House Groups are an essential part of oasiss structure to provide for the church and for the community. We currently have three main house groups although there are hopes to form a fourth group in the not too distant future. The groups are run fortnightly by the leaders of the church at their homes in various locations in Gowerton. All members of the church are assigned a group to be a part of and they are encouraged to attend as regularly as possible. This is because house groups are one of the ways we can build healthy relationships within the church. As previously mentioned in the Church vision, we believe a healthy church is built on three healthy relationships:
With God
With other Christians
With Non Christians
Subsequently house groups exist to try and strengthen and deepen each of those relationships. This is summed up by the SES. ( Support, Equip, Socialising)
Support or care is a crucial part of what house groups aim to provide. Part of this is simply being able to rely on people within your house group for practical needs and advice. But the groups are also encouraged to provide support in the form of prayer. Prayer is vital to the Christian and often times the knowledge that others are praying with or for you is a huge encouragement. We want the dynamic of the groups to be such that people are drawn to them and resolve to build a smaller community centred on the Gospel that will love its people and their non Christian friends.
Equip or edify is the second main function of the groups. We spend up to an hour looking at the bible, either going through a book or a subject over a couple of months. Sometimes the house groups study the same subjects, other times the leaders decide to do specialist studies based on what the group want or, need to look at. The leaders will guide the discussions and frequently split the groups into smaller impact groups where questions and bible passages can be discussed more openly. Depending on the series or program we sometimes watch DVDs and use study guides to enable us to thoroughly understand the message. It is during this time that we want to equip the church to deepen their relationship with Jesus Christ and consequently facilitate them to show Jesus to their friends and family. This would come under the heading of discipleship and it is a massive part of what house groups are designed for.
Socialising is the third major role that the house groups exist for. It is good to meet with other Christians and simply enjoy those relationships. Subsequently there is an open time of general chit chat before and after the study where Tea, Coffee and Cakes are consumed in large quantities. The social aspect is key for the church to love and serve one an other and so the church is encouraged to meet with each other outside of house group meetings in order to build the friendships. There are regular house group evenings designated to pure socialising, hence the name socials. These are evenings designated to relationship building meals out, bbqs and similar activities. On nights like these, there is no formal study and the groups are encouraged to bring along friends and family to mix with the people in the church and build relationships within the community.
So thats the overall idea behind our House Groups; a chilled out relaxed atmosphere where we eat lots, and talk lots in a comfortable environment for anyone. We would love you to come along, and if you would like to come along to our service on a Saturday, or to one of our house groups, please email or phone one of the available contacts on the web site.
Location: Waynes house
Time: 6:00pm alternate Wednesdays (see oasis calendar for details)
Our house group is a very social and interactive one, we generally start with a cuppa and food then chat about what is going on in our lives and within the Church. We then spend around an hour going through a bible passage or through supplementary books or DVD’s that will help and develop our faith and relationship with Jesus. We then finish with a cuppa and some cakes (love the cake).
Cling to the cross with all your might people, it’s our hope!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Waynes News
14/06/11
Hi, Guys,
We are a new house group yet again!!
So we are all looking forward to developing closer relationships and supporting each other during our time together. We are starting a new 8 week course by Tim Keller which is called Gospel in Life. This will allow us to get a deeper and more meaningful appreciation of the Gospel.
I will keep you infomred on a fortnighly basis on what you need to prepare in anticipation of house group.
We will continue to have food together and you will be informed when it is your turn to cook...
Just remember that if you need me during the week you know where i am.
01/09/2010
We feel sad and excited at the present time as its just been announced that our house group will be changing in the near future, sad because we really enjoy everyones company who attends our house group, but exciting because we are growing as a Church and more people will hear the word of GOD and be SAVED. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who helped to set up and contributed to this group to make it the success it has become. We now look forward to welcoming the new house group members to our home and hope we have as much fun and fulfilment as the last group.
Wayne & Sarra
12/07/10
can I ask you to think about what part of the bible we should go through next as a group? And we'll make a decision on this in due course. Thanks, and have a great week.
01/08/201
Hi, All
Just a gentle reminder that we will be going through Genesis Ch4 v1-26. So can you all read the passage as many times as possible before house group on Wed. If you have any questions you can ring me before then if you want. Have a good week and pray for wisdom to read deep into the passage.
I'll be praying for you all
Wayne
Thursday 7th October 2010
Just to remind you that our house group will commence on the 12th of Oct at 6pm. We will be going through Wayne Grudem's 20 Christian beliefs. If you don't have a copy please contact me ASAP,(07711040354) and I'll sort out a copy for you. You will need it before group to read through certain sections, we will be looking a No 1 The Bible in our first session. Sarra and I will do food and we'll rotate there after, we look forward to seeing you on the 12th, if you can't make the session can you please let me know in advance:•) Wayne
Location: Steve Dyers Address
Time: 7:30pm 19:30pm alternate Tuesdays (see oasis calendar for details)
On a typical Tuesday, We usually spend half an hour or so chatting and chilling whilst eating cakes and drinking the beautiful cup that is coffee. Building relationships and caring for each other is a large part of the intended dynamic for house groups and so a similar half an hour slot is at the other end of the study, though it is frequently longer. The main bulk of the time is given over to the studying of the bible and to discussing relevant questions that arise from looking at Gods Word. Although there are designated leaders for the studies, it is an environment where interaction and discussions are key. Following the study we usually pray for specific needs that the church has, whether individually or corporately.
