Jeremy L. Berg

This week we’re kicking off MainStreet LifeGroups.  Most churches over the past couple decades (especially) have realized the need to move people beyond the Sunday morning worship service and into deeper fellowship.  Small Groups have been the answer.

Unfortunately, even while Small Groups have become a regular item on every church’s program offerings, and leaders have tried their best to prod people into such groups, small groups are still viewed by most as a secondary option in addition to ‘the main thing’ — the Sunday worship service.

At MainStreet, we are being intentional to flip this around, and insist that home-based LifeGroups — doing life together with a dozen other people —  is the main thing, and any larger corporate worship gatherings are icing on the cake.  (STORM Faith Community is another great example of this model.) This is not a new idea or model; its the ancient practice of the first Christians.

As I mentioned in the previous post, this comes from our conviction that Acts 2:42-47 paints a picture of the true essence of ‘church.’ As our LifeGroups start meeting in homes, we’re exploring the key elements of Christian Fellowship found in this passage that describes the earliest church’s life together.  I’ve identified 15 elements in this thick passage that we want to characterize our LifeGroup gatherings.  They are:

“All the believers devoted themselves to (1) the apostles’ teaching, and to (2) fellowship, and to (3) sharing in meals (including (4) the Lord’s Supper), and to (5) prayer. A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many (6) miraculous signs and wonders. And all the believers met together in one place and (7) shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and (8) shared the money with those in need. They (9) worshiped together at the Temple each day, (10) met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with (11) great joy and generosity—all the while (12) praising God and (13) enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And (14) each day the Lord added to their fellowship (15) those who were being saved.”

Discussion: Discuss the significance of each element below asking: How might we incorporate these into our gatherings? Which elements excite you most?  Which make you a bit uncomfortable?  Which of these have you experienced most in your church background?  Which have been lacking in your own church experience?  Why?

1. Bible Study: ______________________________________________________
2. Authentic relationships/community: ___________________________________
3. Sharing meals: ____________________________________________________
4. Celebrating the Lord’s Supper: _______________________________________
5. Prayer: __________________________________________________________
6. Miraculous signs and wonders: _______________________________________
7. Sharing possessions: _______________________________________________
8. Sharing money with those in need: ____________________________________
9. Gather with larger church for corporate worship: _________________________
10. Gather in homes: __________________________________________________
11. Joy-filled and generous atmosphere: __________________________________
12. God at the center of everything: _____________________________________
13. Positively Impact those outside the church: ____________________________
14. Groups growing and multiplying: _____________________________________
15. New Believers/conversion: __________________________________________