Small Groups
Be Known. Do Good.
Welcome to small groups! Small groups are an important way we find community and grow in our faith. Every human being wants to be known and to do good things in and for the world. Our small groups invite each person to a two-year journey that intentionally fosters connection, growth, purpose, and service.
What are Small Groups?
Small groups at Resurrection are communities of 5-15 people who meet regularly on the journey of becoming deeply committed Christians. Our program is built on an intentional journey, scheduling flexibility, and low-pressure conversations with the potential to become deeper relationships.
- There is no prep work to attend a session. Simply show up. Plus, childcare and children/student programming is offered at certain times throughout the week.
- This program is not an every week model. Most groups meet roughly every two of three weeks with built in longer breaks. Groups ultimately decide the flexibility of their schedule.
- Our vision is for a two-year, intentional journey, but you only sign up for six weeks. There is a natural exit point at the six-week mark, and groups are welcome to reevaluate their plans at this point. However, the vast majority of our groups desire to stay with program. It has a proven track record.
Year 1
The Year One journal, Communities of Blessing, is divided into three parts: Purpose (6 lessons), Belonging (9 lessons), and Growth (6 lessons).
- The group begins with a discussion over the Essential Practices of the Christian faith. In group time, groups consider challenges to those practices and engage in exercises that promote group connection.
- Part Two, the meat of the journal, is an extended engagement with the story of Scripture, though the aim of the material is to promote engagement with each group member’s life story. This time ends with a Seven Word Testimony exercise.
- The last part of the journal engages John Wesley’s historic questions, leaning into conversation over the spiritual life.
Year 2
The Year two journal, Communities of Hope, is also divided into three parts: Purpose (5 lessons), Belonging (10 lessons), and Growth (6 lessons).
- The group beings by examining the life of Joseph in Genesis, considering him as an example of how to cross boundaries in our lives.
- Part Two takes the group on a journey with John Wesley, founder of the Methodist movement, as he demonstrates what it means to be a person who practices hope and resists cynicism.
- The last part of the journal, an encounter with Revelation, teaches reliable group meeting practices that can serve the group for years to come.
As groups complete the Year 2 Small Group Journal, our hope is that you may consider a nudge to host a new small group, or proceed on with your original small group, as you continue to serve, grow in your faith, and allow and encourage transformation through the small group community.
Be Known
Do you long to be known and to know others? You’re not alone in that longing. Our faith teaches us that we need community. We are but one part of a larger body (1 Cor 12:12). Science and psychology also show us that belonging in community is a human need. This need to be known and to know others is one reason small groups are so important to us at Resurrection.
Do Good
We all want to make a difference. It can be transformative to do so alongside a community. We need to be known and to know others, and we also need to know that our gifts, skills, and graces can be put to use for others. Our faith tells us that life can be lived to the fullest when the communities to which we belong bless the world (Genesis 12). We begin by being known…and then we go out into the world and do good. That’s what our small groups seek to do.
