Small Groups
Small Groups are groups of 8-12 people from the community who meet at least twice a month for Christian fellowship, bible study, and prayer. The vision for Small Groups in our church is to create an environment where Christ-Centered, Biblically based Small Groups multiply and grow naturally and perpetually.
A Small Group Ministry Team supports this vision by identifying appropriate groups that meet the needs of our community and by recruiting, training, supporting and coaching Small Group leaders. The Ministry Team also communicates the availability of the groups through this web site and other means.
Click on any link below for more information, or browse the page:
Why Are Small Groups Popular?
What is the typical Small Group?
What Study Resources are Available?
What about Child Care?
Where do I Sign Up?
Who will lead my Small Group?
Who can I contact for more information?
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the person of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
2 Timothy 3:16-17
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Why are Small Groups Popular?
Small Groups are popular because people find TRUE Christian Community in Small Groups, and discover: STRENGTH for life’s storms
WISDOM for making important decisions
ACCOUNTABILITY that is vital for spiritual growth
ACCEPTANCE to heal our wounds
God created us with a desire to be in community with others and with a longing to love and be loved, to know and be known. Small Groups provide an opportunity to fulfill these yearnings for connectedness.
God created us with a desire to read and understand the word, but recognize that this type of study is often difficult by ourselves. Small Group Bible discussions with others help us understand the word of God and help us determine how to apply the word to our lives.
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What is the Typical Small Group?
Each Small Group has its own unique character resulting from the chemistry of the members, the leader and the materials that the group has chosen. Some common characteristics of groups include NUMBER OF MEMBERS: 8-12
FREQUENCY OF MEETINGS: Most groups meet either weekly or twice a month
TIME AND DAY OF MEETINGS: Determined by the group according to the group’s needs. Many groups meet on weekend evenings, but some meet on weekday mornings or evenings
LENGTH OF MEETINGS: Length varies, but a good target time for many groups is 1-2 hours
PLACE OF MEETINGS: Generally groups meet in the home of the members on a rotating basis, but some groups chose to meet at church or in a restaurant, park, or office building
DURATION OF GROUP: The group will decide how long to stay together.The typical committed time is from 6-13 weeks. Groups may repeat these cycles and stay together for up to two years, but are encouraged to multiply and reform into new groups so that people can develop a wider range of friendships throughout the church.
CONTENT OF SMALL GROUP MEETINGS: Each Small Group meeting includes time for an icebreaker, prayer, Bible Study, Discussion and informal fellowship.
Leaders are trained and receive on-going support and coaching from the Small Group Ministry Team.
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What Study Resources Are Available?
There is a wide selection of materials in a dedicated section in the Library of the Noroton Presbyterian Church, including material from Serendipity, Willow Creek and the Neighborhood Bible Studies. The Library is on the upper floor of the Christian Education Wing, and the dedicated shelves for Small Groups are just to the right of the entrance.
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What about Child Care?
Small Groups with parents of young children are encouraged to work out their own Child Care solutions. One example of a solution is to find a regular baby-sitter and arrange for the sitter to come to the place where the small group is held each week. Many groups rotate the location among the members’ homes.
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Where do I Sign Up?
There are many groups that provide a choice of different times, studies and styles.
Please contact one of the members of the Small Group Ministry Team
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Who will lead my Small Group?
Your group will be lead by a member of the church who has experience in Small Groups and has received formal training from the Small Group Ministry Team. In addition, leaders re- ceive on-going coaching and training to support them in their ministry to their Small Groups.
Contact one of the members of the Small Group Ministry Team to find out more about the next training session.
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Who can I contact for more information?
