CCPSL LIFEGROUPS

WhatisaLifeGroup?

ALife Group is a community where life change occurs through authentic Christ-centered relationships.

Godcreatedusforrelationships.Hesaid,“It’snotgoodformantobealone.” That’swhywe’rebettertogether.

EveryLife Group is made up of people from different backgrounds, incomes, and views aboutlifeand God.That’swhyaLife Groupmustbeasafeplace where people feel welcomedandaccepted rightwheretheyareintheirlifejourney. Itmustalso be a placewherepeoplecanknowthatthethingstheysaywillnot becomepublic knowledge.Soourmantrais,“What’ssaidingroupstaysingroup!”

TheABC’sof a LifeGroup

Everyone needs to be in a Life Group in order to experience:

Accountability (1John1:7;Proverbs27:17)

Belonging (John15:12‐13)

Care (Ecclesiastes4:9‐10)

PURPOSE,VISIONMISSION

It’svitalthatLeader’sknowour PURPOSE,VISIONMISSION.

PURPOSE

Themajor,all‐encompassingpurposeofCalvary Chapel PSL is:

“Helping people become life-long followers of Jesus Christ.”

ThepurposeofaLife Groupis:

“Changinglivesthroughauthentic,Christ-centered relationships.”

Peoplearemoreopentochangeaftertheyhavebuiltrelationships. ALife Groupisaplacewherefriendshipandlife‐changecollide, bringinguscloser toJesusChrist.

VISION

OurVisionanswersthequestion,“WHYWEAREHERE?”

Weseeeveryperson,fromthecoreofourchurchtotheconstantlygrowing community,connectedinahealthyLife Group.

“Youcandevelopahealthy,robustcommunitythatlivesrightwithGodandenjoy itsresultsonlyifyoudothehardworkofgettingalongwitheachother,treatingeach otherwithdignityandhonor.” James3:18(MSG)

MISSION
OurMissionanswersthequestion, “WHATDOWEDO?”

Ourmissionistoassimilate as many people as possible into life groups in order for them to becometransformedbelieverswhoare fullydevotedfollowersof Christ.

Philosophy
  • WewillgrowLARGERandSMALLERatthesametime.
  • Therearenoclosedgroups.NewpeopleareALWAYSwelcomeinyourgroup.
Strategy

Wewillhave aGroup Link Sunday 2times per year, thebeginningofAugust,and thebeginningofJanuary.

Ourgroupswill meetduring the Fall(September) and Spring(February) semesters.

Weencouragegroupstotakeintentionalbreaksduring the winterandsummer.

Sinceeverygroupisnotafitforeveryperson,thismakesforagoodon/off‐ramptotryoutanewgroup.

DuringeachSemester:

  • ThefirstnightisCovenantNighttogooverthegroupexpectations
  • EachgroupshouldparticipateinaServiceProjectonceasemester
  • Eachgroupshouldhaveat least onePartyNightduringthesemester
  • EachgroupisencouragedtocelebrateCommunion togetheronce during thesemester
Structure

EachgroupshouldhaveaLeader(s)andaCo‐Leader(s)whoisbeingcoachedto eventuallyleadanewgroup. Thesecouldbeasinglepersonoramarriedcouple.

StartingNewGroups

OurLeadersshouldbeintentionalaboutidentifyingandraisingupnewleadersto startnewgroupsfornewpeople,andsendingoutleadersratherthanthinkingin termsofdividingentiregroups.Sincewewanttodevelopstrong relationships, groups arefreeto staytogetheracrossmultiplesemesters.Youshouldhavea goal ofsendingoutanewleaderatleastonceayear.

GroupLinkDay

WewillhaveaGroup Link followingournormalservicestwo timesayear,before eachactivesemester.Onthosedays,group leadersneedtohaveamaptothe firstmeeting location,bestcontactphonenumber,beste‐mail,andbe sure to collectprospect’scontact information.Followupwithaphonecallassoonas possible(THATDAY!). The grouplinkisNOTacompetition.Itisatimetolet others knowaboutyourgroup, meetpeopleandstarttodeveloprelationships.

