Frequently Asked Questions of Small Groups

What happens in a group?

The diversity in what actually takes place in a group is broad, but there are very clear underlying values and practices.

• Groups exist for connection to the community of believers in Jesus
• They spiritually mature together as they have a common purpose defined by Jesus, and in Jesus.
• They seek to love and serve each other and the wider community as they share gifts and possessions and become the salt and light of the earth.
• They are passionate about those who are yet to meet Jesus, encountering Him and living a full life.

Therefore, our groups will often 'meat' together (that is gather in a home, and have a meal), share what they have to offer with their gifts and possessions, encounter Jesus through the word of God, and pray and hear from the Lord in prophecy. Group life is much more than meeting together, but it leads to a life together following Jesus on the road to mission.

What do I have to know to be in a group?

Knowledge is not the purpose of a group so you don't need to cram before you come! Life, experience, story, hunger, they are the types of things you might like to bring and make sense of in a group.

Do you have set studies in your groups?

Groups are becoming like families, and with that analogy in mind one cannot dictate the same study for every 'family'. The only underlying value is that we are leading people to an encounter and growing life with Jesus, this seems to happen best through the Word in community.

How often do groups meet?

Groups meet between once a week and once a fortnight. However, the meeting is not the only aspect to group life. By itself, a meeting can simply become a mini spiritual check for your week rather than a community based transformation experience. So whilst the group may gather regularly we encourage regular interaction during the week with the people in the group.

Do I have to attend worship to connect with a group?

No...(you want to hear why?)
Firstly, we believe that the body of Christ is diverse, and that Good Shepherd is not 'THE church in the city', but 'a part of the church in the city'. In addition to this, relationship and community is paramount in our journey with Jesus, and one of the best places to start is connecting with a group.

Will you eventually expect people in groups to attend Sunday morning worship?

Interesting thought...! There is power to the gathering of many people for a worship service, and some very profound stuff happens when we gather. But Sunday morning worship is not the goal. Life with Jesus and living His mission is. So there will be no one knocking on your door with expectations for attendance on Sunday mornings, but there are significant opportunities to worship corporately on a weekly basis.

How active are your groups in the community?

Increasingly we are growing in our movement towards serving the community. Currently we are active in serving through gift hampers to those in need, adopting a local street, backyard blitzes, food collection for Lutheran community care, Samaritans purse and the Christmas boxes and painting homes. Our ultimate goal is that we will grow into disciples adopting our relationships, neighbourhoods, workplaces as our place to be salt and light.

How many people will there be in a group?

Groups can vary from 3-12 people. Ideally, and most often there are around 8 people. There's nothing magical about that number it just seems to facilitate a realistic and effective expression of a groups purpose.

Won't I get lost with 12 people?

It depends what you mean by 'lost'. Lost in the sense of being heard…well that's possible in any relationship, but our groups obviously seek to ensure this is not an issue. However, it is difficult for 12 people to really give and receive what they need when the group only comes together once a week or twice a month. So we currently encourage that people in groups are encountering Jesus every day in the Word, and regularly with at least one other person in a prayer partnership or a prayer triplet. Increasingly, this will be focussed more on the people in our groups where 'life transformation groups' extend out of the larger group. This will look like the group breaking down into small groups of 2-3 for serious discipleship and accountability throughout the week.

How can I join a group?

If you hit the 'contact' button on the group's site and let us know, we will make contact with you as soon as we are able. Then an appropriate group will send you an invite and you can follow it up from there. There is no 5 year contract to sign with any group attendance and numbers are not the goal, life with Jesus is. (you've heard me say that before!) Simply try the group for 6 weeks or so and see how it goes. Contact us again if you have any follow up questions.