Genuine biblical community means living in caring relationships that are guided by biblical truth and grounded in spiritual accountability. We also know that real and lasting life change – spiritual transformation – occurs in the unity and diversity of authentic relationships.

A small group experience is where we believe that the “one anothers” mandated to us in the Scriptures will really take place. It’s about giving and receiving in life changing relationships centered on Jesus Christ, so that the world will know Jesus by our love. You may find a new friend or become a friend to the lonely – those are just by-products of community. The target here, as in any initiative with Southbridge, is Life Change.

Each person who champions a group is a member of Southbridge Fellowship, and has been trained by either a Community Group Coach, or the Shepherding Pastor. Group leaders come together two times a year for leader huddles and also meet one on one with their Coach for updates and continued training throughout the year. Community Group Leaders are expected to champion the cause of community amongst the group, calling for consistency of the group meeting, and being mindful and intentional about the various needs of those in the group. Essentially, a group leaders are willingly being held accountable to care for others.

Most groups meet every week. Ultimately groups last a season, a season being defined as one to two years, with the opportunity to multiply into more groups at any time. As Southbridge continues to grow in depth and number, there will always be opportunity to foster more groups. There may come a time in the life of a group that a few couples may be sent from one community group in order to start a new one. This is part of the growth process.

Anyone. We would like everyone who considers Southbridge their home to be involved in a community group.

Just as we read in the scriptures of the local church (Acts 2 & 4), we are aiming for four elements to characterize group life – fellowship, study, sharing, and prayer. This is not lecture-type Bible study, nor is it simply a social club. Many groups share a meal, use the study guide related to that Sunday’s message, spend time in prayer and talk about the cares and concerns of life.

Each group finds a childcare strategy that works best for them. For example, some groups hire someone to care for the children in another room of the house. Other groups use drop-in childcare facilities in their area. Some groups just leave it up to each individual family. We’ve found that when we let groups work it out for themselves, they arrive at creative, functional solutions!

A Community Group meets in the home of its participants. Many of our groups share in the hosting opportunity and rotate the location from week to week for the purposes of demonstrating hospitality.

Use our Community Group search to find open groups in your area of the Triangle.