Goal of LIFE Groups: Better Understand the Bible & Each Other

By Phil Shahbaz, Pastor of Community Life

As we begin the New Year, LBF Church is set to once again launch a new LIFE Group season. The LIFE Group program at LBF is made up of many different kinds of small groups with one common thread: the goal is to better understand the Bible and better support one another.

Our hope is that the experience of being part of a LIFE Group will further benefit you and your family in a variety of ways: 

1. You will gain a deeper understanding of the Bible in a LIFE Group. If you’ve ever listened to a Bible teacher or pastor and wanted to ask, “But what about…?” or “I don’t understand...,” then a LIFE Group can help. In a small group setting, you can ask questions, participate in a discussion of the text, and hear others share insights and illustrations you are trying to grasp. 
2. You will begin to really feel like you’re part of God’s family. Most people who have been a part of a group say the greatest benefit is the close relationships and friendships that develop. They will frequently call each other during the week to share an urgent prayer request or exciting news. You’ll discover that your needs and problems are not unique – we’re all in the same boat.
3. Prayer will become more meaningful to you. Many people are hesitant to pray in front of others, especially in a large church. In a small group of six to 12, you will learn to participate in prayer by having a conversation together with God. No one is pressured to pray, but as you become comfortable, you’ll be able to join in. 
4. You will be able to handle stress and pressure better. LIFE Groups provide excellent support in times of crisis, change, and stress. You’ll have a sense of stability and security knowing there are people who really care for you and are committed to standing with you. Many people in our church could testify that they would not have made it through a difficult time if it hadn’t been for the support of their group.
5. You will have a natural way to share Christ with friends, relatives, and work associates. It may be that some of your friends who don’t know the Lord will not visit a church. But those same people may be open to an invitation to a casual Bible discussion in a home or office setting. In a LIFE Group, your unbelieving friend can ask questions and express honest doubts without feeling put on the spot.
6. You will develop leadership skills and confidence! The Bible teaches that every believer is given certain talents or “gifts” to benefit others in the family of God. Unfortunately, most Christians remain Sunday morning spectators all their lives because large group meetings are primarily “sit and listen” situations. As you share and participate in a relaxed small group setting, you’ll discover your confidence and self-esteem rising. 

This January we will have many opportunities to join a group. We will have options in both men’s and women’s ministries, along with traditional LIFE Groups that meet in homes. 

Be sure to sign up this weekend, and if you have any questions you may contact Phil Shahbaz, Pastor of Community Life, at (909) 981-4848.

LIFE Groups Spotlight: DivorceCare

By Lea Lee, LIFE Groups Coordinator 

Names: Scott & Cathy Carter

Tell us about how you came to faith in Jesus Christ. I was raised atheist and after 25 years of marriage, I was devastated by divorce. My boss shared with me about Jesus and after months of struggling, I asked Jesus to be my Lord and Savior. Cathy was raised Catholic and although she knew of the Lord, He was not at the center of her life. Cathy’s marriage of 26 years came to an end, and distraught and desperate for comfort, she immediately went to a bookstore and purchased a Bible. Thus began her beautiful journey with the Lord of love, trust, mercy, and grace.

Tell us about your family. We each have children from our previous marriages: Matthew, 30; Jenna, 28 and recently married; and Ryan, 26. We have seen so much healing in our families that had previously been torn apart by divorce.

Tell us about how you found LBF. Cathy’s aunt invited her to a Bible study and she quickly found love and comfort from women that would pray over her when everything felt so hopeless. Having never attended church, I tried a couple to see what it was all about, but was awestruck by the love I felt here at LBF from people I felt had no reason to care about me.

How long have you been leading a LIFE Group at LBF? We have been facilitating the DivorceCare group at LBF for about three years.

