become passionate, selfless followers of Christ
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Frequently Asked Questions about LIFE GroupsWhy Should I Join a LIFE Group?
We consider LIFE Groups to be one of the most important ways to experience connection and community at Colonial. Through a LIFE Group, you are able to learn the names behind the friendly faces you meet on Sunday and share in your spiritual journey with others—encouraging one another as you live, learn and grow together and with God. God doesn’t want any of us to be left to walk alone—we need each other.
What does a LIFE Group look like?
A LIFE group is made up of 6-12 people who meet regularly, often in homes, to share, study, pray and then apply God’s Word through service. It is a group of people that are seeking to grow spiritually, individually and with encouragement and help from the group.
“It is in authentic community that people find real hope in the midst of pain, loss, loneliness, depression, and sin in their lives. God gave us the gift of community to meet our needs. The real need of our culture is to meaningfully connect with a few other people. When we do, we are able to change, to grow, and to heal” (Michael Mack, Leading from the Heart). As a result, the group does not just meet, it is actively involved in something outside itself – it has a heartbeat, a mission and a purpose! It reaches out to those beyond themselves to invite others on the sanctification journey, and reaches out to serve others in the name of Christ!
“Fruit-bearing groups are more than a meeting and more than a Bible study. They are spiritual families who really care for one another and look to one another’s interests. … they love one another, flourish, grow, and multiply themselves” (Michael Mack, Leading from the Heart).
What kinds of LIFE Groups are there?
We have adult groups for men, women and mixed groups. We also have LIFE Groups that are age specific for middle school and senior high students.
If you have an idea for a group, please let us know! We’re here to help people get connected, whether it is “Ladies Who Love Lattes” or “Soaring Eagles” for men who golf, we’ll do our best to help you get connected.
When and where do LIFE Groups meet?
Most LIFE Groups, including middle and high school groups, meet in homes Sunday through Thursday nights. However, there are some groups that meet early mornings, during the day, and during Sunday School time.
How long do LIFE Groups last and what is the commitment?
LIFE Groups generally last between 1½ - 2 hours and we encourage you to commit to attending regularly for a season (for example, the fall season would be around 12 weeks).
Colonial encourages LIFE Groups to do an all-church study twice a year. The all-church studies usually last 5-6 weeks. These study times would be a great time to join a group and see if it will work for you! Please watch for extra announcements about getting involved in a LIFE Group in September and January each year when the all-church studies are about to begin.
With that said, as with any friendship, we don’t determine the end before it’s even begun – so we’re giving individuals the freedom to determine how long they stay in a LIFE Group. You can visit just once or stay for a while, but keep in mind; it might take several weeks before you really feel at home. In fact, it may take two or three groups before you find the perfect fit. But don’t worry, you’ll find it, and we’ll help!
Can I bring my kids to LIFE group? Is childcare available for LIFE Groups?
LIFE Groups are designed for adults, but often the childcare happens in the same home as the LIFE group meeting. As a result, some groups do go together to share childcare expenses by sharing a sitter. Some groups swap childcare with another group that meets on a different evening or time. This is a decision for each parent and group to make on their own where children are involved.
How is a “LIFE Group” different from a small group or Bible study?
Small groups serve a variety of functions. For example, we have many wonderful Bible studies, small groups and Sunday Schools with solid biblical teaching and warm communities. The goal of LIFE Group is to take that same model and add one more dimension to it: the application of God’s Word through service in our community or abroad.
We find that groups that have been together, even for many years, discover that doing a service project as a group binds them closer, and the shared experience blesses those that just wanted to be a blessing to others. The comment that is heard the most is “I wish we would have been involved in service earlier. This has been the best catalyst for our group.”
What will we study?
Some groups are sermon-based and their discussions are based on the previous weekend’s sermon. Other groups choose to study curriculum based on their group’s interest. When you are contacted about a group, you can ask the leader about their topic of study.
How do I become a LIFE Group leader?
Many of our leaders emerge from existing LIFE Groups. Talk with your LIFE Group leader about becoming an apprentice, click here to read a ministry description of being a group leader, or contact Jan Neisess at jneisess@colonialkc.org or 816-501-3911, or Jay Childs at jchilds@colonialkc.org or 816-501-3004.
Why does Colonial want people to get involved in groups?
Early in 2007, the Pastors and Session of Colonial voted to become a church OF small groups, not a church that has small groups. Why do we want everyone to be involved in a group? Scripture and church history have taught us that the most effective model for a dynamic church body, which consistently administers the love of God, comes in the form of small groups that will pray, share, study and serve together – all four components. As a result, these groups are, in many ways, the “life” of the church, and that is why we have decided to call this 4-component model LIFE Groups.
Colonial is a big place, and on two campuses, so if we are serious about making an impact in our community as a truly dynamic force of Gods love, power and grace, we have to take seriously the model of the Church that scripture presents to us: we must be in community together.
What does the Bible say about community?
God created you to crave relationships and community:
There is also blessing that comes from community:
Still have questions?
Please contact Jan Neisess, Director of Engagement, Quivira at jneisess@colonialkc.org or 816-501-3911, or Jay Childs, Director of Engagement, Wornall at jchilds@colonialkc.org or 816-501-3004.
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