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At the BACE Conference last week, Tom McCormick, Small Groups Minister at Hope Church in Las Vegas, NV, made the simple but profound point that the group meeting time does not equal the totality of the group. I was convicted that I don’t always talk that way when I talk to our people about LIFE Groups. I generally emphasize the meeting time, something like: LIFE Group X meets at 9:30 on Sunday morning . . . and, oh yeah, they do lots of activities outside of that meeting time too!
What if it were just natural for me to talk about the LIFE Group as a family community that impacted each other’s lives through prayer, breaking bread, and fellowship? Not to mention that we disciple each other according to the Apostle’s teaching as we help each other more fully believe and follow Jesus, be changed by Jesus, and live on mission with Jesus.
What if we began to talk about LIFE Groups and live out our LIFE groups the other way around? Hey, LIFE Group X gathers throughout the week to share meals, support one another, and reflect together about what the Lord is teaching them through prayer and Bible study . . . and, oh yeah, they also gather at 9:30 on Sunday mornings.
Join me in praying for those kinds of groups families.

Paul Wilkinson is the Adult Minister–Groups Associate, Brentwood Baptist Church. Paul attended the 2018 BACE (Baptist Association of Christian Educators) Conference last week in Oklahoma City on Discovering and Developing Leaders.
 

As disciples of Jesus, we are called to live on mission with Jesus. At least once a month (or as frequently as possible, so send me stories!), I want to share stories of LIFE Groups and LIFE Group members living on mission with Jesus. May we be perpetually living into the “Good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10) Read, pray over, and meditate upon Robin Petty’s story with the 10^th grade girls’ Wednesday evening LIFE Group; how she follows her passion to mentor and teach the NEXT Generation:

When I was a teenager, I was very active in my youth group. I loved being involved for many reasons, but one major reason was because of the adult leadership. I always knew when I grew up I would serve in youth ministry. Sure enough, my husband Justin and I served in our church in Atlanta for about 10 years and in our church in Kentucky for about 5. I am currently leading a Brentwood Baptist girls-sophomore small group on Wednesday nights.
I have found through the years that teenagers have much to offer. They are funny, inquisitive, spontaneous, sensitive, and want to be the best they can be.
Justin and I also teach a LIFE Group on Sunday morning called Married Life Together. I love being able to share all of the positive things I experience from spending time with the youth. Since most of our class has younger children, it’s great to be able to share with them all of the things teenagers have to contribute and what they can look forward to with their own children.