Philosophy of Life Groups

Our desire at Cypress Bible Church is to glorify God in the relationships that we build in an intimate environment. We desire a God-honoring community that is built through Life Groups to point the affections of all peoples to the all-satisfying person of Jesus Christ.

Purpose

The purpose of life groups is to assist in making disciples who abide, obey, sacrifice, love others, and multiply. Life Groups are especially effective in helping believers strengthen their affection for Jesus by building and fostering a small group environment where the “one another’s” are lived out in a meaningful community.

Methodology

Life Groups are a core element of our discipleship model in “doing life” through living out the “one anothers.” Community is not easily built on a Sunday morning, but it is vital in the life of a follower of Jesus. Life Groups provide that opportunity to build and maintain such a community as they meet during the week (apart from Sunday mornings) in order to remain tethered to one another and the church. Life Groups intentionally look to multiply in order for all to experience the soul care that is key for a believer.
Given the importance of this role in shaping the culture and theological direction of CBC, people who are not church members will not be considered for Life Group leadership. The following points outline the goals and values of our life groups.

Community

 

Affirmation: Life Groups are committed to building and fostering meaningful relationships through being welcoming, encouraging, authentic, and honest with one another in their pursuit of Christ-likeness.
Denial: A Life Group is not a church. Scripture teaches the importance of commitment to the local church; therefore, Life Groups must remember that they’re a part of the church and seek to further its mission.

Transformation


Affirmation: Life Groups are committed to helping their members grow in their walk with Jesus through being “hearers and doers of the Word” through the study. Life Groups are committed to the edification of one another through speaking the “truth in grace.”
Denial: Life Group is not a support group. Soul care and therapy are not the same thing. It is important that Life Groups live fully into all of the “one another.” Life Group is not a social club. Fellowship is a part of the meeting but not the end goal for Life Groups.

Prayer


Affirmation: Life Groups are committed to praying earnestly both during and outside meeting times for the Holy Spirit to empower and embolden them to sacrificially love one another, their church family, the church’s supported missionaries, and the lost who need the gospel of salvation.
Denial: A Life Group that does not consistently pray is ineffective. Prayer must be an intentional part of the meeting time and one of the highest priorities.

Impact


Affirmation: Life Groups are committed to building up and strengthening their church family through discipleship, service, and support of the church’s local and global mission.
Denial: Life Groups are not a private club in which members apply their gifts and talents exclusively to their Life Group.

Multiplication


Affirmation: Life Groups are committed to forward-thinking and selflessness as they look to multiply through developing new leaders to lead new Life Groups and having open chairs for new group members to help all those in the church family get connected and involved.
Denial: Life Groups are not an end destination/forever group.

Healthy Balance


Affirmation: Life Groups are committed to living out the “one anothers” through a balanced time of meeting. Life Groups have a time of fellowship (1/3rd) in order to catch up on life and check on each other’s souls. Life Groups have a time of study (1/3rd) for edification through learning and applying. Life Groups have a time of deep prayer (1/3rd) to grow in intimacy with one another.
Denial: Life Group is not a seminary class. Teaching content is not the purpose of a Life Group.

Leadership


Affirmation: Life Group leaders lead with a heart to provide soul care to the members. Life Group leaders look to give opportunities for other members to help lead in the different sections of meeting time. Life Group leaders look to help train the members to multiply and become future Life Group leaders. Life Group leaders model Christ-likeness through their example.
Denial: Life Group leaders are only teachers. Life Group leaders are only facilitators.

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We exist to glorify God by pointing the affections of all peoples to the all-satisfying person of Jesus Christ.

11711 Cypress North Houston Rd, Cypress, TX 77429

Services Times:

9:30 am & 11:00 am.

(281)  469 – 6063

info@cypressbible.org

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Philosophy of Ordinances

Purpose

The purpose of communion is to obey the command of Jesus, “For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”  In the same way, also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”  For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.” (1 Cor. 11:23-26 ESV)

Methodology

CBC will strive to administer communion every other week.   Creativity in the teaching setup and forms is important to keep the ordinance meaningful and to not stray into rote patterns where the significance is lost.   Married couples or singles can assist in serving communion.  

Communion logically follows baptism.  There are many understandable reasons why this order may get reversed; nevertheless, we will teach and encourage the biblical sequence.

Presence

Affirmation:    We affirm that in the act of communion, Christ is spiritually present with the believers in a unique and profound way. This presence is not physical but is real and vital to our growth in Christ (1 Corinthians 10:16-17).

Denial: We deny the doctrine of transubstantiation, which claims that the bread and wine become the literal body and blood of Christ. Such a view misinterprets the sacrament’s nature and confuses the elements’ symbolic and spiritual significance (Matthew 26:26-28, John 6:63).

Symbolism

Affirmation: We affirm that the bread and the cup are symbols representing the body and blood of Christ, given as a sacrifice for our sins. These elements are outward signs of an inward grace (Luke 22:19-20) of the believer.  

Denial:  We deny communion has inherent power to confer grace or salvation. Communion is a means of grace as it strengthens faith and encourages spiritual growth, but it is not efficacious in and of itself (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Availability

Affirmation: We affirm that communion is a memorial act commanded by Christ and is open to all followers of Christ. Through it, we remember His death, celebrate His resurrection, and anticipate His return (1 Corinthians 11:24-26).  The elders are responsible for withholding communion from those under active church discipline.  

Denial:  We deny the practice of restricting communion to a particular denomination or group of believers. While local church membership and doctrinal alignment are important, the table is open to all who have confessed faith in Christ and are in right standing with Him (Romans 15:7, Galatians 3:28).   

Community

Affirmation:  We affirm that communion signifies our unity as the body of Christ. It is an act of fellowship and mutual edification, reinforcing our commitment to one another in Christ (1 Corinthians 10:17).

Denial: We deny any approach to communion that treats it as an individual act. Such a view undermines the privilege of the ordinance and the common unity we have in Christ (1 Corinthians 11:27-29).

Personal Examination

Affirmation:  We affirm the importance of self-examination before participating in communion. Believers are called to reflect on their relationship with God and others, confessing sin and seeking reconciliation where necessary (1 Corinthians 11:28-31).  Heads of households are responsible for determining when it is appropriate for their children to be baptized and take communion.  We encourage parents to teach their children the link between salvation, baptism, and communion. 

Denial:  We deny the appropriateness of partaking in communion without personal reflection and repentance. Communion is not for unbelievers or children who have not yet come to trust Christ as Lord.  Participation in an unworthy manner can lead to spiritual (or physical) harm and dishonors the Lord’s Supper (1 Corinthians 11:27-30).

Assembled Church and Elder Oversight:

Affirmation:  We affirm that communion should be celebrated in the context of the assembled church as a visible symbol of our corporate unity and overseen by elders who ensure that it is conducted in a manner consistent with biblical teaching and church order (1 Corinthians 11:18, 1 Timothy 3:1-7). 

Denial:  We deny that communion should be taken individually, or outside the church gathering overseen by the church elders.  Taking communion in the full gathered context values the leadership role of the elders, strengthens the local community, and ensures the doctrinal integrity of the ordinance (Hebrews 13:17, Acts 14:23). 

By affirming these truths and denying contrary errors, we seek to uphold a biblically faithful understanding and practice of communion at Cypress Bible Church.