“Be devoted to one another in love. Honour one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervour, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practise hospitality.” Romans 12:10-13
The church isn’t a building or a weekly meeting, it’s a fellowship of Christian believers. And we’re called to live as a spiritual family that love each other and spur each other on in the Christian life. That’s something we want to characterise the life of St Johns & Emmanuel and small groups are a big part of how we hope to see that happen. They meet every week in various homes and in church.
A small group is a place of deepening community – a ‘family within the family’ – where a few people have regular opportunity to grow in friendship.
It will also be a place for deepening discipleship as we reflect on God’s word, speak the gospel into each other’s lives and pray together.
Homegroups
Homegroups are informal, relaxed and friendly. They meet weekly (at least during term time), in the home of a church member:
- to spend time together
- to discuss some questions that help apply the previous Sunday’s talk
- to pray
And throughout the week they seek to be groups that care for each other practically, pastorally and in prayer.
We have groups meeting in St John’s village, the Hermitage area, Goldsworth Park, West End, and a central group meeting in church which feeds the other groups.
If you would like to join a small group please contact Glyn.
There are also midweek bible study groups for men and for women.
FAQs
Will I be made to read the Bible or pray aloud?
No. You won’t have to do that or sing or anything else you’re uncomfortable with.
How long will small groups last for?
That will be something for each group to decide for itself and there are no rules, but probably 1-1.5hrs would be normal.
Will I have to be there every week?
Not necessarily, but hopefully you’ll want to be and there is a degree of commitment to the wider group. We attend not just because it’s good for us, but to serve the good of others too.
What if I don’t know the Bible very well?
Don’t worry – we’re all learning, no question is a bad question and it’s often really refreshing to have questions from people who are engaging with a topic or passage for the first time, or the first time in a long time.
Prayer Meeting
On the first Wednesday of the month we meet for our Church Family Prayer Meeting. Home groups do not meet in this week.