PURPOSE
Life Groups at Avenue Church exist to pursue Biblical community through fellowship, prayer, discipleship, ministry support, and missions by meeting regularly as we all fulfill the Great Commission.
PEOPLE
Life Groups at Avenue Church should consist of no more than 20 adults who are in similar seasons of life, finding a weekly time in their schedule to pursue Biblical community together. These groups are primarily for members as they pursue growing in Christ, discipling in love, and serving on mission. Life Groups offer extended time and opportunities to foster relational growth and unity within the Body of Christ.
PLACES
Life Groups may meet in homes, on the church campus, or at a space that the group finds acceptable. The ideal situation would consist of the group meeting consistently in a host home weekly. If adequate space is not available, the church campus may be utilized for gatherings.
PROCESS
In Acts 2:42-47, the early church met daily for worship, fellowship, discipleship, ministry, and prayer. Life Groups seek to pursue these directives by “devoting themselves to the teach and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayer.” Life Groups will be devoted to fellowship, teaching, prayer, and service (minister to one another and minister to the Church). The groups will serve as the primary care for those members of the Body, attending to their spiritual and physical needs, as well as encouraging service within the Church using their gifts.
Life Group FAQ's
Life Groups exist for pursuing Biblical community with the family in mind. Children are encouraged to come for sharing the meal and fellowship and can play while the parents are meeting for Bible study and prayer. Each group may set up childcare through a few different ways (taking turns as adults watching the children, sharing resources to cover childcare, or receiving assistance from the Church to cover childcare). Avenue Church will provide a list of trained childcare workers.
While some circumstances may require an online gathering, it is highly recommended and requested that Life Groups meet in person unless providentially hindered (sickness, out of town, etc.).
Meals are not required, but most groups will be meeting during mealtime, and the added time for sharing a meal will increase community. Groups may ask for the members to coordinate a potluck meal, preparing and bringing different things. It also does not have to be a full meal, it could be snacks or desserts. Groups may utilize a group text or email for communication of food and other important aspects of the group (coordination for service projects, prayer requests, encouragement, etc.).
As a group you may also server on Ministry Teams together. As member of Avenue are committed to discipleship and service, groups may be formed based on your time and area of service during the week (Student Ministry Team, Worship Team, Welcome Team, Community Outreach Team, etc.). Life Groups will edify the greater Church Body through service and discipleship in unity by the Spirit. Life Groups are also encouraged to schedule events for fun, rest, fellowship, and inviting neighbors and potential church members to participate.
As these groups grow in Christ, disciple in love, and serve on mission, it is our hope and prayer that God will unify the Body o Christ through His Holy Spirit, and that as we live in Biblical community together, God will "add to their numbers day by day those who were being saved" (Acts 2:47). Eventually, as the group grows, new leaders will be equipped and commissioned to start new groups as the Body of Christ grows and continues to fulfill the Great Commission.
Leaders must be members of Avenue Chrcuh, growing in Christ through personal devotion to the Lord, and must be able to teach and facilitate discussion with exhortation and encouragement.
Leaders must work with Pastor Nolan to receive direction and training, report any needs or concerns within the group, and communicate what resources they are using in their Bible study. If there is an issue with curriculum, leaders must submit to Pastor Nolan in the utilization of resources (choosing book studies, authors, etc.). Leaders must submit to the Church leadership if there are any spiritual issues or concerns that arise. Leaders should also identify other potential leaders in the group for the purpose of discipling them to eventually lead their own group.
(6:30 PM) Gather for a shared meal and fellowship
(7:15 PM) Learn and grow in Christ through the reading/teaching/discussion of the Bible
(8:00 PM) Pray with and for one another
(8:15 PM) Dismiss
The Fellowship of the Believers
"And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved."
Acts 2:42-47 ESV