Brian - Home Groups

Something over 50% of our church membership attend one of 11 homegroups on a regular basis. Generally, these groups vary in size from 6 to 12 attendees, some are daytime groups – suited for those not in employment – and the others in the evenings. All are Fellowship Groups where people share, pray and discuss scripture together – they are an important component of SBC life.

Please pray specifically for the group(s) you attend, and other groups known to you, that God will use these groups to teach and grow strong Christians, to provide fellowship and support to the members where there is need, and an encouragement to build relationships with neighbours and friends both inside and outside the church.

Growing Strong Christians
It is not possible to have much discussion about scripture during services in church but the forum of a homegroup provides opportunity to share views and to help each other understand and apply scripture to our lives. In so doing we grow to be more like Christ. The discussion often relates to, or follows on from, the previous Sunday’s sermons. It is important to have our own personal daily times with God and out of that we may well be able to contribute to the discussion mutually helping each other. Sharing together, then praying together in the small group is an essential part of growing to be a strong, live and active member of our fellowship.

Fellowship and Support
Each person in a group has their own family circumstances with their own problems and needs. In homegroup, by our regular participation, we get closer, understanding each other’s interests and concerns and often find ways of helping each other through difficult times. Whilst the process of Growing Strong Christians is concerned with our personal relationship with God, Fellowship and Support is more about building our personal relationships with each other. Most of our groups have social times as well – maybe, afternoon tea, lunch or and evening get together from time to time.

Outreach to Friends and Neighbours
Homegroups also are places where we can encourage and support each other with a view to interesting other people in Christian things. We all have families, neighbours, colleagues or friends and, if we are being blessed by our faith in God then we want others around us to become Christians. It is a good idea at an occasional homegroup meeting to have a time when we ask God to show us who to pray for and how to begin to build a relationship with them that may lead to them coming to faith. We can each list, say 5 people, to reach out to with a view to inviting them to church functions or even homegroups. Maybe an initial invite to share afternoon tea and a good chat – perhaps with another group member there as well.

Homegroups are for every person at SBC, not just for members, and, if you are not participating already, please ask to join a group that suits your regular timetable. The list of groups is as follows:-