Bridge Groups are where we learn and practice the lifestyle rhythms of a family on mission. We gather at various frequencies in homes to share a meal or dessert, celebrate what God is doing, pray for one another, and ask the Lord how we can partner with Him in the work He’s doing in our community.
WE’RE ALL BUSY.
Between work, school, sports activities, family, church, and more, there is a never-ending list of things to do. We can be so connected and active yet still lack depth in our relationships. A Bridge Group isn’t another thing you add to your life. It’s a place to find community that brings depth and richness to every aspect of your life.
Bridge Groups are usually 8-15 people who seek to live out their faith together in relationship with God, each other, and the world around them. We hope Bridge Groups cultivate a feeling of extended family for you.
Why Bridge Groups?
Human creation began with God who made Adam and Eve and blessed them to be fruitful and multiply, to reproduce the image of God’s family everywhere they spread (Genesis 1:26-28). This is God’s design. Before we were called to be Christians, we were created to be human beings. Before we were called to be the Church, God gave us the key vehicle that would help us function and flourish as humans—family. That’s why, no matter how dysfunctional families become, we keep trying to figure it out.
The family of God will gather in different sizes with different purposes. Bridge Groups are designed to help us rediscover the extended spiritual family — learning to live the life of Jesus together. These families may encompass singles, families, old, young, diverse ethnicities, races… you get the picture. God gave us extended family because together we are better.
Bridge Groups are meant to help us learn how to BE the Church rather than GO TO or DO Church. They help us to stop doing mission FOR God and to start doing mission WITH God! Jesus came in part to show us the WAY of BEING the church in everyday life!
What are the purposes Bridge Groups seek to fulfill?
Bridge Groups are a major way we do community & discipleship. There are four purposes to Bridge Groups — CONNECT, GROW, SERVE & CARE.
Following the example set before us in Acts 2:42-47:
“All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.
A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had…They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.”
