1.
Why is our small
group ministry called Focus Groups? It our desire at CBC
that you focus on deepening your relationships with Christ and
with other Christians. Focus Groups remind us of the need fulfill the
scriptural mandate to love one another (John
13:34) as we fix our focus on Christ, (Hebrews
12:2).
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2.
Why should I join a Focus Group?
A small
group is a great place to develop and deepen your connection with God and with
others at CBC. A Focus Group allows you grow in your love of the Lord in a safe
environment with a small group of people you can trust. It is in the small
group environment where spiritual growth and being part of the Christian
community come together.
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3.
What is the value of participating in a FG?
Each person
gets something different out of a Focus Group experience. Some
develop good friendships. Others enjoy the spiritual discussion and
growth. Others find purpose through reaching out to others.
At CBC the primary place of "shepherding" is our Focus groups, this is
also where a larger church stays small ands where your life's concerns are
addressed and where a caring group joins you in praying for them .
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4.
Do I need to attend CBC to join a FG?
Absolutely
not! People from the community are always welcome to participate in our
Focus Groups. Actually, we have several Focus Groups where many of the
participants do not regularly attend CBC.
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5. How do I join a FG? There
are several ways to join a Focus Group. A member of a Focus Group might
invite you or you might call the office and tell us the type of Focus
Group you are looking for to meet your specific goals. However you join,
remember the Focus in Focus Groups means we seek to focus on Christ and
each other! We'd love to see you join a FG.
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6. Is there a FG just
right for me?
Check our brochure rack, or our church
website
or
contact the office to find out about our current Focus Group selections.
New Focus Groups are start all the time. Maybe we could help you start a
Focus Group for others who would want to meet at the same time you do and
have the same study or activity interests.
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7. What
time commitment is involved in a FG? Some
Focus Groups meet weekly while others meet monthly or bi-monthly depending
on the type and purpose of the Focus Group. Some Focus Group will have
study materials that require personal preparation time and others are just
show up and open the Word and start learning. We encourage you to be
committed to regular attendance to your Focus Group to get the greatest
impact from the connections that are made within your Focus Group.
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8.
Does it cost anything to participate in a FG?
Generally
doesn't cost a thing to participate in Focus Group. However, some of the
groups choose use study materials that need to be purchased. Also, your
Focus Group might want to do a special holiday project for your Focus
Group missionary, or you might want to help as a Focus Group with an act
of benevolence to someone who attends your group.
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9.
What is a strengthening FG?
A supportive, safe setting for personal and group growth to occur
through Bible study and practical application.
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10.
What is a serving FG?
A supportive, safe
setting where practical Christian service can occur through a caring team
committed to a common ministry or
goal.
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11.
What are the five basic
elements of a FG?
The five basic elements of a CBC
Focus Group are: fellowship, prayer, shepherding, missions, and Bible
study. Each FG will have a greater or lesser emphasis depending on
its goals but each should incorporate at some level these five elements.
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12.
What
does the Bible teach about small groups?
The Book of Acts gives the record of the birth
and establishment of the church. Dr. Luke in his historical account also
establishes the basic nature of the local church. For some the local church has
become pews, pulpits, flags, pastoral stereotypes, offering plates, budgets,
pianos, organs, a version of the Bible, and a certain type of building. If these
elements are not present it is not a "real" church. However, these are elements
that have been added over the centuries and have nothing to do with the basic
nature and essence of a spiritually vital local church. The Book of Acts gives
us one of the most basic elements of a local church that has never changed …
togetherness. Notice that throughout the book of Acts this emphasis
on…togetherness!
1. The
waited for God … together! Acts 1:14
2. They experienced God … together! Acts 2:1
3. They grew in faith … together! Acts 2:44
4. They gathered collectively …together! Acts 2:26
5. They prayed … together! Acts 4:24
6. They gathered regularly … together! Acts 5:12
7. They solved problems … together! Acts 6:2
8. They shared blessings … together! Acts 14:27
9. They celebrated communion … together! Acts 20:7
10. They met in homes … together! Acts 2:47
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Note that they gather in homes … together!
This element of the local church is referred in other places in the Bible as
well (Philemon 2, Acts 20:20, I Corinthians 16:19, Colossians 4:15) and
reminds us of the importance of gathering in homes … together! This is also
a self-evident truth since buildings dedicated exclusively as a church
meeting place didn't come until several centuries after the birth of the
church.
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It is in our Focus Groups in small group
settings that we grow as we focus on Christ and each other. We have two
basic types of Focus groups: strengthening and serving. For example Toni and
I attend a weekday Focus Group for personal strengthening, lead by others
but we each are involved in other teams that are serving Focus Groups. All
Focus Groups should have the following five elements to lesser or greater
degrees depending on its type: Fellowship, Prayer, Shepherding, Missions,
and Bible Study! At Cheyenne Berean, Focus Groups are not an optional part
of church life but we believe they are an essential biblical element of who
we are as a maturing church community. It is our desire that you join at
least two Focus Groups one where you can experience strengthening and one
where you can enjoy serving.
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