This article comes with a disclaimer. This basic first look at Small Groups is still subject to approval by the Church Leadership Council. That process is moving forward and at the same time preliminary plans for the fall are being made as well.
Sunday School or Small Groups?
First, this is not a competition. We know that good Sunday School and good Small Groups share many of the same fundamental principals. The goal is to provide healthy basic Bible studies where friendships are formed, the Bible is studied, and discipleship happens. We voted to be a church with healthy discipling small groups. That is good Sunday School and that is good Small Groups. We now have add choice in our foundational system of Bible Study/Discipleship.
When will the Small Group option be available?
We want to make sure that we do this correctly and properly. We are looking at the following time table to start the first round of Sunday School/Small Groups. Late June and July will be the leadership enlistment phase. August will be the training/catalog phase. September will be the enrollment/placement phase. October will be the beginning of the first twelve week Small Group Semester and New Sunday School classes.
What is the Bible Study catalog?
Once leaders are trained and material has been chosen we will develop a catalog of Sunday School Classes and Small Groups. Our church family will use the catalog of small groups to know who is leading a group, when and where the group meets, and what the group will be studying. By September we hope that the process will be online as well as a printed version.
When a group needs childcare?
Since there is no budget to add a large amount of child care we are going to make use of three existing periods of available child care. Monday nights, Wednesday mornings and Sunday nights. If a group needs to meet at another time, then we will use the movie rule. If you would pay for a sitter to go to the movies, Bible study is better than a movie.
What about youth and children?
Kyle will be meeting with leaders and parents to make the best decision for students. No change is planned for children this year.
How do I get involved?
Same as always – volunteer and get trained. Just see Freddie or Larry on where your gifts and talents are needed.
What if I have more questions?
You can wait for the next long article or take Freddie or Larry to lunch, ice cream, a coffee or just stop us in the hall and we will do our best to answer your question.
