SHAREGROUP MINISTRY AT ST. JOHN’S

“They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” (Act 2:42-47)

Why ShareGroups at St. John’s?

The body of Christ at St. John’s is a loving, caring community that desires to connect others to the deep love and acceptance of Christ. Part of the fabric of St. John’s is the intentional formation of community groups where others may come to know and experience Christ’s saving grace and the relationship that he desires with each of us. We understand that we are in a time of less relationship and less community, and that group life, in whatever form, addresses our need for authentic community and relationship while at the same time building a stronger relationship with Christ. ShareGroups are an essential part of how St. John’s accomplishes it’s mission of “Connecting People with Jesus.”

ShareGroup Ministry MISSION:

Our mission for ShareGroups is to connect people so they may experience a deeper relationship with Christ and intimate, authentic community through worship, study, prayer and fellowship. ShareGroups naturally produce disciples who are able to go out and connect others to Jesus.

ShareGroup Ministry VALUES:

ShareGroups emulate the core values of St. John’s:

By welcoming newcomers, existing members and those in our surrounding community and understanding that group life is something to be shared, we incorporate God’s people into His family by offering a place of fellowship in a ShareGroup.

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always to the very end of the age. (Matthew 28:18-20)

By meeting people where they are, accepting one another without judgement, and recognizing that each person is created in the image of God, we demonstrate God’s love by praying and caring for one another.

“I’m giving you a new commandment: Love each other in the same way that I have loved you. Everyone will know that you are my disciples because of your love for each other.” (John 13:34-35)

God’s purpose was that the body should not be divided but rather that all of its parts should feel the same concern for each other. If one part of the body suffers, all the other parts share its suffering. If one part is praised, all the others share in its happiness. (I Cor. 12:25-26)

By sharing our lives, praying and worshipping in ShareGroups we celebrate God’s presence and the goodness he brings to our lives in Him.

Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe (Hebrew 12:28)

We must also consider how to encourage each other to show love and to do good things. We should not stop gathering together with other believers, as some of you are doing. Instead, we must continue to encourage each other even more as we see the day of the Lord coming. (Hebrews 10:24-25)

By reading and studying God’s word and understanding how he commands us to live and grow, ShareGroup’s equip God’s people.

Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and forever! (2 Peter 3:18)

ShareGroups exist to promote community, however they also exist for a much grander purpose, to communicate God’s good news and bring to light those who are in the dark, whether inside or outside a ShareGroup.

However, you are chosen people, a royal priest hood, a holy nation, people who belong to God. You were chosen to tell about the excellent qualities of God, who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not God’s people, but now you are. Once you were not shown mercy, but now you have been shown mercy. (1 Peter 2:9-10)