There are four ingredients to the philosophy of ministry for home groups at Grace. The four ingredients are Biblical Foundation, Relational Environment, Intentional Discipleship and Reproducible Process. Everything about the home group must be derived from the Bible and the environment must emphasize relationships. Continue reading
Every ministry is built on a philosophy of ministry or way that something works. Home Groups at Grace are built on four ingredients: Biblical Foundation; Relational Environment, Intentional Discipleship and Reproductive Process. This article addresses the Biblical aspects of the Biblical Foundation. Continue reading
Home groups are designed to meet, be authentic, grow spiritually, intentionally disciple and then multiply. How do non-believers fit into home groups? Some might think that they do not. Yet, Jesus went to the homes where there were non-believing people, Continue reading
Home group is normally a relaxing place for affirming spiritual growth in followers of Christ. People are there because they want to be there and grow with other like-minded followers of Christ. However, each person is at a different stage of growth and every once in a while, God is going to allow the leader and the whole group to experience the angry outburst or seething anger bubbling over. It might come because of conviction over sin, a political statement made by one of the participants or someone was having a terrible, horrible, no good day! Continue reading
Home group is a key discipleship opportunity for people to become believers and grow spiritually. Any time you have people, however, there may be conflict. Several articles have been written, which provide counsel on dealing with controlling talkers, tangents and rabbit trails, anger issues, politics and deep or difficult theological questions. Please refer to them for more ideas on how to handle those challenges. Continue reading
Home group is the place where we can be authentic and transparent. If that is the case then anything goes right? What about politics? Do we follow the old expression, “Don’t talk about religion or politics at the dinner table.” Well that doesn’t work, because home groups are all about spiritual matters Continue reading
Normally, timeliness is important for showing up to work. Your paycheck depends on timeliness. Timeliness is important if you are going to get married. It’s not a good way to start out marriage by being late to walk down the aisle or keep the bride waiting. Timeliness is also important if you are in a race or game. The whole team depends on you to be timely or your final race time depends on timing. But when it comes to church meetings, some people are more lax. Why is timeliness important for home group? Continue reading
Does it matter how long a meeting lasts? Does it matter if some meetings are one hour and others are four hours? There are many considerations as we look at home groups, which address culture, participants and family schedules. Paul said it well, “Let all things be done decently and in order.” (1 Cor. 14:40) Put these principles into practice. Continue reading
First impressions count. They are important in a job interview, showing your house when it is for sale or going out for the first time in the courting process (although that wouldn’t be the first time you’ve been with the person). It’s a whole lot easier to maintain a good perspective than to try and recover one that has been damaged. Continue reading
Home groups are likely the most fun of Christian interaction. The Word of God is discussed in a relational environment and it is the clearest place to see spiritual growth in discipleship and the visible process of multiplication. But how do you deal with Tangents and rabbit trails? Continue reading
Shepherding Truth 