Small Groups and Programs:
(adapted from pages 7 and 8 of Pathway’s Vision)

Small groups:
Our small groups try to meet 2 or 3 times a month to help support the home based practices. The small groups are like transformer stations boosting the signal to the homes so they can be the lighthouses in the darkness. Most groups will start out with studies that help people get a walk with God in their personal life, marriage, or family. They will then follow with a study that helps the groups reinforce the Bible readings and prayer but also helps members start doing hospitality with others who need a walk with God. The hope is that each member will start their own group one day. Similar studies that accomplish the same basic goals will be considered and developed. We hope to grow many options that accomplish the basic purpose of our small groups.

Programs:
Programs are specialized small groups whose purpose is to support the practices and habits – the Jesus way – we are trying to support in our homes.

Little Lambs – (ages 2 1/2 – preschool)

Meets Sunday morning during the worship service with the goal of assisting parents in the task of passing on the faith to their young children.

Children’s Worship – (K – 2nd grade)

Meets Sunday morning during the worship service with a goal of assisting parents in the task of passing on the faith to their young children. Special attention will be give to the Bible readings that the whole family is doing.

Boys & Girls Clubs – (3rd grade – 6th grade)

Meets on Wednesday night. The goal here is to once again assist families in the task of passing on the faith to their children. They will be studying one of the passages of the Bible readings the whole family is doing. Special attention will be given to involving the parents. There may be children in the program whose parents can’t be involved. We will have volunteer adults to step in to help. We want to be a family to those that need one.

Youth Group – (7th grade & 8th grade)

Meets on Wednesday night. The goal is to partner with parents to introduce Jesus to their children – to help them in their job of preparing their children for leadership in life and the church. Special attention will be given to the Bible readings and how they intersect with the relevant issues of our young peoples’ lives.
Youth Group – (9th grade – 12th grade)

Meets on various nights. The goal is to partner with parents to introduce Jesus to their children – to help them in their job of preparing their children for leadership in life and the church. Special attention will be given to the Bible readings and how they intersect with the relevant issues of our young peoples’ lives.

Note: The goal in our children and youth programs is not to take the place of the discipleship of the home, but to support it, encourage it, and add to it. Parents struggle to keep the family together in a society that has so many special interest activities that pull family members into their own things (their own music, clothes, activities, friends, sports, hobbies). The church has an opportunity to offer something new – how can we help parents keep their families together? So youth and children’s programs need to tie back to the home. They also need the involvement of parents. We want to make a beginning down this path.