WE ARE BETTER TOGETHER “This group will never want me back,” Craig kept thinking to himself. The week before he had shared some details about himself that he was scared to say in front of his new Connect Group, and had beat himself up for days for being that transparent. Until he got a text. He looked at his wife through developing tears, pointed to his phone and said, “This is why we are in a small group!” The text read, “Thought of you today when I heard this song…”. For most people, the response to this would be, “thanks” or “that means a lot”, but for Craig, it hit him deep in his heart and impacted him more than he would have ever expected. He was just starting to realize that biblical community would have a greater impact than just being a part of a large church. I have had the privilege of hearing stories like these over and over. People moving past their comfort zone to seek others in faith and life so they can experience the impact that is made on their ability to Live and Love like Jesus. I am passionate about Group Life! Michelle and I have benefited greatly from the decades that we have experienced biblical community day in and day out. Our church family has always been an extension of our faith journey. At FBC Midlothian, we are committed to helping each other
6 Spring 2019
By Kevin Phillips
Live and Love like Jesus better and better every day. We can be more like Jesus when we purposely decide to worship regularly, pursue Group Life, serve the church, and engage our world. Group Life is carried out here at FBC in many ways. Every one of us can connect with a smaller group of people through our Sunday Morning Groups, Connect Groups, Midweek Groups, and Support Groups. More detailed info. is on our website at fbcmidlo.com/group-life. One may see all these opportunities but never really understand why Group Life is imperative for everyone. Allow me to paint a picture for you from Scripture to help us all understand each of our needs in Group Life. When we look at the early church, we get a picture of small communities of people who followed Jesus together. The Book of Acts, especially Acts 2:42-47, gives us a great picture of the early church and the components of biblical community, which encompassed both the "temple courts" and "house to house." These believers engaged in life together through teaching, fellowship, communion, prayer, miracles, radical generosity, and corporate worship. They spent time together eating, learning, celebrating,
