"They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the LORD for the display of His splendor."
~ Isaiah 61:3

Current Home Groups / Join a Home Group

Questions???? - Email homegroups@forcey.org

What Are Home Groups?

A group of believers meeting in their common "neighborhood." The primary emphasis is spiritual growth in a community of Forcey people where hearts are learning to be like Jesus.

This involves:

• Transforming heart - spiritual growth
• Loving heart - reaching out to those far from God in the neighborhood
• Caring heart - showing support and compassion to others in the group

Home Groups are also geographically based in local neighborhoods, to allow outreach to the neighborhood. Spiritual growth develops a heart like Jesus which also looks beyond our circle of comfort to those far from God.

Home Groups are 4-12 people unwilling to settle for anything less than life-transforming Christian community with a practical plan for spiritual growth and outreach to their neighbors.

What Will Home Groups Do For Me?

Home Groups are a place where individuals at Forcey are able to grow to be more like Christ, especially focusing on the “heart” character of Jesus. They provide a place for individuals and families in close proximity to share fellowship and spiritual growth. With a common neighborhood location, they also provide an opportunity for outreach by the entire group of believers, rather than a sense of isolation in the neighborhood. They allow others in the neighborhood a chance to see believers in action together (Acts 2:43-47).

What Is The Neighborhood?

A neighborhood is your sense of general proximity. We realize that there are many neighborhoods within each zip code, and that neighborhood “borders” are defined by many subjective variables. Our goal is to become geographically focused over time as more groups are started, so that the people you are growing with also share the concern and familiarity with the same neighborhood.

Testimonies

• Ron Jones

“I am most excited about:

There is structure, support, direction, and vision behind Home Groups. There will not be a whole lot of groups acting independently and trying to corral them all under a new plan. I like the idea of doing life with those in close proximity to me. Hopefully, we can do more for our neighborhood as a group rather than just one trying to do it all.

There is behind Home Groups the idea of multiplication – it is not a closed club once we get established but new people are being added as they come to our church plus neighbors are being invited as we develop relationships with them.

This seems to have a great potential on having an impact on our neighbors as they see us out among them practicing the TLC elements.”

• Donna Holiday

“I see Home Groups as a place ready to welcome and enfold new people who are looking for friendship, community and a place to belong, giving them confidence to begin to soar in their walk with God.”

What Happens During The Home Group Meeting?

Each group may have its own unique personality, but here is a picture of what could happen (this is only a
sample):

• The time together will begin with fellowship around food.
• All ages will share God’s goodness during the past week, including neighborhood concerns/ministry opportunities (the goal is that groups will become “trans-generational” as possible).
• The children may have a separate short lesson based on the “Taking Strides” lesson of the week, and then play time.
• The adults will have their own Taking Strides study time, with sharing and prayer.
• All meet together for desert and sharing at the end.

We will have a team to develop creative children lessons that can be used, tracking along with the study for that week. This may also include some object lessons to help stir children’s thinking.

Though Home Groups are not primarily Bible Studies, understanding and applying God’s Word are essential for spiritual growth. Every Home Group study will generally follow the Taking Strides sermon notes provided to the whole congregation. The leader will facilitate discussion based on the current Sunday messages. The actual direction of the discussion may vary with each group, depending on the specific needs for spiritual growth.

God is the one who is working in the hearts of believers to initiate the process of transformation: “And as the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like him and reflect his glory even more” (2 Cor 3:18). It is the role of the leader to facilitate discussion that can lead to moments of sharing and group growth.

Many groups may choose to meet every-other-week. Some Home Groups may meet once-a-week for approximately three hours, with the first week of the month “off.” When there are corporate Forcey activities, such as Block Party, Week of Prayer, Congregational Meeting, etc. Home Groups will be asked to meet with the Forcey family rather than as a separate group. Summer or Christmas breaks will be decided by the group.

What About The Leadership of Home Groups?

Qualified individuals have been invited from within the Forcey family to become Home Group leaders. They have been meeting for Home Group Huddles in preparation for the start of Home Groups in January. All the leaders will continue to meet in quarterly huddles to encourage each other and to polish leadership skills. Because of the family/hospitality emphasis of home groups, each leadership team consists of husband & wife or leader with a host household. Home Groups will also have a built-in process for developing future leaders and for rotating leadership within groups.

How Do I Join?

Each person/family will be invited to “test drive” a home group in their neighborhood. This will be a six-week trial. After this, the leader will ask you to join the group for a year. Of course, at the end of each year, you will have the chance to continue in the group, be a part of multiplication in a new group, or perhaps take steps for “heart growth” that do not include Home Groups for your current season of life.

The Forcey website will have a page listing current Home Groups with leader contact information. Here people will be able to learn a bit about the group and the leaders, and will be asked to share some information about themselves with the group leader before their “test drive.” There is also a display in the church lobby where you can find information.

Visit Current Home Groups Page

Questions?

If you have any questions about Home Groups, please email us at homegroups@forcey.org.