Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of Small Groups?
Small Groups is the church organized to equip the saints, evangelize the lost, and provide fellowship to meet individual needs.
Who is enrolled in Small Groups?
Since Small Group ministry is vital to the life of the entire body, everyone is automatically enrolled in a Small Group class. Because Small Groups is where the lost are evangelized, saints are equipped, and fellowship is provided to meet individual needs, everyone needs to be involved in a Small Group.
How do you determine which Small Group someone should be enrolled in?
Because we desire to be family oriented, we organize our Small Group classes according to family and age. For instance, from nursery through college, classes are organized by age and grade in school. Beginning with young adults, classes are organized based on the age of the oldest child. For example, mothers of second graders and women of a particular age group are assigned together.
Why do you organize according to the age of the oldest child?
We understand the importance of family as found in Scripture. Therefore, we organize families according to the age of their children so mothers can encourage mothers and fathers can encourage fathers to live Godly lives in the context of their family.
How do you accommodate adults who do not have children?
Certainly adults without children are very important to the health and vitality of a Small Group. Therefore they are integrated into each Small Group according to their own age. For instance, a Small Group class of "Mothers of 2 year olds" is also the class for women ages 26-28.
What curriculum or studies do you use as the basis for your Small Group Bible study?
We do not limit our Bible studies to one particular publisher or curriculum. We exercise discretion and select the most biblically solid materials, and materials that we feel would be most beneficial to the health of the church at the time. We also choose to write our own curriculum when there is not an acceptable alternative available
Does each Small Group choose its own materials?
Curriculum is only chosen by church staff. The coordinator for Small Groups works in consultation with the Senior Pastor to select the most appropriate materials. All Small Groups from Grade 6 through Adult follow the same curriculum on the same schedule of study. This enables families with members in different classes to still be able to discuss the lesson in their own family devotions.
Who leads your Small Group Bible Studies?
While some of our pastors and elders lead Small Group Bible studies, the overwhelming majority of Small Group leaders are lay people. They are chosen after evaluating their giftedness and willingness to serve. Because our Small Group Bible studies are divided between men and women, women lead women's classes, and men lead the men's classes.
Are Small Group Leaders trained?
Each year potential new leaders are required to attend a Leadership Training Seminar. Seminars vary in length and topic and are divided into several course sessions over the course of a month. This training is designed to inform each potential leader of the expectations, duties, and responsibilities of leading a Small Group Bible study.
How often to you rotate classes or change teachers?
Each year we reevaluate class size and leadership. New classes are formed based on average number of attendees, returning leadership, and new leadership. It is our goal to maintain classes of 8-12 active members, ensuring that each person can serve and be ministered to effectively.
