1. Overflow Life Bible Study
12May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you.
1 Thessalonians 3:12

2. Mid-Year Update Purpose, Strategy, Status, Plans
Overflow Life Bible Study Class

3. Agenda
We must pause and reflect on what God has called us to do, what God has provided, and what God has planned for us. Where are we going? Are we striving for the goal?
(2 Corinthians 13:5, Romans 12:2, Matthew 7:3-5, Philippians 3:14)
Refresh (Purpose and Strategy)
What is LBS and what is it modeled after?
What’s our Purpose?
How do we accomplish?
2019 So Far (Status)
What’s been happening?
Celebrate God’s Provision!
What’s Next? (Plans)
Vision from Pastor Gregg, Jason, and Zac
Class Focus Areas

4. What is Life Bible Study?
Life Bible Study is the church organized into groups to do the work of the church. Modeled after the early church as is described in Acts 2:41-47
Also Gal 6:1-2, 1 Thess 5:11, Heb 10:24-25, Heb 3:12-14, 1 Cor 12
Next, consider Jesus and the 12 disciples
Jesus demonstrated the ultimate structure for growth
The living Word dwelt among us and invited 12 men to gather
They surrounded the living Word, devoted themselves to Him, studied, ate together, supported one another, lived life together and after 2 years began doing His mission together

5. Key Observations They were Gathering Broadly and Intimately
They had everything in common but came from different places
They were pulled together as a group of followers, devoted to fellowship and prayer, and breaking bread
They gathered often, ate together with joy and sincerity
They praised God and enjoyed each other's favor
They supported and helped one another
They were Growing
They grew in number as those being saved were joining them
They were devoted to God’s word, teaching and showing each other
They were living in awe of God’s work
They were Giving
They gave of their possessions to those in need
They had different roles in supporting and sharing the gospel

6. LBS Purpose
As followers of Christ, our Purpose is the Great Commission
Matt. 28:19-20, Acts 1:8 = Seek and Save the Lost
We also need a place where we can gather together, bring the lost for support and connection, a reservoir to help one another, to grow and equip ourselves to accomplish our Mission.
Levels of Gather, Grow, Give
Church- Broad Gathering, Commonly Anonymous, Broad Teaching, No Discussion = Slowest Growth
LBS- Smaller Gathering, Familiar Relationships, Deeper Teaching, Relevant Discussion / Prayer / Support System, Moderate Personal Encouragement = Moderate Growth
Grow Groups- Intimate Gathering, Close Relationships, Deeper Teaching / Discussion / Prayer, Personal Support, Strongest Personal Encouragement = Largest Growth

7. YOUR
Ideal
Growth
Grow
Group
LBS
The Church
Who provides Growth?- God but it requires our acceptance/obedience
What is the purpose of our growth?- for us to support and drive The Gospel
The World

8. Our Strategy (How we do it)
#1- Gather the Lost
Being a living example of Christ attracting outsiders
Outreach- inviting others to class, events and church
Hospitality- welcoming visitors & absentee follow-up
Social Events & Gather Groups- relationship growth

9. Our Strategy (How we do it)
#2- Grow in Christ
Accepting Jesus as your Lord and Savior
Ongoing sanctification- allowing personal change, becoming more like Christ each day/ week/ month
Lessons, Class Discussions, Personal Application
Grow Groups (small groups) & Discipleship
Care (Inreach)- hardship support, celebrating blessings

10. Our Strategy (How we do it)
#3- Give in Ministry
Ministering to the needs of others, giving to those less fortunate; giving of your time, resources, talents
Prayer Partners
Volunteering/ Family Service/ Outreach Events
Giving to or supporting the Mission or sharing the gospel or your testimony (home or away)

11. Our Strategy (How we do it)
#4- Be a Community
Showing up and being there for each other, opening up and allowing yourself connect with one another, sharing your life, sharing your struggles, sharing God’s word and provision as it pertains to relevant issues.
Community is the support system for Gather, Grow, Give.

