Equipped to Lead: Building an Effective Small Group

Calling all existing small group leaders, new leaders and those who have thought about leading a small group! We're hosting a training session where you'll develop the tools and skills to be a confident, capable and fun small group leader.

Saturday, August 20
Time: 10 a.m.– 12 p.m.

We want you to be well equipped and excited about leading and assisting others in growing to their full potential in Christ. Good leaders are confident, understand relational and spiritual dynamics and are capable of creating an atmosphere essential for discipleship and evangelism.

This session aims to promote personal growth, skills development and an understanding of the core issues encountered in discipleship through small groups.

Click on the link to register. You have the option to join us for lunch after the workshop.

How can I join a small group?

We are excited you are taking a step of faith to join a Small Group! We want to serve you any way we can. If you have questions about how to join a small group, email Rose.

Join a small group today

How can I lead a small group?

You don't need to "have it all together" to lead a small group. You just have to be willing to let God use you. To host a group, simply choose a topic that interests you, and decide a time and location to meet with others. We'll give you a few essential tools like a leader guide and support throughout the semester. We believe God uses small groups to change people’s lives, and as a small group leader, you'll be a part of that!

lead a small group

questions? email us

How can my child join a Kids small group (or ksg)?

Join us for Tuesday night in-person small groups for kids in grades K–5! No need to pre-register!

TUESDAYS AT 7 P.M.

We now have a class for 4-year olds featuring worship and a message tailored for their age. This is not a small group, but is offered at the same time on Tuesdays.

questions? email us

How do small groups work?

Small groups are small group Bible studies that meet once a week to review and discuss chosen topics, fellowship with one another and pray.

IN PERSON

If your group feels up for it, meet in person! Small Groups meet at a leader's or member's house, a public space or even the church. Meeting spots can be permanent or rotating. It's up to the group to agree on a plan that makes everyone comfortable.

Zoom

Zoom is free for meetings up to 40 minutes (for longer than 40 minutes, you can sign up for a monthly subscription), and it offers the ability to text chat and upload resources during the meeting. There are breakout room options as well. Zoom can be easily downloaded on a computer, phone or tablet, and meetings can be scheduled with links sent to participants.

GOOGLE HANGOUT

Google Hangouts is another option for group video meetings. It's easy to add people to a group and share a link for joining. The organizer of the group must have a Google/Gmail account, but other participants do not.

facebook messenger groups

If you have Facebook Messenger (requires Facebook account), this is a great free option for your phone, tablet or desktop. To set up a group, click the messenger icon in the top right corner of your Facebook Messenger page. Choose all the people you would like to add to your video chat. Then, choose the camera in the top right corner to begin the live video chat.

FREE CONFERENCE CALL

Forgo video, and have a good old fashioned conference call! Free Conference Call offers international conference calls, breakout rooms, call control, and the ability to record. Simply log on to freeconferencecall.com, and follow the instructions.

Here's a little more about Small Groups ...

WHAT HAPPENS AT A SMALL GROUP MEETING?
You’ve probably seen small groups meeting and not even realized it. A small group looks like friends at lunch, teams playing basketball or people studying a book or topic of interest. At its core, it's a small gathering of people, and it is less about what you do and more about who you do it with. When you join a small group, you can expect to connect with others through a common activity, engaging in life-giving conversation and requesting prayer.

HOW OFTEN DOES A SMALL GROUP MEET?
Our small groups meet fall, winter/spring, and summer. During these semesters, most groups meet once a week. These small group Bible studies are meant to bring meaning and community into the flow of your life, so even if you can’t attend every meeting, there is still great value in joining a group.

WHERE DO SMALL GROUPS MEET?
Throughout the Naperville area, its neighboring suburbs and on Calvary Campuses

HOW LONG DOES A TYPICAL SMALL GROUP STAY TOGETHER?
Most meet for a semester. This way, new people can join a small group easily and regularly. Also, the semester format allows you to try multiple small group Bible studies each year. As relationships form, some groups choose to stay together for consecutive semesters, but new members are always welcome.

IS THERE CHILDCARE AVAILABLE?
Childcare varies from group to group.

WHAT IF I DON’T LIKE THE FIRST GROUP I TRY?
This is why we encourage you to select a few small groups that interest you, contact the leaders and try out a couple different small groups before choosing the best one for you. The simple strategy to finding success in Small Group Bible studies is to not give up. We believe there is a group that is right for everyone—including you!

Ready to join a small group? Contact us to sign up!