What is a Group?
A Group is people meeting consistently to build significant relationships centered around God’s word with a caring leader. These relationships are key to helping you GROW deep roots in your spiritual life.
How important are Groups?
Here at Crossroads, Groups are essential to spiritual growth and fellowship with each other. They’re the place where real life change can take place as we study God’s Word while supporting and sharing our lives with one another. We believe that meeting together on a regular basis is time well spent. It is our goal to have at least 60% of our adults involved on a weekly basis and striving for deeper connection and love for one another.
Where and when do they meet?
The majority of Groups meet on various nights of the week off campus throughout the Corona area and beyond. Most evening groups meet between 6 –7pm — 8 – 9 pm. The daytime groups meeting times vary. Groups can also meet in the House of Study either on or off campus. We also have serving groups that meet together before their designated serving time.
How long do they last?
The Groups Calendar in aligned with the rhythms of the year with four distinct quarters for the House of Study. Groups will ‘Kick Off’ every quarter with recruitment and enrollment. Each quarter runs for about 10 weeks with a two week break in between. Groups will take intentional time off to rest during the Christmas and Summer season.
What is the required commitment?
It is our hope that you would commit to the first Groups you join at least 3 times. If a Group is not a fit, we encourage you to find another one until you find one that feels like home. Groups staff will help. Once you find a group that fits, we would ask that you continue regularly for that quarter. Most groups find that the members become lifelong friends that grow and encourage each other regularly.
What will We study?
Many of the studies are based on the previous weekend’s message. We refer to this as “sermon-based” curriculum. These can be accessed on Host Central or the Crossroads app.
We also have a study platform for Groups called Right Now Media. Contact the Groups Coordinator for access to thousands of faith-based study materials.
House of Study groups will enroll at the beginning of the quarter to access approved curated cores material that we believe will help you deepen your understanding of God and His word. After your group completed 75% or more of this course material each member will see their House of Study millstone light on their Crossroads app dashboard. Click here to review the material.
What will it cost?
Few things in life are free and Groups are no exception! The cost of becoming part of a Group is the cost of commitment. During the first meeting, each group will complete a “covenant” together. This simple form helps each group discuss their priorities and commitment. Part of that commitment is the promise to attend each week and to come prepared as well as to attend the quarterly social and do one service project for the year. You have the first three weeks to decide if your group is a good fit for you.
When you join a Group, you’re promising to attend and be prepared each week. It’s this commitment that makes Groups work. We realize it’s a big commitment, but well worth it. At any time, you can choose to try a new group or take a break from Groups altogether. Crossroads has other paths to encourage your spiritual walk.
What about Childcare?
Groups are for adults only. (Exceptions can be made for nursing newborns, up to six months.) We leave it up to each family and group to work out their own childcare. Some groups hire a babysitter and put all the children in a room away from the group or make other arraignments.
Sometimes it works best for families to share a sitter or to swap childcare with another family whose Small Group meets on a different evening.
How do I choose a group?
When selecting a Group, we strongly recommend you choose a Group based on its leader-host team and Station-in-Life (common stage in life), rather than its location. Over the years, we’ve found that groups do best when members share a common Station-in-Life and other interests with their leaders, hosts and other group members. In the end, you’ll find it’s worth the drive!
Our groups are divided in the following Station-in-Life groupings: Singles, Young Marrieds, Young Families, Parents of Children K-6, Parents of Teens, Empty Nest, Senior Adults, Young Adults, Inter-generational groups (General or Mixed), etc. Remember, these Station-in-Life groupings are intentionally kept fuzzy and are meant to help you self-select an appropriate group for you. They are not intended to box you in.
If you have any questions (especially if you are new to New to Crossroads), please don’t hesitate to contact the Groups Coordinator. Keep in mind that it might take two or three groups before you find the perfect fit, but don’t worry, you’ll find it!