Small Groups
The first Christian church did not meet in a cathedral. It met in a house. There were no pews or alters. The first church service likely took place around a dinner table and pillows. There were no hymnals or worship bands. People in a community came together to eat, talk and pray. If they were lucky enough to have an Old Testament or one of Paul’s letters, they also meditated upon the wisdom therein.
So, when we speak about small groups, we are speaking about church. Small groups are the church. They are its heartbeat, its life. Small groups are where Christian discipleship and life together happen. It is the venue where Christ’s Welcome is embodied, His healing is offered, and His mission begins.
At The River, the shape of our small groups flow from the scriptures, especially Acts 2:42-47, Ephesians 4, Hebrews 3, and Acts 20. We believe that small groups should be holistic in their focus (see 3-Strands). They are, in fact, the dock into River life.
For more information about Small Groups, please contact the head of our Small Groups Staff team, Pastor of Leadership Development, Mark PH