Why Small Groups?
Sunday morning worship is an important part of what we do but it can't be all that we do. Small groups are a way for us to us experience and live out Christian community in a way that’s more reflective of the New Testament Church experience. We want to Love God, Grow Together, and Be The Church and we think Small Groups (when done well) provide one of the best ways to do just that!
Two Types of Groups
The number of groups we have at any given time varies depending on what season we're in. Each of our small groups fits into one of two categories:
Connect Groups
Connect Groups are short-term groups helping us to connect with God and each other. They take place in the Fall, Winter, and Spring and are primarily driven by connection and content. Due to the nature of these groups they’re a lower commitment and a good fit for people who are new to the church.
These short-term groups may be doing a DVD study, a book, or a Bible Study (depending on what the group leader has decided to do).
CorGroups
CorGroups are long-term groups for growing in and living out Christian Community. They’re modeled and named after the pattern we see in 1 Corinthians 14:26 (our favorite small group verse): “What then shall we say, brothers and sisters? When you come together, each of you has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. Everything must be done so that the church may be built up.” From this passage we find our 3 CorConvictions: Bonding as a Family, Bringing Something to the Table, & Building up the Church.
They meet every week for most of the year, taking a "rest" during the summer months and major holidays.
These long-term groups have three segments per meeting:
Love God
The first segment is an act of prayer that focuses on our intimacy and dependency on God. Each small group will start with prayer because we want our small group to bear spiritual fruit and as a result, we recognize our need to do spiritual work. Flesh gives birth to flesh and Spirit gives birth to Spirit.
Grow Together
The second segment will take the majority of our time together in the group. This is a Bible Study where the small groups themselves will focus on answering three major questions: (1) What questions do you have about what you read? (2) What’s God been speaking to you as you’ve read? (3) What’s your takeaway? While some DVD studies and book studies will be focused on particular topics, studying the Bible this way helps members to learn together but also helps them to share personally and work through issues in their lives as directed by the Holy Spirit through the word of God.
Be The Church
The last segment of the church ends our time together by taking the time to explore two major questions: (1) Who among us needs help? (2) Who do we know that needs help? In doing so we mobilize our small group to meet the needs of our group as well as the community around us.
You can check out more at CorGroups.com
If you want to take your faith to the next level,
we'd love to talk to you about CorGroups.
[ EMAIL OFFICE@SOUNDCHURCHTX.COM FOR MORE INFO ]