Gospel Community Groups
What is the purpose of Gospel Community Groups?
Gospel Community Groups provide an environment where members of Emmaus are able to build deep relationships with one another. Members are able to love, pray for, learn from, rely on, and share with one another in practical ways.
Who is able to join a Gospel Community Group?
When a group forms it will remain open for about two months. Members of Emmaus Reformed Baptist Church may join the group by speaking to the leader or to a Pastor. If you have not yet become a member of Emmaus we ask that you would begin by talking with a Pastor to determine where best to begin the discipleship process at Emmaus. While Gospel Community Groups are well suited for those with Christian foundations, they do not provide the structure or systematic instruction needed by those young in the faith. The Introduction to the Christian Faith class would be better suited for the new believer or those lacking Christian foundations. Please speak with a Pastor soon to determine how best to progress.
What is the focus of the conversation?
The discussion within Gospel Community Groups will typically center around sharing life with one another and discussing the sermon from the previous Sunday. GCG Study Questions are posted each Sunday on the website and on The City.
How long will Gospel Community Groups stay together?
After the two-month “open” period the group will covenant together for 1 1/2 to 2 years and become a “closed” group. When the covenant is up the group will discuss the best course of action. Perhaps someone in the group will go through the training process and lead a new GCG; perhaps the GCG will disband, each member joining another group; or perhaps the groups will re-covenant together for another period of time. Our desire is that groups (leaders and participants) would regularly assess their effectiveness, the needs within the church, and their own personal situation in life.
What is the desired effect of Gospel Community Groups?
Beyond the obvious desire to see individuals encouraged in Christ, we would also like the see Gospel Community Groups encourage members to use their spiritual gifts within the church, community, and nations. Our hope is that group members grow in their love for God, their love for one another, and in their service as ambassadors for Christ in the community.
What should I do if I am new to Emmaus, am wanting to connect, but not ready to commit to the church as a member?
As you can see, Gospel Community Groups require commitment. They are for the members of Emmaus (or, under certain circumstances, those clearly committed but not yet members – please talk with a Pastor). Please keep in mind that there are a lot of others ways to get connected at Emmaus. For example, you can come to worship on the Lord’s Day regularly and stay afterward to visit with others. You can attend Emmaus Essentials classes before the service at 9:00. You can begin to meet with a Pastor for further guidance concerning involvement at Emmaus, or set up an appointment for counseling if there is something particular that needs to be addressed. you can attend men’s or women’s events, or simply begin to build casual relationships with others at Emmaus. We also offer discipleship groups which meet throughout the week. The reason we typically require membership for involvement in GCG’s is to maintain an environment where members can share openly, knowing that those in the group have committed themselves to the church in a meaningful way.
Why don’t Gospel Community Groups concentrate on topical studies?
Emmaus Reformed Baptist Church offers a more “academic” study of the scriptures through the Emmaus Essentials theology courses offered throughout the year. We separate the academic emphasis from the relational emphasis, not because the two are contrary to one another, but because we believe that greater depth will be experienced in both areas when separated in this way. We encourage regular involvement in Corporate Worship, Gospel Community Groups, and Emmaus Essentials.
GROUP RESOURCES
» GCG Diagram
» GCG Covenant
GCG WEEKLY QUESTIONS
Discussion Questions: The Local Church: True Churches: Second London Confession 26.3
posted on Sunday, October 27th by Joe
- Is a Christian ever to judge in his or her capacity as a member of a local church? If so, when, how, and by what standard?
- What are the qualifications for membership in the local church?
- Under what circumstances is a member to be removed from the church?
- What is the connection between membership in a local church and the sacraments of baptism and the Lord’s Supper?
- When a local church receives someone into membership, what is the church saying about that person’s profession of faith? When a local church removes a member through excommunication or exclusion, what are they saying about that person’s profession of faith?
- How does Second London Confession(2LCF) 26.2 & 3 help us judge rightly when receiving members and in matters of church discipline?
- How does 2LCF 26.2 & 3 help to ensure that we do not judge too stringently when receiving members and in matters of church discipline? In other words, how does our confession help us to be patient and gentle with one another, forgive, work to maintain the unity of the Spirit, and welcome the one who is weak in the faith (see Romans 14:1)?
Discussion Questions: Luke 14:25-35
posted on Sunday, October 20th by Joe
- These words of Jesus are shocking: “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:26). How do we know that Jesus does not literally mean that we are to hate these.
- What then does Jesus mean when he commands his disciples to hate parents, spouse, children, and even their own life?
- What does Jesus mean when he says, “Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:27)?
- In Luke 14:28-35, Jesus presented three illustrations urging the multitude to count the cost and to avoid making a false profession of faith. Discuss the meaning of each one.
- Jesus was not interested in having a large following. He was interested in having a faithful and sincere following. The same is true today. Discuss.
- Not all disciples are called to die the death of a martyr, but all are called to bear their cross daily. Not all disciples are called to give up everything they own, but all are called to “renounce all” they have (Luke 14:33). How can a disciple renounce all they have without actually giving it up?
- Read Philippians 3:7-11. Have you counted the cost of following Jesus and do you agree with the Apostle that it is worth it?
previous posts...