Values In Action

Find Freedom

This month’s Value of focus is to “Find Freedom”; this is the second of four values from Step One of Growth Track and is a critical part of every believer’s walk with Christ, as we believe true life change happens in the context of relationships. Our main method of developing and strengthening relationships with one another is through our Connect Groups!

Connect Groups have a simple purpose: to bring people together. God created us to live in community with others, and it is only then that we can experience the full life He intends for us.

Having a place to connect with each other is important because we were not made to do life alone. God created us for community and Connect Groups provide a place for each of us to connect with others, share life and grow in faith together.

“Yes, whatever a person is like, I try to find common ground with him so he will let me tell him about Christ and let Christ save him.”

1 Corinthians 9:22 [TLB]

When we do life together, our problems become smaller as God uses others to bring support and encouragement to our lives. Connect Groups become a place where others know your name, care about what is happening in your life in much greater detail and want to support you in your spiritual journey.

“We know what real love is because Jesus gave up His life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters.”

1 John 3:16 [NLT]

As followers of Christ, we believe every person is created with God-given potential to make a difference in the world. Connect Groups are a place where each of us grow with others to become more like Jesus and develop the potential God has instilled within us.

“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”

Proverbs 27:17 [NIV]

We base our Connect Groups model on the early church as described in the Bible. In the book of Acts, you can read about how meetings in homes helped lay the foundation for tremendous growth in the first church in Jeruslem.

“Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.”

Acts 5:42 [NIV]

“You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house.”

Acts 20:20 [NIV]

In terms of structure, our Connect Groups follow four guidelines:

1. Our Connect Groups are open market - that is, we encourage people to gather together based on things they enjoy and they consider important personally. No matter the theme or activity, all Connect Groups fall within at least one of eight categories:
   Men / Women / Marriage and Family / Students and Youth / Freedom / Prayer / Outreach / Financial.
   

2. Our Connect Groups operate across four terms every year - we recognise that life flows in seasons and we want to make it simple for each person to be in the right Connect Group during each season. Therefore, we have new groups starting at the beginning of each school term!
   

3. Everyone can join a Connect Group - our hope is that every person in Faith Family would be connected in menaningful community through a Connect Group. We know there is a Connect Group that will be a great fit for you (and if there isn’t yet, there soon will be)!
   

4. Anyone can host a Connect Group - we believe hosting a Connect Group can be simple, as we all have something to offer others; whether it’s something you are passionate about, an experience you’ve had that can help others or an area in which you are looking to grow, hosting a Connect Group is a great way to bring people together in meaningful community. If you’re interested in hosting / leading a Connect Group, enquire about Connect Group Leader Training today!