Life Groups

A Life Group is composed of 6-12 individuals of the same gender who are single or married, or 5-6 couples who are engaged or married. A Life Group has a leader, a co-leader, a host and co-host, and these individuals are counted in the total number of group members. Additionally, we encourage co-leaders of Life Groups to consider themselves apprentice leaders of future Life Groups.

A Life Group meets weekly for a time of Bible-based study, support, prayer and fellowship. Each Life Group determines the length of their meetings, but the meetings should last one to two hours, depending on the needs and desires of the group members. As a group, each Life Group will also plan and carry out at least one service project and one social event for each three-month term.

The members of each Life Group commit to meet weekly for a three-month term. Understandably, a Life Group may decide to break for a week because of holidays. At the end of each term, each member may continue with the group, try a new group, or even take a break from a life group. Additionally, the group as a whole may decide to take a break for the next term.

Joining a Life Group requires a commitment. Each member of a Life Group signs a covenant, which states that he or she commits to attend all meetings (except for special allowances) for three months, to complete the group study before each meeting, and to participate in the service project. Each Life Group will determine the specifics of their group, but these are the essential elements. We require the covenant because commitment to actively participating in the group is key to significant relationships being built among one another, and we want each Life Group member to get the most out of his or her participation in the group. Lastly, people may visit a Life Group before deciding to sign a covenant.

Outside of Sunday morning, a Life Group may meet any time the group determines is best for everyone. A Life Group may also meet wherever the group dynamics are best served. Life groups are encouraged to meet in homes and apartments because these locations often provide the most comfortable, inviting, and focused environments. However, Frazer can also provide space for Life Groups to meet on the Frazer campus if that works better for the needs of the group.

Life Groups will use pre-approved curriculum that meets the needs and interests of the members of group. The possibilities are published Bible Studies (i.e. Experiencing God, The Purpose Driven Life, etc.); sermon based studies (further study and application of Frazer sermon series); and web-based/mp3 sermon based studies (i.e., Craig Groeschel, Andy Stanley, Larry Osborne). If a group uses a published Bible study, each member will be responsible for purchasing his or her own copy of the necessary materials. Frazer’s Adult Education ministry has many resources available for Life Groups to use and Life Group leaders are encouraged to contact the Adult Education Ministry for assistance in choosing study materials, if needed.

Life Groups are for adults only (nursing newborns are welcomed, as long as they are not a distraction). Each individual or couple is responsible to work out their own childcare. However, if the Life Group is made up of families with younger children, that group can work on a childcare solution for their group as a whole. Again, it will be the responsibility of the individual, couple, or the group to provide for their childcare needs. Frazer’s nursery is available Tuesday and Wednesday evenings (September-May) by advance reservations, so Life Groups with childcare needs may want to consider meeting at the church on one of those evenings.

We encourage people to choose a Life Group that is composed of people in similar life situations because these similarities often provide the best opportunities to build significant relationships with one another. Relationships obviously form around people with whom you relate. Common interests, backgrounds, marital status, or ages of your children might be the best indicators of what groups will work best for you. And we encourage people to keep trying different Life Groups until they find the right fit!