One of the primary means of building relationships and cultivating fellowship with each other at Riverside is through our network of small groups—what we call home groups. While we are joined to all believers in the local church, home groups allow us to relate more deeply with a smaller number of people. Home groups are not simply one more ministry or program at Riverside; they are a vital part of our church, and they provide an important context for accomplishing a number of essential biblical priorities.

“The value of the small group is that it can become a community of related persons and in it the benefit of relatedness cannot be missed nor its challenge evaded. I do not think it is an exaggeration to say, therefore, that small groups…are indispensable for our growth into spiritual maturity.”

- John Stott

· Application of God’s word to our lives. Merely hearing God’s word is insufficient; we must apply it to our lives for there to be fruit. Home groups enable us to do this together. We seek to apply the Bible’s teaching, review Sunday messages, discuss Christian books, and use a variety of other resources with the intention of growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

· Pursuit of biblical fellowship. Genuine fellowship isn’t practical in a large crowd. Home groups provide a place where we can build intimate relationships, care for one another, and help each other grow in our relationship with God.

· Ministry to one another. God has made us dependent on each other, and home groups provide a context where we can minister to each other with the gifts that God has given us. Meetings often include times of prayer for one another and opportunities for individuals to exercise spiritual gifts for the edification of others.

Each member is important to the group and should seek to contribute to the group’s health and success. We each have the responsibility in our group to:

· Faithfully attend meetings and functions. We’re much more likely to benefit if we are actually present!

· Willingly participate. Come ready to contribute, to serve, to share and to open yourself to others. When the group has an assignment, diligently complete it. Both you and others will benefit from your participation.

· Build relationships with other members outside the meeting. Don’t confine your investment to the home group meeting—let this be the springboard to rich, enduring relationships.

· Reach out to new people. The home group can be a wonderful setting to introduce others to the Gospel, the church, and other believers.