Top 7 Reasons
1. Doing LifeGroups in homes follows the model of the early church. The early church was incredibly fruitful and effective. Thousands of people came to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, discovered how to live more like Christ and many additional needs were met.
Acts 2:43-47
New International Version (NIV)
43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 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, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
Acts 5:42
New International Version (NIV)
42 Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.
Acts 20:20
New International Version (NIV)
20 You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house.
2. Doing LifeGroups in homes allows our ministry to strengthen our partnership with parents and families. Many more individuals will be empowered to “be the church” as they utilize their spiritual gifts of hospitality, administration, and leadership.
Ephesians 4:15-16
New Living Translation (NLT)
15 Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. 16 He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.
3. Doing LifeGroups in homes removes all potential growth barriers in regards to space and budget. Our goal is always to reach more and more students in this generation with the Gospel. As we grow numerically, we will not be able to accommodate all groups on campus. To do so would require additional meeting space. Additional meeting space requires capital.
4. Doing LifeGroups in homes is by nature more evangelistic and helps us to fulfill the Great Commission. There are some individuals who might never feel comfortable coming to church for service or even an event, but they would feel comfortable meeting at someone’s home with friends from their school or neighborhood. The church cannot stay contained within the walls of its buildings. To fulfill the Great Commission we must “GO”.
Matthew 28:16-20
New Living Translation (NLT)
16 Then the eleven disciples left for Galilee, going to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him—but some of them doubted! 18 Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations,[a] baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
5. Doing LIfeGroups in homes builds community in an environment that is safe, friendly, and comfortable for students. Being in a more relaxed environment will allow students to open up more freely and form more authentic friendships. When LifeGroups meet in homes, it feels like family.
6. Doing LIfeGroups in homes sends a clear message that our Christian walk is not just something we do Sundays at church. We are ambassadors of Christ in our homes, in our schools, and in our communities. After we gather at church for corporate worship and sound Biblical teaching, we make every effort to live that out in our daily lives.
James 1:22-24
The Message (MSG)
22-24Don't fool yourself into thinking that you are a listener when you are anything but, letting the Word go in one ear and out the other. Act on what you hear! Those who hear and don't act are like those who glance in the mirror, walk away, and two minutes later have no idea who they are, what they look like.
7. Doing LIfeGroups in homes keeps ministry local and cuts down on the commute students must make to participate. We believe this will make LifeGroup more do-able for families who live greater distance from our church campus and enable more students to participate.