LIFE GROUPS
What is a First United Methodist Life Group?
A Life Group is between 6 to 12 people that meets on a regular basis to 'do life' together. It is a way to feel personally connected to the church community and to learn and grow in our faith in an intimate and supportive environment.
Why should I join a life group?
In life groups people have the opportunity to get close enough to know each other, to care and share, to challenge and support, to forgive and be forgiven, to laugh and weep together, to be accountable to each other, to watch over each other and grow together. Personal growth does not happen in isolation. It is the result of interactive relationship. Life groups are God’s gift to foster changes in character and spiritual growth.
How often do groups meet?
Each Life Group is different. Each Group will meet between 1-4 times per month as determined by the group.
What will I do when I get to the Life Group?
Each group will incorporate three components in their group: Fellowship, spiritual growth, and service. How much time each group spends on these three parts will vary from group to group. Some groups will be primarily about missions, some about fellowship, while others will be more focused on Christian Study. Life Groups can be formed around anything, i.e., missions, marriage, running, basketball, sewing, arts & crafts, scrapbooking, parenting stages, life stages and missions just to name a few. Groups are designed to integrate people’s passion with the gospel and connect them with other individuals enjoying the same passions.
How do I sign up?
In September sign up will be available online, in the office and at church.
While each group is different and uniquely designed by the Life Group, each First UMC Life Group will have these traits in common. Each group will:
* have between 8-12 people,
* meet together 2-4 times per month,
* be created around anything: service groups, marriage groups, singles groups, support groups, out to eat groups, sports groups, arts/craft/music groups, study groups, you name it, and it can be a life group. incorporate three components:
Fellowship. It is important to know each other and friendships require attention and intentionality. Life Groups offer a place where we can let down our guard, laugh, play and have fun; a place where we can celebrate life and the lives of those in the group; a place where mutual wounds are revealed, prayed over, and the healing is blessed. Life Groups hold one another in prayer and where we hold others in prayer. This is about Life Together.
Service. Serving others as a group is a way to emphasize the importance of mission and service. As the hands and feet of the Lord, serving alongside our groups is the perfect way to change the world … together.
Christian Growth. Each group will grow spiritually. As a church that aspires to be united in our prayer life, each group will incorporate a time for devotions and or study to their meeting time. (Materials for devotions are provided by the church as requested.)
Life Groups are a place to connect through relationships with one another and Christ Jesus. They are for shared experiences – through conversation – through support/celebration – through reading/study/discerning hard topics – through activities, fun, events, work, and service — through life & living life together!
Consider joining (or leading) a Life Group today!
For more information on Life Groups or to sign up contact Ellen Wadding at Ellen@indfumc.org or 961-5317, ext. 213