HOME Groups

HOME Groups

HOME stands for Homes Open for Ministry & Encouragement

HOME Groups are Small Group Bible Studies that Connect People to Life in Jesus through fellowship and service in a small group setting in a host home.  These small groups meet on a regular basis for Bible study and may also fellowship together during Sunday morning worship, service and mission projects and other social activities. Some groups have participants rotate homes, take turns providing snacks or dessert or lead prayer time.

Opportunities to get involved in HOME groups include...

Hosting – Open your home to others for a time of Bible study, prayer and fellowship; provide snacks and refreshments.

Leading – Lead Bible study, encourage discussion, research new studies, attend HOME group trainings.

Participating - Join an existing group or get your own group together.

HOME Groups Offer a Place to Belong:

• To connect with other believers in fellowship;
• To grow in our understanding of the Bible, as Jesus' own small group of disciples did;
• To meet the needs of others in your group in ministry;
• To become equipped for evangelism; and
• To worship God through practicing godly behavior.

Why Join a HOME Group?

It Will Transform Your Life!

• Offers a place to connect with other believers, making you part of a family. And when you're in a family you learn to love others, for better or worse. You can't learn how to love on your own.
• Offers a safe place to get your questions answered. If a small group setting is new to you, you'll be surprised how quickly you'll be helping others find answers as well. Asking pastors during weekly church services isn't usually possible or practical, so you may leave fed, but still a little hungry. When you are involved in a small group of other believers with varying backgrounds, chances are at least one other person in that group will be able to answer your specific questions. Certainly, as a group, you can determine to research and find answers to questions that cannot be answered in your regular meeting times.
• Share your needs. At first, you may not feel comfortable sharing intimate details of your life, and you don't need to. But small group members exist to care for one another and to join in lifting one another's burdens before the Lord. Even if all you are willing to share is, "pray for me," then at least you can go out with the confidence that someone else is in fact praying for you. And God is listening.

Praying Together & Sharing Victories

• Praying with others can help you to grow. Afraid to pray out loud in a group? That's OK! No one will force you to pray out loud.  But as you listen to others sharing their hearts before God, you will be amazed at what the Spirit may prompt you to do. Week after week, as group members share answers to prayer, you'll be built up in your own personal ability to trust God to meet your needs. And as any small group veteran will tell you, the greatest blessing comes in ministering to the needs of another small group member.
• The power of praying in a group. In Acts 12:1-18 we see that Peter was miraculously let out of prison by an angel as a small group gathered in a house and prayed for him. In time, you'll come to see your small group Bible study as a safe place to go when you hurt, as well as when you want to share exciting victories in your life. Stories of help and healing abound in small group settings. The Bible says: 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 NIV)

What Does The Bible Say?

• The Small Group Bible Study format is definitely supported by scripture. In the second chapter of Acts, we read: They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer… All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. (Acts 2: 42, 44-47 - NIV).  In these passages, we see evidence that nearly every purpose God intends for us as believers can be met within the circle of a small group.

• Becoming a member of a small group Bible study is a great opportunity to learn to love and forgive.  Will we ever be hurt or disappointed by another small group member? Most certainly we will, at some point, discover that other believers are not perfect. And neither are you! That's why we all need Jesus.

I Get It, But My Dreams Are Bigger. I Want to Reach the World!

• Before Jesus ascended, He left us with one final commandment. It's the one we know as the Great Commission, and you'll find it in Matthew 28 (note that He gave it to His disciples who were gathered together):  Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matthew 28:16-20 NIV)
• If you are a Christian today, He has commanded you to preach His gospel message to every corner of the earth! You may be able to do that on your own, but don't you think your reach will be greater if you join a body of other like-minded believers in accomplishing this goal? At Pentecost, His Spirit fell on each one individually, as it has fallen on you if you are a believer now. In order for the full force of His fire to spread throughout the world, it takes one flame igniting another, and another, and another. It starts with you, one person, in a small group, reaching out to meet the needs of your part of the world. The Bible says:  And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. (Hebrews 10:24 NIV)

     Source: http://www.allaboutgod.com

Contact: Duane Tweeten at 262-783-4270 to host, lead or join a HOME group.