Life Groups at First Presbyterian Church
Would you like to have deeper friendships at First Presbyterian Church that promote mutual spiritual growth and enhance your relationship with Jesus Christ and service to his kingdom? At the June meeting, the session unanimously approved a recommendation from the Adult Education and Discipleship committee to launch a church-wide small group ministry called Life Groups. The session’s endorsement was based on the conclusion that First Presbyterian Church can best foster Christian discipleship in Life Groups. Over 50 percent of visitors to our church ask about being in a small group, and we have not had a way to plug them into such a ministry. Moreover, Life Groups can sharpen our focus on Scripture as a congregation, deepen the quality of our personal relationships, and increase our effectiveness in caring for the disenfranchised in San Antonio.
Download weekly Life Groups questions: Oct. 5; Oct. 12; Oct. 19; Oct. 26; Nov. 9
Facilitator's notes: Oct. 5; Oct. 12; Oct. 19; Oct. 26; Nov. 9
What are Life Groups?
Life Groups are made up of 8 to 12 people who meet weekly in homes to study Scripture, support each other in our faith, and reach out together to others who are not part of our church. Each group is led by a trained facilitator who is accountable to a Life Group team leader. A typical meeting is two hours and includes discussion, prayer, and light refreshments. A Life Group is for anyone who is interested in learning more about the Bible and applying it to their lives in the context of a small group of people.
The study is practical and relational, so a Life Group works well for both new and mature followers of Christ or for those investigating the Christian life. Being a part of a Life Group requires a ten-week commitment to attend the meetings. The short-term semester of 10 weeks allows people to follow through on their comment without feeling stuck in a long-term obligation. At the end of the 10 weeks, participants have the option of staying with the same group, trying a new group, or taking a break. Most groups will be off-campus throughout the city, so there will be less hassle of fighting traffic to get to the church. And, meeting in homes is a more conducive atmosphere for fostering friendships and building community. Our dream is to have every member of First Presbyterian growing in a Life Group.
Life groups will hold an indispensible place in the life of First Presbyterian Church San Antonio as we strive to fulfill God’s call to renew minds and redeem lives with the steadfast love of Jesus Christ. Our strategy to achieve this mission as a church is to worship regularly, grow intentionally, and serve generously. The following questions and answers demonstrate how these three elements unite in Life Groups and how Life Groups seek to develop genuine Christian maturity that goes beyond just Sundays.
Questions About Life Groups
HOW MANY ARE IN A LIFE GROUP AND WHEN DO THEY MEET?
• A life groups consists of 8 to 12 people
• Life Group members agree to meet weekly for 8-10 weeks in homes for 2 hours each week
• Life Groups will meet on a day and time of their own choosing
WHAT DO LIFE GROUPS DO?
• Life Groups study the Sunday Scripture for deeper understanding and life application
• Life Groups foster each member’s relationship with Jesus Christ by building a caring and loving community
• Life Groups pray for a local and global mission concern and each other every week
• Life Groups serve by participating as a group at least once a semester in an outreach project outside the walls of FPC
WHY DO LIFE GROUPS STUDY THE SUNDAY SCRIPTURE?
• Scripture is of primary importance at FPC
• As each Life Group studies the same passage, a church-wide conversation can begin to emerge
• Digging deeper into the Sunday scripture facilitates greater understanding and application to life
• Our heritage points to the importance of the sermon in hearing the Word of God
WHY ARE SMALLER COMMUNITIES NEEDED?
• God has called us to be a community where grace and truth are extended to every person in the local church. Such a call is best worked out in a smaller group where people meet together regularly and are committed to care for each other
• Life in community is the heartbeat of the church, the critical place where God shapes us into the image of Jesus Christ
• Community is a catalyst for missional impact on the world
• Our belief in God works out practically in our relationships with others
• Life Groups are a safe environment where people can be supported and challenged
WHO IS IN A LIFE GROUP?
• Our goal is to have at least 80% of our average worship attendance involved in Life Groups
• There will be a wide variety of Life Groups that include:
o Completely open to who-so-ever
o Gender based
o Occupational based
o Geographically based
o Marital-status based
o Age based
o Intergenerational based
o The options are unlimited
HOW WILL LIFE GROUPS STRENGTHEN THE PRAYER MINISTRY AT FPC?
• FPC will be united in prayer as each week all the life groups will be praying for one local and one global mission concern. Each week a new concern will be posted
• We will be more effective in praying for one another by providing a safe environment where people can share their true needs and concerns
• A significant portion of the time that a Life Group meets each week is devoted to prayer
HOW WILL LIFE GROUPS STRENGTHEN OUR OUTREACH?
• In recent years, we have been more effective in sending money than sending people to care for the poor and disenfranchised. Each person who joins a Life Group commits to serving once a semester together with their group beyond the walls of FPC
• Going to serve together with friends is less intimidating than going alone
• Serving together is more enjoyable that serving alone
• Going together as a group provides a source of accountability to serving
HOW DO PEOPLE GET INTO A LIFE GROUP?
• Hopefully most will be invited by a Life Group facilitator or Life Group member
• There will be three weeks in January of all-church sign-up in the Mauze lobby prior to kickoff
• Members or visitors can contact Sue Steed for assistance in finding a Life Group
WHAT ABOUT CHILDCARE?
• Families are welcomed to make use of childcare provided on Wednesdays at the church from 5-8:30
• Each family is free to work out their own arrangements
• Families may want to share a sitter or swap childcare with a family whose group meets on an alternate night
WHAT IS THE SCHEDULE FOR STARTING LIFE GROUPS?
• Life Groups for facilitators will begin the week of September 28 and continue for eight weeks
• Facilitators will then begin inviting people to be part of their group from November through January
• A half day training for Life Group facilitators will be on Sunday, January 4, 2:00-5:30
• Three weeks of church-wide signup begins Sunday, January 11
• Church-wide Life Groups launch the week of Sunday, February 1
WHAT ABOUT STUDY QUESTIONS?
• Study questions will be distributed weekly in the worship bulletin
• Study questions are written by FPC staff so they are sensitive to our theological heritage and our particular mission vision components
WHAT ARE THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR BEING A LIFE GROUP?
• Has at least one designated facilitator who is regularly trained (2 facilitators are highly preferred)
• Has a minimum of 4 people and a maximum of 14 (8 to 12 members is preferred)
• Study is based on the Sunday Scripture
• Does at least one outreach project per semester
• Opens the group for members to leave at least once a semester
• Opens the group to new members at least once a year
• Prays together as a group weekly
• Has members sign the commitment sheet at the beginning of each semester
WHAT LIFE GROUPS ARE NOT
• Limited to FPC members or Christians
• Group therapy
• Just a Bible study or sermon critique
• Just a social group or fellowship
• Just a prayer group
If you have any other questions, please call or email us:
William Karlson Sue Steed
271-2725 226-0215 ext. 256
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