What is a small group?
What happens in a small group?
Are all small groups the same?
How long does a small group meeting last?
Why should I join a small group?
How do I get into a group?
When is the best time to join a small group?
What should I bring?
Can I bring a friend?
What if I want to change groups?
Do all small groups use the same materials?
How often do small groups meet?
How long does a small group stay together?
Where do small groups meet?
Do small groups offer childcare?
What is a small group?
A small group is basically a group of 6 to 10 people who want to grow spiritually and to connect with others who are going in the same direction. A small group provides a place to develop rich relationships with people, to get to know them and be known. It’s also a place to learn more about God and about how to deepen your relationship with Him. Small group members are there to encourage and support you through this spiritual journey and in the day-to-day challenges of life.
Some Specialized Groups deal with specific topics and are more structured. These groups often meet for a set number of weeks, use topical study materials, and have a trained facilitator to guide discussion. To find out more about these specialized groups, click here.
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What happens in a small group?
Usually, a small group meeting will include some relaxed conversation time as everyone gets settled. The group will just hang out and talk about the week and what’s going on in life.
Then, the group leader or a member of the group may open your study and discussion time with prayer. You may watch a short teaching video or read an article or passage of the Bible together. Our groups are designed to engage everyone and to have a time of discussion based on the topic and what you’ve read or watched together.
A typical meeting will end with a time to share prayer requests and to pray for one another. This may be followed by refreshments and more time to interact.
Don’t worry! No one will ask you to do anything that makes you uncomfortable. You won’t be asked to pray or read out loud or share anything that you don’t want to share. Your level of participation is strictly up to you.
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Are all small groups the same?
Our small groups are as varied as the individuals who attend them! We have all kinds of groups because we have all kinds of people. You’ll find groups for married couples, men, and women, and within each of those group types, you’ll find a wide variety of topics and approaches. Every group has its own personality.
Some groups are topical. Some are focused on in-depth study. Some are more relational. Some are issue oriented. The best way to find out more about what’s available is to click on the How to Find a Group for You link in the navigation bar at left and go exploring. When you find one that you think might be a good fit, just contact the small group leader to meet them over the phone and get more information about their group.
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How long does a small group meeting last?
A typical small group will meet from an hour and a half to two hours. This varies among small groups, and this may sometimes change when there are special events included in the small group meeting (such as sharing a meal together). When you contact a small group leader about their group, they can tell you how long a typical meeting lasts for them.
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Why should I join a small group?
1. Feel like you belong.
With a church as large as Inland Hills, it’s easy to feel disconnected. When you’re in a small group, you’ll feel like part of the family.
2. Experience life change.
We believe life change happens best in small groups. You’ll grow not just in your knowledge of God and the Bible, but you’ll grow in your experience of God as well. As you learn and pray together with your small group, you’ll begin to experience what it means to be an authentic follower of Christ.
3. Handle life better.
God never intended us to face the pressures and stresses of life alone. With your group, you’ll never have to! Also, as you begin to apply what you’re learning from your small group, you’ll be better equipped to face the challenges of everyday life.
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How do I get into a group?
Just click on the How to Find a Group for You link in the navigation bar at left. Decide what kind of group you’d like to visit (MarriedLIFE, Men, Women, etc.) and then browse the groups available by the day that they meet. Once you’ve found a group that looks good, just click on the link to email the small group leader or give them a call.
The small group leader will tell you more about the group and can answer any of the questions you may have. They’ll also give you directions and let you know when they’re meeting next. Then, all you need to do is visit the group.
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When is the best time to join a small group?
You can join a small group anytime. Groups are ongoing. Just contact the small group leader before visiting to make sure the group is meeting the week you’d like to attend.
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What should I bring?
When visiting a small group for the first time, bring a Bible if you have one and maybe a pen or pencil. If the group has specific study materials, they’ll share those with you when you visit.
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Can I bring a friend?
Every group has an open chair, so we’d love for you to bring a friend with you. And don’t worry if your friend doesn’t attend church yet or isn’t sure about Christianity; they’ll be warmly welcomed.
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What if I want to change groups?
It’s always a good idea to give a group a couple of visits before making up your mind. It may take a few meetings with the group to begin to feel like you’ve found the right place. Of course, we want you to find a group that’s a good fit for you, so don’t be afraid to try another group if the group you’re visiting doesn’t seem to be a great match. We all understand that a lot of factors—schedules, personalities, study topics—go into finding a group that fits.
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Do all small groups use the same materials?
Generally, no. Once or twice a year, all IHC small groups participate in a church-wide focus and engage in the same topic and study guides as the rest of the church family. Otherwise, we encourage each group to select what they want to study based on the group’s purpose, interests, and spiritual maturity.
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How often do small groups meet?
Most groups meet weekly or every other week. Check a small group’s description under How to Find a Group for You to see how frequently that group meets.
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How long does a small group stay together?
Most of our small groups are ongoing and continue meeting from year to year. The group may change over time, but a typical small group does not have an end date.
This is slightly different for Specialized Groups that often meet for a set number of weeks. To find out more about this kind of group, click here.
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Where do small groups meet?
Most groups meet in homes throughout the area. Some groups meet in local restaurants or offices, and a few groups meet on the IHC campus during the week.
The small group’s description in the How to Find a Group for You area of this section of the website will provide you with the city location for the group’s meeting place. When you contact the group’s leader, they will provide you with specific location information and directions.
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Do small groups offer childcare?
Each group handles childcare in different ways. Some small groups offer childcare; some groups have group members take turns watching the children; other groups may hire a babysitter and ask members to help cover the cost. Most groups do not provide childcare and leave it to group members to make arrangements on their own.
Groups offering childcare will indicate this in their small group description. You can also contact the small group leader to see how their group handles childcare and get more specifics.
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