Why Small Groups?
Redwood Chapel is a relational disciple making church. This means, we want everybody to be connected relationally and growing spiritually. Small groups are an environment where everyone can pursue authentic community and experience spiritual growth.
Types of Small Groups
At Redwood Chapel, our small groups vary as much as we do,
but here are 4 common types of small groups that
help people connect relationally and grow spiritually.
Life Stage Communities
Age-specific groups that meet on-campus Sunday mornings
Focused on studying the Bible and growing in understanding who
God is and what He has done/is doing in our lives today.
Stage-Specific
Short-term groups designed to meet a specific spiritual
need to help us move forward in our faith.
Gender-Specific
Groups designed for people of the same gender
to encourage deep relationships, Biblical understanding, and spiritual growth.
Interest-Specific
Groups that bring people together with common interests for fun,
fellowship, and spiritual growth.
Small Group Essentials
What you can expect at any Redwood Chapel Small Group
Gospel-Centrality
Pointing people to the good news (past, present, and future) of Jesus. Key Questions: Are we pointing people to Jesus? Are our conversations/teachings Biblical/centered on the good news of Jesus? Are we grace-based instead of works-based? Do we encourage faith in Jesus instead of relying on ourselves (our actions/behaviors/appearances, etc.)? Are we following Jesus?
Growth-Leading
Purposefully meeting others where they are and shepherding them towards spiritual maturity. Key Questions: Are we able to assess where people are in their faith journey? Do we know their spiritual needs? Are we bridging the gap between peoples’ felt needs and their spiritual needs? Are we caring for one another? Is everyone using their gifts?
Authenticity
Knowing and being known by others. The freedom to be who we are, as we are becoming who we were created to be. Key Questions: Do people really know each other? Do people trust each other? Do people share their burdens/sins with others? Are people being “real”?
Accountability
Helping each other by following up and encouraging next steps. Key Questions: Are we helping each other take next steps forward? Is there follow-up? Are we applying truths in our lives or just gathering information? Are we becoming more like Jesus?
Consistency
Regularly in each other’s lives. Key Questions: Do we regularly meet? Are people committed to one another? Are we sharing life together? Are we quick to resolve conflict? Do we fight for our relationships with one another?
The Process
for Starting a Small Group
We’ve developed a process for starting small groups at Redwood Chapel that is meant to be simple, clear, and helpful. Below is the normal process for starting a small group, but feel free to contact our Pastor of Discipleship kkeefauver@redwoodchapel.org if you have any questions.
1. Join a Small Group
We think it’s really helpful for people interested in starting a small group at Redwood Chapel to see how a group works and learn ways to help people connect relationally and grow spiritually. Even if you’ve been part of a small group at a different church, many people find that our ways of implementing the 5 “essentials” of a small group are different and easiest to learn by observing first. It also allows you to build relationships with others at Redwood Chapel. In general, we ask people to be part of a Redwood Chapel small group for at least three months before leading a small group.
2. Become A Member of Redwood Chapel
Through church membership, we ask each of our small group leaders to commit to working together towards the same direction of helping people connect relationally and growing spiritually. Each member agrees to our statement of faith and the Biblical leadership of our pastoral staff and elders. This provides unified direction for our small groups and protection for the people we are serving.
3. New Small Group Leader Orientation
This orientation is meant to give you an overview of how small groups fit into the goal of discipleship, the purpose and use of our 5 “essentials” for small groups, and information about ongoing support for you as a leader.
4. Fill out the “Start a Group” Form
This is usually done at least 3 weeks before you would like the small group to start and it allows you to share basic information about the small group you want to lead, including start dates/times, location, topic of the group, etc. Once this form is submitted a staff member will contact you to go over the details and begin the internal routing process to launching and promoting your small group.
We require a background check for each of our small group leaders
(at no cost to you) as part of the routing process.
(optional) Co-Lead a Small Group
Creating a discipleship culture can be difficult, but with the help of another leader(s), it becomes a lot easier. Having co-leaders allows more people to step into a leadership position, provides a diverse use of gifts, and various perspectives that would otherwise be missing if a group was led by one individual.
Your Life is Your Group.
From sports groups to lunch groups, mom groups to young adult groups, Bible study groups to creative arts groups, we want our small groups to be as varied as we are because we believe that God works in all the different aspects of our lives when we are intentional about connecting relationally and growing Spiritually.
Gospel message of Jesus to everyone in the Castro Valley, Hayward, San Leandro, San Lorenzo, Oakland and the East Bay area community