The5W’s:WhatDoWeDoDuringLife Group?

1.Welcome(fromthetimethefirstpersonarrivesuntil15minutesafterstart time)StartyourLife Groupwithatimeoffellowship. Havesomefoodavailable.Most groups assignsomeonetohandlethefoodandtheysetupascheduleforpeople tobringfoodatdifferenttimes.Thisfellowshiptimeisforpeopletoconnectand talkaboutwhatisgoingontheirlives.Thisisoneofthemostimportantpartsofthegroupbecauseitbuildsrelationships.Ifyouskipthispartofthegroupyouwon’thaveagroupforlong.

2.Worship(10minutes)

Atthispoint,haveeveryonecomeintotheareaofthehomewherethemeeting willtakeplace.Shareprayerrequestsandtestimoniesaboutwhathasbeen goingoninyourlives.SharepraisesofhowGodhasansweredpastprayer requests. Youmay evenwanttosingalongifsomeoneisabletoleadasong. Beginwithaprayer offering atthistimetoGod.

3.Word(30 minutes)

Thenextpartofthemeetingisdedicatedtothestudyanddiscussionofthe curriculum chosen by the leader(s).

Toimprovethequalityofthediscussion,werecommendthateveryonecomes with theiranswerstothestudyquestionsalreadyfilledout.Thistimeisnotjust about information,buttransformation.

4.Witness(5minutes)

Strategizeaboutsharingthegoodnewswithothers.Thisistimetotalkabout andprayforthoseyourgroupisreachingoutto.It’salsothetimetoplanyour service projectandwellasprepareforyourgroup’sinvolvementinchurch‐wide outreach projects.

5.Wrap‐Up(15 minutes)

Careforeachotherbyhavingaclosingtimeofprayer.Youcouldevenbreak intosmallergroups.Ifyouaskeveryonetousesentenceprayers(oneperson prayingforjustoneitematatime)thislimitsthelong‐windeddominatorand helpsthosewhoarenewormoreintrovertedtoprayoutloudmuchmoreeasily.Of course,ifsomeone doesn’twanttopray,theydon’thaveto. Keeptrackof these andbe sureto celebrate allthatGoddoes!Afterprayer,mostgroupshave some dessertand socialize before everyoneheads home.

LEADEREXPECTATIONS
PRAY
  • PraydailyforeveryoneinyourLife GroupandforyourGroupmeeting
  • PrayforyourLife Group’sleadershipregularly
INVITE
  • EncourageyourLife Grouptoinvitefamily,friends,co‐workers,and neighbors (leadbyexample)
  • FollowupwithguestsasreportedtoyouandinvitethemtoyourLife Group
PREPARE
  • SpenddailytimeintheBible
  • PrepareforLife Groupeachweekbycompletingtheprep workfortheweek

and adapting thequestionstomeetyourGroup’sneeds

MENTOR
  • IdentifypotentialleadersfromwithinyourGroup
  • Givepotentialleadersopportunitiesforon‐the‐jobtraining
  • Sendtrainedleadersouttostartanewgroupwhentheyareequipped
CONNECT
  • PlanaPartyNight at least one time per semester
  • HavefunwithyourLife Groupasoftenaspossibleoutsideofthemeeting
MINISTER
  • MobilizeyourLife Grouptoprovidecareforgroupmemberswhenincrisisor need
  • LeadyourLife Grouptocelebratecommuniontogetheronceeach semester
  • Plan1ServiceProjectper semester foryourLife Group
GROW
  • Makeregular church attendanceapriority
  • AttendLeaderTrainingevents
COMMUNICATE
  • Call/E‐mailpeopleeachweektoencouragethemandremindthemabout Group
  • ReadregularLifeGroupE‐mailsandrespondwhennecessary
  • Utilizeongoingpastoral supportby staying in contact with the Life Group Pastor and/or Groups Administrator
SERVING OPPORTUNITIES

EachLife Grouphasagoalof100%participationinachurchministrybyits members.Servanthood changeslivesandnothinghelpsthatprocessmorethan selflessly servingGod.Oneofthefastestwaystoconnectasagroupandgrow togetheristoservetogetherinthetrenches.That’swhereyourrealselfcomes outmostclearly.Asaleader,youarecalledtogeteverypersoninyourgroup servinginaministryatCCPSL.Somegroupsjoinaministryteamtogether.