You dont have to know anything about God or the bible to come along, house groups are simply a way in which the church can love each, learn about how great King Jesus is, and just generally relax. Some weeks will be set aside for just socialising
Steve's Housegroup
22nd Oct 2010
Hey All. Well if you’re in this house group, you are very welcome and blessed On the run up to Christmas and the new Year we will be focussing on Mr Grudem’s ‘20 Christian Beliefs’. We won’t be doing them all, just 6 of them. The 6 are: the Bible, Trinity, Atonement, what is a Christian, the Church and Judgement. If you haven’t got a book, please see Mr Wilcox (Wayne). Please can I encourage you to be on time (7.30pm start) coz my head starts to go when people are late!!! Mr Keene thank you for all your work and teaching that you did in this group over last few months, we really appreciate you and your work. Everybody else we kicked out (Lisa, Ben & Rachel, Jonny & Emma etc) we will miss you, it was great having you in this group, but please go and serve others . People of this group, make sure you do your reading and preparation for the group, no excuses!!!
Steve D x
01/08/2010
The scheduled session 4 on Genesis 4 will not be taking place this week due to an improv social. There has been so much to look at in the 1st 3 chapters that we are going to take some time to chat about what we have learnt and loved. 7 30 start, usual place. If everyone could think back to what they have enjoyed over the last 3 sessions, that will be a good basis for the discussion. See you all Tuesday, you all know what to bring thanks to bec. If you want to invite friends, this week will be ideal. If you cant make it please let me know.
Sam.
As your al aware house groups have changed and Steve Dyer is now taking over this house group, whilst Sam is engaged in his studies.
Location: Robs House
Time: 6:00pm alternate Tuesdays (see oasis calendar for details)
Rob's News
Communion with God is the greatest good our Father gives to his redeemed, and desiring communion with God is part of what it means to be made in his image. Yet our sinful hearts often find excuses to avoid spending time in prayer and the reading of his Word.
The consequences are much more serious than we realize, as we become increasingly susceptible to the lies of the world, our flesh, and the devil.
This series is intended to teach you how to pray, how to profit from Scripture, and how to develop a plan for daily times of communion with your Father. Most importantly, it is intended to help you to grow in your passion to pursue and protect a daily time in which you can meet with God and be changed as a result.
1. Communion with God in a fallen world.
2.Knowing God in the bible
3.How to profit from scripture
4.How to pray
5.The character and content of Paul's prayers
6.Passion with a plan
Location: Steve House
Hi all
I would like to start with the great news of Oasis church growing.
Due to the church’s growth myself and Joann wanted to open our home for house group.
Letting more people have the chance to learn from the bible in small groups, Yes with good food. As we know that there are many people that need Jesus to come into their life through the word of God. I am starting this group with Steve Dyer our Pastor, he is leading me through this learning process. I think with time the group will bond and relationships will grow while we receive some good solid bible teachings.
We will all struggle from time to time with life’s up’s and downs but we need to turn to the Bible,
as we read Gods word he will help us through this. Taking part in house group promotes a healthy relationship with each other and with our Father whilst we share in the good news.
Steve's News
Ok well those of you that have browsed the website will know a little bit about our House groups (HG's) and their purpose. As a church we want to grow in our knowledge of our great Saviour and God, Jesus; and one way we look to do this is to meet as smaller groups during the week. There are currently 3 HG's that run fortnightly on different evenings. Our Group meets on a Wednesday at 6pm at Steve Halls house and is currently going through a book called "The Gospel Centered Church" by Steve Timmis and Tim Chester. The small booklet tackles the issues of being a missional Gospel driven community. It uses the Bible as its reference to answer questions like: What is the purose of the Church? and How should we 'do church'? Ultimatly we want to use the groups to encourage and challenge each other to know God more. The effect of this on the communities we live in will be significant if sucessful. People will see our Joy in Jesus and it should cause our friends to want to know the God that created them.
So the main goal of the HG's is to be places where members and friends can come and learn more about who Jesus is and what He has done for us. But dont get the impression that HG's are dull and lecture like. Often we will just meet to eat or catch up on life in general arround Coffe, or Tea, or some other non caffinated veriety. As a church we want the HG's to be places where our members care and provide for not just each other but also for the community in which they are situated.
Steve and Jo have kindly offered to let us use their home each week, and Steve will be leading some of the sessions over the coming months. If you want anymore information on our HG's or the material we are using, or if you have any questions, just drop an email. You regulars, see you next week! In a bit. Sam
