Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Experience
You help people to experience God when you encourage them to attend a Sunday
morning service.
Connect
You help people to connect as you tell new people about Pastors breakfast and
Connect Track.
Grow
You help people to grow as you invite them to your life group or recommend
another life group to them. As you disciple others, you help move people to the
next step in their journey with Christ and thus you fulfill the Great Commission!
Serve
You help people as you serve on a team at the church and by sponsoring and
praying for a missionary.
Life groups are a place where people share a meal together and get to know each other. Some
of our greatest memories in life happened around the dinner table. Some groups will share a
meal and some will serve desserts or snacks.
4. Prayer
Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for
you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with
them. (Matthew 18:19-20)
Life Groups are a place where we pray together, support each other through the hard times and
celebrate prayers answered! (*Set a rule up front that if prayer requests are taken the time
will be limited and requests will be shared respectfully and not guised as gossip.).
5. Care/Serve
We know what real love is because Christ gave up His life for us. And so we also ought to give
up our lives for our Christian brothers and sisters. (1 John 3:16 NLT)
Life groups are a place where we care about each other. Whether it is through prayer, making
a meal for someone who is ill, noticing when someone is away, or speaking the truth in love,
the life group experience is something we all need. Life Groups are a safe place where
everyone should feel important, accepted and protected. Who do we serve?
1. As individuals, we serve one another.
2. As a team, we assist a missionary on a global scale.
3. As a group, we bless our community when we do outreach together.
As you can see, at TRWC we arent church inaction but we are a church IN ACTION! The book of
Acts records the tremendous growth of the first church in Jerusalem. Small group meetings in
homes were the foundation of the early church and they are foundational at TRWC. We believe
the ACTS 2 church is the greatest church growth model of all time!
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world.
Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. ~Margaret Mead
Who:
Life Groups are for EVERYONE! There may be Life Groups for married couples,
women, men, seniors, young adults, Moms with children and the list goes on! For groups with
a specific audience (e.g., married couples or women), we ask that members that attend meet
the criteria. In other words, no men at the womens group and no singles hanging out in the
marriage group .
A Life Group is a group of about 8-12 adults. Some groups may have up to 15-20 adults (or
bigger if space allows) but are usually no smaller than 5 adults. Groups that are child friendly
arrange for their own childcare and parents pitch in for babysitting costs.
When:
Life Groups typically meet weekly. The day and time of the group is decided
upon by the life group leader. There are 2 semesters per year and an optional summer.
Fall Semester
starting _______
ending _______
Winter/Spring Semester
starting _______
ending _______
Summer Semester
Break *The summer is a scheduled break for groups but monthly
gatherings are encouraged to keep people connected. A limited number of groups are available
on campus over the summer.
Where:
Life Groups are typically held in the Leaders home or a Host
Home but may meet in coffee shops, restaurants, on the basketball court, you name it!
Why:
1.
We are too busy not to. God created us to be in community with others.
We may be busy these days but we arent connected.
2.
God instituted the family. Relationships define us, grow us, challenge us, strengthen us and
bless us. Our culture devalues personal relationships, but Scripture calls for it.
Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one
another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching. (Hebrews 10:25)
3.
The bigger our church becomes, the smaller we must become.
We believe our church can be larger and smaller at the same time. Life Groups are a way to
connect people in a large body of believers with a small group for a small church feel.
How do we do it?
Free Market System
Our free-market small group system allows you, as a leader, to:
1.
Take something you are already doing and add purpose to it! Whether its a hobby or a
gift, when purpose meets passion and Jesus is invited it, it can be used for the Lord.
2.
Start a group based on something you want to be doing. Whether its increasing your
knowledge of the Holy Spirit, learning more about prayer or intentionally connecting with
people, its a way to accomplish a personal goal while inviting others to join you.
What is a life group?
A group of people who are doing life together through learning together,
progressing together and changing together. A life group is not a class and does not
consist of just one person teaching while others listen.
Life Groups exist so that we will sharpen each other to be more like JESUS!