WHEREDOWEMEET?

YourGroupcanmeetat any location that is suitable for you’re group.This first optionistomeetintheLeader’shome.AsaLeader,youmightfindithelpfulto encouragesomeoneelseinyourgrouptoopentheirhomesoyoucanfocuson otherresponsibilities.Anotheroptionistorotatehomesamongyourgroup members whoarewillingtoopentheirhomes.Questionstoconsiderwhen openingyour homeare:

Ismyhousereasonablycleaned?

DoIhaveenoughplacesforpeopletosit?

Ifso,you’vegottherightplaceforagreatgroupexperience!

CHILDCARE:WhatabouttheKids?

ChildcareisaBIGchallengeforgroups.Herearesomeideasoptionsthat groups canuse:

  • Hireababysitterandsplitthecostamongthegroup.
  • Rotatethechildcareamongthegroupmembers.

Somegroupsprefertosimplytaketurnswatchingthekids.Thiscanbedoneata separatehouseeachweek,orinadifferentroomatthesamehomethatgroup isbeingheldin. Oneproblemtobepreparedforwiththismethodiswhenpeople skip their turn.Ifthegroupssystemforchildcareistotaketurns,everyone has to participateFULLY.Iffullparticipationisnotrequired,thechildcareresponsibilities inevitably fallontheshouldersofoneortwopeople.

  • TradechildcarewithanotherLife Groupmeetingonadifferentnight.

Findanothergroupandwatchtheirkidsinexchangeforthesameservice.You can evenpairupfamily-to-family,whichworksoutsothatnoonefamilyfromthe other grouphastowatch28kidsonceaweek.

  • Grandparents!
  • Everyonetakescareofhis or herownchildcareneeds.
  • Host a group where children are welcome
CHALLENGES

Anytimeyoubringtogetheragroupofpeoplefromdifferentbackgroundsand experiences,youwillhaveconflict.Lifeisfullofproblems.Asyou“dolife together,”youwillhaveissuestodealwith.Infact,ifyouareneverdealingwithanyproblemsthenyouprobablyhavenotcreatedasafeplaceforpeopletotalkabouttheirproblems.Differentpersonalitieswillclashatsomepoint.Anticipating theseissueswillhelptoprepareyouforhowtohandletheseinapositive manner.

THEESSENTIALS

OurLife Groupsencouragefreediscussionofbeliefsideasregardingthe Bibleand itsteachings.Whileitisunderstandablethatnoteveryoneisatthe sameplaceinthedevelopmentoftheirbeliefs,the following Essentialsrepresent thenon‐negotiable doctrines of Calvary Chapel PSL.Wewantour leadersto haveagoodunderstanding of these Essentials tohelpguidethediscussions tothetruthofthese Biblical statements.Andremember:ifyoudon’tknowthe answertoaquestion,it’salwaysbesttorespond,“Idon’tknow,butwe’llfindouttogether.”

God

GodistheCreatorandRuleroftheuniverse.Hehaseternallyexistedinthree personalities:theFather,theSon,andtheHolySpirit.Thesethreeareco‐equaland areoneGod.

Genesis1:1,26,27;3:22;Psalm90:2;Matthew28:19;IPeter1:2; IICorinthians13:14

Man

ManismadeinthespiritualimageofGod,tobelikeHimincharacter.Heisthe supremeobjectofGod’screation.Althoughmanhastremendouspotentialfor good,heismarredbyanattitudeofdisobediencetowardGodcalledsin.Sin separates man fromGod.

Genesis1:27;Psalm8:3‐6;Isaiah53:6a;Romans3:23;Isaiah59:1‐2

Eternity

Manwascreatedtoexistforever.Hewilleitherexisteternallyseparatedfrom God bysin,orinunionwithGod,throughforgivenessandsalvation.Tobe eternallyseparatedfromGodisHell.TobeeternallyinunionwithHimiseternal life.HeavenandHellareplacesofeternalexistence.

