How It Works

Every meeting looks a little different—because real life isn't one-size-fits-all. Sometimes we have snacks, sometimes we do potluck-style meals, and sometimes the host family opens their home with a full spread. It's never forced, always flexible.

Whether you're bringing chips or chili, or just showing up with a smile—you're part of the family. We go with the flow, we grow together, and we keep it real.

Before we do anything else, we want to take a moment to honor the One who brought us here—Jesus Christ. We’re not just here to hang out; we’re here to grow together in Him. So we start with prayer, giving God the first and the best.

Proverbs 3:6 – “In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”

Psalm 127:1 – “Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it...”

Let’s acknowledge Him right now—not out of habit, but with real gratitude and expectation. Let’s invite His presence, His wisdom, and His Spirit into this time together.

Let’s pray.

Every gathering begins with prayer and honor to God. We recognize Him as the reason we meet and the center of everything we do.

After prayer, we move into a time of Vision Casting, where we briefly review:

• Our Vision: To be a 21st-century Book of Acts Church.
  
  

• Our Mission: Leading people into a totally committed Christian life.
  
  

• Our Motto: Every member is a minister.
  
  

• And we go over our Four G’s:

  1. Grow in relationship with God

  2. Grow in relationship with each other

  3. Grow leaders

  4. Grow the group and multiply

We’re not just friends—we’re family. And families work best when there’s love, respect, and understanding. Here’s how we keep this a safe and growing space for everyone:

1. Confidentiality is key.
   What’s shared here, stays here. We don’t encourage gossip—only growth.
   
   

2. Stay on topic.
   We want to honor everyone’s time, especially the host who opened their home. Let’s keep the conversation focused so we can all benefit.
   
   

3. Be on time.
   Punctuality shows respect—for the Word, for each other, and for those who’ve taken time to prepare.
   
   

4. Mind the language.
   We aim to keep things clean and Christ-honoring. That said, we understand that new folks may slip up—we’re all on a journey, and grace is part of the process.
   
   

5. Help clean up.
   Preparing a home for others is no small task. Let’s not just be guests—let’s be part of the family. Help tidy up before you leave.

How Our Lesson Time Works

Here’s a quick look at how our lessons usually go, so everyone feels comfortable and knows what to expect.

Each lesson begins with a title to introduce the main theme.
We’ll kick things off with a fun and meaningful icebreaker question—something simple, but real. For example:

“Have you ever passed up an opportunity and later regretted it? What would you do differently today?”

We’ll open the floor for a few people to share, and we’ll take a moment to reflect together before moving into scripture.

Next, we’ll read our main scripture passage. We may pause to discuss it, depending on how the Spirit leads or if something stands out.

Then we’ll move into the lesson itself, which is broken into short paragraphs. The leader will begin by reading the first paragraph, and then we’ll take turns reading around the group, one by one, until the lesson is complete. Don’t worry—if you’re not comfortable reading, you can just pass. This is a safe space.

At the end of the lesson, we’ll cover a few discussion questions to help us go deeper. These often tie back to the lesson, like:

“What does it mean to you that one day the door of salvation will be shut?”

The answer is usually found in the lesson, but we encourage everyone to speak from the heart and share what God is showing them. This is how we grow—through reflection, honesty, and learning from one another.

Finally, we’ll close our time with prayer, opening the floor for any needs, praise reports, or anything else the group wants to bring before God.

We keep it real, we keep it respectful, and we let the Spirit lead.

Closing Prayer & Dismissal

After we finish the lesson and all discussion has wrapped up, we take time to gather prayer requests. This is a moment where we come together in unity—lifting up one another’s needs and thanking God for what He’s already done.

We welcome praise reports too—because it’s important to celebrate answered prayers and victories, big or small. We talk it over briefly, share what’s on our hearts, and then we take it all to God in prayer.

We believe that prayer and worship are not just private moments, but active ones.
While it’s okay to pray silently in your heart, faith moves us to action. That’s why we pray out loud, and we pray boldly.

We believe in praying in the Holy Ghost, just as the early church did—with the evidence of speaking in tongues, according to the book of Acts. As we pray, God’s presence fills the room, no matter whose home we’re in. His Spirit meets us where we are.

So when you join us, come expecting.
Expect God to hear.
Expect God to move.
Expect God to show up.

The Power of a Matthew Party”

A Place at the Table for Everyone

Matthew 9:10-12 tells the story of Jesus sitting down for a meal with tax collectors and sinners. While the religious crowd questioned it, Jesus made something clear: He didn’t come for those who had it all together—He came for those who needed healing, hope, and connection.

That’s the heart behind what we call a Matthew Party.

Every other month, we take a break from the structure and study to focus on something equally important: fellowship. There’s no lesson, no formal teaching—just good food, real conversations, and meaningful connections.

This is the time when strangers become friends, and walls come down. It’s not about preaching a sermon—it’s about being the sermon. The goal is to create a space where people can relax, feel safe, and experience the love of God through the warmth of His people.

We know not everyone will step into a church service. But they might step into a living room, a backyard BBQ, or around a kitchen table. And when they do, they won’t find pressure—they’ll find presence. Our presence. God’s presence.

Jesus met people where they were—at tables, in homes, through meals—and lives were changed. We believe He’s still doing that today, through us.

So when we host a Matthew Party, we’re doing more than putting on a get-together. We’re creating room for God to work through relationship. We’re reaching people the way Jesus did—one conversation at a time, one meal at a time, one connection at a time.

Let’s never underestimate what God can do when His people come together with open hearts, full plates, and a desire to make room for others. He still sits with sinners. He still walks into homes. And yes, He still works through something as simple as a shared meal.

This Is What It’s All About

At the end of the day, this is what it’s really all about—helping people step through the door of salvation.

The Bible tells us in John 3:5 that we must be born of water and of the Spirit. That means being baptized in the name of Jesus and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost—just like they did in the Book of Acts.

We’re not just here to talk about it—we’re ready to walk with you through it.

We’ve prepared a simple, one-on-one Bible study designed for anyone who is hungry for truth and ready to receive the keys to the Kingdom.

So the real question is:
Are you ready to receive the Holy Ghost? Are you ready to be baptized in the name of Jesus?

We’re ready—and we’re excited.
And guess what? So are all the angels in heaven.
Because every time a soul turns to God, there’s a celebration in heaven—and soon, a transformation on earth.

Let us know you’re ready—we’d be honored to walk this journey with you.