Here you will find a very detailed explanation of our Small Group ministry model. We believe that because our small groups are different than traditional small groups, that the more information you have the better you can determine if the Lord is calling you to be a part of this work.
Here at Grace Bible Fellowship, Small Groups are the core of our mid-week ministry. The role that small groups play and the format of the gathering are a direct result of our guiding principles.
We're all busy with kids, work, school, sports….adding church activities on top of all these is often more of a burden than a joy. We want be able to infuse our faith into every aspect of our lives, every day. Having a weekly opportunity to fellowship with other believers strengthens and encourages us to live out our faith in the other areas of our lives.
Here at Grace, all of our small groups will use the same basic material... Sermon-based Curriculum. Discussion questions and additional Bible reading will be based on the weekend's sermon. This gives everyone an opportunity to interactively extend their study of the sermon for deeper understanding and application.
By having all small groups participate in sermon-based curriculum we strengthen the connections we have within the church. Regardless of which particular small group a person attends, they can have another common point of interest and connection.
Standardizing on sermon-based curriculum allows for group-specific conversations and application. The foundation is God's Word. It is living and active. Just as we can re-read a verse and get something uniquely applicable to our circumstances at that point in time, God the Holy Spirit leads and stirs in the hearts of participants the topics that need to be discussed.
Here at Grace, we acknowledge the value of gathering as groups of believers with a common situation or season of life. We are firmly committed to the small group model as the method to meet those needs and to have a rich family and community life.
Our small group ministry model can accommodate groups consisting of women only, men only, singles, college-age adults, mixed adults, families, etc. without the need to develop a new ministry to serve a segment of the church body.
Every family has different scheduling challenges. By standardizing on sermon-based curriculum, we have the flexibility to move among small groups when our schedule and availability changes. Couples might be able to attend a small group together for a season but then a work schedule change requires them to attend different groups. Even though they attend different groups they will share the same homework, the same Scripture reading... they'll be able to spend time together during the week in discussion and study.
Youth small groups (High school age) will also be using sermon-based curriculum. This offers a great family opportunity to discuss the study at dinnertime.
Another benefit of this standardization is that we aren't overloaded with various studies. Rather than engage in multiple studies, every member at Grace need only connect with one small group as a way to grow as a disciple.
Leading a small group is an important ministry role at Grace. As such, with only the rare exception, we expect that small group leadership would be a member's only area of service. The care that a leader shows their group extends well beyond their time together.
Small group leaders must love the Lord, and love His people. They need to fully embrace Jesus' commands to Peter when Jesus asked him three times if Peter loved him... "feed my lambs", "tend my sheep", and "feed my sheep".
We believe that the "one anothers" of Scripture are intended to be direct and personal rather than institutionalized as a corporate church function. The small group is the place where strong and deep connections are made. When a trial or storm arises in a member's life, the group comes around that member to bear the burden with that person.
In those situations where the burden is too great for a small group, then the group's flock or the entire church will rally around to help meet that need.
This is yet another reason why it is so important to be connected in a small group... not only to receive help in time of need, but to be used by the Lord to help meet the need of another.
Small group leaders themselves need care and ministry as they care and minister to others. This is why every small group will be part of a larger group referred to as a "Flock". A flock will consist of 3 or more small groups. Each flock is led by a flock leader. The flock leaders are responsible for the care of the small group leaders in their flock.
Flock leaders will assist small group leaders in addressing doctrinal or theological issues and caring for the spiritual and practical needs of the small group leader.
By standardizing on a small group model, we are able to concentrate and specialize our training seminars. When a person is trained as a small group leader, they will then be able to lead any small group.
A leader may start out by leading a mixed small group, only to discover that the Lord is directing that leader to lead a men's only small group. Or the wife of a mixed group leader is prompted to lead a women's-only small group.
Small Group leaders will be trained for more specialized small groups to be equipped to serve that group's particular needs.
The study of God's Word in small group is simply the beginning. While the central element of small group gatherings is the study and application of Biblical truth in the context of the weekend sermon, it isn't the only thing.
Small Groups are encouraged to gather for social activities... movies, game nights, BBQ's, sporting events, etc. These are all vital in developing and maintaining relationships. Serving in the church and in the community as a group is a wonderful way for the Lord to weave together the gifts and talents of the individuals in the group to accomplish something that brings glory to Him.