Connect Groups

Overview of Connect Groups

Connect Groups at Generocity Church are central to fulfilling the mission of creating discipleship communities that know, grow, live, and share the love of Jesus. They provide a personal relational context where participants can deepen their intimacy with God, connect authentically with others, and live out their faith in community.

Connect Groups serve as environments where members experience both spiritual growth and personal transformation through shared relationships. It is a place for Pastoral Care, that goes beyond their designated meeting time each fortnight. We see our Connect Groups as the space where we can demonstrate 1 Thessalonians 2:8 where it says “so we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well.”

Purpose of Connect Groups

• Know Jesus: Provide an accessible, welcoming space where participants can grow in their understanding of and relationship with Jesus.

• Grow in Jesus: Encourage members to engage deeply with God’s Word, practice spiritual disciplines and develop in their gifting's and Christlike character.

• Live Like Jesus: Foster communities that model generosity, humility, and service, reflecting Jesus in their daily lives.

• Share Jesus: Equip and inspire members to share their faith and disciple others, extending the reach of God’s Kingdom.

Connect Group Framework

This guide outlines how connect groups function within Generocity Church, ensuring consistency while allowing for contextual adaptation in diverse regions.

1. Structure and Leadership

• Groups are designed to consist of 6-12 members to foster intimacy while allowing for diverse perspectives and contributions.

• A Connect Group needs to have a leader, supported by a co-leader or apprentice who is mentored to take on future leadership responsibilities.

• Leaders are Spirit-led, they embody Generocity Church’s values, and are focused on fostering and transforming people and community. 

2. Meeting Format

Connect group meetings are structured around four key elements:

God Focused: We are focused on God through worship, prayer, or reflection, creating an environment of reverence and spiritual openness. Values: Spirit Led and Purposeful Prayer.

Biblical Discussion: Focus on a passage of Scripture or message-based discussion, encouraging practical application and deep engagement with God’s Word. Value: . Facilitators guide the discussion, ensuring inclusivity and respect for all perspectives.

Relational Connection: Dedicate time for members to share personal updates, prayer requests, or testimonies, building relational trust and authenticity (People-Focused value).

Action Steps: Conclude each meeting by challenging members to live out their faith practically, whether through personal reflection, acts of service, or evangelistic opportunities.

3. Guidelines for Connect Groups

• Groups meet weekly or biweekly to maintain relational momentum and spiritual growth. They can decide whether they follow school term patterns or not.

• Establish clear expectations around confidentiality, respect, and active participation, ensuring the group remains a safe space for personal sharing

• Incorporate accountability in a non-judgmental manner, encouraging members to act on their commitments and grow spiritually.

• Groups adapt content and activities to their specific context while aligning with Generocity Church’s overarching vision and values to be spirit led.

• If complex, challenging, or sensitive situations arise that you feel unprepared to handle, promptly escalate these concerns to the Lead Pastor for guidance and support. This ensures appropriate care for group members while providing you with the necessary support

4. Leader Development

• Leaders receive ongoing training on facilitation, conflict resolution, and spiritual leadership, supplemented by ongoing mentorship and coaching. We recommend this happens at least twice a year.

• Emphasis is placed on personal spiritual growth, reflecting Generocity Church’s commitment to being Spirit-led.

• Leaders are encouraged to identify and mentor future leaders, fostering group multiplication and church growth

• We recommend the following books for leaders to read in developing in their position: Sticky Church, Discipleship That Fits and Careforce Lifekeys.

Summary

Generocity Church’s connect groups are intentionally adaptable, allowing each local church to contextualize the framework based on community needs while maintaining alignment with the organizational mission.

Local campuses assess the needs and dynamics of their community to determine the best connect group focus, eg outreach, healing, or discipleship. Despite local adaptations, all connect groups align with the vision to create discipleship communities that know, grow, live, and share the love of Jesus.

We track growth not only through who attends each connect group meeting (through attendance in Planning Center), but through testimonies and observations. We measure growth through the lens of our discipleship outcomes: knowing Jesus, Growing in Jesus, living like Jesus and Sharing Jesus. 

Generocity Church’s connect groups are essential environments where transformation happens. By providing spaces for deep relationships, personal growth, and spiritual action, these groups embody the church’s vision and values, creating a thriving community of disciples who impact their world for Jesus.