a. In the Home Church the members may share their experiences and encourage one another in the faith. This contrasts with the Sunday service where time to share personal experiences with the Lord is limited.
(Heb 3:13 NIV) But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness
b. Home groups act as a small “cell” in which the members may rethink the teachings from Sunday and enlarge on the ideas presented by the Eldership.
c. Here is the best opportunity to share the blessings each have experienced, to seek support for concerns and problems with friends that they will come to know very closely. The development of this kind of trust builds a strong bond which reflects into the life of the greater church.
d. Adequate care developing out of the Home Church environment is powerful in growth. Friendship grows and the more mature in each group are able to provide pastoral care spiritually, emotionally and physically.
e. Home Church is the easiest place for non-Christians, friends and relatives to meet with the church and experience an atmosphere of joyous Christian life. It is the ideal surrounding for them to hear the testimonies and teaching of the Word and expereience the social life of the ecclesia. Opportunities present for salvation without pressure. Follow up and social caring based on the “getting to know you” relationship of the informal Home Church setting.
f. An atmosphere may be developed wherein all may have opportunities to move in and experience every spiritual work of a Royal Priest. All need to share Gifts, presenting a word from the Lord, testimonies, prayer and ministry to one another to the extent that the Lord has enabled. Evangelism is also a field of endeavour where all of the saints could seek personal growth.
(Eph 4:13 NIV) until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
g. In these more intimate settings every member will find a place to grow closer to understanding one another.
(Acts 2:46 NIV) Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts,
h. Here plans may be made to interact with the immediate social environment and reach out to the neighbours.
(James 2:8 NIV) If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right.