Why Home Groups?

Weekly Update – September 1st, 2022

Last fall, in our series titled, “Why Church?”, we asked a number of questions, such as: Why Gather?, Why Pray? and Why Evangelize? One of the questions that we did not ask is, “Why Home Groups?” Since the summer of 2018 our church has held home groups, but when Covid came, with the exception of one that began meeting virtually, we paused meeting together in smaller groups outside the walls of the church. Well, this summer we revived that ministry. We had two home groups and we plan to continue this ministry through the fall this year, but as we do, let me try to answer for you, why?

First, the reason why we as a church prioritize home groups is because they are avenues of care. In 1 Thessalonians 2:7, Paul says that he became like a “nursing mother” who took care of her own children. In other words, he devoted his life to the Thessalonians by giving himself to them because of the love he had for them. The idea here is that Paul let the Thessalonians into his life, sharing with them hardships and struggles, as well as joy and triumphs, where he turned his life upside down for them. Because of this type of relationship, the gospel flourished. In our home groups, we want there to be an atmosphere where those who are committed to meeting with you are there to encourage and build you up, as they share their lives with you.

Second, we prioritize home groups because they are avenues of discipleship. In 1 Thessalonians 2:11, Paul says that he became like a father with his children. In other words, verse 12, he exhorted, encouraged, and charged the Thessalonians to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord. What this looks like are relationships formed that live side by side with others, as we keep each other from error, push each other away from sin and encourage each other to see God instead of ourselves as our true hope and desire in all things. On our own, we run the risk of giving into the demands and pressures of this world, but together, we help one another endure until the end.

Third, we prioritize home groups because they are avenues of witness. As we care and disciple one another, we do so ultimately for a purpose. That purpose is to be a witness to an unbelieving world. In 1 Thessalonians 1:6, the Thessalonians had become imitators of Paul and his partners, so much so that in 1:8, the Thessalonian’s faith had gone forth everywhere. In other words, their lives together were a display of God’s kingdom and glory (2:12). We gather as a whole together, for the hearing of God’s word proclaimed, allowing ourselves to be united together under the banner of Christ, but when we gather in smaller groups, we also show our unity in the application of God’s word through caring and discipling one another.

We have two home groups available this fall. One at the Nelson house and one at the Hutchison house. My hope is that like this past summer, these homes will be filled with those committed to one another in deep and godly friendship with lives lived that care and disciple one another, ultimately showing a witness of the God we serve.

Serving Him with You,
Pastor Michael Nelson