Small Groups

Calvary Bible Church has recently introduced a change in our weekly service format.  We have adopted sermon-based small groups as a means to become more effective and intentional in our efforts to make disciples – building a committed, worshipping, community that Knows the Word of God, Grows in the knowledge and application of the Word of God, and Shows the Word of God through service and evangelism. 

What are sermon-based small groups? 

1.   They are groups that allow us to focus on the assimilation of truth presented during the Sunday morning worship service by integrating the message into our individual lives.  This is accomplished through discussion questions provided by the Pastoral staff to the group leaders to aid in the group’s discussion of application and implementation of the morning message.  These questions are made available in the bulletin each week and on the website.

2.   They are designed to facilitate fellowship within the body by connecting individuals to smaller groups within the larger body. This strategic approach provides an effective means to connect new-comers and members to one another. 

3.   They increase the opportunities for the body to minister to itself as each small group takes greater responsibility to meet the spiritual, physical and emotional needs of the individuals within their group. 

4.   They are also a mechanism for evangelism as we practice the open chair model in our small groups. One chair remains empty to represent people that still need to be reached in our communities.

5.   They provide an effective communication channel to the body from the leadership and from the body to the leadership through the small group leaders.

Our small groups meet once a week. However, on the first Sunday night of the month we come together for a Community Gathering to enjoy a time of worship, fellowship, sharing and other special community events with all the small groups within the body.

When do they meet?  Each group is given the latitude to select the time they prefer to meet. Presently groups meet on Sunday afternoons and Sunday evenings.

What size are the groups?  The size of each group is between 10-15 adults. New groups will be formed as needed to accommodate the growth of the church.

Who are the leaders?  At the present time leaders are members of the Deacon board and the Pastoral staff.  Once groups begin to expand and new groups are formed additional leaders would need to come from the membership at large.  Each leader recruits an assistant leader whom he would mentor and share leadership responsibility. This leader will then be prepared to take over a future newly-formed group. 

Where do they meet?  We believe that the informal setting of the home is the most effective environment in which to openly discuss the Sunday morning message and how it relates to real life.  It symbolically and physically gets us out of the church building into the arena of real life in the home.  We also have one small group that meets in the church building on Sunday nights.  They use the same format as those meeting in homes.

Who should attend?  Much of our ministry is segmented according to age or interest already, so our small groups are designed to be cross-generational and diverse as much as possible and involve the whole family. We believe it is an excellent model for the kids to see adults wrestling with the implications of biblical truth upon our everyday lives.  Consequently, small groups are for everyone.

How can I get involved? If you are interested in becoming part of Calvary Bible Church’s Small Group ministry, please contact Pastor Carl Illian.