Get Connected in a Small Group

Everything in life revolves around relationships -- everything. God places a tremendous emphasis in His Word on relationships. The Ten Commandments that He gave us are entirely focused on relationships: how we relate to God and how we relate to others. The most important relationship is a personal relationship with our heavenly Father through His Son Jesus Christ -- a vertical relationship. But let us not be so heavenly high that we are of no earthly good. Horizontal relationships bring balance in this life--and the best horizontal relationships are covenant commitments to become connected with others in a caring Christian community.

As our church continues to grow larger, it must also grow smaller, ensuring that no one is "lost in the crowd" and everyone is ministered to during the peaks and valleys of life. Small Groups provide our church members with a way to connect with a few others who want to grow as Christians during times of sharing, caring, Bible study and fun.

Small Groups are also a vital tool for evangelism as they offer a warm, inviting place to welcome non-Christians to learn more about the Jesus that has made such an eternal impact on our lives.

In Acts 20:20, Paul's vision was "to preach the message in public (large-group worship) and to teach the message from house to house (small-group community)." Paul's vision is ours. Our church's purpose statement is "Glorifying God through lives transformed by the powerful Gospel of Jesus Christ." Small Groups provide an outstanding opportunity for people of all walks of life to discover Jesus in a new and exciting way while learning how to "live the difference" He has made in our lives.

We strongly encourage you to become a part of a Small Group, joining with others in a mission to grow closer to our Lord and helping others do the same. Take a moment now to pray for God's direction in how He would want you to be involved in a Small Group, as a leader, host, or team member.

There is a team that fits your schedule and lifestyle. For information on off-campus small groups, contact Sara Jones at 272-0443, or sara@fsbctopeka.org. For information on on-campus small groups, contact the church office at 272-0443.

 

Benefits of a Small Group

When inviting people to join your Small Group, remember these key benefits:

*You belong in God's family with other followers as well as with others who are seeking to know truth. "You are a member of God's very own family... and you belong in God's household with every other Christian." (Eph. 2:19)

*You need the support of others to grow spiritually. "Let us think of one another and how we can encourage each other to love and do good deeds." (Hebrews 10:24)

*You need the accountability of others to grow spiritually. "People learn from one another just as iron sharpens iron." (Proverbs 27:17)

 

One Team Making a Difference

Loren & Cindy Risch, leaders of a small group that meets in their home, share what makes their group so special:

"Our small group meets twice a month on Thursdays. We trust each other enough to share about the things that are both the victories and struggles of life. Several of our members cannot attend a traditional small group on Sunday morning. Our group provides Bible study and all of the other positive aspects of a small group for these people. They often express their appreciation for what this means in their lives."