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Thoughts on small groups

"My small group has given me a place to belong, and people that care about me!"

"Sometimes I find it hard to keep in the Word. I know I need to rely on it everyday but life just gets in the way. My small group keeps me accountable and on track."

"I love doing things with [my small group]! They are the people I most trust and the ones I know that I can count on no matter what."

"My High-Life small group leaders are awesome! It's great to know that some adults really care about me and want me to succeed in everything I do."

"Our Wilberforce group gives me a safe place to talk about some stuff I normally wouldn't share. The surprising thing is that even when I think that I am so bad, I am supported by a bunch of guys that know exactly what I am going through and many that have been there too."

High-Life Small Groups

Small groups are the heart of High-Life Ministries and essential to fostering the depth of relationship we desire as a High-Life community. There is no better dynamic for personal growth than life on life interaction. It is our aim that every student who enters our Lodge becomes connected to a small group and stays committed throughout their High School career. The goal of High-Life small groups is to produce self-sustaining, reproducing, fully devoted followers of Christ who become less dependent on programs for their faith and more dependent on Christ. Over the years we have found that students who invest in a small group during high school move forward from our ministry as mature believers, able to grow in their relationship with Christ and bring others along with them.

3 Elements of Youth Small Groups

“We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.” (Col.1:28)

Discipleship: Our Relationship to Christ

Why? “Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching ... Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into Him who is the head, that is, Christ.” (Eph 4:14a-15)

“You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.“ (2 Timothy 2:1-2)

What is it? Being a fully devoted follower of Christ under the care and instruction of a seasoned disciple in connection with other followers of Christ.

How? Each member seeking to model lives in surrender to Christ and seeking to flesh out the following core values: Ministry of Word, Ministry of Presence, Ministry of Prayer, and the Ministry of Mercy.

Fellowship: Our Relationship to One Another

Why? “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another, — and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” (Heb 10:24-25)

What is it? A partnership of walking through life together.

How? Being there for one another, in good times and bad times. Helping each other in temptation and restoring each other when we fall. Spending time with each other outside the church setting (camping, bowling, skiing, serving, movies, etc). More than that, living the fullness of life Christ came to restore.

Evangelism: Our Relationship to the World

Why? “Therefore go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” (Mat 28:19-20a)

What is it? Living a life that is marked by our relationship to Christ is one of the strongest ways to advance God’s Kingdom in the lives of others.

How? By loving our friends enough to introduce them to what matters the most to us, Jesus Christ. Evangelism is a natural byproduct of our relationship with Christ. Out of a spirit of kindness, we pray for our friends with our small group.