This depends on whether you are in a Group that meets on-campus or in the community. On-campus Groups meet for 1 hour per week and communicate via text/email/phone throughout the week. The Groups that meet in their community (off-campus) usually meet for 2 hours every other week. Both Groups add in social events like BBQ or Christmas parties once per quarter. All Groups are encouraged to have an on-going mission project that helps them serve beyond their own Group about once per semester. Group members may also do life together by eating out, playing golf, boating, and even taking vacations together. The Community that is built in a Group can be life-changing.

For the off-campus group that meets in their community, the first hour of the meeting the children hang out with the entire group. This gives them a chance to learn from various adults and experience life in a Group. During Bible Study groups have various answers, i.e. hire a baby sitter for the group, have another home near the Host home with a parent keeping them or adults rotate keeping the kids in a another room in the house. For on-campus Groups children can participate in the Preschool and Children’s ministry programing during the same hour the parents are in Group Bible study.

There are various curriculum for Groups to choose from in our vetted list of studies. Some Groups study a particular book of the Bible or a printed curriculum on a topic from the Bible. Others review the DXD Spiritual Health Assessment and decide on a study that supports an area they wish to grow. Most Groups do not have homework in a book. There may be daily devotionals that are suggested or weekly considerations to which you need to compare your life.  A few groups will read a book together then meet to discuss it.

Groups are like family, sometimes you talk, sometimes you listen. No one is forced to talk or to lead the group. We all move at a different pace and you are allowed to do just that.

No. Again, you are allowed to move and grow at your own pace. If the time comes in your life that you feel you want to voice a prayer request, that will be well received. If the time comes you would like to lead in prayer, that will also be well received. 

In the beginning, Groups are usually formed by the leader inviting friends, neighbors or acquaintances to cookout or social. There they will announce and invite people to help start a Group. Another way is for Groups to be formed at a church-wide Group Connect.  Group Connect is where you can connect with other adults to form a Group or join an existing Group. At Group Connect you agree to try the Group for six sessions. At the end of the six sessions each person can choose to continue with the Group or not. This allows you a definite time to try a Group, but also have the assurance that there is a way out of this group does not work for you.

None. Groups are about learning the Bible not debating it or being tested on it. This question is one reason you would want to be in a Small Group.

Group is like family, some of them last for years and others multiply and start new groups in 12 to 18 months. We do ask that a co-leader be enlisted from the start so there is a plan to let others experience community in a Group as your group feels God’s leading to reach others via Group.

Yes, but most people build such community that they do not want to stop being part of the Small Group. But if that time comes, we ask that you communicate with the leader your desire and what you feel God is calling you to next.

Most meetings include social time (which may or may not include food/beverage), time for prayer and sharing of life issues where people can help each other walk through life and not be alone, and a discussion of a particular Bible verse, book or topic from scripture.