There has been some confusion as to what a LifeGroup actually is, and how it differs from Bible Fellowship and Bible studies. LifeGroups from the start are intentional small and ongoing for the purpose of doing Life Together. Doing Life Together means modeling a fellowship of believers that we see in Acts 2 as well as doing the "one another" through out the New Testament. We believe LifeGroups raise the bar for community and discipleship that is hard to find in larger settings. So we would like to answer some frequently asked questions about what a LifeGroup on this page. Then contact us to find you fit in a LifeGroup today.

F.A.Q.

What is a LifeGroup?

A LifeGroup is a fellowship of people seeking to know God through His Word(Life Worship), to become like Jesus in a community with other people(Life Together), and to be directed by the Spirit in living out the Gospel together in action(Life Mission).

How is a LifeGroup different from Bible Fellowship or another Bible study group at Temple?

 LifeGroups differ from our other Bible studies in several ways:

• They are intentionally small. LifeGroups are intended to be limited to groups of no more than 10-12 people to encourage deepening community and promote living out the “one anothers” of Scripture in intimate fellowship.
• They are born to multiply. Each LifeGroup has a planned lifecycle of 18-24 months with growth into 2 or more new groups as the expected end. The groups expect to reach new believers, grow them up, and grow with them into new groups as a way of reaching our community.
• They seek to be missionally active together. While individual members may have ministiries, the group also has a ministry together, an integral part of LifeTogether. 

What does a LifeGroup do?

In a large church, finding community can be difficult. The early church faced that problem as well. In Acts 2, over 3,000 people came to Christ in one day and were added to the church. The church responded by meeting in a large gathering for teaching and worship, and in small home groups (Acts 2:42-47) to care for each other, to fellowship, to pray, to learn and grow, and to serve. The book of Acts goes on to tell us that those small groups impacted the community around them and each group added to the church daily. To that end, a LifeGroup will:

• Meet together consistently to study God’s Word for the purpose of knowing God more fully and being transformed to reflect Christ.
• Intentionally foster deepening relationships within the group that will encourage each member to follow Jesus (discipleship) through prayer, care, and a challenge to grow.
• Work together regularly and strategically to fulfill the church’s mission by serving and reaching others with the good news that Jesus came to lead us into a reconciled relationship with God.

What can I expect from a LifeGroup?

You can expect a LifeGroup to be a small group of people who care about you and are committed to you and to Christ. LifeGroups seek to dig below the surface by creating a place of love, safety, and community in which we can really work out what it means to live for Christ today.

What are the “one anothers” of Scripture that you mention?

Over 50 times in the New Testament, Jesus, Paul, and others tell us of responsibilities that we have in the body of Christ toward “one another.” These things include loving, showing kindness, having patience, confessing sin, comforting, forgiving, and encouraging one another, just to name a few.  These responsibilities are difficult (and some are even impossible) for us to accomplish if we are always in large groups. We must get to know people and form relationships of trust for the Spirit to work effectively in our applying of the “one anothers,” and LifeGroups are a perfect way to accomplish this necessary function of the church.

Who leads a LifeGroup?

A facilitator leads each LifeGroup. The facilitator’s role is to help the group dig into the Scriptures and to dig out Truth and apply it to life. The facilitator is not a teacher who is there to tell you what the Bible means, he/she is there as a guide to help you discover the Truth of the Bible together as a group.

Are there other leadership roles needed in a LifeGroup?

Yes, every LifeGroup facilitator would love to have an apprentice to invest in to eventually be ready to lead another group. In addition, every group needs people to lead out hosting group meetings, planning mission projects, planning fun times for the group, coordinating care for group members with needs, and so on. LifeGroups are a place where everyone can put his/her talents to use to serve the Body of Christ.

How can I get involved in a LifeGroup?

Several times a year, we host a LifeGroup Connections event. During these occasions, LifeGroup leaders will be present to greet you and give you an opportunity to learn about their groups. This is a great time to jump into a LifeGroup.