How to Start Your Own Small Group Suggestions by Jim somerville

Why small groups? Experts predict a “loneliness epidemic” in the United States by the year 2030. Small groups may be the cure. It’s hard to get to know people in a large group setting, like a church sanctuary. You need a smaller, more intimate environment. “Sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name, and they’re always glad you came.” Jesus said, “Wherever two or three are gathered, there I am in the midst of them. Small groups may be exactly the right size

What Kind of Small Group? “Microchurch” Affinity Groups Study Groups Action Groups

“Microchurch” Invite some friends over to watch the 8:30 webcast on Sunday morning (www.FBCRichmond.org). Provide coffee and pastries. Invite some friends over to watch the broadcast at 11:00 on Sunday (WRIC Channel 8). Ask them to bring a side dish for a simple lunch. Invite friends over whenever it suits you. Watch the archived video from our Facebook live stream. After the service, share a meal together. Pray for one another. Take up an offering. Use it to bring heaven to earth right where you are. Make plans to do it again the following week.

Affinity Groups What do you love to do already? Do you think anyone else might enjoy doing it with you? Visit the Smallgroups.church website, log in, and create your own small group (https://www.smallgroups.church/). The “create your own small group” form looks like this: https://www.smallgroups.church/groups/create Download the free resource for effective small group meetings. Make it a growth group by asking the members, “Where are you in your spiritual journey these days? If you could take one more step in the next three months, what would it be?”

Study Groups You can use the smallgroups.church website to creat study groups. These could be book studies or Bible studies. A suggestion for Bible Study: Invite a few friends over. Have some snacks and small talk. Light a candle to represent the presence of the Holy Spirit. Take turns reading the lectionary texts for the week. Discuss the Gospel text in some detail. Watch a sermon based on that text. Close with prayer for each other, our city, and the world.

Action Groups Want to bring the Kingdom of Heaven to Richmond, Virginia? Take action! Think of ways you can bring heaven to earth and invite others to help you do it. Again, the smallgroups.church website is a good way to engage. Another option is the meetup.com website. Be specific about what you are trying to accomplish. Be specific about the approach you will take. Tell other when, where, and how they can join you. Show up!

Those Websites Again www.FBCRichmond.org/ (webcast) www.faceboook.com/FirstBaptistRichmond/ (live stream) www.smallgroups.church/ (small groups registry) https://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu/ (lectionary) www.asermonforeverysunday.com/ (sermons) www.meetup.com/ (action groups)

Questions?