Most community groups last between two and three years, but initially make a one-year commitment following an eight week “trial” run. Eight weeks provides time to decide if the group is a good fit overall. At that point, a group will stay together until the following spring when most groups evaluate their year together and make plans for the following year as some members leave to start new groups or join other groups and new members are invited in.

Community groups meet at different times during the week and in varying rotations. Sunday evening is a popular option for many. Some meet every week, others twice a month, and still others for six to eight consecutive weeks followed by a month off. Most groups meet 18-24 times during the fall, winter, and spring leaving the summer months open for informal times of food and fun (rather than trying to schedule regular meetings around vacation schedules, summer camps, etc.).

There are two main ways that you can connect into a group. One, attend Group Connect, a two-hour event designed to connect you into a group within your geographical area. Two, contact Susan Salamone to indicate your interest.

Most groups start with a six-week study on Christian Fellowship called Connecting with God’s Family. Following those early weeks, groups are encouraged to use the Taking it to Heart discussion guide, which builds on the Sunday morning sermon message each week. Listed below are some additional resources recommended for Community Groups.

Connecting with One Another

Doing Life Together Series
By Brett and Dee Eastman, Todd and Denise Wendorff,
& Karen Lee-Thorp
These six sessions will help you connect more deeply with Jesus Christ and build genuine relationships with Christian friends. Christ’s love makes it possible for you to be known and to know others, to be loved and to love, to resolve conflict effectively, and to move outward together in faith.

Going Deeper with God

Grace: An Invitation to a Way of Life
By John Ortberg, Laurie Pederson & Judson Poling
The Pursuing Spiritual Transformation series focuses on personal transformation through the five “G’s”: Grace, Growth, Groups, Gifts, and Giving. These studies in GRACE will help you make the connection between grace as a remote biblical concept and grace as a lifestyle – a reality you experience day in and day out. Through an unfolding study of Psalm 23, you’ll learn how God – our Good Shepherd – is for you, how He longs to walk with you through temptation, sorrow, and even deep regret. You’ll discover God’s desire to make His joy your joy...and rediscover why it’s called amazing grace.

Transformation: Developing a Heart for God
By Rebecca Manley Pippert
Would you like to move from despair to hope? Would you like to transform your feelings of fear to faith? Would you like to turn envy into compassion? The Bible shows us how David turned these negative emotions in his life into godly character qualities. By studying his life and choices, we can make the same transformation in our own lives.

Thinking of Others

Developing Your SHAPE to Serve Others
By Brett and Dee Eastman, Todd and Denise Wendorff,
& Karen Lee-Thorp
The way you’re wired is no accident. God designed your unique mix of gifts, natural abilities, personality, values, and life experiences to play an essential part of His kingdom. These six sessions will help you develop your God-given design at home, at work, at church, and in your community in a way that extends God’s love to others and enriches your own life immeasurable.

Sharing Your Life Mission Every Day
By Brett and Dee Eastman, Todd and Denise Wendorff,
& Karen Lee-Thorp
Sharing your life mission every day just isn’t that hard. You need a few skills, a few friends for support, and a glimpse of God’s heart for those who don’t know Him. These six sessions will equip you to extend love to seekers around you and talk about your experience with God in ways that people will understand. God doesn’t ask you to do it alone – discover the power that comes from teaming up!

There are several workable options. Many groups take advantage of the Sunday evening childcare option at the church where childcare is available from 5:30-8:15 p.m. Each group signs up in advance and needs to be prompt in dropping off/picking up their children. Some groups hire a babysitter and have the kids at the meeting home while other groups ask members to handle childcare individually.

A significant one! Everyone has a part to play in the life of a group. The following are suggested ways to be involved:

• Show up! You get to know people in a group by prioritizing the meeting.
• Use your home for one of several group meeting locations.
• Help provide refreshments.
• Coordinate a group service project or retreat.
• Help coordinate a guys/girls night out or other social outing.
• Offer to help lead the discussion or prayer time for the group.

Group Connect is a two-hour event where you will meet and connect with others in your geographical area and stage of life to form a community group. Community groups have approximately six married couples, or a blend of singles and couples, that meet regularly in someone’s home for fellowship, Bible study, and prayer. They are for adults of all ages, all stages of life, and all levels of spiritual maturity.

We ask you to initially commit to meeting with your group for eight weeks. You will spend that time getting to know each other and doing a short Bible study together. At the end of the eight weeks, you can choose to continue with your group, or we will help you connect with another group.

The next Group Connect will be September 14. Registration begins August 17.

For information, please contact Susan Salamone at ssalamone@southsidefellowship.org or 234-7033, ext 1525.