REACH Groups

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groups

Why groups?

Light of the World's desire is to form a pattern of church life that is something like you see it in the book of Acts in the New Testament. Those early followers of Jesus met regularly in small groups, House to House throughout the city of Jerusalem.

We refer to the REACH groups as "cells" because that's how the Bible describes the whole church family as the "body" of Christ. In our physical bodies, it is the cell that is the fundamental unit of life's functions. Cells are necessary for creating and maintaining life. So we see REACH groups as basic for growing and maintaining spiritual health and maturity within the bigger Body of Christ.

The first believers also gathered all together in a big courtyard of the temple. As soon as you're ready to check out The Light of the World "in the temple" meeting, we welcome you to join us for the Sunday Celebration. The meeting starts at 10:00am with lots of praise and worship of our God using a fully instrumented format for the music. Following that there's excellent teaching from the Bible to help you live God's Word more fully. Stay afterwards for the Reception for our visitors so you can get connected with more of the great people of God from across the Capital Region!

R: Relationship
...then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in the spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. (Philippians 2:2-4)

E: Evangelism
...Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season... (2 Timothy 2:4)

A: Accountability
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, (Hebrews 10:24-25)

C: Caring
Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. (Galatians 6:10)

H: Hope
But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. (1 Peter 3:15)

Foundational Values

Every Member is a Minister
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10

Every Member has a Gift
Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them... Romans 12:6

Every Member's Gift is Vital
Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. 1 Corinthians 12:27

We are Members of One Another
So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. Romans 12:5

We are Ambassadors of Reconciliation
Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God. 2 Corinthians 5:20

Group Values

Be H.O.T. (Honest, Open, and Transparent)

Give and receive practical help for real life issues

Maintain and encourage biblical standards of conduct

Reach out to family, friends, and neighbors with the goal of bringing 1 person to visit the group every 3 months

Accept ownership of our group (like pitching in with the jobs)

Be brief , appropriate, and courteous when sharing; address the group and not just the leader, and don't dominate the discussion!