Home Group FAQs
Here are some questions commonly asked about Home Groups.
What about children (and child care)?
First, we want you to know that children are welcome. They are an important part of our faith family, and we want them to be at Home Groups. Child Care - There is some flexibility in how groups tackle child care. In a typical Home Group, children are involved in everything but the last 30-40 minutes of Bible Study and gender-specific time. Most Home Groups simply rotate the responsibility of taking care of the children in the group (teaching a quick Bible Study to the children). Each group will be provided resources to teach a Bible Story conducive for children. This does a couple of things for the Home Group:
- Allows the Home Group to get to know each other’s family
- Provides a free and effective solution to childcare
What to communicate to children before you bring them?
Children are a huge part of Home Groups. We love for them to participate. We have found that if children know what to expect, they are more apt to participate and behave well. So it is good to communicate to your children what will happen during your Home Group meeting such as...
- Eating a meal together
- Worship
- Prayer
- Reading and Discussing the Word
Children normally participate in worship and prayer and then split off for an age-appropriate Bible story.
Do I need to be a member to attend a group?
No. We welcome and encourage our guests to check out a Home Group. It would be a great way to get to know the Stonegate family.
If I am a member, do I have to attend a Home Group?
All members sign a membership covenant agreeing to be in a Home Group. We certainly understand that you cannot make every meeting; however, we want all of our members to fight for consistency in your Home Group. We believe it will be one of the greatest blessings for your family.
Is a Home Group a Bible study?
We would not use that term to describe a Home Group. While there will be a time that the Bible is read and studied, there will not be a sermon or long lesson. Rather, we will give a passage out each week that your Home Group will be reading, thinking about, and studying. When you come to your Home Group, we want everyone giving to the discussion and contributing their thoughts and insights.
Where do Home Groups meet?
Home Groups meet in homes. Groups are encouraged to rotate homes so meetings can take place at different locations.
When do Home Groups meet?
Each Home Group will decide when to meet during the week. The church does not mandate any specific time for a group to meet. It is up to your Home Group to determine a night and time that works well for those involved.
Do I have a role if I am attending a group?
Yes! There are many things to be done for a Home Group to function well. Home Groups will need to delegate a variety of jobs such as food and drinks, hosting the Home Group, child care if necessary, worship, etc. If you do not have a specific job, you are still encouraged to read and pray through the specific text so that you can participate in the discussion. If you want a role in your group, contact your leaders and discuss it with them.
Why Home Groups rather than a traditional Sunday School model?
This is just a brief answer as to why we do Home Groups. We think Home Groups are the most strategic and effective way to build the Kingdom. That does not mean it is the only way, we just think it is the most effective. There are two main reasons:
- First, we think meeting in a home provides the best environment for authenticity and good community to occur. At a home you can eat a meal together and get to know each other’s family more effectively.
- Second, we believe it is the best use of our God-given resources. Practically speaking, the Sunday School model is an expensive way to do ministry. It requires much more space to operate effectively, which translates into finances being funneled toward buildings rather than people.
What will we study in our Home Group?
We will mainly be in books of the Bible. We will take small portions of Scripture and soak ourselves in them so we are ready to discuss at our Home Group. However, there are times when your Home Group may study a book or a certain curriculum that fits the needs of the group (such as marriage, finances, etc). Because we value theological unity, we want to make sure the book or curriculum is consistent with the church’s beliefs.