Last weekend I focused in on something we value very much at New Horizon - experiencing Biblical community through small groups. This isn't something we thought up on our own and it's not something that is the latest, hot, happening thing in church world. It comes from the New Testament church in Acts 2.
Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts... Acts 2:46
The New Testament church not only met in the temple courts (their large group gathering), but they also met in their homes to experience a kind of community that couldn't happen in the large group gathering.
At New Horizon we have believed in this two-pronged approach to ministry from the beginning. We believe in the large group gathering because there are things that we do together as a large group that can't be duplicated any other way. But one thing we can't do as a large group is produce authentic community. That's why we constantly harp on the idea of everyone being in a Community Group.
Community Groups are groups of 10-12 adults who are trying to figure out how to follow Jesus, and they're trying to figure it out TOGETHER. And TOGETHER is the operative word. We believe that in order for spiritual growth to happen we need each other.
This affects how Community Groups are structured. Our groups aren't designed for spiritual giants. They're designed for anyone - no matter where you are in your spiritual journey. They're not even really designed to be Bible studies. Yes, Bible study is part of the group time, but that's not the emphasis. Community is the emphasis. Being together is the emphasis. Being there for each other is the emphasis. Bible application is the emphasis.
Because of this emphasis we've seen God do some extraordinary things. (For an example check out Leah's blog here.) People are meeting together, eating together (yes, that's Biblical too!), praying together, reading the Bible together, serving in our community together, encouraging each other and taking care of each other.
So, if you're an NHC'er GET IN A GROUP!! You don't need to pray about it, think about it or do a Bible study about it. Just do it! Here's how:
When Is The Next Grouplink?
Thursday night, 6:30-8:30 at NHC.
What Is Grouplink?
It's a safe environment for you to meet with other folks who want to try a starter group. We realize that it's a huge leap to go from Sunday morning attendance to meeting in someone's living room. Grouplink bridges that gap by allowing you to start from scratch with a brand new group ON OUR CHURCH CAMPUS.
What Happens At Grouplink?
Snacks and childcare are provided. You'll meet your leader and get to know the people in your new group. Someone in your group will volunteer to host the group in their home. You'll do the first two sessions of your group study together and after that, your group will start meeting as a Community Group.
How Do I Get Involved?
Just show up Thursday night at 6:30.
Comments