Community Group FAQs

Community Groups: Frequently Asked Questions


1. What happens at a typical Community Group meeting? A typical Community Group meeting lasts for 1.5 hours. The time begins with 30-40 minutes of fellowship (usually including food/snacks). Next there is a 30-40 minute discussion that is usually based on a scripture text, but may also be based on a sermon, an article, a piece of art, or a short piece of literature. Finally, the group ends with a 20-30 minute time of prayer and more fellowship. That being said, the groups are not identical, and groups are encouraged to occasionally do away with this agenda and simply share a meal together for an evening. 

2. Who leads Community Groups and where do they meet? Each Community Group has (at least) two leaders. Our leaders consist of College Central students, staff and volunteers. These are people who have received training, and who are receiving ongoing coaching and oversight. We have a variety of Community Groups that meet in a variety of places both on and off campus. Click here for the specific details.

3. Who goes to Community Groups? Anyone goes to Community Groups. They are for people who are part of College Central, people who are interested in coming to College Central, and people who are simply investigating Christianity but may have no immediate interest in College Central. Some Community Groups may be divided by gender, grade or campus but these are not “hard boundaries” and anyone is welcome to come and visit any group they wish. 

4. Are Community Groups “Bible studies”? Community Groups are not Bible studies in the traditional sense. Though Community Groups include discussion which is often based on scripture texts, the primary purpose of the discussion is NOT a systematic examination of scripture in order to arrive at a comprehensive and precise interpretation. Instead, the primary purpose of the discussion is that participants would share their honest reactions, their questions, their sorrows, their joys, and their thoughts on the “so what?” questions of Christianity. Obviously, these two purposes are not mutually exclusive, but because College Central is part of a strong teaching ministry which offers many venues for Bible study, this emphasis of Community Groups is designed to be distinct from (though complementary to) a traditional Bible study.

5. Are Community Groups for building Christian community or for “outreach”? Yes. Community Groups are for both. Christians gathering together to share life and Christians reaching out to our neighbors are not mutually exclusive. One of the best ways for a person to get to know Jesus is to be in community with those who already know Him. Community Groups are designed to foster fellowship among Christians that is sensitive and welcoming to those who do not yet follow Christ. You may wonder if this means that you won't be able to "go deep" in this group and talk honestly about your struggles. The truth is, however, that a Christian's struggling is a vital picture of the Gospel. The Gospel is for broken and sinful people after all, not for perfect people who have it all together and don't need God's grace (Luke 15).