Connect Group Covenant
This covenant will help us discuss and clarify our goals, expectations, and commitments as a group. Since healthy groups thrive on trust and participation, a clear covenant is an important starting point toward a successful group experience.
Connect Groups: Our Basic Purpose
Connect groups exist to promote the development of significant Christian relationships centered around the study of God’s Word (see Hebrews 10:24–25; Romans 8:29).
Sharing
Each week we will take time to share what is happening in our lives. At first this sharing will include some planned “sharing questions.” After the first few weeks, it will become more informal and personal as our group feels safer and more comfortable.
Study
Each week we’ll study a portion of God’s Word that relates to the previous weekend’s sermon. Our goal is to learn how to apply and live out our Christianity in our day-to-day experiences and relationships.
Support
Each week we’ll learn how to take care of one another as Christ commanded (see John 15:9–13). This care will take many forms, such as praying, listening, meeting needs, and encouraging and even challenging one another as needed.
Five Marks of a Healthy Group
For our group to be healthy, we need to:
1. focus on spiritual growth as a top priority (Romans 8:29);
2. accept one another in love just as Christ has accepted us (Romans 15:7);
3. take care of one another in love without crossing over the line into parenting or taking inappropriate responsibility for solving the problems of others (John 13:34);
4. treat one another with respect in both speech and action (Ephesians 4:25–5:2);
5. keep our commitments to the group—including attending regularly, doing the homework, and keeping confidences whenever requested (Psalm 15:1–2, 4b).
Guidelines and Covenant
1. Dates We’ll meet on the designated day (either Tuesday or Thursday) for our group each week from April 6/8 to May 25/27.
2. Time We’ll arrive between 7pm and 7:15pm and begin the meeting at 7:15pm. We’ll spend approximately 45 minutes in study/discussion and 30 minutes in
prayer/sharing. We will be done by 9pm.
3. Children Group members are responsible to arrange childcare for their children. Nursing newborns are welcome, provided they are not a distraction to the group.
4. Study Each week we’ll study the same topic(s) covered in the previous weekend’s sermon.
5. Prayer Our group will be praying each week for one another and specific requests.
6. Homework and Attendance
Joining a connect group requires a commitment to attend each week and to do the homework ahead of time. Obviously, allowances are made for sickness, vacation, work conflicts, and other special events—but not much more! This commitment is the key to a healthy group.
Most weeks, the homework will require from twenty to thirty minutes to adequately prepare for the group study and discussion.
If we cannot come to a meeting, we will call our group leader ASAP.
7. Refreshments
We will all take turns providing refreshments at each meeting. If we are unable to provide them the day we are scheduled, we will let our group host know immediately so other arrangements can be made.
8. Social(s) We will plan at least one social event as a group this session. We will make it a priority to attend as this helps us grow in relationship, making our group stronger.
9. Service Project(s)
We will, as a group, be involved in reaching out and helping others.
COVID-19 Disclaimer
It is our desire to keep everyone as safe and healthy as possible. Please help us by doing all you can to protect others. If you are sick or have been around others who are sick, please stay home. By participating in a Connect Group you are assuming the risk of getting sick yourself.
We agree together in Christ to honor this covenant.
