Small Groups FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

What is a Small Group?

A small group within the church is a voluntary, intentional gathering of 3 to 12 people regularly meeting together to study, pray, care and serve.

Why small groups?

God designed us for a desire to live in community where we can share our lives and become connected with others in meaningful ways.  The best place to share lives together is in the context of a small group which gathers around the Word of God.

Where do small groups meet?

Small groups meet in homes of people who live around Tucson or on the Northminster Presbyterian Church campus.

Who leads a small group?

Small group facilitators are members of the Northminster family who have been trained to lead a small group. Your small group facilitator will be a person who sincerely cares for you, a person who will help you learn how the Bible applies to your everyday life, and how to follow Jesus in the real world.

What happens in a small group meeting?

We believe that to develop authentic Christian community in small groups, we must do some essential things together.

As we gather around God’s Word, we study it and are encouraged in our daily lives to live it.  Through prayer we both experience its power and learn how to make it a vital part of our lives.  As we celebrate joys and share burdens, we encounter what it means to truly care for and lift up important friends.  Christ has called the church together to be a servant of love so that individual lives and the very communities we live in may be transformed more and more according to his purposes for life.

How frequently do small groups meet & for how long?

Small groups are asked to meet for no more than 90 minutes each gathering. Groups meet weekly or every other week. Each group determines its own schedule.

What about childcare at a small group?

Every small group decides how to handle this issue for their group. Some groups offer no child care. Other groups provide child care in another room at your meeting place or at a home close by. Some groups choose to include children in their meeting. Groups that meet at NPC may request child care by calling the church office.

What do I study in a small group?

It is up to the leader and the group to decide the content and source of what to study.  During certain times of the year, our whole church will study the same thing and will ask your group to join in. Help, suggestions, and resources are available from Pete Seiferth, Associate Pastor for Spiritual Formation and Church Life.

How can I get connected to a small group?

Fill out and submit the Small Group Sign-up Form. You will be contacted by a member of the Small Group Ministry Team, and be given options on what groups might be available for you.
Check the weekly worship bulletin or our Web site for the list of open groups and contact the facilitator yourself about joining the group.

Who do I contact with my questions?

For general questions about the Small Group Ministry, contact Pastor Pete Seiferth.