grow groups Q&A
On Sunday, July 26, we hosted a live Q&A during our worship services to answer as many questions as possible about our new Grow Groups ministry launching this September. We answered slightly different questions in all three services, so here is a list of the questions you sent us and answers with what we know today.
Do we get to choose our own group or are we placed?
Grow Groups are not assigned. It will work like a menu where you will browse all available groups (with the leader photo, meeting day/time, study focus, etc.) and you can request to join the group that seems like the best fit for your needs. You are welcome to recruit a couple friends to join together if you'd like.
Will the groups be divided by age, gender, etc.?
Group types will vary. We will have some men's/women's groups, some for younger/older adults, some for couples, and some based on common interests. Others will be a mix. That will be made clear when you sign up.
Can my existing group become a Grow Group?
Yes! You just need to commit to two things: Following the Up, In, and Out model (more info to come), and meeting weekly during the fall and spring semesters.
How and when can I sign up?
Registration will open August 9 and groups will start meeting the week of September 6. Sign up online at ridgepointwichita.com/grow. If you have questions or trouble signing up online, contact Kyle.
Is there a set curriculum? Can we choose our own?
There are three options for curriculum:
- A church-provided sermon-based discussion guide. These would be our first choice for most groups. The PDF guides will be made available by Sunday afternoon each week.
- RightNow Media. We will provide a list of recommended studies on this video app available on most smart TVs and streaming sticks.
- You can do your own study, but we ask that you let us know in advance so we can help resource you and keep track of what the various groups are studying.
Who will be the Grow Group leaders? Can I be a leader?
All leaders need to be Christians who are able to lead a healthy discussion in a group setting (no seminary degree required!). There will be mandatory training sessions available each semester for people interested in becoming a new leader. Each group will have a leader and a host, so multiple opportunities exist for each group. Learn more here.
How big will these groups be? Is there a cap?
Most Grow Groups are designed to have around 10-14 people. This size helps create meaningful discussion, authentic relationships, and healthy group dynamics where everyone can be known and involved. Once a group has 16 people, it will need to split into two smaller groups.
Where and when will these groups meet?
Some groups will meet in homes and others will meet on the Ridgepoint campus. Church rooms will be made available first-come, first-serve, except for Wednesday nights (see next question).
What about childcare?
We encourage parents with kids birth - 5th grade to join a Grow Group that meets on the Ridgepoint campus on Wednesday nights. From 6:30 - 8:00 your kids will be able to be in the nursery or participate in Kids Wednesday Nights during your Group Group meetings. We will prioritize Grow Groups with young families in the building on Wednesday nights. If your group meets at a different time, groups will need to figure out their own childcare.
Do these groups keep meeting, or is there an end date?
Grow Groups are semester-based, running for roughly 11 weeks in the fall and 12-13 weeks in the spring. We'll take a break for the holidays and the summer months. At the end of each semester, there will be natural "off-ramps" if people need to take a break for a season or find a new group. This is also a chance for new people to join existing groups. We hope this makes it easy and less "awkward" to start and stop a group for whatever season you are in, but we also hope these groups will continue meeting for years where deep relationships will form. The duration is really up to you.
What kind of time commitment is this?
We ask that all Grow Groups meet weekly. We recognize this is a big commitment, but we also know that developing community sometimes requires sacrifice. Of course, there is grace. If you have to travel, are sick, or have other circumstances that keep you from attending, we completely understand. There are exceptions, but the "rule" is for these groups to meet weekly.
Can we join mid-semester?
Ideally most people will sign up during our open enrollment periods at the beginning of each semester. However, we will aim to start at least one group midway through each semester for those who miss the deadline or start attending after enrollment closes.
Can I join more than one Grow Group?
Sure! For example, some couples may want to join a group together as a couple, and then also join either a men's or women's group. That's great! We hope you find meaningful community, but we also encourage you not to overextend yourself. These will meet weekly, so have fun and connect, but just be mindful of the commitment.
Do I have to be a Ridgepoint member to join a Grow Group?
No! New people are absolutely welcome. In fact, this might be a great next step to help you discover if Ridgepoint is the best fit for you. If you're ready to sign up, do it!
How is this affecting other Ridgepoint groups and classes?
Sunday School classes will remain unaffected. You are welcome to continue participation in a Sunday School class and also join a Grow Group if you'd like.
Men's and Women's Bible studies are being turned into Grow Groups.
We have made the difficult decision to not offer Grow Classes this semester on Wednesday nights to make room for Grow Groups to meet on campus during our Wednesday Night Kids program. We will miss these, but we believe this Grow Group strategy will be more beneficial for long-term health at Ridgepoint.
Men's and Women's Bible studies are being turned into Grow Groups.
We have made the difficult decision to not offer Grow Classes this semester on Wednesday nights to make room for Grow Groups to meet on campus during our Wednesday Night Kids program. We will miss these, but we believe this Grow Group strategy will be more beneficial for long-term health at Ridgepoint.