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The Importance of Building Genuine Relationships with Other Believers

One of the most important aspects of becoming strong in your faith, is building healthy relationships with other believers who have a genuine & mature walk with God.

The lack of mature followers of Jesus in your life will result in difficulties that are unnecessary.
No friends.
Wrong friends.
Friends who you think are spiritually strong – but are not.

Some people enjoy a large church because of its focus on others while other people want a small, intimate church.

We believe that our church must become larger and smaller at the same time.
The size of the church does not change the opportunity for close connection.

How can a church grow large yet maintain close friendships?
Getting connected and growing at Oasis Church means participating in a ‘small group’.  At Oasis we call our ‘small groups’ – Connect Groups. 

They are one of the most important things we focus on at Oasis.

(They met) day after day, in the Temple courts and from house to house.
Acts 5:42 NIV

You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house.  Acts 20:20 NIV

Connect Groups provide 3 things:

1. A place to Connect with others.

“…yes, whatever a person is like, I try to find common ground with him so he will let me tell him about Christ and let Christ save him.” 1 Corinthians 9:22 LB

2. A place for Protection.

We know what real love is because Christ gave up His life for us. And so we also ought to give up our lives for our Christian brothers and sisters.
1 John 3:16 NLT

3. A place to Grow.

As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17 NIV

Oasis CONNECT GROUP System

Variety of groups
Our groups are varied as we are, with various topics, various locations and various times of the week.Whatever your age, interest, or location – there is a group that is just right for you.

We have groups of all areas of focus from relationships, prayer, faith, outreach, and marriage and family. Our newest group is the Alpha Course- which I highly recommend- is for anyone exploring Christianity or wanting to grow in their faith after recently making a decision for Christ.

We have Celebrate Recovery: a group that helps people overcome grief, addictions of all kinds (sex, alcohol, drugs, food etc.)  It helps overcome insecurities, discouragement or relationship struggles.

We even have Financial Peace University, which would be a crucial class for most people.

Three semesters  
New groups start and stop three times a year—spring, summer and fall semesters. Each semester is kicked off with an online registration and a new small group directory.

We are signing up right now for our new Connect Groups.  I ask you to sign up this weekend at oasis in one of our 5 services. Or click on the link below to sign up today.
http://www.oasisla.org/life–oasis/connect-groups/

Let us not give up the habit of meeting together, as some are doing. Instead, let us encourage each other.   Hebrews 10:25 (GN)

In our personal relationships we need – Frequency, Authenticity, Affinity,  Empathy, Humility,  Honesty, Mercy,  Confidentiality and  Unity. Connect groups provide the opportunity for all of these.

May the Lord make your love to grow and overflow to each other… so that you may stand before him guiltless on that day when our Lord Jesus Christ returns with all those who belong to him. 1 Thess. 3:12-13 LB

I am giving a new commandment to you now – love each other just as much as I love you. Your strong love for each other will prove to the world that you are my disciples.
John 13:34-35 LB