CARE GROUPS
IDENTIFYING SCRIPTURE:
“And all those who had believed were all together, and had all things in common.”
PURPOSE STATEMENT:
Care groups exist to connect Christians to one another so that no one stands alone in the church.
Care Group Definition: A care group may consist of couples, single adults, men only, women only, children (with an adult leader), adults and children, teens, individuals with a common need, or any such combination.
Areas of responsibility:
1. A care group is a weekly gathering of 8 to 12 participants who meet together to provide one another with Christ-centered love, biblical education, meaningful fellowship, and mutual accountability. This is done through Bible study, prayer, song, encouragement, group discussion, application, and sharing refreshments/meal together.
2. Care for one another by tending to the physical, emotional, and physical needs of group members. This is done through:
a) Providing meals during sickness or surgery for group members.
b) Visiting a group member who is in the hospital or rehabilitation facility.
c) Tending to the physical needs of a group member such as a needed work project at the home of a member of the group.
d) Focused prayer for those struggling with a certain area of life
3. To lead the unsaved people to salvation in Christ. This is done through the “empty chair” reminder that group members should invite an unsaved friend to attend the group.
4. Train up new group leaders as those in the group mature in Christ (Rom. 8:29) and participate in leading their group as an assistant to the group leader.
5. Birth other groups when the group becomes full or crowded so that more people can be added to the overall care group ministry.
6. Participate in service projects in the church (feeding the homeless) or church community or community of the group meeting.