Small Groups Are Going Online
Our small groups are aimed at connecting the transforming power of Jesus to everyday life through relationship-building and Bible study or book discussions.
It goes without saying that finding ways to stay connected in community are more important than ever during this time of social distancing and hunkering down at home. We want to encourage you with a few ideas for how to stay connected as a small group in the coming weeks. Some of you have already been thinking about this and we’d love to hear your ideas!
Existing Groups • Connecting Online
Your small group likely already has a way of staying in touch between meetings. If you don’t have something currently in place, try one of these ideas: Email • Text thread • GroupMe • Private Facebook Group
The bigger question is how to meet during this time of social distancing. Many of us already use apps like FaceTime, Skype, or Google Hangouts to stay in touch face-to-face with family and friends. We can offer another solution using Zoom that will work on any device (phone, tablet, computer), and we can set this up for you. Please let us know if you need some help getting set up to meet online. Start the conversation in your group and see what people are most comfortable using and then give it a try for your next meeting. Check the “Online Meeting Tips” tab on this page for some best practices for video meetings.
Ideas for what to do together online:
- Continue with your current study if that’s feasible. It should be pretty seamless to pick up your discussion where you left off.
- If you’re using RightNow Media, consider viewing the videos on your own and come together just for the discussion.
- If you’re doing the Lenten study together or on your own, consider using the videos included on our Lenten Study Guide webpage to enhance your learning.
- If you’re currently doing a DVD-based study, that’s going to be a challenge for right now. Consider switching to CPC’s Lenten Study. RightNow Media is also a great resource for video-based studies. It’s easy to set up a free account. Access the CPC library in RightNow Media for some of our recommendations.
New Groups • Starting Soon
We are offering NEW small groups that will meet online. This is a great opportunity to connect with CPCers through Bible study discussion, prayer, and community. We’ll meet on the Zoom video conferencing app and will provide you with some easy instructions to follow using a laptop, PC, or tablet for the best viewing (although your phone works too.) These new online groups will launch the first week of April!
Tuesdays • 1:00-2:15PM
James Madsen, Pastor of Adult Discipleship, will lead this short-term small group using the Lenten study guide. Sign Up
Wednesdays • 12:00-1:30PM
Kathleen Selje, Director of Kids’ Ministries, will lead this short-term small group, studying the book of Philippians. Sign Up
Wednesdays • 6:45-8:00PM
Debbie Ducar, Assistant Director of Women’s Ministries, will lead this short-term small group using the Lenten study guide. Sign Up
Thursdays • 12:00-12:45PM
Join Petey Crowder, Executive Pastor, for a guided Bible study conversation about an upcoming sermon text/topic—your ideas, questions, and thoughts can provide valuable insight to our preachers as we look at upcoming sermons! Sign Up
Online Meeting Tips
Here are a few best practices for a good online meeting experience:
- Choose the quietest place in your home or wherever you happen to be. Turn off anything making noise in the background.
- Level your device on a table and look into the camera so everyone has a good view of you.
- To minimize background noise, use MUTE when you’re not speaking if your group is larger than 6-8 people. This takes some practice so don’t be offended when your group reminds you.
- Use only one device in a room on the same call or you’ll get feedback that everyone can hear.
- Sit with your back to a wall rather than a window (backlight makes it difficult to see you).
- Use headphones if others are nearby and you don’t want to disturb them.