John3:16;IJohn2:255:11‐13;Romans6:23;Revelation20:15

JesusChrist

JesusChrististheSonofGod.Heisco‐equalwiththeFather.Jesusliveda sinlesshumanlifeandofferedHimselfastheperfectsacrificeforthesinsofall menby dyingonacross.Herosefromthedeadafterthreedaysto demonstrateHis power oversinanddeath.HeascendedtoHeaven’s gloryand willreturnagaintoearthto reignasKingofKingsandLordofLords.

Matthew1:22‐23;Isaiah9:6;John1:1‐514:10‐30;Hebrews4:14‐15;I Corinthians15:3‐4;Romans1:3‐4;Acts1:9‐11;ITimothy6:14‐15;Titus2:13

Salvation

SalvationisagiftfromGodtoman.Mancannevermakeupforhissinby self‐improvementorgoodworks.OnlybytrustinginJesusChristasGod’soffer offorgiveness canmanbesavedfromsin’spenalty.Eternallifebeginsthe momentonereceives JesusChristintohislifebyfaith.

Romans6:23;Ephesians2:8‐9;John14:61:12;Titus3:5;Galatians3:26; Romans5:1

EternalSecurity

BecauseGodgivesmaneternallifethroughJesusChrist,thebelieverissecure in thatsalvationforeternity.Salvationismaintainedbythegraceandpowerof God, notbytheself‐effortoftheChristian.Itisthegraceandkeepingpowerof Godthat givesthissecurity.

John10:29;IITimothy1:12;Hebrews7:2510:10‐14;IPeter1:3‐59

TheHolySpirit

TheHolySpiritisequalwiththeFatherandtheSonasGod.Heispresentinthe worldtomakemenawareoftheirneedforJesusChrist.Healsolivesinevery Christianfromthemomentofsalvation.HeprovidestheChristianwithpowerfor living,understandingofspiritualtruth,andguidanceindoingwhatisright.The ChristianseekstoliveunderHiscontroldaily.

IICorinthians3:17;John16:7‐1314:16‐17;Acts1:8;ICorinthians2:123:16;Ephesians1:13;Galatians5:25;Ephesians5:18

TheBible

TheBibleisGod’sWordtoallmen.Human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit wrote it.Itisthesupremesourceoftruthfor Christian beliefsandliving.Because God inspired it,itistruthwithoutany mixtureoferror.

IITimothy3:16;IIPeter1:20‐21;IITimothy1:13;Psalm119:105,16012:6; Proverbs30:5

LEADERINFORMATION/APPLICATION

Name:______

Address:______City:______State:______Zip:______CellPhone:______Email:______

1.HowandwhendidyoucommityourlifetoJesusChrist?

2.HowlonghaveyouattendedCCPSL?Wheredidyouattend church before?Howlong?

3.WhydoyouwanttoleadaLife Group?

4.Arethereareasofstrugglethatyouneedtodealwithbefore steppingintothisleadershiprole?

  • Currenthabitualstrugglesormoralissues(anaddiction, cohabitation,asexualrelationshipoutsideofmarriage,etc.)
  • Currentmaritalstruggles(infidelity,separation,divorceinprocess, etc.)

Ifanyofthesearegoingoninyourlife,wewouldliketoknowsothat wecanhelpyou.Itmightbespirituallydangerousforyouandothers foryoutoleadagroupbeforeyoudealwiththisissue.

5.GroupMeetingSpecifics:

DayoftheWeek:______TimeofDay:______

TypeofGroup: AnybodyCouplesSingles Young Adults WomenonlyMenonlyOther______

QUALIFICATIONS
  • Hasattended CCPSL for a minimum of 6 months
  • Hasattended Getting To Know Calvary and signed the Membership Covenant.
  • HascompletedLeaderTrainingandagreestotheLeader Covenant.
  • SupportsCCPSL StatementofFaith(TheEssentials) withoutany reservationoraddition.

