Small Groups
“May our parishes be centers of charity and sanctuaries of mercy … may the church become known as a place to go when people are thirsty, are afflicted, are broken-hearted, are poor, in their life journey, and they need an oasis for healing and help.” - Archbishop Shawn McKnight
Advent Small Groups are faith-sharing groups designed to help parishioners reflect on insights from the archdiocesan pastoral planning process and deepen their engagement in parish life.
Themes: Magnificent Humanity, Living as Missionary Disciples, The Common Good, Discerning Your Gifts
When & How long: 4 weeks, 60-90 minutes each
Start date & time are group-dependent
Who: Anyone who is seeking deeper community, fellowship with parishioners, and an easy avenue to grow in their faith this season.
Where: In homes, parish spaces, or other convenient locations
Renewal in the Heartland
Advent Small Groups
Monday Groups
Tuesday Groups
Wednesday Groups
Thursday Groups
Friday Groups
Saturday Groups
Sunday Groups
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The whole purpose of evangelization is to draw people into a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ. This does not happen in one moment but across a lifetime of transformative encounters with Christ within the family, through the Church, and in others.
How to facilitate encounters with Jesus in your small group:
Ensure your small group is permeated with prayer
Incorporate Scripture into prayer and discussion
Discussion should focus on growing in closeness to Christ
Establish boundaries and dynamics that encourage members to imitate Christ in their interactions
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Growth in holiness requires others to model Christian living in the context of nonjudgmental relationships. A main function of small groups is to offer mutual support in Christian living. Fruitful accompaniment requires taking intentional steps: How to foster accompaniment in your small group:
Incorporate intercessory prayer
Establish appropriate confidentiality within the group
Encourage mentor relationships
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Evangelization, in drawing us into a relationship with Jesus Christ, also draws us into Christ’s family, where we receive God’s love and grace on Earth. The small group is a place where we live and experience community. The successful small group also forms participants to be better members of their parish and domestic communities.
How to foster Christian community in your small group:
Build in time for fellowship
Follow up with members who miss a session
Facilitate discussion that helps members reflect on: their vocation, sacramental living, and community life
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“We become missionary disciples when we take our encounter with Jesus Christ out into the world.” (LMD, 17) The formation we receive in our small group communities is not just for our own benefit, but to equip us to bring the Gospel of Jesus into the world. The fruitful small group helps members discern and live out God’s plan for their lives.
How to orient your small group to mission:
Don’t be afraid to ask “Now what?”
Ensure that all are invited into small group communities
Consider the barriers to participation in a small group
Incorporate questions of personal discernment into the discussion
Small groups are intentional moments of Christian community where people at all stages of their spiritual journey come together to grow in holiness. Successful small group ministry helps people grow as missionary disciples by guiding members through all stages of evangelization.
We build our small groups on the following pillars: Encounter, Accompany, Community, and Mission.
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Anyone!
Small groups can be formed around a special interest or activity like a workout group or bible study, or by life stages such as first time parents or widows.
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Make Friends - We are created for connection and relationship. Whether it is a bible study, book club, or running group, small groups meet regularly and foster friendship.
Make Disciples - Regardless of the type of group, the purpose of a small group is to encourage us on our journey of holiness. Small groups create a place where we can grow in our faith and become more like Jesus.
Make A Difference - Jesus came with a mission to reconcile the world to God, to restore creation to its intended state, and He charged his followers with continuing that mission. Small groups are not insular communities. They help us discover how God is calling us to live out that mission in our daily lives.
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Because Christ Asked Us To Do It - “Go and make disciples!” (Matt 28:19) Jesus did not come simply to die for us but to show us how to live. He lived in small group community, so it must be a good thing. (Luke 6:12)
True And Lasting Friendships Are Formed - Authentic relationship is something everyone is searching for. Faith-based friendships are essential to living the Christian life. “People will come out of curiosity, but only stay if they make a friend.” -John Wimber Opportunity
To Be Formed In Virtue - Small groups help us to follow through with our practice of faith through accountability and sharing witness, to learn how others have grown in virtue and share our own successes in the Christian life. "Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another." (Prov 27:17)
Opportunity For Faith Formation - Catholic small group community offers us a chance to further our knowledge of the faith, capacity for discernment, and love of God through spiritual reading and discussion. This helps us to make mature, informed decisions about our faith journey. Opportunity To Strengthen Our Faith - "Where 2 or 3 are gathered together, I am in their midst" (Matt 18:20). When we gather as a small group community in prayer and reflection, we become more sensitive to God's presence and work in our life.
To Be The Hands And Feet Of Christ - "Let us love one another, because love is of God" (1 John 4:7). Christ walked with His disciples in community. One way that we imitate Jesus is to build Christ-centered community where members feel loved and supported. Small groups are a place to live differently, pursuing holiness alongside one another.
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Everyone involved in a small group can play an important role. In fact, the job of the small group leader can be divided between multiple people, even group members.
Facilitator (& Co-Facilitator)
Invite and welcome small group members
Prepare materials ahead of time including readings, videos, and questions
Lead the prayer, or invite others to do so
Prepare for and guide discussion
Host
Assist the facilitator in contacting members
Prepare the environment
Welcome guests
Group Member
Invite others to the group
Share your story, thoughts, and gifts
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Small groups come in all shapes but in small sizes of around 5-10 people. Your group can be a bible study, book club, rosary group, etc. Every small group includes hospitality, prayer, and discussion to help participants make friends, make disciples, and make a difference.
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Groups typically meet weekly, biweekly, or monthly if necessary, for 60-90 minutes each session. Your small group can meet anywhere from 5-10 consecutive sessions. Small groups can be open for newcomers for the duration of the group, or you can decide to close the group after a certain number of sessions (e.g. after a third of the sessions). At the end of the series of sessions the group can decide to continue meeting if they would like, but this is not expected. Remember, the goal is to form a community on mission, not an insular group.
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Small groups can meet wherever is comfortable and convenient: your home, church, a local coffee shop, etc. Be creative, but consider spaces or environments that help foster community, confidentiality, conversation, and connection.
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Contact Lindsay Koester with the small group that you’d like to join, and she will get you connected with the host and facilitator, or feel free to RSVP to their group with the information provided.