We have changed. Again.

We have always been committed to small group studies. In my lifetime they have been called different terms:

• Sunday School
• Home groups
• House studies

These groups are huge for a variety of reasons:

• People need to feel attached. When attendance reaches a certain point, they become anonymous.
• People need a safe place to be transparent, share needs and find close friends.
• Homogenous groups will always be drawn to people of like interest.
• Small groups allow those with the gift of teaching to express their skill.
• Flexibility in a small group found nowhere else.
• Small groups rarely require bells and whistles, it is the relationship factor that is the draw.
• Small groups allow for interruptions, questions and comments.
• Dialogues are sometime necessary, where monologues would be lacking.
• Clarification of difficult topics can be paced based on those attending.

We sensed that things were growing stale and a declining total attendance in small groups, plus the fact that some groups were running at full capacity and could take no additional people a problem. How can we create a system that allows new leaders to help us reach others? How can we offer people interesting materials for growth, that will also provide a platform for relational integration.

Right now we have switched to a semester-based (ten week), home system that we call Wikigroup. Excellent books in a certain field provide the basis of biblical-based studies on relevant topics. Relationally we establish new friendships - plus give new church attendees multiple entry points during the year.

Here are some photos from the spring study that we have held in our home. During our ten weeks we explored the concepts that catalyze spiritual growth for the new believer. Great stuff.

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