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All “Groups @ South Ridge” exist to help people grow, ever more deeply, in 3D (3 Directions): in (experiencing belonging), up (embracing God’s grace), and out (extending God’s love).
What is a Life Group?
Life Groups are our most relationally intentional, trust-cultivating group environments. A circle of 6-16 people “grow in” by getting real with each other, “grow up” by praying and exploring the Bible with each other, and “grow out” by networking their unique gifts to serve and spiritually impact others. New Life Groups kick off in February with 2 intro meetings and the (4 week) intro study The Power of a Whisper. This is all that you’re committing to when you sign up. At the end of these 6 weeks, there’ll be a natural opportunity to move on or commit to the group for the remainder of the calendar year. Sign up at the kiosk in the foyer on Sundays (during the month of January) for one of these Life Groups which are kicking off in February! See the most recent Groups Menu for details. Contact: Jeremy Moore, jmoore@southridgecc.org
What's the "Power of a Whisper" intro study all about?
Through 4 DVD sessions, conversation, and interactive Bible exploration, you’ll deepen your vision for what life can look like when God's followers choose to hear from heaven as they navigate life on earth. Does God really speak to us by way of whispers that arbitrate key decisions, nudges that rescue from dark nights of the soul, promptings that spur on growth, urgings that come by way of another person, inspiration that opens once-glazed-over eyes to the terrible plight people face in this world? How do people “hear from God”? What if we got gutsier about doing exactly what He says to do?
What’s the overall commitment?
You’re busy. Is Life Groups worth the time commitment? The first 5-7 weeks (2 intro meetings and an intro study) is a “try phase” to help you find out. At the end of this “try phase”, there’ll be a natural opportunity to either step out of the group (if you wish to) or commit to it for the remainder of the cycle (see above). Signing up for the “try phase” is the first step to committing to the group for the remainder of the cycle, but doesn’t obligate you to do so. Groups meet at various times, weekly or bi-weekly, for approximately two hours.
Why are there specific entry points?
Ever begin at a new school mid-year and feel like everyone else already knows each other? All communities begin in the “feeling things out” stage. With time, consistency, safety, and shared experiences, trust deepens and people get real with each other. Specific entry points are one way that we give each group the gift of time, consistency, safety, and shared experiences so trust can deepen and people are freed up to get real. In March 2010, a large segment of our congregation took the Reveal Spiritual Life Survey. The top three priorities for small groups (things that people wanted but weren't finding in SRCC groups) were: 1) holds me accountable to lead a Christian life, 2) a 'trustful' atmosphere for me to admit my shortcomings and mistakes, and 3) a safe place to process the issues I'm facing in my life. Life Groups are intentionally structured to help this kind of atmosphere thrive.
What happens when a Life Group ends?
A Life Group year consists of an intro (or “try”) phase, a deepening phase, and a closure phase (December or August). In this closure phase, each Life Group celebrates the good things that God has done in and through the group. At this time, participants have a natural opportunity to either step out of the group or participate in the group’s relaunch (October or February). When you sign up for a Life Group in September or January, you’re always part of a brand new dynamic that you help to build from the ground up!
Total Access Groups are our most accessible (often mid-sized and on campus) group environments. Jump into any of these at any time during the year! Click here for more details on all Total Access Groups.
- Wednesday Evening Anchor – Study, discuss, and apply the Bible in the Hospitality Room at 6:30pm (summer—7:00pm). Contact: Terrie Piell, piellk@aol.com
- Sunday Morning Anchor - Study, discuss, and apply the Bible in Room 025 at 9:00am. Contact: Dave Nace, davenace@verizon.net
- Women’s Bible Study (1st & 3rd Mondays) - Participate in David - Seeking a Heart Like His (by Beth Moore) at 7:00pm in the Worship Center & classrooms. Contacts: Luanne Phillips, lmphill@comcast.net and Arlyn Reed, aj91584@comcast.net.