Tell us about your LIFE Group. DivorceCare is a worldwide, Christ-centered program to help people recover from the pain and devastation of divorce. It is a 13-week support program that includes group discussion, a workbook, and video series with phenomenal counselors, pastors, and people that have experienced divorce and have come through it with life experiences to share.

What are some of the discussion highlights you have had this year? The understanding if we make something other than God the center of our lives (spouse, children, etc.), we are choosing things that can change or deteriorate. When that happens, you will lose your orbit and spiral out of control. There is only one thing that is permanent! Your relationship with God.

What has been the most encouraging thing that has happened in your LIFE Group? To see wonderful people grow. To see them start off their journey seriously hurting and over time (not necessarily in 13 weeks), work through the middle of that pain and come out the other end stronger.

How would you describe the importance of the LIFE Group you lead? When we are married, we become one flesh. When we separate we do not simply go back to being separate individuals, we are torn apart. DivorceCare is a place where you can come to heal.

What would you say to someone that is wary about joining a LIFE Group? Don’t be afraid. We understand that this is a very personal and painful thing to go through, but we would encourage you not to go through it alone. Join us for DivorceCare! Our next 13-week session begins Sunday, January 5, 2014, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Call us at (909) 987-8804 for more info.

LIFE Groups Spotlight: Donna Stone

By Lea Lee, LIFE Groups Coordinator 

Name: Donna Stone

Tell us about how you came to faith in Jesus Christ. I was 12½ years old and desperate. I was living with my alcoholic mother and my tenth stepfather in a tenement in downtown Detroit. Every day was physical abuse and fear. My ninth stepfather and his cousin took me to church and the pastor spoke about fear and that faith in Christ would give me peace. I accepted Christ that day and was placed in emergency foster care within three weeks.

Tell us about your family. I am married to Bob Stone. We have three children, three grandchildren, and one grand doggy.

Tell us about how you found LBF. Gary Cisco, a friend from work, told me about LBF. I looked up the LBF website and liked what I saw. The first Sunday that I walked into LBF, I knew that I was home. That was 16 years ago. Gary just recently passed away and I am so grateful for the gift of my church family that he shared with me.

How long have you been leading a LIFE Group at LBF? This will be my second year.

Tell us a bit about your LIFE Group. My LIFE Group is funny! We laugh, tease, we love each other and hug…a lot. We have lively discussions that are so energizing. I have to say that the ladies in my LIFE Group are the BEST. Also, we share a great love for dessert!

What are some of the discussion highlights you have had this year? Replacing a complaining attitude with an attitude of thanks. Replacing a covetous attitude with an attitude of contentment. Replacing a critical attitude with an attitude of love. Replacing a doubting attitude with an attitude of faith. Finally, replacing a rebellious attitude with an attitude of submission.

What has been the most encouraging thing that has happened in your LIFE Group? How this study changed our thought process. It made us mindful of how our attitude impacts our witness, our walk with the Lord, our workplace, and our families.

How would you describe the importance of the LIFE Group you lead? We are a group of believers that want to grow as followers of Christ. We also want to grow in our relationship with each other.

What would you say to someone that is wary about joining a LIFE Group? You are missing out! You are missing the opportunity to connect and make life-long friends that will welcome you to any LIFE Group with open arms.

Now’s the Time to Join a LIFE Group

By Phil Shahbaz, Pastor of Community Life 

The purpose of the LIFE Groups program at LBF church is simply stated: The LIFE Group program exists to connect us to scripture, and connect us to other Christians.

“Church” should follow us home. When at home, with a small group of believers, we can experience Christ in deep and meaningful ways. In the LBF LIFE Group model, we are able to take the sermon home to continue our learning, and we are able to meet with our friends from church to strengthen our relationships.

Ultimately, we become more able to practice giving and receiving grace to one another (2 Corinthians 13-14), giving and receiving mercy to one another (1 Timothy 1:16), and giving and receiving compassion to one another (Ephesians 4:32). If we can reflect Christ to one another through grace, mercy, and compassion, we will be able to create a safe environment that allows us to talk about our burdens with one another (James 5:16), and most importantly, support one another.