COVENANT

  • Iwillcommit,tomybesteffort,tolivinganexcellentChristian lifestyle whilefullysupportingtheChurch’sleadership and Essential doctrinalstatements.
  • Iwillcommittolearningandgrowingthroughmydailytimewith theLordandothercoaching/trainingopportunitiesprovidedby CCPSL.
  • IwillcommittotheGroupLeaderExpectationsandRequirements.
  • IwillcommittoreadingandparticipatinginallGroupLeader communications(e‐mails)andtrainings.

GROUPLEADER:“IagreewiththeLeaderGuidelinesandcommit totheLEADERCOVENANT”

Signature:______Date:______

Print:______

Initial:______

*Myinitialsgivemypermissiontohavemypersonaladdress, phonenumber ande‐mailpublishedininserts and/or on for the purpose of promoting my group.

Life GroupCovenant

Thiscovenantisreviewedandsignedatthebeginningofeach semester byallgroups.

Leader(s)______Phone#______

Co‐Leader(s)______Phone#______

Thiscovenantwillhelpusdiscussandclarifyourgoals,expectations, andcommitmentsasagroup.Sincehealthygroupsthriveontrust and participation,aclearcovenantisanimportantstartingpoint towarda successfulgroupexperience.

OurPurpose

Life Groupsexisttofacilitatechanginglivesthroughauthentic,Christ-centered relationships. (seeHebrews10:24–25;Romans8:29).

Sharing

Eachweek,wewilltaketimetosharewhatishappeninginourlives.Atfirstthissharingwillincludesomeplanned“sharingquestions.” After thefirstfewweeks,itwillbecomemoreinformalandpersonal, as our group feels safer and more comfortable.

Study

Eachweekwe’llstudyaportionofGod’s Wordthatrelatestothe curriculum we have chosen.Ourgoalistolearnhowtoapplyand liveout ourChristianityinourday‐to‐dayexperiences and relationships.

Support

Eachweek,we’lllearnhowtotakecareofoneanotherasChrist commanded(seeJohn15:9–13).Thiscarewilltakemanyforms, suchas praying,listening,meetingneeds,andencouragingand evenchallengingoneanotherasneeded.

FiveMarksofaHealthyGroup

ForourLife Grouptobehealthy,weneedto:

1.Focusonfellowship asatoppriority(Acts 2:42-47)

2.AcceptoneanotherinlovejustasChristhasacceptedus (Romans15:7)

3.Takecareofoneanotherinlovewithoutcrossingoverthelineinto

parentingortakinginappropriateresponsibilityforsolvingthe problemsofothers(John13:34)

4.Treatoneanotherwithrespectinbothspeechandaction (Ephesians4:25–5:2)

5.Keepourcommitmentstothegroup: includingattendingregularly, doingtheprepwork,andkeeping confidenceswheneverrequested (Psalm15:1–2,4b).

GuidelinesandCovenant

1.Dates

We’llmeeton______nightsfor______weeks. Ourfinalmeetingofthesemester willbeon______.

2.Time

We’llarrivebetween______and______and beginthe meeting at______.

3.Attendance

JoiningaLifeGrouprequiresacommitmenttomakegroup attendancea priorityinyourschedule. IfIamsick,onvacation,have awork conflictoranotherspecialevent;Iwillcontactthe group leader toletthemknowIwon’tbeabletomakeit.This commitmentiskeyto a healthygroup.

4. Curriculum

The Curriculum we will be using is ______

5.Prepwork

I will prepare for Life Group by reading all of the assigned material and answering all of the assigned questions.

6.Childcare

Ourchildcareplanis:______

*Nursingnewbornsarewelcome,providedtheyarenotadistraction to thegroup.

7.Prayer

Ourgroupwillbeprayingeachweekforoneanother’s prayer requests.

8.ServiceProject

Wewillservetogetherthissemester by: ______

WeagreetogetherinChristtohonorthiscovenant.(Tobedecided on andsignedbyeachgroupmemberonorbeforethe thirdweek.)

1.______

2.______

3.______

4.______

5.______

6.______

7.______

8.______

9.______

10.______

11.______

12.______