Small Group Connections

For well over a year we have been working to launch a new hybrid small group ministry that would provide both on-campus and off-campus community environments in an effort to maximize our disicpling opportunities.  Well, Sunday night January 25 we did it!  Together we launched 9 new groups with a total attendance of 81 people.  Now that’s exciting! 

Including the two groups already meeting and the new group of Sunday night AWANA & Student Ministry workers meeting on Wednesday nights, that’s a total of 12 groups and an expected total attendance of around 99 loving, sharing, encouraging, growing people on journey with Jesus TOGETHER.

Thank you Lord for such a wonderful blessing!

The feedback is amazing!  The First Family is dreaming a new dream for small group discipleship and it is exciting!  Take a look at answers to some of the most frequently asked questions (FAQ’s) we’ve heard. 
Be informed!

How are groups formed?  Groups of friends are usually close in age or life stage (no kids, small kids, elementary kids, Middle/High school kids, grown kids, senior adults). Sometimes groups form by neighborhood or subdivision. Either way, they “group up” on their own and begin to invite friends from outside the church. The small group ministry builds on those friendships.

What materials do groups use?  As a small groups pastor I have been researching materials for many years. Each facilitator will receive a packet of approved materials. This packet expands with each new study reviewed. Sometimes groups are enlisted to “test drive” a study for the rest of the ministry.  It’s a partnership!

Are facilitators and hosts trained?  Yes, every facilitator and host goes through a 2 hour orientation.  Some are completed in groups while others are one-on-one with me.  We cover everything from pets & children to spiritual growth & conversation monopolizers.  It’s good stuff!

Do I host for the rest of my life?  No, we encourage groups to rotate homes from time to time to allow hosts a break (if they want one).  This also allows the group to get a fresh, new perspective on their purpose and aim.

Are kids in groups with adults?  No, kids and youth are in exciting and dynamic discipleship programs back at the church while adult groups meet off campus.  Kids are never in our host homes when groups are meeting.

Will the pastors be in our groups?  Yes, several of our pastors will rotate weekly through groups. This keeps them engaged and in touch.

Will everyone be required to join a small group?  We would love to see every person in our area in a Sunday School class or Community Group.  It’s the best way to grow spiritually, utilize gifts, and engage God in ministry.  We can lead them to the Living Water but it will be up to them to drink.

The world is buzzing with small group excitement and it is contagious.  People everywhere are discovering life in small groups and it is changing lives.  As small groups of friends get together for fellowship and Bible study individuals are encountering Jesus and responding to His love and salvation. 

Here are a few definitions to help you understand what all the excitement is about to help you join in all the fun of the Christ life.

Definitions:

Small Group— 12 to 15 friends who gather for small group fellowship, Bible study and ministry; includes both Christians and non-Christians, church members and unchurched friends

Facilitator— a man or woman who takes responsibility to facilitate the group, may or may not lead the Bible discussion, helps group members grow spiritually and discover places of service, directs team leaders, liaison to the church

Host / Hostess— a man, woman, or family who hosts the group in his or her home, provides a clean, neat, welcoming environment that fosters deepening friendships

Team Leader— a man or woman who uses his or her gifts and talents to serve and lead the group in some ministry area [prayer, worship, fellowship, ministry, first impressions, missions, evangelism]

Regroup— an opportunity for groups to reform after a break, usually summer, gives everyone an opportunity to try another group, a time to introduce new groups

Where do groups meet?

Small groups meet both on campus and off.  On campus we call them Sunday School classes. Off campus we call them Community Groups. These groups meet in homes, usually in the den, living room, or game room (but not around a table). Some sit in chairs or on couches and loveseats while others sit in the floor. It’s a very comfortable environment.

What happens in a small group?

Most groups begin with a quick snack (chips & dip, crackers, and a drink) during a brief fellowship time. Then they gather together and spend a few
minutes in ministry area updates & calendar planning (fellowship, ministry, first impressions, missions, evangelism).  After a time of prayer and a worship moment, they move into a conversational Bible study (begins with a brief introduction—verbal or DVD—and continues around a short list of questions to foster discussion). Group time concludes with a wrap-up, prayer, and farewells. Same format applies in both on and off campus small groups.

Everything God creates and breathes life into is designed to grow when it is healthy.  When a plant, animal, person or church stops growing it is always because it has encountered some barrier to health and growth. FBC is no different and it is time to get REAL in these areas –

Relationships – God created us all for relationships. We need other people in order to live healthy lives. A healthy church is founded upon relationships – with God and with people. When a church is engaged in healthy relationships with God, His people, and with pre-Christians she is well on her way to creating healthy environments for growth.

Environments – The best environment for healthy relationships is small groups. Encountering God, His word, His Son and life with a small group of close friends results in changed lives – health – growth. When small group environments (Sunday School and Community Groups) are healthy the church is well on her way to healthy alignment in other areas of church life, purpose and mission.

Alignment – God has a specific plan (vision) for each church. When the church is aligned with His plan she is able to produce what He intends. Small groups have always been a central part of His plan for growing individuals and the church. Today, alignment involves environments of healthy relationships that God will use to reach the lost.  It’s a new day and a new culture and healthy churches must be willing to let go of any past barriers if they expect a healthy future.

Let go of the past and Leverage everything for the future – Every church begins with a dream and a plan for a bright future. Over time, however, a church develops a history – it’s inevitable. That history can become a barrier to health and growth. To be healthy tomorrow she must focus forward. That is, she must let go of any practices, ideals, values or structures that are holding her back and engage a changing culture with an unchanging message of God’s love.
Aligning with God’s plans to create environments for life-shaping relationships will insure the church’s health and growth in the future.

Sunday School and Community Groups

What is a small group?

Why do we offer small groups?

Is the small group ministry right for me?

Many churches today are focused on events, staff, and mature leaders. They define success by attendance, large event “sizzle,” and a full calendar.  They are organizations – not living organisms.  The members often see themselves as objects of ministry – not ministers.  They believe that only the touch of paid staff counts. 

Sunday School and Community Groups are not like that. 

They both exist to bring people together in Christian community – friendship!  Built around conversational Bible study (not lecture), they foster relationships of trust, encouragement, and personal growth.  They are fun, exciting, and non-threatening environments where friends engage both the truth of God’s word and life changing interaction.  Sunday School and Community Groups are places to use gifts and talents for God and are starting points for beginning the process of connecting to others.

Some groups meet on campus (Sunday School) and enjoy the convenience of a structured, age-graded environment.  Other groups (Community Groups) meet in homes and enjoy a comfortable and non-threatening atmosphere away from church.  Both are built on relationships, enjoy conversational Bible studies, regularly engage in group fellowship activities, join in shared ministry, share in prayer together, and encourage every person to employ his God-given talents within the group.

That’s what small group ministry is all about and the results are amazing!  When people discover a small group of friends and enjoy sharing the Christ life together everything changes.  They fall in love with Jesus.  They fall in love with one another.  And they become the church.