EM Growth Groups

Matthew Lo

In the second half of 2023, many of our English growth groups looked at the wonderfully practical study book, ‘6 Steps to Loving Your Church’. We saw God’s vision for church as a community of people regularly speaking the truths of His Word to one another. We were challenged to not be pew-warmers who attend Sunday service but leave having no impact on our fellow members. Rather, we considered together how we might be outward-looking servants, seeking to care for and grow our brothers and sisters each Sunday. One of the culture shifts that came out of this study series was seeing members sit in different spots during service in order to meet and speak with people they would not normally encounter. The learnings in this short study are ones we must continue to be reminded of and resolve to live out at church. 

This last year also saw many growth groups enjoy weekend aways together. These were times of fun and deeper conversation which helped our communities better understand and grow each other. 

In 2024, our groups encountered the person of Jesus through the gospel of John. Spending each study looking insightfully at often familiar passages has been so fruitful. It is so easy for us to be dulled to these claims and miracles of Jesus but the brightness of the treasures in each passage refreshed our worship and discipleship in the Lord. We have been encouraged by his character of the Good Shepherd and of Living Water and strengthened to live lives bearing fruit and rooted in Him. 

Next year, our groups will hit their 2-year mark and be doing a reshuffle. Praise God that the new year will see new members joining our groups. As leaders, we are selecting and training suitable people to be future leaders in this ministry – may the Lord of the harvest raise up many workers for the EM fields!”