Life is better in community.
Our next small groups semester begins this fall!
Even though we social distancing, that doesn't mean we are social isolating! There are a number of ways to connect online and experience genuine, Godly friendships. A small group (in any form) is a great way to get to know others and to help make a big church feel small.
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 first-time leader training, a directory where others can find your group, and support throughout the semester. We believe God uses Small Groups to change people’s lives, and as a Small Group leader, you be a part of that!
How can I join a small group?
Email Amanda to get started finding or hosting a group!
Amanda and Pastor Jason are Small Group experts, and they'll get you connected with the right group! Feel free to ask any questions you may have! This is about finding the right group for YOU!
Amanda and Pastor Jason are Small Group experts, and they'll get you connected with the right group! Feel free to ask any questions you may have! This is about finding the right group for YOU!
How does it work?
Groups meet online twice a week—one time to review the sermon and discuss, and one time to check in with one another and pray.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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, a small group is a small gathering of people, and it is less about what you do and more about who you do it with. By participating in Small Groups, 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 for three semesters a year—winter/spring, summer and fall. During the semester, most groups meet once a week. Small groups 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?
Small groups happen throughout Chicagoland and surrounding areas.
how long does a typical small group stay together?
Most small groups meet for a semester. This way, new people can join groups easily and regularly. Also, the semester format allows you to try multiple groups 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 groups that interest you, contact the leaders and try out a couple different groups before choosing the best one for you. The simple strategy to finding success in Small Groups is to not give up. We believe there is a group that is right for everyone—including you!