Small Groups

Growing in Community

Developing relationships with others, applying God's Word to our lives, confessing to one another, demonstrating compassion, challenging and encouraging one another to grow in faith (James 5:16, Romans 1:11-12, Phil. 2:1-3, 1 Thess. 5:11).

At St. Andrews we recognize that God made us for community, he made us to be with and develop relationships with others. Through these relationships we are built up by others, build others up and grow in faith together. We build this community through Small Groups. Whether in a group of three (a triad) or in a larger group, we believe faith grows when we are with others.

Small Groups

"The most wonderful thing about a small group is just the sharing of faith amid our friendships...the bottom line is that when we draw near to God in studying His Word, and in Christian fellowship, He draws near to us and enriches our lives...As those who follow Him, we work together in His kingdom as one Body in Him." - Linda and Jerry Kaufman (SG Leaders)

What happens in a group?

While the “whys” for joining a group may be different but the “whys” for small group ministry are the same for all groups (even if executed differently).

Growing in our understanding of the Bible and how it shapes our lives

Learning to share and express our faith with others

Encouraging others as they live out their faith

Learning how to demonstrate compassion to others

How do I start?

Small Groups begin in many different ways… You can:

- Talk to a group of friends from church, co-workers, neighbors and invite them to join you in studying a book of the Bible, a specific sermon series, book, topic etc.

- Join a group that is starting at St. Andrews by contacting Holly and she can connect you with a small group leader

- Ask around and see if any of the people you know at St. Andrews is in a group and if you’d be able to join

No matter how you start there are always resources available for what to study and/or how best to approach a specific topic (for example, if you want to read through the Bible, or a book of the Bible there are study guides and questions available to get you started). Contact Holly if you have any questions about small group ministry. You can also download our Small Groups Information Guide.

Triads

Growing in faith with others through confession, scripture and prayer.

Iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. - Proverbs 27:17

A small group of three people (same gender) who meet every week for about an hour to practice three disciplines:

Reading scripture in context and in community
Confession with mutual accountability
Prayed for other specifically and continuously

No training, curriculum, or leader is necessary.

Triads are simple, yet powerful. They incorporate the values of community, life transformation through faith and expanding the Kingdom of God. Someone who is new to faith doesn’t have to wait to take a class on the Bible or on living the Christian life because they will experience each in the community found in a Triad. You can also download our Triads Guide

Reading scripture:

The power of triads comes through bringing the Word of God into the lives of God’s people. Each triad agrees on a portion of the Bible to read and can follow a pre-designated schedule if they choose.

The goal is 25-30 chapters each week. Shorter books of the Bible are read 5-7 times in a week while other books may take several weeks to work through. The point is to have each member reading large amounts of the Bible repetitively and in context.

There is no set pattern, only the goal of a steady diet of scripture each day. If a group member is unable to finish the whole group the group reads the same section until all members are able to finish.

Confession:

10 suggested character questions are asked weekly at the beginning of the meeting. Each person in the group takes a turn answering each question honestly. A triad must be a safe place where each person feels they can be honest and vulnerable with each other because the questions are of such a personal nature. This is why groups are not co-ed. People should feel free to adjust the questions to be of the most personal benefit. Some use questions that are more open ended and less specific.

Examples include: How has God make His presence known to you this week? What is God teaching you? How are you responding to God’s call in your life? Is there someone you need to share Christ with this next week?

The goal of accountability is not just to manage sin, but to foster honest relationships that are transparent, caring, and in which healing can come through confession.

Prayer Focus:

Each member of the triad identifies two or three people God has laid on their hearts to pray for their salvation. They share the names of these people with the whole group and each group member’s prayer for those individuals.

Each member writes the names of these individuals on the attached bookmark so that every time they open their Bible they will be reminded to pray for those individuals.

Materials