There is no better way to stay connected to the church than by joining a LIFE Group. We began LIFE Group sign-ups on August 25 and conclude on September 15, with most groups beginning shortly thereafter. Look for the insert in your bulletin this Sunday for specifics on how to join a group. You can also contact Phil Shahbaz at phil@lbfchurch.com or call at (909) 981-4848.

LIFE Groups Spotlight: Marikians

By Lea Lee, LIFE Groups Coordinator 

This month’s LIFE Group Spotlight – where we highlight a specific LIFE Group at LBF and their leaders – is an interview with Leigh Marikian.

Names: Mike and Leigh Marikian

Tell us about how you came to faith in Jesus Christ. Mike came to faith when he was 10 and I found the Lord about seven years ago.

Tell us about your family. We have two young daughters: Reya, who is 3, and Grace, who is 7 months. Mike’s parents, Joe and Dea, live within a couple miles of us and with whom we are very close.

Tell us about how you found LBF. I started going to LBF through Mom-to-Mom when Reya was about 6 months old. And we started to attend Sunday services at the suggestion of our friends, Chad and Shauntel Raymond.

How long have you been leading a LIFE Group at LBF? For about a year now.

Tell us a bit about your LIFE Group. Our group has become very close. Mike and I have made it a goal of ours to encourage complete openness, which has laid a very strong foundation of trust within our group.

What are some of the discussion highlights you have had this year? We all have young families in common so many of our discussions have revolved about raising kids in a world not ruled by God and the challenges that presents to us.

What has been the most encouraging thing that has happened in your LIFE Group? Others’ willingness to share in an environment that is one hundred percent judgement-free. Our struggles as imperfect sinners has united us in an unbreakable bond.

How would you describe the importance of the LIFE Group you lead? I think that it has brought us all closer to the Lord because it puts our faith into a human perspective, in a one-on-one environment. Also, accountability is very important. We are very good about reminding each other that we are here to serve the God of the next world, not this one.

What would you say to someone that is weary about joining a LIFE Group? Try to put your fears of intimacy aside and allow God to work through fellowship. In a LIFE Group, you can access God in ways not available to you on your own. You can make invaluable friendships that you will have forever.

LIFE Groups Spotlight: Bouma Family

By Lea Lee, LIFE Groups Coordinator 

This month’s LIFE Group Spotlight – where we highlight a specific LIFE Group at LBF and their leaders – features the Bouma family.

Names: Curt and Jody Bouma

Tell us about how you came to faith in Jesus Christ. Jody and I were both raised in Christian homes; Jody was Seventh-day Adventist and I was raised Christian Reformed. We both feel like we have trusted in God since childhood and gave professions of faith and were baptized in our teenage years.

Tell us about your family. Jody and I were married about six years ago, and now have three young boys: Luke, Cole, and Case. Jody is full-time mom who always works overtime and I work for Kaiser Ontario and Assure Pregnancy Clinic. We both feel so blessed by the church, our LIFE Group, and this family of boys.

Tell us about how you found LBF. We found LBF while we were trying a few local churches after we were married. It was a men’s group at Chick-fil-a that got me connected to Jason and Russ, and I talked Jody into going to LBF.

How long have you been leading a LIFE Group at LBF? About 2.5 years ago we purchased the Truth Project and decided to invite our neighbors over to watch the video series. The group lost some, then doubled from 6, and now over half the group are LBF members. The babysitters are overwhelmed!

Tell us a bit about your LIFE Group. Our LIFE Group is young couples that are pusuing truth in the Bible. We are all committed to our marriages and raising children to love Jesus. We are studying the books John wrote right now. Before this we went through Ephesians. About every five weeks the men and women separate, where the men discuss the C.S. Lewis book they’re reading and the women discuss various books.

