Gospel Community Group

GOAL: To create a better way to love God, live in relationship with each other, and love the spiritually lost.
  • To love God, we obey him (John 14:15 “If you love me, you will keep my commands.)
  • To live in relationship with others we must learn to love them. When small groups of people find a better way to live, others want to copy them. “Culture changes when a creative minority finds a beautiful way to live.” 
  • To love the lost, we are led by the Holy Spirit, discerning when & how we share and serve those around us. (Matthew 9:35-38; 1 Corinthians 2:3-5)

What is a Gospel Community (GC)? (Acts 2:42-47; 1 Corinthians 14:24-33)
A Gospel Community is a medium to large, group of committed disciples. It’s patterned after our best understanding of how the home-based churches functioned in the NT. It is a group of disciples that voluntarily, mutually, and generously share with each other.
Groups are the life of our church. To be a member, groups are essential These communities are what make Compass Church. These are the groups that people long for and is not an add on to Sunday service. It is church, with a service to connect all groups together.

1. Spiritual families on mission
  • Engaging in gospel conversations & beginning evangelistic discovery bible studies with non-believers.

2. Often have a geographic or demographic target.
  • Neighborhood- Proximately Matters
  • Affinity group- Birds of a feather flock together

3. Mutual encouragement for learning to live out the “one another” commands.
  • Spur one another on to love and good deeds, Heb. 10:24

4. Believer-focused and seeker welcome (I Corinthians 14:24-35)
  • Disciples (believers) have been and continually are changed by the gospel.
  • Non-believers (seekers) can see a difference in the way Christians live and love.

5. Participation & encouragement by members
  • I Corinthians 14:26 – When you come together…
  • People can speak the truth of God’s Word (verses from personal Quiet Times), His work in their lives (testimony), and bring encouragement to the group.

6. Obedience-based over information-based
  • When doing Bible study, end with open & honest application

7. Qualified leadership
  • Especially starting off, the equipper helps it function according to Scripture and then leaves for others to lead.
  • MAWL: Model, Assist, Watch, Launch

8. Intentional multiplication of groups and leaders
  • Living things grow larger if they multiply.
  • As leaders develop, launch new GCs in a part of the city or affinity-based.

9. Group members make a covenant commitment to one another
  • We commit to the GOAL of encouraging one another to live out the Big Three commands of Christ: Love God, Love One Another, and Love the Lost
  • “When I’m in town, I will be present and engage faithfully.”

Why Gospel Communities?
1. Commitment increases Connection.
  • All members are committed to God and each other.
  • These build life-changing communities, not just gatherings to go to.

2. Participation releases more gifts from more people
  • Gospel Communities are designed to maximize participation (share, encourage, correct, lead, serve, listen, grow)

3. Optimal size for body life.
Small enough…
  • To belong
  • To be cared for
  • To be held accountable

Large enough…
  • To make a difference
  • To see momentum

4. Provides encouragement for all “The Big 3.” 
  • Love for God
  • Love for One Another
  • Love for the Lost

General Flow of a GC

1. MEAL/SNACK 
  • Use this time to connect, share joy, and listen well.

2. SINGING/PRAYER/COMMUNION
  • Scripture-based songs

  • Prayer: Prompted prayer (Ex. "God , I trust you for ____.") He is Worthy, We are Needy; P.R.A.Y.

  • Communion

3. MUTUAL ENCOURAGEMENT/TESTIMONIES
  • Short, 30 sec-1min truths focused on one of the "The Big 3” (Love God, Love One Another, Love the Lost)


4.  DISCUSSION (Discovery Bible Study method) 

Review the ground rules: 
  • Stick with the text (keeps everyone together- not multiple cross-references)

  • Participate, but don't dominate.

  • Let the scripture be the teacher.

Read the passage slowly out loud. Then reread it silently/individually, marking what stands out to you.

As a group, summarize the passage.

Questions/Discussion: 
  • What stands out to you most and why? Observation: Words, verses, themes, questions you have

  • What do we learn about God? 

  • What do we learn about People?

  • What universal principles are here?

  • Is there a sin/error to avoid or an example to learn from?


Application  (in smaller groups):
  • What are  possible applications from this passage? Share/Write your personal "I will seek to..." application. (short, 20 sec each)

  • Check In – how was your Bible engagement, Prayer life, Fellowship, & Mission this week?
     
5. PRAYER
  • Prayer (not asking for requests, just pray for your requests. Takes too much time).