You Weren’t Meant to Grow Alone!

By Brandon Lemons

God's desire is that people grow as followers of Jesus. As the apostle Paul writes in Ephesians 4:15, "We will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church."

Do you want to grow in your relationship with God? Do you want to better understand and apply the Bible? Are you interested in developing deeper friendships with other Christians? Would you like to grow in representing Jesus to the world around you?

One of the best ways to pursue this kind of growth is to be part of a Growth Group!

What Is a Growth Group?

Growth Groups are small communities that help people grow as followers of Jesus. Many churches (including Friedens in the past) use the term “small groups” to describe these communities. While that name describes the size of the gathering, it doesn't communicate its purpose. We believe “Growth Group” is a more meaningful name because it reflects why these groups exist: to help people grow as followers of Jesus.

Growing to be like Jesus doesn't happen by accident – and it's not meant to happen alone.

Hebrews 10:24-25 reminds us of the important role other people play in our spiritual growth: "Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together... but encouraging one another."

God uses relationships with other Christians to encourage, challenge, support, and strengthen us. While worship services are an essential part of spiritual growth, they are not designed to provide the kind of personal interaction where people can ask questions, share struggles, pray for one another, and build deeper relationships. In addition to worship services, we need smaller settings where we can "spur one another on," "encourage one another," and, as Ephesians 4:15 says, "speak the truth in love." This is why one of Friedens' core values is “Discipleship through Relationships.”

Meaningful relationships are one of God's primary tools for helping us grow, and Growth Groups provide a place for those relationships to flourish.

What Happens in a Growth Group?

Growth Groups focus on four priorities:

• Applying God's Word – discussing Scripture together and encouraging one another to live out its truth in everyday life.

• Praying for One Another – bringing needs, struggles, and joys before God together and supporting one another through prayer.

• Sharing Life Together – building authentic friendships and caring for one another through life's ups and downs.

• Engaging Our World – encouraging one another to love our neighbors, serve others, and point people to Jesus.

These priorities reflect Friedens' mission statement: “Making disciples of Jesus through UP-IN-OUT relationships.” Growth Groups help people cultivate healthy, Gospel-shaped:

• UP relationships with God

• IN relationships with other Christians

• OUT relationships with the world around them

As people grow in these relationships, they grow in becoming more faithful disciples of Jesus.

Why Growth Groups Matter

We believe Growth Groups provide one of the most effective environments for discipleship. They bring together God's Word, prayer, encouragement, meaningful relationships, and opportunities to live out our faith throughout the week.

That's why Growth Groups are such an important part of life at Friedens. God designed His people to grow together, and a Growth Group is one of the best places for that to happen.

If you're not currently connected in a Growth Group, we'd love to help you find one. We believe you'll discover what countless Christians throughout history have experienced: spiritual growth happens best when we follow Jesus together.