There's a lot to family.  It describes a place where you belong.  It's a place where people know you and miss you when you are gone.  It's a place where you fit and are wanted, even if you don't look like the others.  It's a place where you can find help and get questions answered.  It's a place where you can disagree and not be disowned.   It's a place of fun and deep connection with people who you know you can count on when you need them.  It's a place full of people you can be real with and confide in.  It's a place where you will be challenged, encouraged, discipled, and held accountable.   This is what GO groups do here at H2O.  They finish what we start and could otherwise never complete on a Sunday morning.  The truth is that we need more than a Sunday.  When God called us to assemble together, He had way more in view than a simple sit down Sunday that checks a religious box.  His design was community, and that's just what these groups accomplish!

Mat 28:19  "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,
Mat 28:20  teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

Sunday mornings are awesome.  There's something special about coming together as a whole body and worshiping together.   It's a wonderful place to keep everyone pulled together doctrinally and theologically.  It provides a central place to give direction, create culture, and even bring more corporate correction if necessary.  And while discipleship is most certainly part of what happens there,  if we are to truly fulfill the great commission, we have to have more.  By necessity, we must meet together in smaller groups where people can truly develop the kind of relationships that withstand the test of time.  Here, we can speak into one another's lives and go deeper on certain topics, even allowing for greater dialog over those topics than what would be possible in other environments.   Gifts can be activated and practiced in a safe way, questions can be answered, and people go on  a journey together where they are sharpened into the likeness of Christ.   We don't have a choice.  We must be discipled and we must ourselves disciple others.  This is part of why we are commanded to assemble, and one of the reasons we created these groups.  

How do you develop leaders?  By giving them opportunities under the mentorship of other leaders.  Our leaders are actively watching for people who demonstrate leadership, teaching, and/or pastoral gifting, so that they can create opportunities for their intentional development in these groups.  Because we walk closely together in groups and do life together, there are tons of opportunities to develop your gifts and "stretch your tent pegs".   It's not only a great place to serve, it's a great place to be developed.  

Reaching the lost is not only a critical element in the life of any local church, it's a critical element in the life of every believer.  Studies show that friendship evangelism is the most effective form of reaching lost people.  Simply put, you have a sphere of influence, and that sphere has a certain measure of trust for you.  Because of that trust, they are more willing to listen to your heart than the typical stranger on the street would be, and they are more willing to say yes to you when you invite them to be a part of your church life.  Go groups help you be intentional in your engagement with your sphere, and with the greater community.   Lost people are most of the reason why we are still here.  God isn't slow in His return as some suppose.  He simply wishes that none should perish and is waiting on partners who will proclaim His glorious gospel to see those souls saved.  Could there be a more important task on the earth?