What are some of the discussion highlights you have had this year? One of our discussion highlights was the last part of Ephesians where we learned about marriage. Of course, sacrificing and submitting was fun to discuss as couples.

What has been the most encouraging thing that has happened in your LIFE Group? One of the most encouraging things about our group is watching all of the amazing children. We had new baby Dakota adopted last year, Emma and Case were born, and Deacon will be born this year. The group also had an amazing ski trip to Mammoth with guitar-only worship on Sunday morning by a fire during a snow storm.

How would you describe the importance of the LIFE Group you lead? This LIFE Group strengthens marriages, guides us as parents, encourages sleepless mothers, creates accountability with personal friendships, and keeps each of us excited about reading the Bible. Learning, growing, and staying in Christ is just easier with church teaching, reinforced by personal relationships founded in Christ.

What would you say to someone that is wary about joining a LIFE Group? It is hard to be consistently growing in sanctification. The LIFE Group connects you to people personally where you get to talk and ask questions while studying. You get to help others and when you are facing something difficult that may be personal, a LIFE Group friend is a good place to turn.

LIFE Groups Spotlight

By Lea Lee, LIFE Groups Coordinator 

Continuing with our monthly LIFE Group Spotlight – where we highlight a specific LIFE Group at LBF and their leaders – here is an interview with Curt and Karla Eyster.

Names: Curt and Karla Eyster

Tell us about your family. Karla and I met at Messiah College and have been married 17 years. We have 3 great kids who keep us busy and are walking reminders of God’s faithfulness: Alyssa (14), J.J. (6), and Kaleb (4).

Tell us about how you came to faith in Jesus Christ. Both Karla and I grew up in the church and were raised by Christian parents. We each accepted Christ at a young age and have continued on a fantastic faith journey ever since, including many twists and turns, challenges and blessings.

Tell us about how you found LBF. We moved back to California in 2011 and visited LBF early on in our search for a new home church. When we learned about the heart and mission of this church and saw how the children’s ministry welcomed our kids, we knew that this was our new home.

How long have you been leading a LIFE Group at LBF? We’ve been with our group a little over a year now.

Tell us a bit about your LIFE Group. When we approached Phil about starting a new group, we began to pray right away for the families that God would bring into our LIFE Group community. God is good and He connected us with five great families with young kids. It’s a lively group with kids from 12 weeks to 6 years old and they keep our two sitters hopping.

How would you describe the importance of the LIFE Group you lead? As new members of the church, we knew from past experience that the best way to get connected was by joining a LIFE Group. In a large congregation, it’s easy to get lost and you lose out on so many of the benefits of the local church community. Both Karla and I can attest to the spiritual growth and encouragement that comes through LIFE Groups.

What would you say to someone that is wary about joining a LIFE Group? We would highly encourage them to take a chance. The rewards of being in community with people who genuinely care about you and your family are tremendous.

LIFE Groups Spotlight

By Lea Lee, LIFE Groups Coordinator 

Last month we started a monthly LIFE Group Spotlight, highlighting a specific LIFE Group at LBF and their leaders. Below is an interview with Scott Carter, who leads a LIFE Group with his wife.

Names: Scott & Cathy Carter

Tell us about how you came to faith in Jesus Christ. My wife, Cathy, and I actually came to faith in Jesus in a similar manner, through the pain of divorcing from long-term marriages. I was raised atheist by my parents and grew up not believing in God. After 25 years of marriage, the woman I had grown up with no longer loved me and filed for divorce. I was devastated. It was my boss that had the courage to share with me about Jesus. After months of struggling, I asked Jesus to be my Lord and Savior while attending a service here at LBF. Cathy was raised Catholic and although knew of the Lord, He was not at the center of her life. Cathy’s marriage of 26 years came to an end as she was told that there was someone else in her husband’s life and that he no longer wanted to be married to her. Distraught and desperate for comfort, she immediately went to a bookstore and purchased a Bible. This began the most beautiful journey with the Lord of love, trust, mercy and grace.

