160 LIFE Group Surveys
(April 20, 2008)
Distribution by age:
81%Over 40
15%19 - 40
4%Under 19
   Distribution by LG experience:
48%Current LG members
20%Former LG members
28%Non LG members
4%(Unspecified)
Best Things about LIFE Groups
(75 forms)

 Most forms mentioned several "best things;"
the frequency of the various concepts
mentioned are shown below:

31Getting to know church family better
17Closeness to other Christians
16Fellowship and Visiting
15Bible Study
13New/More Friends
10Sharing (Life, Bible, Feelings)
9Bonding
8Discussions
8Personal Relationships
8Spiritual Growth
6Table Fellowship
5Family
5Love
4Fun
4Prayer
3Caring

Other items mentioned less frequently were:

Generational mixing, Important part of life,
Involvement with other Christians, Support,
Realness, Intimacy, Openness, Encouragement,
Confessional, Home environment
           
Suggestions for LIFE Groups
(41 suggestions)

By Age:
     63%Over 40
     34%19 - 40
      2%Under 19

By LG Experience:
     83%Current LG members
      7%Former LG members
      7%Non LG members
      3%(unspecified)

By Category:
     33%Start/Stop Time
     11%Organization
      9%Meeting Frequency
      7%Discussion Depth
      7%Leaders
      7%Meeting Length
      7%Publish LG Information
      4%Children
      4%Fellowship
      4%Food
      4%Signup Procedures
      2%Commitment Level
      2%Discussion Questions
Reason I am not in a LG
(61 forms)
14Health
10Driving (too far, or not at night)
6Family Schedule
6N/A or not understood
6Don't like LG
5Meetings go too late
4Work Schedule
Other items mentioned less frequently:
Too tired, Need more information,
Not comfortable in groups, Spouse,
Transportation
Here are the "Best Things" about LIFE Groups:
  • Promotes REALness. Removes masks. More friends. Closer friends. Bible study time.
  • My LIFE Group is like a breath of fresh air! I arrange my whole week's schedule to be sure I can be there. The Bible study and discussion encourages me and gets me through the week.
  • Become closer and bond as a real family
  • Closeness, Friendship, and Love
  • Fellowship, studying the Word together, caring for each other's needs, praying for others and ourselves.
  • Wonderful support and love they offer; beautiful fellowship.
  • Being together and sharing God's word, hearing other's beliefs reinforces my beliefs. I enjoy the fellowship of eating together. In doing so you become better acquainted.
  • Greater knowledge of brothers and sisters. Closer bonds with church family.
  • Learning from each other more about God and the Word and getting to know each other more than is possible in the other ways we contact each other.
  • Meeting and getting to know people in congregation.
  • Build relationships with other members; get to know them!
  • Get to know your Brothers and Sisters in Christ. More special relationships.
  • Getting to know each other. Sharing yourself with others.
  • Closeness and intimacy with others in the groups.
  • Getting to know members in a closer way.
  • Looking forward to the Sunday evenings with friends. Getting to know other members in the group on a more personal basis. Being involved in other's lives.
  • Getting to know one another better and enjoying being together as Christians and it's fun!
  • Becoming so close with the group
  • Getting to know people and becoming comfortable enough to share on a personal level which creates a lasting bond.
  • Wonderful way of bonding with my brothers and sisters.
  • Having a group you can talk about anything to! Being able to truly know and trust allows you to share your real feelings.
  • Enjoy getting to know others and the ability to discuss the Bible.
  • The bonding! It's a place you can talk and really get involved in each other's lives.
  • Experiencing the FAMILY part of the church. We were missing this experience from worship services and it almost caused us to look for another church family. But with LIFE Groups we are fulfilled and able to take part in Christ's family.
  • Learning others' points of view about the many subjects we discuss. It has allowed me no only to learn more but to also see how others learn and feel.
  • FRIENDSHIPS!
  • Opportunity to become closer to other members of the Body of Christ
  • Opportunity to discuss spiritual matters in a home environment.
  • Getting to know different people
  • I love LIFE Groups! It's true fellowship and bonding time. You learn and grow with people you would not normally spend time with. 1st Century Church did this naturally and I am glad that we are finally catching on and enjoying [___?] fellowship in one another’s homes!
  • Friends, Fellowship, Bible Study.
  • Getting to know other church members
  • Developing closer relationships with others you would not have otherwise.
  • Sharing things with one another.
  • True fellowship
  • Getting to truly know different people
  • Fellowship with one another.
  • Getting to know fellow Christians better.
  • Connecting on a personal level with Christians of diverse ages and backgrounds.
  • Fellowship. Learning about others who are struggling as I am; it gives me strength.
  • Bonding with your fellow Christian brothers and sisters.
  • It gives us the quality time to get to know one another and share our Faith. This helps people gain deeper relationships and trust in the body. It is a more closer expression of the house church environment we see in the 1st century.
  • Enjoying close fellowship and sharing God's word.
  • The preacher's outlines because the messages are powerful!
  • Fellowship and Caring for each other.
  • Friendship. Fellowship. Conversation.
  • The fellowship allows one to know their brothers and sisters better and understand their needs. It draws people closer.
  • Fellowship. Food. Fun.
  • FRIENDS.
  • Getting to know different people!
  • Personal growth in my relationship with Christ.
  • Wisdom gleaned from older couples.
  • Relationships.
  • Being able to share experiences
  • The connection with your brothers and sisters. Learning the Bible in a different atmosphere.
  • Sharing struggles you are having in your Christian walk in a small intimate group and then being able to pray with and for them.
  • The CLOSENESS of our group. We share our joys and our cares.
  • Fellowship. Bible study. Getting to know others in a deeper way!
  • Food.
  • Growth. Spiritual friendships. Knowing each other. Increasing love for each other.
  • Encourage one another and share our lives and struggles with each other so we can challenge each other in our spiritual walk.
  • Intimate prayer and confession time, Bible study, FUN! Sense of belonging.
  • Friendships that are formed. Closeness in the group and the righteous prayers for the ill and all in need.
  • Getting to know each other better. Studying the Bible more.
  • Personal friendships that are developed. Sharing spiritual struggles and experiences.
  • Getting to know our church family.
  • Knowing our church family better.
  • The love of a family. The friendships made. The strengthening of my faith and closeness to God.
  • Getting to know my brothers and sisters in Christ. It has helped me grow as a Christian. Now I know there are people that truly care about me and love me and in whom I can depend. It has helped my relationship with my spouse grow. I look forward to it each week!
  • Friendship. Studying the word of God. Getting to know each other better.
  • Fellowship with other Christians. Meeting and getting to know each other better and studying God's word, where you can ask questions and have a group input.
  • Having the entire family participate.
  • Friendships gained.
  • Meeting wonderful people
  • Sharing my good times and bad with loved ones. We care about each other.
  • Getting to know each other. Sharing good events of life as well as providing support at difficult times.
  • Spending time with brothers and sisters and discussing ways to APPLY GOD'S WORD to our lives.
  • Fellowship and Visiting.
  • THANKS for providing LIFE Groups; this is an important part of my week.
  • Developing Relationships.
  • Fellowship.
  • Friendship.
  • Fellowship. Belonging. Getting to know each other -- Really know each other. So many good things/blessings!
  • Getting to know our church family outside of the CHURCH BUILDING!
  • Getting to know one another on a more of a one on one basis.
  • Great fellowship.