Small Groups at Long Hollow
Doing Life Together Throughout the Week
We believe sustained life change happens best in Small Groups. A Small Group is made up of four to five married couples or six to eight individuals of the same gender that meet together throughout the week in homes in our community and classrooms on the church campuses.
It is in a Small Group where you study God's Word together and are in a setting in which you can tackle the tough questions and challenges of life. You will find Small Groups to be a comfortable place where you can connect with and share life with like-minded people.
Frequently Asked Questions about Small Groups
How much of my time is this going to take?
Small Group meetings last approximately 1.5 hours each—thirty minutes for snacking, eating, and hanging out; one hour for Bible Study. As Small Group members begin to develop community, they most likely will want to spend even more time together.
What are we going to do with our children during Small Group?
During the first half hour of the meeting they hang out with the entire group. During Bible Study groups have various childcare solutions—hire a sitter for the group, have another home near the host home with a parent keeping them, adults rotate keeping the kids in a bonus room, use childcare provided during regular activities at the church, etc.
Will there be homework?
Most Small Group studies will not have mandatory homework. Occasionally there will be optional support resources such as devotions, podcasts, online lessons, and so forth.
Am I going to have to talk or can I just sit and listen during meetings?
Small Groups are like family - sometimes you talk, sometimes you listen. No one is forced to talk or to lead the group. As the group develops, people become much more comfortable. We have discovered that people who seldom speak up in large groups will talk in Small Groups.
Will I have to pray out loud?
No. Again, you are allowed to move, grow, at your own pace. When you want to share a prayer concern or pray out loud, you will be encouraged to do so.
Who else is going to be in the group?
Small Groups are formed by the leader inviting friends, neighbors or acquaintances to be a part of a Small Group for six weeks. At the end of the 6 weeks each person can choose to continue with the group or not. This allows you time to try a Small Group, but you also have the assurance that there is a comfortable way out.
How much do I have to know about the Bible?
None. Small Groups are all about learning the Bible not debating it or being tested on it. There will be seasons when all Small Groups will study curriculum that coincides with the sermon series. This is when the greatest personal spiritual growth happens. This is reason enough to want to be in a Small Group.
How many weeks or months is this group going to last?
Initially, Small Groups agree to meet for six weeks. Small Group is like family, some of them last for years, others multiply and start new groups in 12 to 18 months. We expect all small groups to have a leader and an apprentice leader. As the group grows, it will be the apprentice leader who begins a new group.
If I don't like it, can I leave without people being mad at me?
Yes, but most people build such community that they do not want to stop being part of the Small Group.
What are we going to be doing during the meetings?
Most meetings last about 1.5 hours. There is 30 minutes for social, fellowship, eating, snacking time; building community. Then there is an hour of Bible Study where the group learns from the Bible and discusses the lesson. There is always time for prayer and sharing of life issues where others in your group can help you walk through life and not be alone.
Are there Small Group options available on-campus?
Yes. At the Hendersonville and Gallatin campuses, there is limited space available for Small Groups to meet; the White House campus has no on-campus Small Group space. The Small Group strategy improves interpersonal relationships and helps us move from being a facility-based to a community-based church.
We already have seen people who would never attend church get involved in off-campus Small Groups. Some of those people are in the process of becoming church members. We also are concerned about the spiritual growth of people who are serving in others areas of ministry. By having Small Groups available throughout the week, those people can serve without having to sacrifice their personal growth.
Is this something in addition to Sunday morning groups?
No. We want everyone in the church to worship, serve, and be in a Small Group. You might choose to worship at 11:00 and serve during the hour prior to worship. Your Small Group might meet on Tuesday night at a friend's house. That's all you are expected to do.
We use both on-campus and off-campus Small Groups to meet the spiritual growth needs in our church and community.