How do you define a Life Group?

 

Life Groups are consistent gatherings of approximately six married couples or eight individuals that meet weekly in someone's home for fellowship, Bible study, prayer, and accountability. They are for adults of all ages, stages of life, and spiritual maturity. 

 

 

Why does Oasis do Life Groups?

​

We believe that it is in the context of intentional relationships where significant life change takes place best.

 

Life Groups are the place where real life and real issues are discussed. This is the environment to celebrate the successes and good times of life and comfort one another in the tough and disappointing times. It is a place to be encouraged, equipped and challenged to grow in our relationship with Jesus Christ.

 

 

What makes Oasis's Life Groups model unique from others?

​

Perhaps the most distinguishing feature of our model is the closed-group structure. We believe relationships take time to form and anything that gets in the way of the group building relational capital with one another works against this goal. Groups stay closed for a predetermined time of twelve to twenty-four months. At that time they multiply to form at least two new groups. If a group loses members along the way, they are free to add new couples or individuals if everyone in the group agrees.

 

 

When do Life Groups meet?

​

Each Life Group decides when and where it wants to meet. Most groups meet at least 3 times a month. As individuals seek to join a Life Group, we help them find people that are meeting on a particular night and in a certain area of the city. All of our Life Groups meet in group members' homes.

 

 

How long does a Life Group last?

​

Each group determines the duration of time that they will meet – we recommend that they spend between twelve to twenty-four months together.

 

 

What is your process for connecting people into Life Groups?

​

Once a request to join a group has been made a staff member or volunteer connects the individual with an existing or new group based on the details they included in their sign up.

 

 

What criteria do you use to place people in Life Groups?

 

Typically people looking to connect to a new Life Group for the first time use the following criteria:

 

• Stage of life (i.e., married with kids, married without kids, married empty nesters, single males or single females)

• Area of town

• Day/Night of the week

 

 

How do groups choose curriculum?

​

Oasis makes its own curriculum each week and supplies it online or via DVD to the group leader. Each week's topic connects with the topic from the previous Sunday morning - so what you hear about on Sunday you will have a chance to talk about during the week. This approach builds momentum and leads to positive life-change.

 

 

If a member drops out of a group, do your groups add additional members?

​

During the first six months of the group's twelve to twenty-four month life cycle, members are added to fill the group to capacity. After that, it is the group's decision whether to add any additional members. If the group is planning to multiply within six months, we recommend they don't add new people.

 

 

How do groups add additional group members?

 

If all members of the group are willing to add members, we encourage group members to look at their existing relationships first (friends and neighbours). Outside of that members are added to groups through Oasis Staff recommendations.

 

 

What is the purpose of the Group Covenant and is it really necessary?

​

The covenant is a tool used by the group members to help establish expectations and manage the group for the duration of its life cycle. Its use is essential because most problems that groups face are due to unmet expectations.

 

 

How is childcare provided for Life Group?

​

Parents arrange for childcare during their Life Group, often group members with children bring their kids together and get one babysitter.

 

 

Do you recommend groups meet outside of their weekly meeting times?

​

Yes! We recommend groups have regularly scheduled ‘planned interruptions.’ A planned interruption can be a social event, a community service project, or even an overnight retreat.

 

 

What is Oasis' process for recruiting and approving leaders?

​

Our primary means of identifying potential leaders is our apprenticing process. “Replace Yourself” is one of our eight leader essentials. This means that a leader identifies an apprentice within the first six to nine months of a group. Once the apprentice is identified, he or she must still be approved to lead by the Life Groups Pastor. The approval process for group leaders includes:

 

• Completing a group leader application

• Meeting with the Life Groups Pastor for an interview

• Committing to ongoing development, beginning with a one-time Life Group Leader Orientation before starting the group

 

During the approval process, the candidates are evaluated in five key areas:

​

• Character — Is this person in a growing relationship with Jesus Christ?

• Competence — Does this person have the skills and experience to lead a group?

• Culture — Does this person embrace the mission, vision, and strategy of the church?

• Chemistry — Is this someone with whom you’d like to be in a group?

• Connected — Is this person connected to the church through membership?

 

 

How do leaders choose and prepare an apprentice?

 

Leaders should choose people who could replace them. The best way to prepare apprentices is to include them in every aspect of facilitating and leading the group. In looking for an apprentice, we ask leaders to look for those who have the four Cs (character, competency, culture, and chemistry) to lead a group.

 

 

How do I sign up?

 

You can sign up right here.