The Vision:
Homegroups are an incredibly important part of our life together at Reality Carpinteria, and are one of our core values and key ministry strategies.
When people are able to cultivate meaningful Christian relationships and give and receive love, they have the best chance to grow in maturity and fruitfulness in Christ (Hebrews 3:12-13; 10:24-25).
The Need:
In a church the size of Reality it is easy to get lost in the crowd, fall through the cracks, and slide out the backdoor. Therefore, people can come to church here and still miss the vital aspect of relationship. Homegroups are our strategic, biblical way of combating that problem. What they accomplish is the provision of an environment of love, care, and accountability, as well as an effective closing of the “cracks” and “backdoors” of the church.
The Model:
The model for our homegroups is taken from the Early Church who met in both large groups and in smaller groups in homes (Acts 2:46; 5:42; 20:20). The testimony of the Book of Acts is that from the start of the Church both meetings were seen as necessary and profitable. Therefore, in the structuring of Reality we see the need to be diligent with both venues. Any ecclesiology that exalts one to the exclusion of the other is in error biblically.
Because the homegroup setting is such a biblical and effective means of ministry in the local church we ask that everyone that calls Reality Carpinteria “home” be involved in a homegroup.
The Method:
What you can expect at a homegroup is C.A.R.E. I know it’s corny—but it is so needed. Let me break it down. But before I do, please realize that you cannot only expect to be on the receiving end of the following things, but are also expected to give in these areas.
If at anytime you feel that you are not receiving what you need, just keep giving what others need. After all, it is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35). And don’t get tired of doing good, because if you keep it up you will reap for yourself the good things you are sowing in others (Galatians 6:9).
The above acronym stands for Concern, Accountability, Relationships and Equipping. Our desire is that these principles would be prayerfully pursued and practiced by you for the duration of your homegroup.
The idea of having Concern for one another is taken from Philippians 2:3-4.
“Do nothing from selfish or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each one of you regard one another as more important than himself; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.”
This is core Christian living and needs to be pursued. We all need to be a little less self-centered and more others-centered. Doing so is endeavoring to be like Jesus and is really freeing!
The concept of Accountability is found in Hebrews 3:12-13 and 10:24-25.
“Take care brethren, lest there should be in any one of you an evil and unbelieving heart, in falling away from the living God…and let us consider how to spur one another on to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more, as you see the day drawing near.”
For some reason we seem to have such a hard time just simply walking through life with Jesus and obeying Him. It is only by grace and the power of the Holy Spirit that we can do so (Galatians 5:16), but we all need a little help and encouragement from time to time. So make yourself accountable to others and hold others accountable as well. You will find it truly beneficial in your Christian experience.
A core value at Reality is Relationships. We find the importance of relationships highlighted in Proverbs 27:9&17.
“Oil and perfume make the heart glad, so a man’s counsel is sweet to his friend.
As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.”
God is relationship. Father, Son and Holy Spirit—a triune relationship of love. In this image, the Church is called to loving relationships with one another (1 John 4:11). Christianity was designed to be corporate and communal—lived out together. A “Lone Ranger” Christian is destined for failure because he or she is living outside of God’s design for Christianity. To experience victorious and fruitful Christian living we must cultivate meaningful relationships with one another, and homegroups are a great way to do that.
The last goal of our homegroups is to help Equip you for Christian service. As explained in 2 Timothy 3:16-17, this is accomplished by the careful study of God’s Word
“All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.”
In your homegroup you will work on understanding and applying the Word of God to your life. There is no endeavor more profitable for the Christian! Prayer is the key to application. Expect to spend time in corporate prayer in your homegroup, and expect it to have a transformative effect in your life.
Pursuing these principles will require a willingness on your part to be open, engaged, honest, humble, accountable and sincere. Obviously, for most of us these are not attributes that come naturally, at least not for me! That is the very point; we are expecting God to work the supernatural in us. The Holy Spirit works these Christ-like characteristics in us as we submit to His Word and to one another in the fear of God (Ephesians 5:21).
So sign up today for a homegroup in your area and purpose in your heart to fall more in love with Jesus this season. I have lived on both sides of the fence, and walking in intimacy with the Lord is far better than the other options! Homegroups played an immeasurable role in my and Kate’s lives and I am trusting they will in yours as well.
Love and Blessings!
Pastor Britt
