What a Life Group Does
This is a portrait of the Alpha Group.
Other groups will vary, but will share many similarities.
Provided by Mary Schug
Those of use in Alpha group take turns hosting the group in our homes and start the evening with coffee, dessert, and fellowship (lots of chit-chat and catching up). We then move from this informal gathering to our “meeting" which is opened with prayer and followed by singing (one of our favorite parts of our evening). What our singing lacks in melodious sounds, is made up for in enthusiasm and volume.
We came to be known as the Alpha Group because we hosted/led the Alpha Course for several sessions. This was a great outreach opportunity where we met as a group for dinner and then used a video based program to reach new believers. It is a well thought out program and we felt fortunate to lead it for our church. Since that time we have focused on more traditional Bible studies such as the very long time pastor Ken led/dragged us through Revelation. More often, the host/hostess for the evening also prepares the lesson (although on occasion, someone else in the group offers to lead the group instead). We have also studied Romans, the whole church study of the Rick Warren’s Purpose Driven Life (the names of several escape me just now), etc, and now we are enjoying a CD program on Matthew (quite a handsome and cheery Jesus in this series). Each week we watch a chapter of Matthew acted out word for word, and then have a lively discussion (discussions in our group are always lively).
Sometimes we deviate from our ongoing study. Recently, my husband, John, and I shared the audio CD testimony of our good friend, Lee Negri. Lee led both of us to Christ through his consistent modeling and teaching/preaching/harping. We were slow learners, but when we got the message we were hooked! Everyone in our group had been praying for Lee for over a year following his diagnosis with stomach cancer. Since all of the group knew him through our prayers (and some had met him at different functions at our home), we wanted to share this testimony of man who loved Christ and basked in his presence. Lee died this summer – but not after being a wonderful witness as to God’s grace that passes understanding. I think our group enjoyed hearing his inspirational story.
Like all our meetings, we close in prayer – and pray for specific people, issues, or anything else heavy on our hearts. We try to end by 9 PM as a few of our group still work. In addition to our weekly Bible Study, we get together at other times throughout the year to celebrate special events and/or holidays (Bill Michel often hosts a 4th of July party, although the Ferbers had the honor this year). We recently had a potluck dinner at the George’s new home for the special occasion of their House Blessing.
We are a very diverse group, with a common thread of loving the Lord and liking to have fun. We are open to newcomers (half our group is relatively new). I hope this gives you some idea of our Life Group. Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you would like to know more about our special group. — Mary Schug