Life Groups
Importance of Life Groups in SCCI
The life groups structure is based on Jethro’s advice to Moses in Exodus. Life groups provide a strategy through which everyone is cared for, and no one is asked to care for more than 15 people, Life groups are structures that can support exponential growth. Life groups become the vehicle through which ministry in SCCI is delivered. Life groups are not departments, but the church in a smaller unit. It is the building block of a church. The purpose of life groups is to connect people rationally in groups (4-15 people) for growing in Christ, reach people, change lives, and changing the world.
Life Groups
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Life Group Mandate
Jesus Christ as head of the church, intends His followers to be like Him.
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Life Group Method
A small group provides the optional environment for the life change Jesus intends for every believer.
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Life Group Model
A small group provides the optional environment for the life change Jesus intends for every believer.
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Life Group Mechanism
Effective ministry happens and multiply so that eventually every believer can be connected to others in the life of the church.
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Life Group Mean –
Effective ministry happens in an atmosphere of prayer and celebration.
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Life group in the New Testament
The church and Christ’s ministry began as a small group and grew
(Mark 3: 14; Luke 4:12-17)
What is a biblical community?
Believers in Christ are called to live in mutually accountable relationships as they reflect the loving character of God , walk in step with the spirit, and build up the church in order to proclaim the good news to the world (I Corinthians 12:1-11)
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Structure of Life group
Life groups ministry zone-leader, life group leader, assistant life group leader, prayer leader
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Qualifications of a Life group leader
Christ follower, having passion for Christ ( Colossians 1:28, Ephesian 4:13)
Turn away from sin ( 1 John1:9; Romans 6:6)
Spend time in God’s word and prayer ( Colossians 3:14;1Peter2:2)
Be filled with the Holy Spirit (Romans 7; Ephesians 5:14)
Use Spiritual gifts in ministry ( Romans 5:3-5:1Peter 4:10-11)
Learn to persevere in adversity ( Romans5:3-5, Philippians1:29;1Peter4:12-14)
Being transformed into the image of Christ, instead of being conformed to the world (Romans 8:28-30;12:1-2; Philippians1:9-10)
Developing a character of worthy leadership (1Thessalonians1:3;1Timothy1:5;3:1-15;6:11;Titus1:5-9
Calling: called to shepherd God’s people, caregiver and compassionate ( Matthew 9:36-38;
Philippians1,1Thessalonica2:7-8;1 Peter5:1-4
Competence: able to lead and guide group (Matthew4:19;9:38; Acts6:1-7)
Compatibility: having the temperament and passion for leadership (Acts6:2; Romans 12:8; Hebrew 13:7,17)
Commitment: doing what it takes, commitment to the vision and working it out. Matthew 28:18-20;Romans 16:3;2 thessalonians2:2)
Capacity: the ability to serve people and care for them (1 Timothy3:4-5,12)
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Life Group Leader
Those who lead life groups must be in complete agreement with the following:
Jesus Christ in my Lord and Saviour
The Bible is authoritative to my faith and life. I agree to come into the Life groups leadership structure, fulfil the requirements of a leader and attend introductory Life group leadership training. I am committed to the vision of the church
What is the Driving Force?
The church can be driven by:
Tradition, Personality, Finances, Progress, Buildings, The World, Seekers
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Life Group Leader
The Life Group leadership responsibilities
A life group leader should commit to the following three major tasks:
1. Reproduce leadership: approach who you will mold and train. How to reproduce your leadership?
Sense God calling you to lead a Life Group
1. Do you have a passion for nurturing others in the Lord? (John 21:15-17;1 Peter 5:1-4)
2. Do you enjoy relating to others in a way that brings their target group to life? Hebrews 10:24-25
3. Do you sense you have a genuine will with God that will be an example to others? 1 Thessalonica 2;10-13
Choose a person to mentor
Choose a person to mentor as you lead your group
1. Choose someone who has the desire to demonstrate the characteristics of a biblical life group and who desires to help others grow spiritually (2 Thessalonica 2:2)
2. Include your apprentice in as many of your leadership activities as you can
3. Spend time with the person and disciple them (Matthew 4:18-22, Mark 3:13-15)
4. Work with your apprentice to plan your meeting schedule and other important activities such as refreshments and child care if necessary
5. Practice the training required to lead a life group and grow spiritually as a leader
6. Attend training
7. Attend the annual Life group leadership retreat
8. Spend time in the word and prayer
Conduct Group Meetings
As a life group leader, your responsibility includes assembling the group and using the time in a responsible manner.
1. Identify who will be in your group and challenge them to make a commitment for a period of time. Meet individuals or couples before inviting them to your group. Your group can grow to a maximum of 15 people in order to experience meaningful discussions and sharing
2. Set your meeting time, place and frequency
3. Use the bible and other resources to help meet the need of the group. We recommend bible-based material approved by SCCI leadership.
4. Share the responsibility of teaching, leading discussions, social time, prayer and ministry involvement with gifted members of the group; use your apprentice.
5. Report on the progress of your group experience as requested by the Pastor.
Shepherd Members Of Your Group
It is your spiritual responsibility to care for and nurture your Life group members so that they become fully devoted followers of Christ and participatory members of the church.
1. Pray for your meeting time and each member of the group (Philippians 1:3-11; Colossians 1:9-12)
2. Exercise oversight of your members (1 Peter 5:1-3). Care and shepherd to be concerned about the welfare of each member of your group as you are concerned about your own welfare (Philippians 2:4, 20-21)
3. Model Christ-likeliness to your group. Serve them as Christ served His disciples with kindness (John13:1-5)
4. Create a safe place for others to share their feelings, hurts, pains and your own weakness (appropriately) with the group as a way to encourage others to see themselves as they are (2 Corinthians 4:7,10,12)
Expand the ministry
As the Lord grows the group, the group should start another group by releasing the apprentice to start a new group.