Tell us about how you found LBF. Cathy was invited to join a Bible study here at LBF by her Aunt and quickly found love and comfort from women that would pray over her when everything felt so hopeless. Cathy was overwhelmed by the love shown to her by complete strangers when she would come to Sunday church services. Often crying throughout the service, she was given support through prayer, touch, and love. I had never attended church before. I tried a couple of churches to see what it was all about, but was awestruck by the love I felt here at LBF from people I felt had no reason to care about me. Who was I that you would care? It was so foreign to me. But I kept coming back to see what it all meant and eventually fell in love with you.

LIFE Groups Spotlight: The Fiorentinos

By Lea Lee, LIFE Groups Coordinator 

This month we are starting a monthly LIFE Group Spotlight, highlighting a specific LIFE Group at LBF and their leaders. Below is an interview with Loren Fiorentino, who started leading a LIFE Group with his wife in the last year.

Names: Loren & Holly Fiorentino

Tell us about how you came to faith in Jesus Christ. I was 16 at a youth convention in San Diego when I gave my life to Jesus in the middle of the song, “Heart of Worship.” Unfamiliar with the Spirit at the time, I could only describe it as God having “swept me off my feet.” My wife grew up in a Christian home and has believed in Christ for as long as she can recall. However, it wasn’t until about three years ago that both of us began to understand what it means to make Jesus Lord of our lives. Since then we have been experiencing together an ever deepening relationship with God.

Tell us about how you found LBF. My wife and I were looking for a local church and we became interested in LBF after reading about it on the website. In the mean time, I ran into the Thursday morning men’s Bible study at Chick-Fil-A and Russ Parker invited me to join them. Holly and I attended a service shortly after and have since made LBF our home.

How long have you been leading a LIFE Group at LBF? Since May.

Tell us about your family. I have been married to my wife, Holly, for seven years and we have two children: Audrey, 3, and Joseph, 2. I work as a plant operator for PRAXAIR. Holly stays home with our children and occasionally subs as a teacher’s assistant for kids with special needs.

Tell us a bit about your LIFE Group. We are quite a mix, all unique in age, personality, and life circumstance. Each of us adds something important to the group and we are all bonded by our common love for Jesus and a desire to know Him more.

What are some of the discussion highlights you have had this year? Our favorite conversations happen when one or more of us get to share with the group how God has revealed Himself in a new way to them. We have been blessed by each other’s personal growth in Jesus.

What has been the most encouraging thing that has happened in your LIFE Group? Pursuing God as a group and sharing in each other’s journey has allowed us to witness God changing hearts. We have been blessed with a group of people all willing to be transparent. It’s encouraging to know you aren’t alone in your struggles. We are surrounded by people who want to know God more and support each other toward being better. The most encouraging part is to see weekly the evidence of a God who loves His children and is personally devoted to completing His good work in us.

How would you describe the importance of the LIFE Group you lead? Our LIFE Group is our family. My wife, children, and I anticipate Tuesday evenings because we get to connect with people we love and who love us. We are encouraged and supported by our LIFE Group. There is nothing like this kind of fellowship.

What would you say to someone that is wary about joining a LIFE Group? There is so much encouragement to be found when we walk together in our walk with Jesus, and we desperately need that.

Are You Showing Up to Prom Without a Date?

By Phil Shahbaz, Pastor of Community Life 

Prior to our time at LBF, and prior to having four kids at the same time, my wife and I attended a fantastic church in the Los Angeles area. This church is renowned for its incredible worship, its grace-centered approach to teaching, and its wonderfully service-centered approach to the community.

