What are CARE groups?
They are small groups of believers usually ranging from 3-12 people who regularly meet together with the Lord in homes or other locations for fellowship, and to spiritually build each other up. They are committed to prayer, receiving God’s Word, building authentic and loving relationships, ministering spiritual gifts, abilities and talents, and sharing the gospel with the unsaved.
Why CARE Groups?
The idea of communing with other believers comes from God’s own pleasure and will. We learn from Ephesians 1 that He planned the Body of Christ before the earth was formed. He chose us for fellowship with Him.
He also designed us forfellowshipwith other Christians. I John 1:3says, “that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.”
The New Testament word for fellowship is koinonia, which means communion or intimate communication. God has designed us to share in common our life in Jesus Christ. God has not left us to live out our Christian lives in isolation or in an individualistic fashion.
A small group is also a natural context in which Christians can function closely with each other and edify one another, and it is plainly Biblical. Throughout scripture we see many examples of God’s people meeting together in small groups. Good examples are Jesus and his 12 disciples, and the early church, which often met in homes for fellowship, for prayer, for mutual care, the exercise of spiritual gifts, for receiving God’s Word, and testifying Christ to their world.
As Christians let us not assume that we can maintain our fellowship and build each other up spiritually by attending a worship service. We need to become involved in a small group for it is the context in which we can realize our place in the Body of Christ to build biblical relationships and a spiritually vibrant community life. As members of His Body let us grow up in Him to maturity, make more followers and accomplish what we could never hope to accomplish alone.
In Hebrews 10: 24-25 we are exhorted: “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
How can I get started in a group?
* Indicate your interest on a Connections Card and place it in the offering plate or at the Information Desk
* Drop by Connections Café and give them your name and number