LIFE GROUPS

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GROUPS

FAQS

JOIN A LIFE GROUP

LEAD A LIFE GROUP

Interested in leading a Life Group?

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What is a Life Group?

Life Groups (LGs) are the discipleship environment at Bay Area that follows Jesus’ method of making disciple-makers. Each LG journeys with 3-6 people to grow spiritually together to become more like Jesus and help others to do the same.

The LG discipleship process invests in the lives of a few with the goal of imparting one’s life, God’s Word, and the gospel in order to become more like Jesus and help others do the same. (See Matt. 28:18-20; Mark 3:14; 1 Thess. 2:8; 1 Cor. 11:1; Col. 1:28; 2 Tim. 2:2) 

What is the vision for Life Groups? 

Our desire for LGs is that God would start a discipleship movement at Bay Area where more and more disciples are following Jesus, being changed by Jesus, and on mission with Jesus. We hope that LGs become the primary environment for making disciple-makers to the fourth generation and beyond. Currently, we have reached the third generation of multiplication.

How is a Life Group different than a Community Group or a Bible Study?

God uses all three of these groups to help disciples grow at Bay Area. You have some great options to prayerfully consider. Here are some helpful descriptors to better understand the differences between the three options.

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FAQS

What does discipleship look like in a Life Group?
Life Groups meet in small groups of three to six people. Each group has a leader who has a desire to develop a safe community where members can be known, loved, and care for each other. This community helps one another know God through His Word, become more like Jesus, and become equipped to help others to do the same.
What is the time commitment?
Groups typically meet for about 90 minutes to two hours, and it takes about one to two hours to go through the curriculum on your own each week. Because discipleship is relational, leaders will also meet with group members one-on-one on occasion, and groups may decide to get together informally for fellowship or to serve together.

We ask each member to commit to 10 months and be open to journey with the group until they are ready to lead their own LG. That usually takes 2-3 years.
What curriculum will we use?
Our groups follow the Discipleship Guide, which covers a wide range of fundamental issues, such as Spiritual Living, Relationships, Conflict Resolution, Global Missions, Generosity, and Biblical Worldview. Each lesson includes these key elements: Truth, Equipping, Accountability, Mission, and Supplication (T.E.A.M.S.©).
When and where do LGs meet?
The discipleship year typically follows the school year calendar (September – June), with a few months off each summer. Groups meet formally once a week at various times, either in the morning or in the evening, based on what works best for each group. They generally meet for 90 minutes to two hours. Groups usually meet offsite from the Annapolis Campus.
Is childcare available?
Not yet. We hope to offer childcare in the future and are currently exploring how to do so.
When I can expect to hear from a leader?
It is most likely you will hear from a leader between May and August as that is when most leaders are ready to form their groups or add to current groups. We still encourage you to fill out your interest form as early as possible because we will start connecting people as soon as leaders are ready to reach out. Please contact us anytime if you would like to know where we are in the process. We are happy to talk with you.
What if it doesn’t work out with the leader who contacts me?
This might happen for a variety of reasons. It could be that your schedules didn’t coordinate or that the group wasn’t a fit for your stage of life. We will do our best to connect you to another leader. Contact us if you have questions during the process.

Ready to join a Life Group?

Fill out the interest form below. 

The form lets us know a little about you, which helps us connect you to a leader.
fill out interest form

Wait to hear from a staff member or leader.

We do not assign groups. We will introduce you to a leader who is forming a new group or has space in a current group. In the event we don’t have current openings our staff will help you find a Community Group or Bible Study option while you wait for a Life Group opening. LGs start in September.

Meet with a leader face-to-face.

This gives you both an opportunity to get to know one another. You can find out more about the leader's group and she/he can learn what you are looking for in a group as well.

Pray and decide.

After meeting with a leader, please take time to think and pray about whether to commit to the group then let the leader know your decision.

Interested in leading a Life Group?

Fill out the interest form below. The form lets us know a little about you, which helps us connect you to a leader.
fill out interest form

We hope you join Jesus’ worldwide movement of making passionate, maturing followers of Jesus from here to the nations!