FAQ #1

When and where do groups meet? Groups decide for themselves when and where they will meet. Ideally, they will meet during the week in a group member’s home. Some groups decide to rotate the host home responsibility each week. Others will go to the house that can best accommodate them. During the Grace Matters series, groups will meet every week since each study discusses the sermon just preached. To get the most out of the biblical content, you really need to track with the weekend messages. Some groups like to have an additional meeting each or every other week according to gender. This is a time to build deeper fellowship bonds. Guys tend to like breakfast meetings while gals tend to be more flexible. Funny, huh?

How long is a meeting? Typically, a group meeting is about 1½ to 2 hours long. Some groups are having such a great time that they hang out together after the study is officially over. That’s great, but a clear end time should be established so people who need to leave are free to do so.

How many people are in a group? Jokingly, we say that 12 is the upper limit since even Jesus lost one when He went to 13. Seriously, the size of your group is determined by space and personality type. The rule is that there shouldn’t be so many people that someone doesn’t have time to actively engage in the discussion. If someone doesn’t share, your group may be too large. There should also be adequate space to comfortably accommodate everyone. Shoot for 8-10.

Are groups separated by age or are they mixed? A group can be set up any way you like. However, the best groups are ones that are not a bunch of friends who are the same age and life stage. Although those conditions make you feel comfortable more quickly, they tend to be closed to new people and poor discipleship incubators, two of the key reasons you should be in a group.

What does a typical evening look like? While not prescribed, the typical meeting will start with a snack or meal and social time with a brief discussion of reflections from the previous week. Then the group will follow the discussion guide which has an ice breaker, study content, and a time of commitment. Of course, your group time should begin and end with prayer.

Can I bring my kids? If you want to bring your kids to group, you need to make that known up front at the time your group if formed. People have different preferences when it comes to involvement of their children. Some find sitters, some like kids from the group being together under supervision, and still others try to involve kids in their study time at appropriate levels and opportunities.