โAnd day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.โ (Acts 2:46-47 ESV)
โAnd every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus.โ (Acts 5:42 ESV)
โAnd every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus.โ (Acts 5:42 ESV)
SMALL GROUPS AT HOLT CHRISTIAN CHURCH
Small groups have always played a vital role in the growth of the church. While the early church gathered as a large group at the temple, it seems that there were small groups of individuals who met inside each otherโs homes. This appears to be the place where the church pastored each other, grew in their knowledge and faith, and prayed together.
Following the example of that early church, HCC desires to be a church of small groups, not simply a church with small groups. Small groups allows us to experience community, be protected, and engage in content so that we can deepen our connection with Jesus. As such, our hope is that everyone who is a part of HCC is active in small groups.
The hope is that small groups will allow us all to experience connection, protection, and growth.
Following the example of that early church, HCC desires to be a church of small groups, not simply a church with small groups. Small groups allows us to experience community, be protected, and engage in content so that we can deepen our connection with Jesus. As such, our hope is that everyone who is a part of HCC is active in small groups.
The hope is that small groups will allow us all to experience connection, protection, and growth.
CONTENT + COMMUNITY = PROTECTION AND CONNECTION
Small groups are based on three basic principles:
1. Small Groups are Free Market
Groups are formed around the common interests of people in the group. For example:
Small groups are based on three basic principles:
1. Small Groups are Free Market
Groups are formed around the common interests of people in the group. For example:
- Bible Study
- Life Skills
- Sports
- Hobbies
- Service
So a group of people that are interested in hunting, for example, could form a small group based on that common interest.
2. Small Groups are Semester Based
HCC groups will meet over a set period of time. This is designed to:
2. Small Groups are Semester Based
HCC groups will meet over a set period of time. This is designed to:
- Create a natural rhythm of life
- Allow people to know how much time they are committing to
- Provide space and opportunities for people to participate in a group for a season
3. Small Groups Employ the E.S.P.N. Principle
Even though small groups are based on common interests that may or may not be expressly rooted in Bible study, each group must implement what we call the E.S.P.N. Principle:
E = Encouragement
Even though small groups are based on common interests that may or may not be expressly rooted in Bible study, each group must implement what we call the E.S.P.N. Principle:
E = Encouragement
- Encouraging each other in their common interests, their common beliefs in Jesus Christ as our Savior, and uphold each other through the valleys and mountaintops of life.
S = Scripture
- To spend time studying Scripture. No matter what the common interest is that brought the group together, it is imperative that the primary purpose of the group is to grow in the knowledge of God and His Word.
P = Prayer
- Prayer is the foundation of our relationship with Christ. Small groups praying together and praying for one another can move mountains!
N = Next Steps
- Each person is on a journey of faith. Each one may be in a different step in their journey than someone else. Small groups need to recognize this and help each other to define and go forward to the next step in their journey of faith.