902 Church https://902church.org Wed, 31 Aug 2022 12:35:28 +0000 Wed, 31 Aug 2022 12:35:28 +0000 hourly 1 3600 SnapPages.com What Is a LifeGroup? https://902church.org/blog/2023/01/26/what-is-a-lifegroup Thu, 26 Jan 2023 15:09:51 +0000 https://902church.org/blog/2023/01/26/what-is-a-lifegroup
find your people
Have you ever heard about LifeGroups during a service and wondered to yourself, “What exactly is a LifeGroup, and why should I be in one?” Hang with us here, and hopefully this post will answer that question and others you may have.

1. What is a LifeGroup?

LifeGroups are the friends you grow, laugh, and serve with. LifeGroups gather in people’s homes, at church, and other places where people love to hang out together.

LifeGroups create a space for people to intentionally share their lives with others, grow spiritually together, and encourage each other through the highs and lows of life.

2. Why should I be in a LifeGroup?

First, we weren’t created to go through life alone. In the Bible we find consistent encouragement to gather with other followers of Jesus:


Second, your LifeGroup will be there to celebrate your happiest moments and support you through your toughest seasons. Joining a LifeGroup positions these friends in your life now so they’re there when life happens.

Finally, as believers we are called to speak truth and encouragement into others. God will use your LifeGroup to impact you, but He’ll also use you to impact your LifeGroup!

3. How do I join a LifeGroup?

The best way to join a group is through our online group finder!

At 902 Church, our LifeGroups operate in “seasons” (Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall). During each season we intentionally launch and promote new groups. While the beginning of a season is the best time to find open groups, you can always look and see who has room for more people!

4. What do you actually do in a LifeGroup?

Every LifeGroup is unique, so each one will look a little bit different. Some discuss the weekend message, go through Bible Studies or do video studies through Right Now Media. Some serve together in the community or play board games and go out to eat once a month.

Two things you’ll find in every LifeGroup, though, are relationships and conversations that help you grow spiritually and personally.

5. Is it okay to “shop around” for a LifeGroup?

Absolutely! It’s understandable to want to find people you feel comfortable opening up to and developing friendships with.

That being said, if you’ve joined a LifeGroup and aren’t sure if it’s the right fit for you, don’t give up. Keep in mind that there’s no such thing as a perfect LifeGroup, because there are no perfect people.

Remember to have grace and patience during the process. If it’s clear that this group isn’t the best fit for you, though, give another group a try.

6. Is it awkward (or dangerous) to show up at a stranger’s house and talk about my life?

Let’s be real: It can be a little awkward to meet any new group of people.

Here’s what we can promise, though: If you’ll make a conscious decision to embrace the initial awkwardness and keep showing up, something amazing will happen. Over time, your LifeGroup will start to feel less like a group of strangers and more like people you’ve known your whole life.  Push through those little moments of weirdness as you get to know each other. It’s always worth it!

Also, rest assured that every LifeGroup leader goes through an onboarding process. We’re committed to identifying solid leaders and creating a safe environment for anyone who joins a LifeGroup.

7. What do I do with my kids while I’m at LifeGroup?

Different groups navigate this in different ways. Some take turns paying for a babysitter or all pitch in together to hire one. Others have the kids watch a movie or kids show from Right Now Media while the adults meet. Some even include the kids in everything they do as a group.

During the Winter and Fall seasons, we even offer free childcare on Thursdays for groups that meet at the church!

8. What if there’s not a LifeGroup for what I’m looking for?

This might be a sign that God is calling you to start a group! If God has placed a certain passion or calling within you, He might want you to take a step of faith and launch a LifeGroup around it.

And know this: You won’t be doing it alone. Our team will provide support every step of the way: helping you get your group started, resourcing you with content and curriculum, and making sure you have everything you need to be successful.

Wherever you live and however your life is going right now, we hope you’ll know and embrace this truth: God created you to live in community. Life is better together!
]]> Should Christian's Celebrate Halloween? Is Halloween the devil's holiday, and are Christians wrong to dress in costumes and go trick-or-treating? It all began as a celebration to mark the end of harvest and changing of seasons. Ancie...]]> https://902church.org/blog/2022/10/27/should-christian-s-celebrate-halloween Thu, 27 Oct 2022 13:14:00 +0000 https://902church.org/blog/2022/10/27/should-christian-s-celebrate-halloween
halloween
Some Christians celebrate Halloween by dressing up in costumes and having fun. Other Christians are equally convinced that Halloween is honors the devil and encourages evil spirits and darkness. Which is it?

Is Halloween the devil's holiday, and are Christians wrong to dress in costumes and go trick-or-treating?

A Little History...

It all began as a celebration to mark the end of harvest and changing of seasons. Ancient Celtic traditions often emphasized the spiritual, and the night between Oct. 31 & Nov. 1 was believed to be a time when the spiritual world was accessible to the physical world.

Masks, disguises, and large bonfires were adopted to frighten away evil powers and spirits of the dead.

Around 600 AD, Pope Boniface IV created All Saints’ Day to honor dead Christians and church leaders from the past. The festival was later moved to Nov. 1, making the night of Oct. 31 All Hallows Eve (which is where we get the name “Halloween”).

