LIFE STAGE GROUPS:
SMALL GROUPS		 pic

LIFE STAGE CONNECTION
When we look at the early church found in Acts, we find small community of people who are struggling to follow God while doing life together. Smaller more intimate settings provide a safe environment for all of us to explore our spirituality along with our peers. Therefore, one of the primary ways we build relationships and cultivate fellowship with each other here is through a network of small groups - what we call "Life Stage Connection". While we are joined to all believers in the local church, Life Stage Groups allow us to relate more deeply with a small number of people. Life Stage Groups provide an important context for accomplishing a number of biblical priorities.

“The value of the small group is that it can become a community of related persons, and in it the benefit of relatedness cannot be missed nor its challenge evaded. I do not think it is an exaggeration to say, therefore, that small groups… are indispensable for our growth into spiritual maturity.” —John Stott

PURPOSE

  1. Live out the Word of God in our lives. Merely hearing God's word is not enough; we must live out the Word in our lives for there to be fruit. Life Stage Groups enable us to do this together. We seek to apply the Bible's teaching, review Sunday messages, discuss Christian books, and use a variety of other resources with the intention of growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
  2. Develop biblical community. Genuine fellowship isn't practicial in a large crowd gathering. Life Stage Groups provide a place where we can build intimate relationships, care for one another, and help each other grow in our relationship with God. Our goal is that we continue to build a community of love, fellowship and discipleship.
  3. Ministry to one another. God has made us dependent on each other and Life Stage Groups provide a context where we can minister to each other with the gifts that God has given us. Meetings often include times of prayer for one another and opportunities for individuals to exercise spiritual gifts for the edification of others.

PARTICIPATION
Membership at Bethel Church involves active participation in a Life Stage Group. Those who are new to the church can attend Fresh Start righ away and begin connecting with the pastors, beliefs and values of the church. Fresh Start is a great place to ask questions and get to know others who are exploring whether to make Bethel Church their church home. After completing Fresh Start, participants have an interview with a pastor and are then palced in a Life Stage.

RESPONSIBILITIES
Each member is important to the group, and should seek to contribute to the group's health and success. We each have the responsibility in our group to:

  1. Faithfully attend meetings and functions. We're much more likely to benefit if we are actually present!
  2. Participate Willingly. Come ready to contribute, to serve, to share, and to open yourself to others. When the group has an assignment, diligently complete it. Both you and others will benefit from your participation.
  3. Build relationships with other members outside the meeting. Don't confine your investment to the Life Stage Group meeting - let this be the springboard to rich, enduring relationships.

    Life Stage Groups are great way to connect with friends on a deeper level and learn more about God. If you are interested in joining any of the small groups, contact our Small Group Director:
    Pastor Jeni van den Bosch | betheleddept@gmail.com