What is a small group?
A small group is 5-10 people coming together for a common purpose. Some groups meet weekly, others biweekly, but all have the same purpose: 1) to study the scripture, 2) share in fellowship, 3) support one another and 4) serve together.
Joining a group empowers you to create the life you imagined! You get the most out of group life when you make a commitment to meet regularly, stay connected to other group members and honestly care for one another.
What a small group is not?
A CLUB.
A small group exists to glorify God and make disciples. Different groups find varied ways of doing that.
A CLIQUE.
Small groups are meant to always be open to newcomers.
AN ORGANIZATION.
A small group is a living organism. It is a distinctive part of the body of Christ.
ONE DAY A WEEK.
A small group is more than just a meeting. The members of the group share life together as a family. The meeting is family-reunion time. The rest of the week, group members naturally care for one another–visiting, making phone calls, having dinner together, serving together, shopping together and even more. In truly life-changing groups, members meet together regularly and spontaneously.
A CLASSROOM.
Small groups practice Colossians 3:16: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom.” The group champion is more shepherd than teacher. The champion is not the group’s answer person.
A ONE-PERSON SHOW.
Small groups are teams where everyone has a role.
JUST A BIBLE STUDY.
Small groups study God’s Word with an eye to apply it to our everyday lives. “Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up” (1 Corinthians 8:1). “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says” (James 1:22). Small groups should do “Bible do’s” as much as Bible study!
A THERAPY GROUP.
Members of small groups care for one another, but they are not meant to turn into psychoanalysis sessions. When a member has a need, the group responds with care and prayer…period! They do not offer advice unless it is asked for. They come alongside the hurting person to say, “We’re going to go through this together.”
A BAND OF RENEGADES.
Each group is interconnected with other groups and with the overall mission and ministry of the church. Group champions receive support and training. They are accountable to leadership to keep things on track. The group is an integral part of the whole body of Christ.
Why would I want to be in a small group?
There are many biblical and practical reasons why everyone would want to be in a small Group, here are a couple:
- Authentic community is designed by God to be the environment where people grow and make an impact in the world. God desires for us to live in real relationships. One of the first things God says about people was, “It is not good for the man to be alone” Genesis 2:18). Through the Scriptures we see God’s desire for us to be in relationship with God and with one another. The two are inseparable. See John 17:20-23 and 1 John 1:3 for instance. Jesus ministered in and through a small group of 12. The early church did not have church buildings, but they met in small groups in homes and in the marketplace.
- Life is better together. Logs in a fire remain aflame when they are together—separate them and they extinguish quickly. The same is true for us. Knowing God is better together. Serving others is better together. Recreation is better together. All of life is better together!
- Faith grows in the presence of faithful friends. The best way to grow in your faith is to be around others on the same journey that can spur you on and keep you going. It’s good to be with people who can model what faith looks like in real life!
- A weekend worship celebration is not enough! Hearing a good, relevant message is beneficial to your faith, but where can you get face-to-face with others and ask questions about what you’ve heard? In a small group. Where can you implement what you are learning into your daily life? In a small group. Where can you actually put concepts into action in your life? In a small group.
How do small groups work?
Groups run on a semester system, like the schools—fall and spring. That gives people the flexibility to join in with groups at times that fit their needs and interests.
How are small groups organized?
Our groups are organized around four basic concepts: sharing, study, serving and support. In our groups, you will find a:
Place to Share: These are groups that meet to share a common interest such as cooking, crafts, playing games or recreational activities. These are great places to meet people & develop long lasting friendships.
Place to Study: These are groups that focus on maturing our faith. Examples include our New Member groups and our 10 week Crown Financial Series that teaches about stewardship. These are great places to learn how to follow Christ and to be challenged to grow in our faith.
Places to Serve: These are groups that focus on serving God out of our passions and gifts. These groups put our faith in action on our campuses, throughout Central Virginia and reach out to people throughout the world. These are great places to live out our faith and bring the Good News of Christ to people everywhere.
Places to Support: These are groups that focus on connecting people through common life needs with a trained group champion who will shepherd them to healing and wholeness during a season. These are great places to heal and establish bonds of friendship that will last.
What do small groups do?
We do life together. Friendships are made, celebrations are shared, scripture is learned, faith is practiced and people are served. Think of it this way. Small groups are the church in action!
When do small groups meet?
Groups can meet any day and time of the week, usually depending on the best time for all the members.
How often do small groups meet?
Small groups meet weekly or biweekly to eat, talk, study and apply God’s Word, pray, and plan how they will serve together.
Where do small groups meet?
Groups meet almost anywhere—in libraries, offices, restaurants, bookstores, homes and on our church campuses. “On campus” meeting space is limited and based on room availability, so please contact 804.643.4000 for details and reservation information. Groups meet just about everywhere, so if someone asks you where your church is, you can say, “all over town!”
What types of small groups are there?
We have a wide variety of small groups. Groups for singles, couples, families, men, and women and even “eclectic” groups for everyone! Although all groups have the same four purposes; some come together primarily to study, others to serve, others to provide support—some groups are based on interest; others are based on life challenges, such as those offered for blended families, adoptive families and single-parent families.
What do small groups study?
To make it easy for people to host and sponsor groups, every group is now studying the weekend message. Each week, we prepare a “GPS” (Grow, Pray, Serve) guide to accompany the weekend message. These guides are designed help groups get off to a healthy, strong start and to guide them in building a plan for the group’s future together.
I don’t know much about the Bible. Is a small group right for me?
Yes! A small group is the best place to become more familiar with your Bible as you study and apply God’s Word together as a group. A group meeting does NOT involve rote recitation of Bible facts! Instead, you will be looking into God’s Word together, discussing the implications, and applying its lessons to your life.
How do I find a small group?
You can choose a group based on your age, interests, or life stage; by where you live, work, serve, or play. Information is available online, at our kiosks and through the church office. You can also contact our Core Strategists Team at connect@myspbc.org. The Connect Team provides great training, support and resources.
How can I join a small group?
Use our online search tool to find a group that fits your interest, need or location. When you find a group that interests you click on “Connect” and then “Request group involvement” to send an e-mail to the group champion.