What is a Small Group?
Where do the Groups meet?
How often do the Groups meet?
What do the Groups do together?
How long do Groups last?
Who attends the Groups?
Who leads the Group?
How do I join a Group?
Why should I participate in a Small Group?
How do I find the Small Group that is right for me?
 

What is a Small Group?
Small Groups are groups of between six and twelve participants who meet together on a regular basis. These groups are the heartbeat of Cedarbrook! They provide the optimal environment for individuals to connect with others, grow spiritually, and explore ways to share the love of Christ through serving others.
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Where do the groups meet?
Most groups meet in homes, sometimes staying in one home, sometimes rotating between different members homes. A few groups meet at the church building.
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How often do groups meet?
All our groups are built around a trimester calendar to maximize flexibility and provide adequate time throughout the year for each group to focus on evangelism, discipleship, service and rest. The Small Group calendar roughly follows the school calendar. Over the course of one year, Small Groups meet around thirty weeks. For more information on this trimester-based schedule, please contact the church office.
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What do the groups do together?
Life! Small Groups learn together, laugh together, play together, pray together, party together, serve together, and cry together. These Small Groups have been the place where many lasting friendships have taken root over the years. Most groups choose their own topic/curriculum to study that fits their needs. All groups are encouraged to discuss and decide how they can serve together out in the community on some regular basis.
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How long do groups last?
Groups do not last indefinitely. We ask participants to make a one-year commitment to a group (September through June). At the end of that year, group members can decide what they want to do for the following year (stay together for another year, go join another group…).
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Who attends the groups?
Anyone! Not just members of Cedarbrook, but anyone who expresses an interest in joining. Small groups are “open.” That is, they have a core membership, but are always eager to welcome newcomers as long as the group size does not exceed twelve people. Why should you join a group? Click here.
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Who leads the group?
Trained people who love God, others, and the church lead all the groups. Group leaders often develop apprentice leaders who help with leading and shepherding the group.
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How do I join a group?
There are a number of ways you can join a group, but probably the simplest is to contact the Small Group ministry directly by filling out the “Small Group Connections” form that is located here. Once we have your information, we will seek to match you with a group best suited to you.
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Why Should I participate in a Small Group?
In a single word, the answer is connection. Small groups are all about connecting people with each other … with Christ … and with opportunities to make a difference out in the community.

1. Small groups offer a great opportunity for spiritual growth
   The Bible instructs every individual who follows Christ to “not neglect meeting together” but to “think of ways to encourage one another to outbursts of love and good deeds.” Gathering together face-to-face with a handful of fellow believers for encouragement, prayer, and spiritual growth is a wonderful way to deepen our connection with Christ and others.
2. Small groups offer a chance to invest in relationships
   We live in a microwave society where TV dinners and fast food restaurants are staples. We want things fast and with the least amount of effort. Deep friendships are not developed in a hurry. It is not something that is done to us or for us. It requires a personal investment on our part. Small groups provide an optimal environment for us to do this.
3. Small groups offer a chance to give of ourselves to others
   For most in our world, to give of our hearts or time to is a scary concept. But, to go beyond the superficial, where we have grown accustomed to living, is to relate at a different level. Biblical community is built only when we are willing to give of our hearts to others.
4. Small groups offer a place of safety
   All of us own pain that has arrived in our lives through unmet expectations. Many times, we are left feeling distrustful of others. Small groups provide a safe place for us to be authentic before God and transparent before one another.
5. Small groups offer the opportunity to serve shoulder to shoulder with others
   At Cedarbrook, small groups are a primary way that we ‘bridge the gap between church and community by expressing Christ’s love through service.’ All our small groups are encouraged and equipped to serve the needy out in our community.

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How Do I Find The Small Group That Is Right For Me?
Involvement in a Small Group at Cedarbrook is the key to connect relationally, grow spiritually, and explore ways to share the love of Christ by serving others. The variety of small groups at Cedarbrook enables you to find a place that is well suited to your situation. Married or single, young or old, new Christian or long time Christian, there is a group for you here!

If you are looking to serve with people who have similar gifts and interests, a number of our ministries feature community building small group activities along with their serving tasks.

You do not have to know a lot about the Bible to join a small group … in fact you don’t have to know anything about the Bible. That is one of the reasons everyone is there: to learn together!

If you would like to jump into a group, but are not sure where you fit in, you have a number of options:

• Pick up a “Small Group Connections” at the Small Groups table in the lobby, fill it out and drop it in the offering basket or mail it to the church office. Then an appropriate small group leader will be in touch.
• Attend Discovery II where you will have the opportunity to form a new small group with some of the other participants.
• Call the church office at 301-528-6702 and speak to Ken Jackson, or email him at kenjackson@cedarbrookchurch.org, and he’ll do his best to find a small group home for you.
• Fill out our contact form, and we’ll contact you.

It is our hope that you will discover for yourself why small groups are such a big deal here at Cedarbrook!

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