Small groups are different from most other ministries our church has known because instead of placing people in groups, we’re training and empowering people to create their own groups based on the model and curriculum we provide. This is new and different for us, and it can be confusing because we’re used to programs being offered that we can just show up and try out. The ask for you, the leader or participant, is higher because you’ll be putting in the effort to create the group and plan the logistics along with others in your band. The band is the “core” of the small group. The 3 or 4 people who make up the band will start the group and then invite others in to make a small group totaling no more than 12-15 adults.

Maybe you’re new in town, new to the church, or just can’t think of who in your life would want to do a small group with you. Let Ashley know your situation. Ashley will pray along with you about who to ask and she will connect you with others who find themselves in that same position. Remember, it only takes 3 or 4 people total to start a small group. Those 3 or 4 people start as a band and grow from there to form the small group.

There’s more to it than that! Small Group training videos 4, 5, and 6 show you exactly what you’ll do in your small group. The consistent things you’ll do together are: share a meal, read the lectionary Scripture texts for the coming Sunday, share your stories, and pray for one another.

Yes, you can start with every other week, but those who have done small groups before attest that weekly is a better rhythm because inevitably people will miss an occasional group due to work travel or other unavoidable conflicts. If you’re scheduled to meet weekly but you miss a week, it’s only two weeks between when you see the group. If you’re scheduled to meet every other week and you miss a week, suddenly it’s a month or more before you see your small group. That’s not enough consistency to develop the trust and connection of holy friendship among small group members.

Step 1: Reach out to Rev. Ashley Griffith, Pastor of Community Life. She will train you and support you and your small group, step by step.

Step 2: Get together with your band (3 or 4 people, the core of your small group), have dinner together, and watch videos 1,2, and 3 and discuss. Each video is short, about 3-4 minutes each.

Step 3: Meet with Ashley to ask questions and receive guidance as you get started. Ashley will be holding gatherings on the following days to discuss Module 1 videos, answer questions, and troubleshoot with you as you start your groups: agriffith@esumc.org