- Women’s Bible Study (2nd & 4th Mondays) – Dive into the study Living Intimately: Lessons from The Upper Room at 7:00pm in Lebanon. Contact: Mary Haddon, maryjhaddon@comcast.net
- Monday Night Men’s Group – Pray, fellowship, study, and discuss at 7:30pm in Bloomsbury. Contact: Jim Morel, katodalo@embarqmail.com
- Moms Mentoring Moms – Discuss, laugh, and glean from the experience of seasoned moms on the 1st Tuesday of the month at 9:00am in the Worship Center Contact:: Dori Parker, dparker@southridgecc.org
- Mentoring Single Moms – Raising children alone? Come journey with others on Wednesdays at 6:15pm (pizza at 5:30) in Room 107. Contact: Dori Parker, dparker@southridgecc.org
- Divorce Care – Heal from your separation or divorce on Wednesdays at 6:30pm in Room 106. Contact: Bill Fernandez, bfernandez316@yahoo.com
Electives are conversational learning environments where people explore topics, passages, or life challenges for a focused period of time (generally between 4 and 14 weeks). Stop by the kiosk during the month of January and sign up for an Elective which kicking off at the end of January- early February. See the most recent Groups Menu for details.
Starting Point -
We’ve all got spiritual questions, but where can we talk honestly about them? Starting Point is a group environment where asking spiritual questions and airing doubts is not only tolerated, it’s encouraged! It’s a guided conversation through the Bible’s Grand Story that helps participant’s to identify and take next steps in their spiritual journey. Starting Point is for anyone new to the Christian faith, still exploring a commitment to Christ, or looking for a framework to understand the Bible better. Room 106, 9:00 - 10:15 (February - April). Contact: Jeremy Moore, jmoore@southridgecc.org
Gospel Transformation –Gospel Transformation is for those who want to know what “living by grace” looks like. It’s a 12 week course of study designed to apply the gospel to our lives on a daily basis—not just for our salvation. Each week, there are questions to be answered as homework (approximately an hour a week) that will promote discussion each session. Contact: Dave Nace, davenace@verizon.net (January - May)
Experiencing God — Experiencing God equips you to know God intimately while encouraging you to step out in faith and join Him in His work in this world. Explore what the Bible has to say about stepping out in faith and experience stories of those who’ve done it. Contact: Jeremy Moore, jmoore@southridgecc.org
Financial Peace University -
Whether you’re deeply in debt, doing pretty well, or haven't got a clue about your finances, you will learn something beneficial from this 13-week workshop. Through a combination of video (from entertaining expert Dave Ramsey), group discussion, and weekly assignments, Financial Peace University will challenge and ground you in every aspect of managing your finances from a practical Christian perspective. Topics include budgeting, saving on purchases, investing, handling credit, financing college, and retirement, insurance. Contact: Bob and Sue Grant at grantscalifon@embarqmail.com or Susan Sheets at ssheets@southridgecc.org.
Group Leader Resources:
Downloadable Forms:
For a current list of South Ridge teen babysitters, email Dori Parker, Director of Family Ministries, at dparker@southridgecc.org.
Curriculum Links:
- www.groupcurriculum.org – This is North Point Community Church’s searchable database of recommended curriculum with comments from group leaders.
- www.zondervan.com – While it’s easy to get overwhelmed on this site because there’s so much available, there’s a virtual catalogue called Church Source for Small Groups on the right when you click on “Curriculum & Group”. The selections featured in this catalogue are often great.
- http://www.liquidchurch.com/curriculum/ – Liquid church has a good recommended curriculum page that’s searchable by stage of life, or under the headings: knowing each other, knowing God, serving the world. Go to the home page (above) then click on “get involved”, “find a group”, “Life Groups”, “Resources”, and “Curriculum”.
- www.willowcreek.com/grouplife/resources - Here’s Willow Creek Community Church’s resource site for groups. It’s got some good recommendations.
- http://www.redeemer2.com/rstore/ - Here you’ll find downloadable, close level study guides through various books of the Bible, created by Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Manhattan. Click on “Studies & Training Material” then “Small Group Materials”.
The Groups Leadership Team
While only God can change a heart, South Ridge aims to intentionally cultivate the kind of environments that facilitate the Holy Spirit’s restoring work. For this reason, The Groups Leadership Team exists to oversee and sharpen all Groups @ South Ridge. Feel free to speak personally with the Groups Leadership Team (Mark Vesper, Dan Webb, Jeremy Moore) or contact Jeremy Moore at jmoore@southridgecc.org or (908) 735-5252, ext. 311.
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