Click here to download the current Home Groups Contact Sheet in PDF format.

You may be asking, “What is a home group”? A home group is a gathering that intentionally brings people face-to-face on a regular basis. Members share common goals and seek to grow together in the grace and knowledge of Christ; relationships are formed, needs are met, you are nurtured and loved by people who really care and want to see you fulfill the call of God that is on your life. Ephesians 2:19b (LB) says, you are members of God’s very own family, citizens of God’s country, and you belong in God’s household with every other Christian. You are called to belong, not just believe. The Bible says we are put together, joined together, built together, members together, heirs together, fitted together and held together and will be caught up together.**

Word of Life Christian Center is committed to the ministry of home groups. Our goal is to get as many members as possible connected to a group that will not only enhance their spiritual walk with the Lord, but will connect them to people they can build relationships with and develop and use their God-given gifts for His glory.

** Purpose Driven Life. Page 130

Home groups are:

• Modeled after the New Testament church. On the day of Pentecost 3,000 people received Peter's sermon and were added to the assembly of believers. The Bible says, "They devoted themselves…to the fellowship" and they "broke bread in their homes and ate together"
  (Acts 2:42, 46).
  
• Organized by specific areas of need. Home groups may meet for a number of reasons, such as Bible study or special projects, but fellowship and social interaction in a Christian context are legitimate ends in themselves. People come to see that the life of the church is not in the building but in their relationships with one another. Although there is a weekly celebration in the church building, significant ministry takes place in the home groups, which currently meet twice a month.
  
• Used as evangelism tools. Unchurched family and friends may be more likely to attend an informal home gathering, viewing it as less threatening than a large worship service. As relationships build, these same people may begin to accompany home group members to their church meetings. People sometimes make commitments to Christ through home group involvement, which is sometimes referred to as "side-door evangelism."
  

If you talk to anyone at Word of Life Christian Center who regularly attends a home group meeting, you'll probably hear a similar message over and over again: it's a place to get connected, to build lasting relationships, and a place to grow spiritually in a non-threatening environment.

At Word of Life, we recognize that everyone has different schedules and a variety of needs; therefore we offer several home groups with you in mind. Our greatest hope is that you will give it a try. There is no better place to grow than in a home group.

Sometimes it's difficult to get to a home group whether it means getting children off to school or bundling up little ones to come along, or attending an evening study after an eight to ten hour day at work, but most people find it is worth the effort. Give it a try - it might make a significant difference in your life.

Overview

Home Groups, sometimes called Cell groups, are like the cells in our bodies. Cells are the basic building blocks of every person. In the same way, cell groups are the basic building blocks of connecting you to Word of Life Christian Center. Cells are made to multiply and serve various functions within the body. In the same way, cell groups are designed to multiply themselves, to minister to the church, to themselves, and to people nearby.

Home groups have from 4 to 24 members; providing an intimate setting to build relationships. They meet to seek God, offer His love to one another, and serve the people around them. Since different people have different needs, we've created a variety of home groups. Each one focuses on the needs and circumstances of the different kinds of people the Lord has brought to Word of Life.

How do I get involved in a home group?

Just take a look at the attached list and find a home group that fits your interests and schedule. Then go for it! We love having new people come visit. Even if you're not sure if home groups interest you, you're under no obligation if you come...you're welcome just to try it out!

Remember that there are a number of different groups with various meeting schedules and focuses--some spend most of their time in study while others focus on prayer. If you'd like more detail, or to learn about these groups contact the Church office at 302-453-1183 or by email at wolcc@comcast.net.

Still not sure, why not try our quarterly “Get Connected” home group. Meet the leaders, hear the vision, and ask questions.

Elements of a Home Group

There are six elements, which are accepted, as basic to the life of every home group. They are not necessarily all present every time the group gathers, but are six strong and intermingling currents shaping the group’s life together.

• Worship – the group needs to see God together. Sometimes this happens through the singing of a praise song; through brief prayers of adoration; sometimes by sitting quietly before the Lord. The key is that the group focuses on God and puts the worries, pressures, and anxieties of life aside as they meet Him together.

• Evangelism – the heart of Word of Life Christian Center is the heart of Jesus, to see the lost saved. An open invitation is always extended for you to invite a friend, co-worker or family member. Homes are a safe place where people feel comfortable to ask questions. Many people are intimidated or afraid of the concept of stepping inside a “church building”, home groups provide a comfortable friendly atmosphere where people can meet Jesus.

• God’s Word – the group must see God’s perspective on how to live. Without input from the Scriptures we tend to focus on our own perspective or on human solutions, instead of God’s perspective and God’s solutions.

• Sharing – each person in the group needs an opportunity to express what God has been doing in his life and ask for prayer in specific areas of need. This sharing is stimulated by the time in the Word.

• Accountability – many times a member of the home group will say, “You know, I am having a hard time in that area. I need to be held accountable there.” He may share one or two things he wants to do to gain victory in that area. The group prays for him there, prays for him during the week, possibly calls him during the week to encourage him in that area, and asks him the next week how it went.

• Prayer – given the kind of sharing and accountability mentioned above, there is usually a lot to pray about. The prayer time, then, consists of support, believing intercession for each other in the areas of need in their lives.

Biblical Foundation for Home Groups

Acts 2:44 - "And all the believers met together constantly and shared everything they had." NLT Acts 2:46, 47 - "They worshipped together at the temple each day, met in homes for the Lord's Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity. All the while praising God and enjoying the good will of all the peoples." NLT

Acts 5:42 - "And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they kept right on teaching and preaching Jesus as Christ." NAS

Acts 20:20 - "How I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you publicly and from house to house." NAS