10 Questions About Small Groups

 

Small Groups is where the Prince of Peace family best lives out community in the way God designed us.  It is where we study God’s Word together and discuss the issues and challenges of life.  It’s also where we pray, care for one another, and live out the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the larger North Dallas community.

 

Here are the top ten questions people ask about Small Groups.

 

1.  How much of my time is this going to take?

The get-togethers/meetings are usually a couple of hours long, meeting two times a month. One hour for snacking, eating, and hanging out. One hour for Bible Study. However, many SG members begin to do life together eating out, playing golf, boating, and even taking vacations together. The Community that is built in a SG can be life-changing. Most groups also have a monthly party and/or monthly or quarterly service project in which they serve.

 

2.  What are we going to do with our children during Small Group?

The first hour of the meeting they hang out with the entire group. During Bible Study groups have various answers.  Some groups:

• include the kids in the study,
• hire a baby sitter for the group,
• have another home near the host home with a parent keeping them,
• adults rotate keeping the kids in a bonus room.

 

3.  Will there be homework?  If so, how much?

Most SG do not have home work in a book. There may be daily devotionals that are suggested or weekly considerations to which you need to compare you life. A few groups will read a book together then meet to discuss it.

 

4.  Am I going to have to talk or can I just sit and listen during meetings?

Small Group is like family, sometimes you talk, sometimes you listen. No one is forced to talk or to lead the group. We all move at a different pace and you allowed to do just that.

 

5.  Will I have to pray out loud?

No. Again, you are allowed to move, grow, at your own pace. If the time comes in your life that you feel you need to voice a prayer request, that is well received. If the time comes you would like to lead in prayer, that is also well received.

 

6.  Who else is going to be in the group?

Small Groups are formed by the leader inviting friends, neighbors or acquaintances to cookout or social. There they will announce and invite people to help start a Small Group. OR Small Groups are formed at a GroupLink or at the New Member Meet & Greet. GroupLink is an event on Sunday morning in the Fellowship Center.  Leaders will be in the Fellowship Center for you to talk with and decide which group you would like to join. At GroupLink you agree to try the SG for a few weeks. You can choose to continue with the group or not. This allows you a time to try a Small Group, but also have the assurance that there is an out. GroupLink is offered periodically throughout the year at Prince of Peace.

 

7.  How much do I have to know about the Bible?

None. Small Group is about learning the Bible not debating it or being tested on it. Three times a year Prince of Peace conducts a CREDO study where any attender can study the basics of what the Bible says and what we believe.

 

8.  How many weeks or months is this group going to last?

Small Group is like family, some of them last for years, others multiply and start new groups in 12 to 18 months. We do ask that an apprentice be enlisted from the start so there is a plan to let others experience community in a Small Group as your group sends out the apprentice family sometime in the first 12-18 months.

 

9.  If I don’t like it, can I leave without people being mad at me?

Yes, but most people build such community that they do not want to stop being part of the Small Group.

 

10.  What are we going to be doing during the meetings?

Most meetings last a couple of hours. There is roughly an hour for social, fellowship, eating, snacking time; building community. Then there is an hour of Bible Study where the group learns and discusses the material and Scripture that has been previously agreed upon. There is always time for prayer and sharing of life issues where others in your group can help you walk through life and not be alone.

 

If you would like to know more about how to get connected with a Small Group at Prince of Peace, consider the options on our Groups page.