Small Groups
We believe that if people aren't in a place where they can be personally known, challenged and encouraged, their lives with Jesus will be isolated and boring. At the Arvada Vineyard, small groups are the main life of our church, and exist to facilitate:
COMMUNITY
All the believers were together and had everything in common... (Acts 2:44)
We can live out the 'one anothers'... (there are over 40 in Romans through 3 John!)
"He who loves his dream of a community more than the Christian community itself becomes a destroyer of the latter, even though his personal intentions may be ever so honest and earnest and sacrificial." Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Life Together, pg. 27.
CAUSE & COMMITMENT
"People need to serve more than we need them to serve..." (Mosaic Leader)
"...teaching them everything I have commanded you." (Matthew 28)
"...different ways to serve...all from the same Lord." (1 Corinthians 12:5)
CHARACTER
Pastoring people to be intimately connected to Jesus. (John 15)
Destroying consumerism - Jesus' church versus 'me' church.
WHAT DO SMALL GROUPS DO?
Small groups meet every week and follow a fairly consistent pattern. We always make time for people to share about their week and catch up with each other. Then we usually worship and sing some songs together, then share what is happening in the church as a whole.
We open the Bible and interactively talk about how God's Word applies to our lives. This is a great opportunity to learn from the Bible and ask questions that you might not be able to ask in a larger church context. The leader encourages the entire group to participate, to ask questions, and to figure out how to live God's truth in everyday life. We always make time to pray for one another and ask God to come and meet our personal needs. A small group is the best place to receive pastoral care, and can become an incredible source of healing and health.
Every group is a little different, and the guidelines mentioned here are pretty flexible. Sometimes we'll spend the entire time praying, or teaching, or worshipping, or just hanging out. It depends on what seems most relevant to the specific group and the specific night.
HOW DO I GET INVOLVED IN A SMALL GROUP?
If you haven't been through Discovering Community, that is the best place to start! You will spend seven weeks connecting with a group of people that can then start a small group after Discovering Community ends.
All of our small groups are open, meaning that anyone can go to any small group. Every small group is a little different, so you may want to try and visit a few before you decide which one is the best fit for you. We strongly encourage everyone to try and stay with one small group though, to make it easier for you to connect with those specific people and learn how to serve within the group.
There is a list of current small groups at the Information Table at the church.
