Home Groups

What is a Home Group?  A Home Group is a small gathering of people that come together on a regular basis to love each other and encourage one another to live out our faith.  The groups meet in homes throughout the city on different days and at different times to accommodate different schedules. 

The purpose of Home Groups at Living Grace is to provide a context in which those who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ can continue to grow in spiritual maturity (Col. 1:28, Eph. 4:13-15).  We believe that Home Groups are one of the most effective ways for Christians in our body to experience spiritual growth in the following areas:

1).  Growth in our love for and knowledge of God’s Word – The primary focus of our home groups is to study God’s Word on a deeper level as we work through a sermon-based study together and challenge one another in the application of what we have learned (Psalm 119:9-16). 

2).  Growth in our love for each other as brothers and sisters in Christ - Home Groups provide a context for us to live life together, to serve one another and meet the needs of those in the group (Acts 2:42-47, Rom. 12:9-13), to rejoice with those who rejoice and mourn with those who mourn (1 Cor. 12:21-26).  They also provide an environment for relationships to be established in which true accountability, correction, and encouragement can take place (Ecc. 4:9-12, Heb. 10:24-25).

3).  Growth in our love for the lost around us and our desire to reach them with the gospel - Home Groups are an ideal context in which people can work together to proclaim the gospel to those around us (Acts 1:8, Matt. 28:19-20), to invite new people in, and to serve the world as Jesus did (Matt. 20:28).

Although these areas of growth can, in some measure, be accomplished on an individual level, the Bible consistently underscores the necessity and effectiveness of experiencing this type of growth while in relationship with other believers.  As Hebrews 10:24-25 says, “And let us consider how to stir one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”  Home Groups at Living Grace are not simply a social get together, they are gatherings intended to serve the Biblical purpose of encouraging spiritual growth as we stir one another on toward love and good works.

This is the model for Home Groups at Living Grace Church.  We long to be a family of believers who truly love and serve one another in Christ likeness.  If you would like to join a Home Group please notify Billy Freels at (661) 665-0968 or billyf@livinggracebakersfield.com.