Life Groups | doing life together

A life group is a gathering of people who meet regularly to encourage and support one another in their spiritual journey. Life Groups are a place to do life together: living, learning, eating, playing, and resting together.

Imagine a Life Group like it’s a house. Depending on which room you’re in, your conversation and activity may take many different turns. Each week you may choose to spend your time differently, varying your time between different “rooms”. Each room represents a different aspect of group life. By giving attention to each room, we can experience a healthy mix of relationship, refreshment and study.

Intentionally creating space for community and nurturing spiritual friendship provides a healthy context in which we learn and grow together and in our walk with God.

Who will walk with you?

The Life Group floorplan (see below) illustrates for us that just as all of life doesn’t occur in one place, our journey doesn’t begin and end on Sunday morning. Instead, it’s a process that continues beyond the walls of the church building in each place we go, or in each room we enter – and the possibilities are endless.

As you can see, doing life together through Life Groups is part of a holistic expression of community. While the activities of one room may interest one individual more than another, it’s important to “live” in all the rooms of the home, experiencing the many dynamics of authentic community and sharing the journey through life and faith with others.

How do I join a Life Group?

If you would like to participate in a Life Group, please contact Pastor Kirsten. Most Life Groups begin in the fall.

The Life Group Floorplan

Front Porch – Inviting
Welcoming other people into our homes and lives is like opening ourselves to God’s adventure called human relationships.

Front Door – Checking In
We take time to greet one another and check in with how life’s going.

Living Room – Discussion & Application
Life tends to be more about questions than answers. Here we talk about what we are learning and wondering about in life.

Kitchen – Hospitality & Conversation
This is where we share food and eat together in a comfortable and welcoming environment. ‘Gathering around the table’ is something that shapes us as a community.

Studio – Creative Experiments
Practicing creativity together, regardless of skill, helps us develop attention for life around us. It can also help us process what we are learning and experiencing. Who knows what we might discover together?

Back Porch – Storytelling
Something special happens when one person shares their life story with other people in an intentional way. It’s transforming for both the storyteller and the listeners.

Backyard – Recreation
Playing and enjoying all of creation together is a great way to nurture friendships. We could go on a hike, attend a sports game, or take a road trip.

Family Room – Prayer & Worship
Talking with God as a group can help us become better listeners. Remembering who God is and what God is doing grounds us in our life together.

Den – Study
Intentionally studying the Bible or a good book is just one of the ways that we can learn and grow with each other.

Guest Room – Contemplation & Rest
Sometimes it is important to spend time together without a plan. Or, we could go on a retreat together to allow time for paying attention to God and ourselves.

Garage – Service Projects
We can take the opportunity to help other people as a group. It might be a need someone is aware of or a project that the group can join forces with.

Utility – Maintenance
Inevitably, a group has to spend some time going over details like gathering times, location, and frequency.

Thanks to Cedar Ridge Community Church for the floorplan concept.