As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. ~Proverbs 27:17
***All personal information is to be kept confidential unless approved by the person. In other
words, emails and phone numbers are not to be shared without permission. Members are not
to be added to additional email lists without their consent and products or services are not to
be pushed through email or at the group.
Mark Attendance for your life group:
On the right side of your roster, you will see a bright blue box that says, Export Grid. Next to
that is a white box on the right that says, I want to.
CLICK on I want to
-A drop down list will appear. Toward the top of that page, click on I want to It is a
dropdown list. -Select Mark Attendance and hit go.
-Choose the correct marking date in red. Fill in the date or any date that month when your
group met (just to get an idea of who is actively attending) NOT the day you are marking your
attendance (e.g., the date of the life group you are marking attendance for).
-Make sure Present is selected as we want to mark who was present not who was absent.
-Click the box next to each person who attended on that date so it is check marked.
-At the bottom, next to the + is a section for comments, visitors names, etc. Enter any visitors
names and their emails/information as well as any comments you want me to read to keep me
in the loop of upcoming things with your group, challenges, highlights, etc.
-Click Submit. Piece of cake!
Print a Group Roster:
There are 2 places on the right hand side (top of page and middle of page) that say, I want to
The top one is to PRINT A GROUP ROSTER. Select that and a drop down menu will appear for
you to print a roster.
Atmosphere is everything
Think of a recent group experience that you really enjoyed. What made the teaching so
wonderful, the time so fulfilling or the prayer so powerful? What was it that you were looking
forward to the following week and wouldnt dream about missing it? This is what you want to
aim for in each Life Group meeting that you have. The goal is to get them to come back!
Atmosphere is unseen; yet you know when its there and when its not. Its invisible yet it is
perhaps the most powerful element of a meeting. It is atmosphere. As a leader it is your role
to set the tone and culture of your group. Atmosphere does not just happen! Life Groups are
an expression of church in your home. Your meeting reflects the heart and vision of Twin Rivers
Worship Center and the Acts 2 church. There should be a culture of unity. People should be
excited for the next meeting and every meeting after that.
Childcare
Childcare enables people with children who could otherwise not attend a group to be able to
connect. Each Life Group will be responsible for their own workable childcare plan. It is
recommended that sitters get at least $4 per child, max $12 per family. If a family is having
difficulty paying for childcare, contact the Discipleship Pastor.
Confidentiality
People are trusting you and Twin Rivers Worship Center with sensitive, personal information
and we need to ensure that we protect that information. That means you must be able to keep
all information to yourself, the Discipleship Pastor and the Life Group Team Leaders only. It is
equally important that you do notify the Discipleship Pastor with concerns. By law, you are
required to alert someone:
TRWC Policies
For the comfort and protection of everyone involved, members may not attend groups that
specify a limited audience. For example, a single man would not be welcomed at a marriage
group, a person in their 40s would not be welcomed at the 20s group and a woman would not
be welcomed at a mens group. Additionally, groups that are not child friendly should be
maintained as adult only groups. Registered sex offenders are not allowed at life groups where
children are present, in life group homes where children live or at life group sponsored events
where children are present.
for
We teach people the commands of Jesus and are rewarded for it!
Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others
accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches
these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:19
God created us for a good work (e.g., of being a life group leader) and He has prepared us!
For we are Gods workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do
good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10
Group Dynamics
Give time for discussion. Avoid doing all the talking. A good guideline is the 50/50 rule.
Approximately 50% of the speaking should be from members and 50% from the leader. If using
DVD curriculum, the leader speaks much less and helps facilitate conversation.
Carefully lead the conversation back to the topic when tangents occur.
Where sensitive issues or complex questions arise, follow up one-on-one afterward.
Be sensitive to the Lost or New Believer. New believers may not grasp phrases that are
common to us. (i.e. spiritual warfare, washed in the blood, etc.)
Steer the discussion in a direction where everyone can participate but people arent
forced to speak if they arent comfortable.
Some people may need more time to think before speaking than others in the group.
If a person has a tendency to take over the meeting, carefully utilize your role as
leader to limit their talk time. If you set ground rules up front, that will help.
Be prepared to change the direction of the meeting if needed. The primary goal is to
create an environment where people are connecting with God and one another.
