Groups
We believe that life change happens in small groups of Christian community. In small groups you can find friendship, impact our local and global communities, be mentored in your faith, understand and discuss the truth of the Word of God, and identify and use your spiritual gifts.
FAQ About Groups
What is a group?
A small group is a subset of the church body usually between 6-20 people that meet in homes, restaurants, coffee shops, businesses, church, or any location that is convenient for the attendees. They seek to love God, grow in God, serve God, and share God together as a group.
What happens after I submit the request to connect with a group online?
The request goes directly to the group leader. The group leader should follow up with you via email or a phone call within a few days. If for any reason you don’t hear back from the group leader within a week’s time, please email us at groups@westridge.com and we will help you get connected.
What types of groups do you offer?
We have four different types of groups: journey groups, bible study groups, starting point groups, and support groups. Journey groups are ongoing long term groups focused on living out the mission of our church together: love, grow, serve, share. Bible study groups are short term groups typically meeting for 6-12 weeks and are focused on a particular topic or bible study. Starting Point Groups are short term groups that meet for 10 weeks and are seekers or new believers in the Christian faith. Support Groups are short term groups that meet for 12-13 weeks and are for people experiencing a hurt, habit, or hang-up.
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, then transition to a time where they discuss questions from the selected curriculum 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 if I don't like the group I visit?
Sometimes visiting a group is like trying on shoes. You may have to try a couple of groups out to see which group is the best fit for you and your family. It is ok to visit multiple groups before deciding on which one to join.
Will I be called on to pray at the group meeting?
Don’t worry we won’t call on you to pray during a group meeting. You may always volunteer to pray but we won’t require you to pray out loud in front of other people.
Do I have to know a lot about the bible to attend a group?
No. People that attend groups are at all different levels of their spiritual journey. We don’t expect you to know everything about the Bible. It is always ok to ask a question related to the Bible in your group time if you don’t know the answer.
When and where do the groups meet?
We encourage groups to meet weekly, because it's hard to build relationships only seeing each other a couple times a month. Groups choose to meet when and where they want: in homes, at restaurants, evenings or mornings, weekdays or weekends.
Is childcare provided for each group meeting?
Some groups offer childcare, while others do not. You can request to be part of a group that offers childcare. Often the group members contribute to pay a babysitter or babysitters to watch the children during the group time. Each group determines how it will handle their own childcare needs.
How often do groups meet?
Most groups meet every week. It is up to each group however to determine the frequency of group meetings.
How long does each group meeting last?
Each small group picks the length of time they will meet. However, most groups meet for an hour and a half to two hours.
What do groups study?
Most groups follow the sermon based notes and questions for their study time. However, some groups choose their own curriculum to study.