What is a Life Group?

A Life Group is a home fellowship made up of 8-16 people who meet weekly to share, study and support one another. A trained leader and host lead each group. A typical meeting lasts for an hour and a half, followed by light refreshments.

How Important Are Life Groups?

Life Groups are the hub of our ministry here at BridgePoint. They're the place where the real ministry of the church takes place as we study God's Word, while supporting and sharing our lives with one another. We believe that meeting together on a regular basis is time well spent.

When and Where Do They Meet?

Life Groups meet on various nights of the week in homes throughout our area. Most evening groups meet between 7-9 pm.

How Long Do They Last?

Each Life Group session lasts 9 to 11 weeks. We have Fall, Winter & Spring sessions. At the end of each session, you will have the choice of staying in the same group, trying a new group or even taking a break. Most groups stay together throughout the entire year. Life Groups do not meet mid-June through August.

What is the Required Commitment?

Joining a Life Group requires a 9 to 11 week commitment to attend weekly meetings and do the homework ahead of time. Obviously, allowances are made for sickness, vacation, work conflicts and other special events, but not much more. This commitment is the key to a strong Life Group. You have the first three weeks to attend the group to make sure it's a good fit for you.

What Will We Study?

Most of the studies are based on the previous weekend's message. These "sermon-based" Life Groups are built on what we call a "Lecture-Lab" model. Imagine the weekend message as a kind of “lecture” on Christian living, and the Life Group as a lab where you get to roll up your sleeves and discuss how the weekend's message works in real life. Each week there will be a series of Bible passages and questions on the back of the sermon note sheet to study before the meeting. It will usually take 20 to 40 minutes per week to complete the homework.

What Does It Cost?

Few things in life are free and Life Groups are no exception! The cost of Life Groups is the cost of commitment. During the first meeting, each group will review a "covenant" together. This simple form helps each group discuss their priorities and commitment. Part of that commitment is the promise to attend each week and to complete the homework as well as to attend the quarterly social and do one service project for the year. You have the first three weeks to decide if your group is a good fit for you.
When you join a Life Group, you're promising to attend and be prepared each week. It's this commitment that makes Life Groups work. We realize it's a big commitment, but it only lasts for 9 - 11 weeks. At the end of each quarter, you have the choice of recommitting for another quarter, trying a new group, or taking a break from Life Groups altogether.

What About Child Care?

Life Groups are for adults only. (Exceptions can be made for nursing newborns, up to six months.) We generally leave it up to each family to work out their own child care. Sometimes it works best for families to share a sitter or to swap childcare with another family whose Life Group meets on a different evening. 

How Do I Choose A Group?

When selecting a group, we suggest you choose a group based on its leader-host team and station-in-life, rather than its location. We find that groups do best when members share a common station-in-life and other interests with their leaders, hosts, and other group members. In the end, you'll find it's worth the drive!

Station-in-life groupings are intentionally kept fuzzy and are meant to help you self-select an appropriate group for you. They are not intended to box you in.

If you have any questions (especially if you are new to BridgePoint Church), please don't hesitate to call the church, and we will gladly assist you. Keep in mind that it might take two or three groups before you find the best fit, but we believe you'll find it!

How Do I Sign Up For A Life Group?

We offer sign-ups for Life Groups on Sunday mornings and online before each of our Life Group Quarters begin.  There are Life Group Leaders available at the sign-up table to help you choose a group and answer any questions. During our sign-up weekends we have  basic information available on the groups inside the weekend bulletin.  There are four sign-up weekends before the beginning of our Fall Quarter in September, and two sign-up weekends before our Winter Quarter in January and our Spring Quarter in April.

Also, you can contact the church office (219-477-4207, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) at any time, and we will assist you in finding and signing up for a group, or answer any questions.

Are There Life Groups for Teenagers?

Yes, our high school and junior high ministry offers small groups for students.  Although these groups are not included in this publication, they are very important to our church. For more information about junior and senior high school groups, please contact Katie Barnes at  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Thanks!

*The text for this informational page is adapted from North Coast Church (EFCA) of Vista, CA.