Home Groups

Grace is a church of small groups, because the Gospel has made us into a family: God's family!

Along with the Sunday morning worship service, Home Groups form the foundation for performing the mission of Grace Bible Church: developing maturing, vibrant followers of Jesus Christ. As the name implies, Home Groups meet not at the church building, but in homes - throughout southern Fairfax County and eastern Prince William County. These small groups (5-6 households) include people from all walks of life, including families with and without kids, "empty nest" adults, and singles. Each group is different, but they all meet once a week for casual fellowship, "Discovery Time" (devotions and activities for the whole family), and a more focused time of study, encouragement, and prayer. (And there always seems to be food, too...)

Why does Grace Bible Church do Home Groups? In John 13:34-35, Christ tells us, "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will you know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." It is non-negotiable that we do this. But surely it is easier to be effective in this if we actually know one another. The fundamental purpose of Home Groups is to help us better know God and each other, so we may better love God and each other.

How do you join a Home Group?

Hi, I'm James Chong. I serve as an Elder at Grace, and also as the Home Group Administrator.

Home Groups form the backbone of Grace Bible Church. In the large group setting on Sunday mornings, we gather to worship God and hear from Him through the teaching of His Word. There is great strength that comes from worshiping Him together in this context.

But Sunday morning worship is not enough to grow us into maturing believers. God designed us to grow while in relationship with one another; this sort of relationship is beyond what can take place before and after Sunday morning worship (as encouraging as that fellowship can be). In fact, most spiritual growth occurs through the small group dynamic, where we discuss the truth of God together and how to live it wisely in our culture.

Home Groups at Grace are designed to provide that relational dynamic. Our goal is that each Home Group will have 8-12 adults and be geographically centered in order to minimize travel and provide opportunity to "do life together".

The Home Groups begin after Labor Day and meet throughout the school year. A typical group meeting begins with fellowship through a meal/snacks, family time (kids are welcome!), then study and prayer.

If you are interested in learning more or joining one of our groups, please contact me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Also, you can contact the church by clicking here.

Blessings,
James

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Life, in the Body of Christ

God has kindly not left us to try and figure out the Christian life on our own. He has also made the promise of ongoing grace to empower change and has given us the privilege to live life together in the local church. As odd as it may seem to us, it pleases the Father to use other sinners, saved by grace alone, to aid us in living out the Christian life. We know this to be true in light of the many "one another" commands in the New Testament. As we share life with other believers, God the Father gives each of us grace to come alongside others to encourage, exhort, instruct, teach, bear one another's burdens, love one another, and so much more. It's because of God's desire for His people to live inter-dependently that Grace Bible Church has chosen small groups - called "Home Groups" here - to be the way we seek to obey these commands. Below is a list of these grace-filled commands:

Love one another..........................................................John 13:34; 15:17; Romans 13:8

We are members of one another.........................................Romans 12:5; Ephesians 4:25

Be devoted to one another........................................................................Romans 12:10

Honor one another....................................................................................Romans 12:10

Be of the same mind with one another...............................................Romans 12:16; 15:5

Stop judging one another...........................................................................Romans 14:13

Edify (build up) one another.......................................................................Romans 14:19

Accept one another.....................................................................................Romans 15:7

Instruct (admonish) one another.................................................................Romans 15:14

Greet one another.......................................................Romans 16:16; 2 Corinthians 13:12

Wait for one another (in Communion)...................................................1 Corinthians 11:33

Have concern for one another..............................................................1 Corinthians 12:25

Serve one another.....................................................................................Galatians 5:13

Do not "bite and devour" one another...........................................................Galatians 5:15

Do not boastfully challenge one another........................................................Galatians 5:26

Carry the burdens of one another..................................................................Galatians 6:2

Bear with one another.........................................................Ephesians 4:2; Colossians 3:13

Be kind/compassionate to one another.........................................................Ephesians 4:32

Submit to one another................................................................................Ephesians 5:21

Consider one another better than yourself.....................................................Philippians 2:3

Do not lie to one another..............................................................................Colossians 3:9

Increase your love for one another......................................................1 Thessalonians 3:12

Encourage one another..............................................................1 Thessalonians 4:18; 5:11

Seek the good of one another.............................................................1 Thessalonians 5:15

Spur one another to good deeds...................................................................Hebrews 10:24

Do not slander one another...............................................................................James 4:11

Do not grumble against one another....................................................................James 5:9

Confess your sins to one another.......................................................................James 5:16

Pray for one another.........................................................................................James 5:16

Be hospitable to one another..............................................................................1 Peter 4:9

Be humble toward one another...........................................................................1 Peter 5:5

   

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