I’m busy with work, kids, and other obligations. I’m constantly stressed, constantly tired, and constantly feeling defeated! Why do I really need to go to Life Groups? I’m already going to church on Sundays. Isn’t that enough? If you’ve ever felt this way (I know I have), allow me to share four thoughts about the power of Life Groups.

1. Life Groups provide something that you can’t get on Sunday.

It’s been ten weeks since our last Life Group met. It has been good to get some rest and spend time with family over the summer, but I think this break has solidified the importance of Life Groups in my mind. It’s great to come to Sunday worship services, but smaller groups are where true connections can be formed. The focus of Sunday services is to worship God through song and the preaching of His word. We gather to hear truth from God and respond to that truth. While connections with other believers may happen on Sundays, the primary purpose for Sunday gathering is not to foster community. Life Groups are specifically designed to help you make deep, meaningful connections with other believers.

2. Life Groups encourage and empower us to live for Christ.

We need meaningful relationships with other believers in order to grow in Christ. To be effective servants of God, we need to gather together frequently and encourage each other in our daily relationships with Jesus. We can share our struggles with each other and encourage each other through those struggles. In Ephesians 4:29 Paul tells us to use our words to build each other up and he describes how our words actually minister grace to other believers. In community with others we are encouraged and strengthened to live a life that is pleasing to God.

3. Life Groups prevent us from isolating ourselves, which will weaken us in our fight against sin.

God created humans to live in community with Him and with each other. God said in Genesis 2:18, “It is not good for man to be alone.” Dietrich Bonhoeffer said, “Sin demands to have a man by himself. It withdraws him from the community. The more isolated a person is, the more destructive will be the power of sin over him, and the more deeply he becomes involved in it, the more disastrous is his isolation.” We must avoid isolation if we are to be effective in the battle against sin.

4. We need the support of others in order to thrive.

I recently learned some interesting facts about the California Redwood tree. These trees are known to grow to heights of over 350 feet! Typically we would expect such a tall tree to have a deep root system, but the Redwood trees only have a root system only ten to thirteen feet! In fact, Redwood trees are highly susceptible to being uprooted by wind. So how do these trees thrive in such high numbers? Because of their close proximity with the other trees around them, their roots interlock and provide support and stability for each other. In a similar way, we need to lock arms with other believers as we seek to accomplish God’s mission on earth!

Don’t miss out on being in a LifeGroup. You can find more information on our LifeGroups here.

I hope to see you in a LifeGroup this week!

Lawrence Wilson

Director of LifeGroups