We came and went to this church every Sunday for five years. In five years, we did not create one new relationship with anybody at the church. At the time, it was frustrating. Personally, I always felt like I was showing up to prom every Sunday without a date. I was confused as to why so many folks at the church seemed so close to one another. Looking back, I now understand that it wasn’t the church’s fault; it was ours. Outside of Sunday service, we were not involved at all. Specifically, we simply decided that we didn’t have time to join a small group. As a result, we had no interaction with anyone at the church. It’s difficult to make friends when you simply show up on Sunday, listen, and leave.

What I didn’t understand at the time was that joining a small group at a church is one of the primary reasons people create relationships, stay connected to their church, enjoy their church, and grow spiritually. Sure, there are other ways to feel satisfied with your church experience outside of joining a small group, but you can pick any church in the country that you would consider healthy and behind it you will likely find a small group program that is thriving.

In August, LBF announced its new mission statement: “We exist to passionately pursue LIFE in Jesus and lead our neighbors to do the same.” As part of this new mission, we also announced that our efforts would be focused on three primary areas: learning the Bible, LIFE Groups, and service. LIFE Groups – it’s what LBF now refers to as our small group program. Our LIFE Group program is designed so that each of us can learn God’s word on Sunday, then continue to explore and discuss what we learned from Sunday’s message with a small group of people.

Our hope is that when we gather together with our small group, we are able to practice giving and receiving grace to one another (2 Corinthians 13-14), giving and receiving mercy to one another (1 Timothy 1:16), and giving and receiving compassion to one another (Ephesians 4:32). If we can reflect Christ to one another through grace, mercy, and compassion, we are able to create a safe environment that allows us to confess our sins and burdens to one another (James 5:16). Ultimately, we are able to live LIFE together as part of authentic Christian community.

No one knows the value of the LIFE Group more then Larry Osborne, lead pastor at North Coast Church in San Diego. In his book, Sticky Church, he writes, “The ultimate goal of a sermon-based small group is simply to Velcro people to the two things they will need most when faced with a need-to-know or need-to-grow situation: the Bible and other Christians” (p. 43). Pastor Osborne reminds us that the weekly small group encourages us to keep the Bible as our foundation and other Christians as our support – authentic Christian community. It’s important to note that close to 6,000 people attend Pastor Osborne’s church. Eighty percent of those who attend, participate in a life group.

At LBF, we have roughly 533 individuals participating in the LIFE Group program. Out of these 533 individuals, some are involved in more than one group (although we have not compiled the exact data). These 533 individuals participate in the LBF LIFE Group program as part of 44 individual groups. Of these 44 groups, 26 are traditional LIFE Groups hosted at a home, seven are women’s groups, four are specialty groups, four are support groups, and three are men’s groups. Not all of these groups use our message-based curriculum, but most do. Altogether, roughly half of the adults (or more) that attend Sunday morning services at LBF are involved in a small group Bible study as part of the LIFE Group program at LBF.

These numbers are profoundly encouraging! They are not North Coast numbers, but we are not trying to be like North Coast. We are Life Bible Fellowship Church. In addition to our LIFE Group program, we participate through dozens of other programs and events such as the Harvest Party, Thanksgiving Serve, the Car Show, and men’s and women’s retreats, to name a few. We are the kind of church that gives more than 400 turkeys when the goal is 400. We are truly an active participant in God’s Kingdom.

Yet as we participate, we want to focus more on Jesus himself. We want to realize our focus by studying God’s word on Sunday, reflecting on God’s word as part of a LIFE Group, and serving our community. In December, we are beginning LIFE Group sign-ups for the winter quarter. We will have several new groups in addition to some openings in our existing groups. If you are already involved, our hope is that you will encourage others to get involved. If you are not yet involved, our hope is that you will give it a shot.

My wife and I didn’t give it a shot at our old church, but we did at LBF. Our LIFE Group has not only helped us create new friendships, but it has been an incredible source of encouragement and support in our lives. And when I go to church on Sunday, I feel like I finally have a date to prom.

Don’t show up to the prom without a date. Go to lbfchurch.com to sign up for a group.