Find A Group You Love
Become who God created you to be. You can face life with the kind of love and support God had in mind for you. Now is the perfect time to find a small group you love that fits your schedule and season in life. Small groups are a place to belong and grow. Most of our groups use our weekly message application guide that we affectionately call “GPS” (Grow-Pray-Serve). Our GPS guides are easy to understand and empower people to apply the weekend messages to their lives.
FIND A GROUP
Plan now to visit one of our small groups!
We have a group for YOU!
Email for more information.
Saint Paul’s mission can be summed up in this phrase: “empower you to grow into all God created you to be.” Followers of Jesus are lifelong learners and the spiritual journey is not meant to be alone.
At Saint Paul’s, we believe that life is a team sport – best done together and as our church grows larger, we must also grow smaller. Small groups are “learning communities” that serve as a great way to grow in your relationship with God and make a difference in the community. We encourage everyone to be involved in group life because it’s there where you will meet new people while growing in your faith.
Faith grows in the presence of faithful friends and the best way to grow in your faith is to be around others on the same journey that can spur you on and keep you going. Small groups are here for you so take a moment to find the right space for you! If you have any questions, please contact us at grouplife.myspbc.org
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FOR CURRENT MEMBERS OF ONLINE GROUPS
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FOR CURRENT LEADERS OF ONLINE GROUPS
- Click HERE for FREE Online Devotionals & Study Resources
- Click HERE for Online Group Agenda (Sample)
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HOST A GROUP
Join our monthly Live Interactive Small Group Leader Training via Zoom. The training is 2.5 hours and includes the opportunity for live interaction. To request your Live Training Session, email .
View our Online Small Group Leader Training. The training is approximately 53 minutes. To view it, create your free Ministry Grid (A Lifeway Product) account HERE. Complete the training video and a member of our Group Life Team will contact you to answer any questions you may have and help you get started.
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- Click HERE to register for ONLINE GROUP LEADER TRAINING
- Click HERE to sign Group Leader Covenant
- Click HERE to sign Confidentiality Agreement
- Click HERE to register your Online Group
- Click HERE for FREE Online Devotionals & Study Resources
- Click HERE for Online Group Agenda (Sample)
- Click HERE for Online Group Evaluation
- Click HERE for Small Group Semester Calendar
- Click HERE for Online Meeting Debriefing
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TAKE YOUR GROUP ONLINE
You can now take your group online, and you can use the online platform of your choice - Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Hangouts, Skype, etc.
Our Ministry Staff found that ZOOM (online video conferencing app) provides the best experience. However, there is one drawback – the FREE Zoom account only allows sessions to run for 40 Minutes. (Some groups under 10 people have found that the 40 Minute restriction is lifted and have met for 90 Minutes to 2 hours. We think the key, for now, is that SMALL groups get to meet for longer periods. However, our Ministry Staff also discovered that groups over 20 people are cut off at 40 Minutes.) So, it is best to guide your group within the designated time frame or if you think you session needs to run longer than 40 minutes, set up two separate meetings. For example, take a 5 or 10 minute restroom/snack break, then start another meeting. People may need to log back in using a different invitation link.
HOW TO Set Up a Zoom Meeting for Right Now
Saddleback Church (whose pastor Rick Warren of the Purpose Driven Life) created a short, helpful video (4 min 5 sec) on how to setup a Zoom meeting, and we’re not going to reinvent the wheel, so feel free to watch their video. GO WATCH.
HOW TO Set Up & Schedule a Zoom Meeting for Later
Saddleback Church and the Church Network also provided a great video (4 min 30 sec) on how to set-up and schedule a Zoom meeting. Feel free to check it out. GO WATCH.
We have found both videos very helpful!
Advertising Your GroupWe want to help people find your group, however, we will not be publishing your meeting invite link for security reasons. We want to help screen the scammers (who are already busy during this crisis), so when people indicates that they h/she wants to try your group, our Ministry Staff will send you an email with the person’s information and ask you to reach out to that person. You can then send the invite link directly to the requester.
7 Set-up Tips for Video Conferencing
7 Tips to Help with Facilitation
We will have a Leader Training for Online Groups on video out soon for people who have NEVER had the in person Small Group Leader Training (since 2011) and want to start an online group. If you’ve had the in-person training, you do not have to take the training for online groups. |
WHAT IS AN AREA CHECK-IN?
Twice a month, we’ve set as a goal to “check in” with our members to offer prayer, support, encouragement and assistance. Our check-in hosts contact 5-12 members, who live in their area through a ZOOM video conference. The check-ins are based on zip code and designed to be brief (30-40 minutes).
WHY DO THIS?
Hebrews 10:22-24 in the Message Translation encourages us this way, “So let’s do it—full of belief, confident that we’re presentable inside and out. Let’s keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. God always keeps His Word. Let’s see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out.
WHAT HAPPENS DURING A CHECK-IN?
During an Area Check-In, our hosts ask: 1) How are you? 2) How is your family? 3) How are your friends and 4) Would you like to share any prayer requests? Our check-in hosts pray over the requests and end the call. It’s that simple. Our goal is to ensure that every member is connected and receives the care they need.
JOIN OUR CHECK-IN NETWORK
If you’d like to join one of our Area Check-Ins, click HERE.
HOST AN AREA CHECK-IN
We have a brief 15-minute training video that explains the check-ins, why we created them, and how to host them. There are just 3 easy steps:
1. Watch the training video.
(It is on Ministry Grid, so you’ll have to create a free Lifeway account before viewing. If you’re already registered, simply search for SPBC Area Check-In Training.) Click here.
2. Sign the Confidentiality Agreement by clicking here.
3. Register to host an Area Check-In by clicking here.
