Frequently Asked Questions About EFCC Small Groups
What Is a Small Group?
At Emmanuel Faith a small group is a gathering of anywhere from between 3 and 15 people who have intentionally set aside time in their already busy lives to come together on a regular basis (usually weekly) to laugh, encourage, listen, pray, study, learn, serve, reach out and grow ... together.
Their purpose in so doing is based on our core value that Fellowship is God's Method of Connecting His Family.
What is the goal of EFCC's Small Groups?
The ultimate goal of every small group at EFCC is to see the lives of the people who are in it being constantly transformed by God so that each person grows to be more like Jesus. When this happens, our small groups are helping us meet our mission and vision as a church family.
What is your church's mission statement?
Honor God by Living Like Jesus. Click here for more details.
What is your church's vision statement?
Click here to view our church's 2020 Vision.
How do your small groups help you achieve these goals?
Our small groups help by focusing us all on living a balanced Christian life that strives to keep in tension: fellowship, spiritual maturity, service, evangelism, and worship. (This is because we know that a balanced spiritual life leads to a healthy spiritual life and that a healthy spiritual life leads to growth. We also know that growing followers of Jesus honor God.)
What goes on in a typical small group?
Fellowship: This is the "life-sharing" element of our small groups where -- just in the midst of a group's time together -- people are laughing, having fun, crying, praying, helping one another, encouraging one another, supporting another, and even sometimes just being available to listen. Everyone who attends a group has something to offer the others in it!
Spiritual Growth: Through studying, discussing and applying God's Word, your small group will help you to grow to be more like Jesus in your character. We all recognize that it's easy to "want to" grow. Sometimes we all need a little extra encouragement and accountability to do those things God is showing us we need to do. You will find your small group to be a place where you both give and receive encouragement to take steps of faith and obedience in response to how God is working in your life.
Service to others: Your small group is the perfect place to use the spiritual gifts God has given you. Whether it's leading the discussion or the prayer time, coordinating a social, keeping track of the prayer requests or volunteering your home for group meetings, you can serve the other group members in a variety of ways. Additionally, groups are encouraged to do service projects together.
Reaching Out: The Bible clearly teaches that you were made for a mission: God wants you to share His Good News with others. In your small group you will receive encouragement and prayer support as you try to live out this exciting aspect of your Christian life (You may also find that your small group will become a place where you can bring your un-churched friends who are seeking to learn more about Christianity and a personal relationship with God through Jesus.).
Worship: Surrendering who you are for God to use for His honor is the essence of worship. Your small group will encourage one another to continually live with this mindset and to make yourselves available to God for Him to use you as He sees fit. Beyond this, some of the groups do have a praise and singing time or a time of prayer that focuses on praise and adoration of God.
Why Should I Join a Small Group?
The main reason to join a small group is simply this -- God didn't design you to go through your Christian life alone! We have all been created with the need for relationships and people are a part of how God grows us. Therefore, we all need to be in a life-sharing group of some kind.
How Can I Get Involved in a Small Group?
Our small group "year" is divided into three quarters -- fall, winter and spring. We take sign-ups at the beginning of each quarter. If you are interested in joining a group (even if it's mid-quarter) you may take advantage of our online small group finder.
Am I "locked in" to only one group once I join?
No, of course not! This is precisely the reason we have three sign-up periods each year. We only ask that you make a commitment to attend your group for the whole quarter if at all possible. When the next sign-up and registration period comes, feel free to try another one. The reality is that we recognize it may take a number of quarters before you find your place (but we believe you will find it!).
What do the groups use for study materials?
Our philosophy is to let the groups choose for themselves what would be best. We believe the small group leader, as the shepherd of the group, is the best person to either make this determination or to lead the group in making it. However, we do require that the leaders choose materials that are in keeping with our doctrinal statement and core values. Click here to access this information online.
How do the groups handle childcare?
We let the groups figure this out for themselves. Some groups find a babysitter for the kids, others don't. You'll have to get this information from the group's leader when you contact him or her.
How often do the groups meet?
Most groups meet weekly at night on either weeknights or weekends. Some have chosen to meet every other week or twice a month. Contact us for more details: via e-mail: or phone: (760) 781-2161.
Links:
Small Group Finder | Main Small Groups page