Community Groups

We believe that community groups are the place where sustained life change occurs. This is the environment where we celebrate the successes and good times of life, as well as comfort one another during the tough and disappointing times.  It's where people are most deeply led into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ.

A community group is a kitchen environment -- where people become like family.  Community groups are composed of 4-6 couples of 8-10 individuals of the same gender who meet together weekly or bi-weekly over an 18-24 month period in each other's homes.  

You can join a community group by attending the next GroupLink event and actually sample a group for 6-8 weeks before deciding whether you want to join it for the 18-24 month covenant period.  Our desire is to see every person at Providence become part of a community group.

Community Groups
Frequently Asked Questions

What is a community group?

Community groups are small groups of four to six married couples or eight individuals of the same gender that meet weekly in someone's home for community, Bible study, and prayer. They are for adults of all ages, stages of life, and spiritual maturity.

What kinds of community groups are there?

Married Couples
Community groups comprised of married couples in the same stage of life (couples without children, with children, and empty nesters) and area of town.  Singles are welcome to join a married couples group where that dynamic best suits the individual and the group. 

Singles
Community groups comprised of single adults. Each group is either all men or all women in the same age range.

Ladies Link
Community Groups open women who are single, widowed, divorced or who are married by whose spouse, for whatever reason, won't attend a community group.  These groups have the option of meeting in the daytime or evening. 

Are there co-ed groups?

Our only co-ed groups are the married couples groups. 

Is childcare provided for each group meeting?

Childcare is not provided, but we are looking at the possibility of reimbursment (at a predetermined rate) for babysitters needed for each group meeting. 

When and where do groups meet?

Groups can meet any night of the week. Ladies Link Groups are the only groups that meet in the daytime during the week. Groups normally meet in one of the group member's homes. Sometimes the location is consistent, and sometimes other group members take turns hosting the group meeting at their house.

How often do community groups meet?

Most groups normally meet weekly. Some groups meet bi-weekly, and we encourage groups to meet at least twice a month. Due to schedule conflicts, some groups often take a break in July and August. 

How long does a community group last?

Community groups initially commit to meet for eight weeks as a Starter group. After those first eight weeks, the group members decide if they want to continue meeting together for an additional 12 months. Therefore, the total duration of a typical community group is between one to one and a half years. 

How long does each group meeting last?

Each Community Group picks the length of time they will meet. However, most groups meet for an hour to an hour and a half. 

What goes on at a group meeting?

Though each group differs in how they do things, many groups have a social time in the beginning where we get to know each other, then they transition to a time where they discuss the book they are studying, discuss what's going on in each other's lives, and pray for each other. At the very beginning of the group, the whole group decides how much time they will spend on social, discussion, and prayer time (as well as the order in which they take place). 

What does it mean when a group "ends" or "multiplies?"

During the term of the group, the group leader will train an apprentice to be the leader of the next group. At the end of the group, the leader will take half the current group, and the apprentice (after becoming an approved leader) will take the other half of the group. Then they will both add more members to their respective new groups, therefore allowing others to join groups with seasoned leaders.   Sometimes all members of a group may connect with a new group. 

What do they study?

Each group picks their own curriculum to study from a large, pre-selected resource pool with the help of a staff member who guides the group. Groups that form at GroupLink are given a free starter study provided by Providence Church.  

How do I join a community group? 

After our initial placement in groups, we will be utilizing Group Link.  This is a two hour evening in which people who are interested in becoming part of a community group get matched up with a group.