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The main aim of a Life group is for Christians, and people interested in Christianity, to love each other and support each other through life.
The focus of a Life group in some ways is the weekly meeting in someone's home, but it perhaps didn't ought to be. Life groups are far more than a weekly meeting; they are a network of relationships which are meant to grow and continue the whole week long. When one person in a Life group is in need the rest of the Life rally round to support them; when one member celebrates the whole group celebrates; when one member is in pain, the rest of the group feel that pain too.
Jesus taught us to love our neighbours and that is what small groups are to be and what they do - neighbours loving one another.
The Weekly Meeting
Once a week the members of the Life group come together AND they work around the 'triangle' - INWARDS; UPWARDS & OUTWARDS:
INWARDS
The meeting begins with a warm welcome, to new members and regular members alike. Normally the person whose house it's in will make some drinks and people will simply chat and get to know how each other are doing. Then the meeting will often begin with a simple Icebreaker question to make sure everyone has a chance to say something, no matter how little, during the Life Group meeting. It's all too easy to be shy, but Life groups are about sharing our hearts and our lives. Inwards is about building community. It is about listening to each other and loving one another.
UPWARDS
It's not just about us. our purpose as humans is not simply to love each other, but also to know God and to love Him too. Worship is about putting God back in the centre of our lives. Worship puts our lives into focus as we look at Jesus, remember who he is, what he has done for us, and how much he loves us. Worship may include singing; reading a psalm; praising God for who He is. There are many creative ways we can worship God. The 'upwards' also includes looking at God's Word in the Bible. Our lives are often a mess and our beliefs more so, but turning to God's Word provides a framework, a foundation and a purpose for our lives. The Bible is God's guidebook for us and so we spend time looking at it and what it means for our lives. It's a time to be honest about who we are, about what we've done wrong and celebrate what we've done right. Usually the Life Group will go through the questions that are produced and which are based on the Sunday morning talk.
OUT Our Life Group Logo
Because we love Jesus and we are experiencing his amazing life changing impact on who we are we want to and need to share that experience and that truth with other people. If we are to love each other then we will want to share Jesus with others as well. After all, if you love someone don't you want to give them something good? So the witness part of the meeting helps us to look at how we can share Jesus with other people in helpful ways. We also encourage groups to be involved with a local community group activity where they can help in practical ways. For example one group support LASARS a local voluntary organisation that helps asylum seekers and refugees. Another group visit a local elderly people's home and with the vicar they hold a Communion Service in the lounge 3 or 4 times a year. Another group support 'Little Jems' a group of young children who meet once a week in Church House. Two or three of the group are involved directly with the children each week while the rest of the Life Group pray and give their practical support on occasions.
Finally we'll finish the meeting by praying for each other and for the people we care about.
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