1. What does a Life Group do?

Our Life Group’s have three main objectives: Know God, Become Like Jesus, and Change Our World. Folks in a Life Group get together once per week for various things – some share a meal together, some use Bible Study materials, some spend time in musical worship, and some work through scriptures together. Lifegroups serve people in their network or neighbourhood that have a need. They have fun together in the form of birthday parties, BBQ’s, game day parties, movie nights, etc.

2. What do we talk about in a Life Group?

Life Groups engage in discussion in different ways. Some simply open the scriptures and read and discuss, some use a DVD or other Bible Study aid. All discussions focus around a single topic and biblical application.
 

3. Why should I join a Life Group?

There are many reasons to join a Life Group! We follow the model in Acts 2:42-47 where we see the early church getting together regularly in community to eat together, study the scriptures, serve people who are in need and have fun together. Sometimes it’s hard to feel connected in a large church. Joining a Life Group is the best way to meet other believers and apply the weekend messages to our lives. Life transformation happens in Life Groups!
 

4. Do I have to be a Christian to join a Life Group?

No. Our Life Groups are open to everyone regardless of where they are in their journey with Jesus. Feel free to come as you are and ask any questions you may have.
 

5. Do I have to attend Sauble Christian Fellowship to join a Life Group?

No. Our Life Groups are open to everyone regardless of where or if they attend church. Feel free to come as you are and ask any questions you may have. You may get more out of your Life Group experience if you also attend one of the weekend services, but it’s not a requirement.
 

6. What if I’m not “good enough” to join a Life Group?

Not a problem. Neither is anyone else in the group. We’re all imperfect, and we need Jesus and each other. We join Life Groups not because we are perfect, but because God has designed us to grow in community.
 

7. What if I don’t know very much about the Bible?

That’s one of the reasons to join. You will learn more about the scriptures and how to apply them to your life.
 

8. How do I pick the perfect group?

You can’t. There’s no such thing as the “perfect group” because Life Groups are full of people, and people aren’t perfect. Choose a Life Group that’s close to your home and fits your schedule and go from there.
 

9. What if I already have enough friends?

We would ask you three questions: Do they live geographically close to your home? Are they the kind of friends you can call at 2am when the crisis hits? And are they the kind of friends you are sharing the gospel with and learning to become more like Jesus. If the answer is no, then you need to be in a Life Group. If you do have friends like that, why not start a Life Group with them?
 

10. What if my spouse won’t go?

It’s unfortunate, but it’s NOT a deal-breaker. Just go without him or her and pray for them while you’re there! There are tons of stories of Life Groups who prayed for an absent spouse for a while and then welcomed them to the group.
 

11. Can I find specific groups for singles or couples?
Our goal is to actually build our Life Groups so that all different kinds of people (single, married, retired, with and without kids) do community together. We’ve found by research and experience that this is the best (even if not the fastest) path to authentic community. Ideally your Life Group would have a few other people in your same life situation, and also some other folks in different places in life. You may find a women’s or men’s group, and some of our groups are more family oriented than others, but our goal is authentic community with people from a variety of backgrounds. 

12. What if I tried a Life Group once and I didn’t like it?

We would challenge you to try it again. We’ve grown a lot in the last few years, so there are many new people and new features in the format. We think you’ll like it. If you don’t, give us a call, let us know why, and we’ll try to find the right group for you.
 

13. What if I get into conflict with someone in my group?

Conflict isn’t fun but happens from time to time when people do life together. If you get into a conflict with someone in your Life Group, see it as a great opportunity (as weird as that sounds). Conflict is a natural part of forming community. Use Matthew 18.15 – 17 as your guide. Go directly to the person one-on-one. If the two of you need help resolving the issue, include your group leader (and/or someone from the Life Groups Team).
 

14. What if I don’t like the Life Group I’m in now?
It’s common to feel a bit uncomfortable the first few weeks in a new group. We suggest staying in your Life Group for at least 2 – 3 meetings before making a decision to leave. If a change needs to be made, just let us know at lifegroups@saublechurch.ca

15. Are children welcome in Life Groups?

Kids definitely are an important part of community! Some of our Life Groups don’t have kids but some of them do, and those who do care for the kids differently. If you have kids, let us know and we’ll put you in a group that is open to accommodate children.
 

16. What are the requirements to start or lead a Life Group?
A Life Group has a few leadership roles: a Leader to lead the discussion each week and act as point person for the group, a Co-Leader to share the facilitating responsibilities, a Communicator to send out regular communication about the weekly meetings and other pertinent Life Group information, and a Host to provide a home for the Life Group to meet each week. We ask that those in the Leader role are active members of Sauble Christian Fellowship, but there are no prerequisites to perform any of the other roles. Once these roles are filled, we can start a new group anywhere and anytime. If you are interested in starting or leading a group, please email us at lifegroups@saublechurch.ca

17. How can I start a group?
GREAT QUESTION! Email us at lifegroups@saublechurch.ca and together we’ll make a plan to start a new group.

18. Does joining a Life Group cost anything?
No, joining a Life Group is free. However, you may be asked to contribute a food item if there is a meal each week. If this is ever a problem, just let your Leader know or email us at lifegroups@saublechurch.ca

19. Can I join more than one group?
We recommend joining only one group at a time. You will most likely get the most out of your Life Group experience if you focus your attention and energy to only one group at a time. Our Life Group semesters are typically less than 12 weeks, so you can try more than one group during the year if you like. 

20. What if none of the days or times will work with my schedule?
If you can’t find an open group in a time slot that works with your schedule you have two options. Consider hosting a group at your home on a night of your choice, or consider joining a Life Group in a different part of the area that meets on a night you’re available. 

21. What if I have to miss a few meetings for prior commitments?

We understand that life happens. Try your best to attend as many of your Life Group meetings as you can. If you have to miss a meeting, just be sure to let your Leader or Communicator know in advance if possible.
 

22. Do we have to eat a meal together every week?

Sharing a meal is not a requirement, however we strongly suggest your group eat together as often as possible. Usually, Life Groups that eat together will stay together for more than one semester. Sometimes sharing a meal is not feasible so we leave it to your Life Group to make the decision.