What This Means For Us

Here's the thing to remember: Holidays aren’t innately good or bad, they’re just specific days different people celebrate for different reasons. We are not more or less godly for celebrating (or not celebrating) a certain day of the year (see Romans 14:5-6).

The Bible doesn’t specifically say to (or not to) participate in Halloween. This means we have the freedom to make decisions using wisdom and guidance from the Holy Spirit to lead us.

If dressing in costumes and going door to door offends your conscience, don’t do it.
If it doesn’t bother you, celebrate Halloween.

For some, Halloween is an opportunity to make memories by doing something fun with their children. For others, it’s a great chance to meet neighbors, grow a relationship with them, and eventually invite them to church and to meet Jesus.
The real question is not whether we should observe Halloween, but how and why you celebrate it.

How do you plan on celebrating Halloween this year?
]]> What is baptism and why is it important? https://902church.org/blog/2022/09/20/what-is-baptism-and-why-is-it-important Tue, 20 Sep 2022 11:23:33 +0000 https://902church.org/blog/2022/09/20/what-is-baptism-and-why-is-it-important
baptism
Following Jesus is not a one-time decision but a life-long journey. No matter how long you’ve been a Christian, we all have a next step in our walk with Jesus.

If you asked Jesus into your life but have yet to be baptized, baptism is your next step!

Four things to know about baptism

1. Baptism is about going public.

Like wearing a jersey to a football game, baptism is our opportunity to identify with a person and a team.  When we take our next step in baptism, we’re letting the world know we belong to Jesus and we’re on His team.  

There is no such thing as a private faith. Jesus died publicly for us, and baptism is our opportunity to go public for Him.

2. Baptism is about being obedient.

At the end of every Sunday service we repeat what Jesus said: “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" (Matthew 28:19).  The first thing Jesus tells us to do after salvation is baptism.

We can’t say we’ll do anything for God if we won’t do the first thing. If you have not been baptized since asking Jesus into your life, baptism is your next step.

3. Baptism comes after salvation.

In the first recorded sermon in the early church, Peter preached to a crowd of thousands. About 3,000 people were saved, and the first thing Peter told them to do after salvation was get baptized (Acts 2:38). The pattern continues through the rest of the early church. Baptism is a public proclamation of the spiritual transformation that occurs when we commit to following Jesus. 

4. Baptism is a powerful reminder.

Through baptism, we remember how Jesus saved us. Being lowered in the water is symbolic of how we were dead in our sins. Coming out of the water is symbolic of how our faith in Jesus saved us from death and gives us eternal life.

Every baptism is an opportunity to share Jesus’ story. Jesus died to pay for our sin and restore our relationship with God. Then, He rose from the grave, showing His power over death.

That’s something to celebrate!
Ready to take your next step in baptism? Click here to sign-up to get baptized
]]> How To Pray With Your Spouse https://902church.org/blog/2022/08/31/how-to-pray-with-your-spouse Wed, 31 Aug 2022 12:35:28 +0000 https://902church.org/blog/2022/08/31/how-to-pray-with-your-spouse
married couple pray
Let’s be honest: It can be overwhelming and intimidating when you want to start praying as a couple. After all, talking to God is a very intimate and personal thing!

In marriage, there is nothing more powerful than opening the line of communication with God together. This month we want to share a few practical ways you and your spouse can connect and start praying comfortably and confidently as a couple:

1. Study what prayer is—and what it is not.

We often have misconceptions about what prayer is. And depending on how you and your spouse grew up, your views of prayer may be very different.

If you want to pray as a couple, considering starting with a bible study on prayer (check out some of the studies on Right Now Media). This might help dispel any myths and make you more comfortable praying as a couple!

2. Pick one thing to pray for.

Heads up: It might feel overwhelming and even awkward the first couple times you pray together. This is normal to feel unsure about what to say or even do during prayer.

To help, try to pick one thing ahead of time that you both want to pray about. Whether it’s a big decision coming up, a job situation you are struggling with, or even that you would spend more time together… choose one specific thing and focus on that. When you’re done talking to God about it together, you’re done!
PRO TIP: New to praying out loud or with someone else? Try this: Write out your prayer or thoughts on an index card or notepad ahead of time. This might help you feel more comfortable and confident as you begin. After a few times, try it without!

3. Put it on the calendar.

I have to make a confession: I’m terrible at remembering to pray. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve intended to pray only to completely forget.

Prayer can easily get lost and forgotten in the busyness of life. One way to help "fight the forget" is to put it in your calendar. Together, decide what time of the day you’ll pray together. Maybe it's first thing in the morning, right after you put the kids to bed, or when you crawl into bed together at night.

Whatever you decide, set an alarm and guard it like your most important appointment!

**Things to Avoid When Praying as a Couple**

Early on you might encounter some “speed bumps” in your prayer time. Try to avoid these things when praying together:

  • Extra discussion or “preaching.” Devote this time specifically to praying, not criticizing her cooking or that he forgot to take off the trash (again).
  • Setting unrealistic expectations. Be hopeful but also be realistic. Setting unrealistic expectations in your prayer time can hinder trust and vulnerability.
  • Skipping too many days. The more times you skip the greater chance you have of stopping altogether!
Whether you start by praying silently together or reading out loud a list of things from your heart, praying as a couple is taking a HUGE step in your Christian walk. If you decide to take the challenge, let us know so we can pray and celebrate with you!
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