Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Small Groups
How do I become part of a Small Group?
Most of the time, you join a Small Group because you’ve been invited to participate in that group by someone with whom you have a relationship, or by someone who would like to foster a relationship with you. They might be inviting you to an existing Small Group, or they could be inviting you to form a new Small Group. It’s a “natural next step” of establishing relationships with others in the Campus Lutheran Community.
Why should I participate in a Small Group?
The Small Group is the nucleus of people within Campus Lutheran Church that will, in most cases, know you better than anyone else. In a Small Group, you will grow in relationships with:
- God, through prayer and study
- Each other, through fellowship, doing life together, and sharing food and meals
- People you serve in a hurting world
Will I be assigned to a Small Group?
It is neither our intention nor our practice to assign people to Small Groups. If you’d like some suggestions, our ministry staff can assist with finding options for you to consider. Of course, the choice of people with whom you form relationships is always yours.
What does a Small Group do?
The primary purpose of a Small Group is to grow relationships with God, one another, and the people you serve. A Small Group would likely grow relationships with God through regular study and prayer. It could grow relationships with one another through other fellowship activities, meals together, or day trips. It could also be just listening and supporting each other, by encouraging, serving, rejoicing, weeping, correcting, instructing, building up, accepting, and loving one another. It might grow relationships with the people you serve when you do things like work at the food bank, serve at loaves and fishes, adopt a highway, or volunteer for community service.
At Campus Lutheran Church, we believe that our Small Groups should have a foundation built on two things: the Study of God’s Word and Prayer.
At Campus Lutheran Church, we believe that our Small Groups should have a foundation built on two things: the Study of God’s Word and Prayer.
Does the group to which I already belong count as a Small Group?
That depends. If you’re meeting regularly and spending time in prayer and in the Word of God, chances are your group already looks very much like a Small Group. Examples of groups that might be considered Small Groups are the Thursday Morning Early Bible Study Group, or the SONshine Ladies' Group.
In some cases, when a group has a primary purpose other than prayer and study of God's Word, it may not make sense for the group to be considered a Small Group. Examples of such groups are the Choir, or the American English for Internationals group. While Campus Lutheran fully supports these groups and their important contributions to our ministry, these groups don't have a primary purpose of prayer and study of God's Word, so they wouldn't fall under the Small Group program.
In some cases, when a group has a primary purpose other than prayer and study of God's Word, it may not make sense for the group to be considered a Small Group. Examples of such groups are the Choir, or the American English for Internationals group. While Campus Lutheran fully supports these groups and their important contributions to our ministry, these groups don't have a primary purpose of prayer and study of God's Word, so they wouldn't fall under the Small Group program.
Why must I agree to a Covenant to participate in a Small Group?
We want to make sure everyone has a consistent view of what their Small Group offers them and the others in their group. It’s intended to be liberating, not restricting. The covenant simply states:
- Group members will make the Small Group a priority in their schedules and try to plan other things around the group and will make their best efforts to attend every gathering of their group.
- There is an expectation of privacy inside the group. Nothing of a personal nature that is shared in the group will be shared with anyone outside the group.
- Active Participation makes the group authentic. Everyone is real and honest in sharing with each other. We’ll avoid pretending to be something we’re not. We won’t force anyone to share anything they’d rather keep private. We’ll love, support, and encourage each other unconditionally no matter what is shared, just as God has done the same for us.
What should I do if I can’t find a Small Group I fit into?
There are a couple of things you can do if you’re unable to find a group. First, talk with our ministry staff. They know about all the TSmall Groups and they might have a suggestion of a group or two you might want to try.
Another option is to start your own group! A Small Group only requires a few people to begin. You can invite your friends from inside and outside the church. Our ministry staff can help you start a new Small Group.
Another option is to start your own group! A Small Group only requires a few people to begin. You can invite your friends from inside and outside the church. Our ministry staff can help you start a new Small Group.