All About FPC Small Groups
What is a Small Group?
Space where worship, community, discipleship, stewardship, and witness is cultivated.
It is our desire that Small Groups become one of the primary space where the Transforming Commitments of our community are cultivated.
Worship
Loving God above all else.
Discipleship
Growing in Christ-likeness.
Community
Encouraging and loving each other.
Stewardship
Growing in management of our time, talents, and finances.
Witness
Sharing the love of Christ with others.
A Small Group is a safe, truthful, inviting group of three to ten people who meet regularly to encourage members to become whole and inspired followers of Christ.
Each Small Group incorporates, in it’s own unique way, all of the commitments FPC believes are needed to foster the transformation Jesus works in us.
Small Groups at FPC meeting in different places, have different formats, and emphasize different aspects of our transforming commitments.
Who is the Small Group for?
We encourage everyone to belong to a Small Group, and we mean everyone. Young or old, long time Christian or just investigating Christ, happy or hurting, wise or confused, extrovert or introvert.
There are groups for high school students (through the FPC Youth Ministry), college students (through the INN), those needing healing (through Change of Heart Ministries).
For adults, some of our groups are for a particular type of person, such as young marrieds, moms, or men, but we also find that many people are seeking and enjoying mixed groups, that is intergenerational, men and women, couples and singles.
What happens in a Small Group?
Most groups meet weekly, some every other week, at a time that is convenient for the members of the group. Most groups meet in homes. Most group meetings last between one and two hours (the length is set by each group).
In all small groups, we work to create a safe space where members can:
- Speak honestly about what they think and feel
- Trust that what they say will stay within the group
- Be respected when their viewpoint is different from others in the group
Most groups have a study time, studying either the Bible, or a Bible-based book or video. Study usually involves reading or watching the material, and then discussing it as a group. The group decides how much homework they want to do
Small Groups are a great place to discover the plan God has for our lives. The Bible, prayer, and our group helps us to discover the gifts God has given each of us, and the direction for how to use them to serve our group, the church, and the world.
Many groups enjoy doing service projects together. Other encourage their members as they serve in diverse ministries. Group members also serve each other by helping lead and care for the group, helping each other in times of trouble, and praying for each other.
Our groups are learning to share the good new of Jesus Christ by inviting new people into community with them. As groups grow, they nurture new leaders, so that when a group gets to more than ten members, it can multiply into two groups. Each group decides how they do this.
Contacting Our Small Group Coordinators…
If you would like to lead or host a Small Group, please contact Doug Bunnell 734.5510 x11 or dougb@fpcbellingham.org.
