SMALL GROUPS

Why Small Group Ministries:

Small group ministries are designed to create an intentional space where people can interact with each other over thought-provoking media, reading the Word, or times of accountability. In this way, we come to see that we are not the only ones who face challenges in our spiritual lives or the only ones who don’t have all of the answers to life’s questions.

Small group ministries are also designed for students to create space for those who are at different places on their journey. The “holy huddle” might be a comfortable place for us to stay, but maybe we can create space in our lives for those who do not feel close to God. Leading, and participating in, a small group also serves to affirm our belief that the Christian walk is not lived in isolation. As individuals participate in the body of Christ, through small group ministries, we believe that we can not help but participate in revealing the image of God that is found in the lives of all men and women.

Small groups can serve as a great catalyst for growth in the image of God as we offer each other spiritual guidance, encouragement, and a challenge to the perspectives we hold that may be hindering our relationship with God. Participation in small group ministries allows us to intentionally invest ourselves in an adventure that is bigger than ourselves. It is a partnership with the Holy Spirit as she builds the kingdom of God on earth. In this way, as we join with the Holy Spirit and as we submit ourselves to the guidance, encouragement, and challenge of those in our group, we are experiencing the very salvation and redemption that Christ reveals to us in the New Testament.

Small groups are also intended to assist us in our growth toward God. As we meet together, exchange ideas about our faith, and encourage one another, the Kingdom of God is being built. Jesus’ ministry functions as a small group in many ways. As the disciples gathered and followed Christ from town to town they simply lived life together.

Types of Small Groups:

Book Groups:

Book groups meet around the topic of a particular book. You can either determine what book you’d like to read and then recruit others to join you, or you can gather a group together and then select a book. Most book groups will meet once a week and will divide the book out into manageable chunks, spanning the semester. Book groups offer a great opportunity to be exposed to other Christians who may act as a companion to your group as you explore your faith together on a weekly basis. The Spiritual Life Office has books we can recommend to you if you’re uncertain about which book you’d like to read.

Music Groups:

Music groups center around the ways the Holy Spirit speaks to us through music. In a music group, each member will take a week to present their song to the rest of the group. As a member presents his or her song, they should provide lyrics to the song for the rest of the group, as well as have a copy of the song for the group to listen to. Questions such as how does this song speak to the condition of our world, are there any underlying biblical themes that are in this song, and what is the overall message of this song, are the type of questions you’ll ask together. Students will develop the habit of connecting the stories of these songs with the larger story of God illustrated in the Scripture. Music groups may provide a good source of dialog with friends who aren’t comfortable joining a small group.

Accountability Groups:

An accountability group may be a natural outcropping of the time that you’ll share together as a small group. A commitment to attendance and participation in an accountability group is critical to the success of an accountability group. Groups formed specifically around the theme of accountability will have the deepest level of intimacy, as well as, the highest degree of confidentiality. In participating in this deep intimacy, accountability group members will be offered the experience to truly know each other and to be fully known. Accountability groups will include 3-4 same sex group members that will probably meet on a weekly basis. The format for an accountability group is up to you, however the Spiritual Life Office recommends the Wesleyan Accountability Questions (WAQ) to assist you in guiding your time together. Accountability offers support for those who have a greater desire to grow in their Christian faith, as well as, assisting the other members of your group journey in their faith.

Wesleyan Accountability Questions:

1. How have you sinned since we last met together?

2. What temptations have you met with?

3. How were you delivered?

4. Have you thought, said, or done anything that you’re unsure if it is sin or not?

5. Is there anything you wish you could keep secret from the group?

Movie Groups:

Movie groups could serve as an excellent way to foster pointed dialog through the medium of film. Art and a well-expressed story has the unique ability to articulate complex and difficult truths in unmatched ways. Movie groups would could be held on a monthly basis with the leadership of the group and selection of the film rotating through the differing members of the group.

Things to consider would be: the level of maturity of the various group members, the tension between acknowledging the fallen world expressed through the film without glorifying the sin contained in the film, and in what ways watching and discussing a film would edify group members and glorify God. Additionally, a movie group might consider inviting special guests to the screening of their movies, such as Randy Beckum or Mark Hayse, for the purpose of bringing a differing perspective to the group’s conversation. A benefit to a movie group might be the ability to invite those who would not be comfortable participating in a book group, but would be willing to watch a thought-provoking movie with you once a month. Edited versions of movies can be requested through Kristi Keeton in the Student Development Office.

Journey Groups:

We are apart of a tradition that believes that God is always the one taking the initiative to seek us out. Journey groups are designed for students to come together and share their story of faith with a group of people they can travel together with towards God. Each week one person from the group will share how God has sought them out throughout their lives, how God is working in their life now, and how the group might pray for the person sharing. Journey groups don’t require a high degree of preparation for each group, but does contain a high degree of intimacy and confidentiality.

Contact Brady Braatz for more info: bbraatz@mnu.edu