Introduction and Overview
This Covenant communicates what every small group member commits to maintain and is a living out as an extension of our church covenant at Living Hope Bible Church. The following covenant communicates how every small group member commits to live as an extension of our local church, under the oversight of Jesus Christ, and his undershepherds, the pastors and elders.
- I will make my Small Group meetings a priority, and if I'm unable to attend or running late, I will call ahead.
- I will come to my Small Group meeting prepared and ready to participate.
- I will commit to my Small Group to focus on application of God's Word to my life.
- I will maintain confidentiality of the personal information that is shared within my Small Group. I understand my small group leader may communicate appropriate information to those in leadership as necessary and I trust his or her discernment in this.
- I will be accountable to my small group concerning my personal and spiritual goals.
- I will commit to a small group that is open to new members, and, as it grows, we will seek to multiply to further God's work.
- I will encourage other members to cultivate a daily quiet time with God.
- I will pursue opportunities to share what God has done in our lives to those that do not know Jesus Christ.
- I will pray and support the leadership of Living Hope Bible Church to continue to seek God's direction for our Small Group Ministry.
- I will strive to live out the spirit of the "one another" commands in the Bible as a means of glorifying Christ and edifying His Body in our local church in the
following ways: Love One Another - Care Intentionally John 13:34, 1 Peter 4:8; Eph 4:15 Be earnest in my love at all times Always speak the truth in love Listen to understand, don't assume or accuse Pray for one another with compassion Forgive One Another - Pursue Unity Eph 4:1-32; 1 Cor 1:10; Matt 18:15-20 Be quick to forgive and ask forgiveness Let personal offenses roll off my back or to God in prayer
1 Thess 5:1; Rom 1:12; Eph 4:29
Model unity by resolving conflict quickly Get the whole story, including both sides in personal conflict Serve One Another - Minister Actively Gal. 5:13, Ex 17:11-12; Prov 19:20; 1 Cor 12:21-26 Be intentional in blessing others Stay Teachable and show deference Be Flexible to meet situational needs Maximize my strengths and recognize my constraints Be committed to the whole, not just the part Submit To One Another - Esteem Others Highly Eph 5:21; 1 Pt 5:5; Phil 2:3-4; Matt 7:3-5 Be the first to lead in humility and honor Serve others' interests before my own Check my motives and expectations before speaking Know my limits and respect the boundaries of others Encourage One Another - Cultivate Redemptive Relationships
Be a safe person to get real with Seek to build up always and never tear down Complement other's character when I think it twice Value the person more than their performance Point to Christ for hope and help Be Devoted To One Another - Commit Wholeheartedly Rom 12:5-10; Prov 17:17; Prov 13:3 Be there in the hard times Seek reconciliation between others Guard my relationships with truth and love Go gently if correction is needed _____________________________________ ________________________ (signed) (date)