EC SMALL GROUPS
EC SMALL GROUPS
FINDING A SMALL GROUP
Small Groups have one simple purpose: to bring people together. We believe God created us to live in relationship with others and only then can we live the full life He intends for us. Sharing life through community is part of our design, but meaningful relationships aren’t always easy to find. That’s why Small Groups exist, to make these life-changing relationships relevant and accessible.
LEADING A SMALL GROUP
Leading a Small Group isn’t about being perfect; it’s about serving others by giving them a place to connect. Hosting a group is simple choose a topic that interests you and select a time and location to meet with others to share it. We give you essential tools to make your Small Group successful through Leader Training and a directory where you can register your group so others can find it easily. We believe people’s lives are changed one semester at a time by moving one step toward Christ, and as a Small Group leader you get to play an important role in that process.
Sometimes, total life change happens in an instant, but more often is happens gradually. As Small Group Leaders, our primary role is to uncover the spiritual condition of group members and walk beside them leading them one step closer to God. What this looks like will be different for each person.
Here are some practical examples to help you:
If a group member is not in a relationship with Christ, bring them to a church service where they can hear a clear presentation of the Gospel.
Encourage group members to get water baptized.
Invite group members to complete the New Member’s Class.
Invite group members to the Dream Team.
Introduce group members to the idea of daily prayer and Bible reading through the One Year Bible.
Our Small Groups will be most healthy when leaders take an active role in knowing each person in their group and intentionally helping them move one step closer to Christ.
SMALL GROUP COMMON QUESTIONS
You’ve probably witnessed Small Groups meeting and not even realized it. A small group looks like friends at lunch, teams playing basketball, or people studying a book or topic of interest. At its core, a small group is a small gathering of people, and it is less about what you do and more about who you do it with. By participating in Small Groups, you can expect to connect with others through a common activity, engage in life giving conversation and request prayer.
Our Small Groups meet for three semesters a year—winter/spring, summer and fall. During the semester, most groups meet once a week. Small Groups are meant to bring meaning and community into the flow of your life, so even if you can’t attend every meeting, there is still great value in joining a group.
Small Groups happen throughout the Greater St. Louis and Metro East areas.
Most Small Groups meet for a semester. This way, new people can join groups easily and regularly. Also, the semester format allows you to try multiple groups each year. As relationships form, some groups choose to stay together for consecutive semesters, but new members are always welcome.
Childcare varies from group to group. When you search our directory for a group, the group profile will indicate if childcare is available.
The truth is, not everyone will find the best fit with the first group they try. This is why we encourage you to select a few groups that interest you, contact the leaders and try out a couple different groups before choosing the best one for you. The simple strategy to finding success in Small Groups is to not give up. We believe there is a group that is right for everyone—including you!