12. January Plan Progress
Creation of monthly Gather Groups to foster relationships in preparation to create new Grow Groups (small group)
Increased communications, class stewardship and more promotion for social event attendance
Creation of a service/mission event for family participation
Creation of an outreach guide and encouragement to increase outreach conversations and invitations to LBS
Increased emphasis on individual growth, possibly raising up a second leadership team to allow birth of a new class
Personal sharing of God’s impact in our lives

13. 1st Half 2019 Results 2018 1H 2019 % Avg. Attend. 19 27 +42%
Class Visitors 14
Joined Class 6

14. Celebrating the Wins Family Service/Missions:
“(Celebrate) a class that uses opportunities to serve as a class and with their families, including… taking under wing our 4 year old son to learn and see Godliness practiced”
“love to see how many people are signed up for Backyard Kids Club”
“so glad we served as a family, it affected our family as well as hers in a big way”
Teaching:
“I feel that I have dug deeper into the word … than I EVER have before.”
“teaching and level of application has been life changing for me…”
Prayer Partners:
“allowed me to actually connect with others in the same place of life”
“love the prayer partners!!! I get to know people better”

15. Celebrating the Wins Hospitality & Social Events:
“I LOVE that even in this phase of life, we’re not shunned or outcast after missing a week or 2 with travel or illness but instead someone ALWAYS says, ‘It’s so good to see you!’”
“The social times (family and guy/gal) are a huge help in getting to know everyone in the class.”
“We rave about it often just how amazing it (LBS) is and how truly genuine everyone is in caring and getting to know us“
Communications:
“I find the weekly s really helpful to have all the information in one beautiful package. I really like it!”

16. What’s Next? (Pastor Gregg)
Pastor’s sabbatical is during June returning July 14th
In July, starting a series looking at life, work, legacy and how to be Differencemakers in those areas
Mid-Aug, likely begin a “Who’s Your One” initiative centered around empowering us to share the gospel
Fall, will start personal reflection and growth, maybe “Ages and Stages” centered around the types of things we should be doing at each stage and how they connect to each other, discipleship, etc.

17. What’s Next? (Pastor Jason & Zac)
Cypress seeing very good growth! We need MORE to sustain!
Big Outreach focus in the summer, all hands on deck to impact the lives of others!
H1:8, VBS, Mission Trips, Summer Camps…
With growth is the need for MORE connection and discipleship.
Pastor going on mission trip with new believers later this year.
Strongly encouraging mission trip attendance and bringing someone with you who has never been.
September timing- looking to do all-day gospel workshop
Question- How are you discipling others and duplicating our ability to teach and give to others?
Question- How can we grow commitment? Do we know each other well enough to get someone to the next level?

18. What’s Next For Us
Therefore, please be in prayer for these upcoming events:
Summer VBS, H1:8, BYKC, Missions (involved & impact)
Need us to be all-in for H1:8 and BYKC (August)
Summer will shift social event focus to be family events
Fall semester will kickoff a lesson series on personal development and discipleship
Fall semester will kickoff creation of new grow groups
1 more family service or mission event
Class outreach initiative to coincide with gospel series??
More interviews with missionaries??

19. Quiz Yourself Why are hospitality and community important?
Why are social events important to attend?
What is different between Church, LBS, and grow groups and why is attendance in each important?
Opportunity for discipling others occurs anytime you have knowledge or experience on 1 single thing that another person would benefit from. True or False?
What are the 3 biggest/ most important events in our church that need your involvement over the summer?

20. Application
Which of the of the 4 strategies do you see God encouraging you to step into more deeply?
What’s your role in supporting our big events this summer including VBS, Overflow’s BYKC and H1:8?
Who can you connect with and disciple?
What ways can you encourage someone else in their next steps? Do you have a testimony to share?
Please pray for these plans expecting God to provide & get ready for more joy!

21. The Believer’s Progression
Strategy = Growth
Give in Ministry
Grow in Christ
Gather the lost 1 2 3 4 5
Higher Spirituality
Highly Involved, Highly Evangelistic
Highly Involved, Limited Outreach
Uninvolved Regular Attenders
Be A Community
Irregular / Random Attenders
Lower Spirituality
Lost/ Unknown

22. Overflow LBS Vision
The Life Bible Study ministry is the church organized and dedicated to gathering lost and unchurched people while growing believers through life changing Bible Study to become Great Commission Christians, reflecting His love by giving ministry to others.