Utilize your timekeeper to keep things moving but in a way that is not rigid.
Make sure that people feel welcomed upon entering and leaving.
Clean-up Coordinator:
Ensures the home is not left in disarray and is put back to normal.
Food Coordinator:
The person responsible for putting together a calendar and signup for food/themes. This person may arrive 15 minutes early to help with set up.
Time Keeper:
The person responsible for keeping track of time so there is ample
time for the lesson, fellowship, food and prayer. He/she will give the group a 15-minute
warning before its quitting time and call time when the 2 hours has been completed. It is
important to end on time as people have other obligations. However, if the group is at a critical
point, the leader may lead the group past the 2 hour time frame by taking a 5 minute break so
those that need to leave have an exit point and dont feel they are disrupting the flow.
Secretary:
Responsible for taking attendance and turning it into the leader.
May send email reminders of upcoming group sessions for the leader; reminders of who signed
up for certain food items/tasks. Though it is preferred that the leader contact people who had
to miss, the secretary could call or email if the leader is unable to do so. The important thing is
that new people and anyone who was absent are followed up on.
Outreach Coordinator:
Responsible for coordinating the outreach project for the group to
participate in at least 1-2x per year (or more as the group is led).
Babysitting Coordinator:
For child friendly groups, this person is responsible for ensuring
the babysitters get picked up and dropped off. They will also collect money from parents to
give to the babysitters. The Babysitting Coordinator should arrive at least 15 minutes early to
assist with these tasks. If groups are participating in a parent co-op, he/she will put together a
schedule.
What We Believe
Twin Rivers Worship Center belongs to the denomination, Church of God, in Cleveland, TN.
We believe the entire Bible to be the inspired, infallible Word of God, the revelation of Gods
will for man and the divine and final authority for the Christian life. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
We believe in one God, the Creator of all things, who is revealed in three Persons: Father, Son,
and Holy Spirit. (Deuteronomy 6:4); (John 15:26)
We acknowledge Jesus Christ as true God and true man conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of
a virgin, crucified, and resurrected our High Priest and Advocate now seated at the right
hand of God the Father. (Matthew 1:18); (Hebrews 12:2)
We believe in personal salvation and forgiveness of sins through the shed blood of Jesus Christ,
acknowledging every persons need for the grace and mercy of God.
(Romans 3:23-24); (Ephesians 1:7); (1 Peter 1:3); (1 John 1:9)
We believe in the eventual resurrection of the dead, the eternal happiness of the saved, and
the eternal punishment of the lost. (John 14:1-3); (1 John 5:11); (Revelation 20:15)
We baptize in water all those who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ and who desire to
publicly identify with Him, in accordance with the Bibles command. (Matthew 28:19); (Acts
8:36-39); (Romans 6:4)
We believe in the present supernatural ministry of the Holy Spirit, whose purpose is to glorify
Jesus Christ and instruct and empower every believer for godly living and service. (John 16:1314); (1 Corinthians 12:1-11)
We believe that the baptism with the Holy Spirit is a promise from the Father for every
believer and is distinct and subsequent to the experience of the new birth. Speaking in tongues,
as the Holy Spirit gives utterance, is a physical indication of the baptism with the Holy Spirit.
(Matthew 3:11); (Acts 2:4, 38-39, 19:4-6)
We serve the Lords Supper and, according to Scripture, remember Jesus sacrifice on the Cross
and celebrate His resurrection power. (Luke 22:19-20); (1 Corinthians 11:23-26)
We believe in the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and that His appearance will be
accompanied by a bodily resurrection of those who have died in Christ. (Matthew 24:29-31); (1
Thessalonians 4:13-18)
We believe that Jesus is the Healer. (Isaiah 53:5); (Matthew 8:16-17); (James 5:14-15); (1 Peter
2:24)
We believe in the power and effectiveness of prayer. (Philippians 4:6-7); (James 5:15-16)
We believe in Gods terrific plan for each of His followers to honor God and help people.
(Matthew 5:16, 25:40); (Jeremiah 29:11)
Notes
Notes