Growthtrac Community

[jbrod]

Hi

I have tried a few small groups that either disban or fall apart. There seems to be little committment to meet and discuss the bible/book study every week. People come to one meeting, then not to the next, then back a few weeks later. Or the group leader schedules a meeting at a church function or ministry replacing our study for that week. In the end,
I have found that small groups are more about socializing and doing good deeds than about studying the Word. I do a lot of 'good deeds' and don't need a small group to spur me on to more. Also I have a lot of non-believers around me all day so would rather spend time with believers talking and learning about God. I have allocated my small group time to be a time to study God, not to socialize. I don't want to 'know and be known' to everyone in the group, I just want to understand God and learn the bible.
I know I am missing something because I keep hearing that it's all about the small groups.

not a groupie

[webacus]

Been there

I think it comes down to finding the 'right' group.

Depending on the size of your church, there might
be several types of groups -- study, discipling, serving, couples,
singles, women's, men's, mom's, seeker, new believer, etc. --
and then there's the 'affinity' factor.

What do you have in common with the participants?
Do you want to have anything in common?

Many factors to consider:

Do you want to 'be known' & cared for -- or
are you there to just learn and grow?

Do you want to follow a curriculum, or do you
want the group to be more informal?

Do you have group choices within your church?

I've heard of people going outside of their church
for a specific group need too...

And yes-- Group (community, relationships) are vital
to your growth.

[babycakes]

Group is about building relationships and having people to surround you during the good times and the bad. The Book of Acts is a great story about how God designed Christians to live their lives with other Christians.


There are some great online studies I have come across at www.bible.*.com and www.bible.org

Also, I have some friends who love to attend Bible Study Fellowship and do this in addition to their small group time. Take a peak at www.bsfinternational.org and you can search by state for locations for classes.

[jbrod]

Thanks to both of these responses.
I am going to lessons, (financial course), at another church, but wasn't sure if this was acceptable, (new to the church culture). I have also looked for another church, -'where I could feel like I belong'- but keep getting the feeling that God is wanting me to stay where I am. (One church I visited was preaching on loyalty to the church and then I got a letter from my church this week asking me to consider joining a committee - that's God telling me to stay there right?).
My church has only about 400 members so not very large and the small groups are a 'who you know' type as opposed to how/what to learn. Maybe I'll just look for more courses during the summer and try grouping in the fall when they start up again. I could talk to the pastor about finding a specific group that I might fit into.
Can I belong to one church, but small group from another?

[SAM]

It can work but you will probably have a better connection and affinity if your group is within the church you belong to.