What is a Small Group? A Small Group is a group of people that meet weekly to do "Life Together". The truth is, we ALL need encouragement from others to make it in daily life. God designed us that way! That is why Chapel Hill has Small Groups. We have couples, singles, and mixed groups. We also have men, women, and coed groups. Groups are located throughout Henderson County. These groups form the relationships that make the difference in your spiritual growth and these are the people who are "there for you" when the tough times hit. Are you looking for... more intimate and meaningful relationships with others in our fellowship? ...a ministry that helps you grow in your understanding of God's purpose and how they relate to your life? ...a chance for personal ministry to others, being stretched and challenged to rely upon God to care for and meet the needs of others?

Then consider joining a small group geared to your likes and interests. We believe that life change takes place best in small groups. If you are serious about growing in your devotion to the Lord, and maturing in your faith, then somewhere you'll need to plug into a group where you can drop your guard. Sunday services are a good building block for growth, but most of us need more if we're serious about interaction with others centered around God's word.

Leader's Tip: Consider Serving as a Group

Adapted from: http://www.smallgroups.com/articles/2009/takingthenextsteptoserve.html

Start With Prayer

Henry Blackaby famously observed that prayer is noticing where God is at work, and then joining him in that work. This is precisely the kind of listening prayer that must precede any small-group service project. Where is there a need? What are group members passionate about? Where is there, perhaps, an organization that is working to meet that need and could use a little help? Where is God calling your group to serve? What passions has he placed on the group members' hearts? Are there some needs right in your own neighborhood?

Pray together as a group, and ask God to lead you. Hashing it out is part of listening to God in community. Listen to each other as you listen to God.

Start Slowly

Give the group time to process the idea of doing a serving project, and make sure everyone has input. You may want to start by selecting a one-time project. Check with your church or another local charity to research possibilities.

Designate a Point Person

As you pray about where to serve, you may notice that some people in the group have a lot of passion about serving, or about a particular need. Ask one of them to be the organizer of your service project.

Go With Humility

Your group should expect not only to serve, but to learn. Remind them to be open, to notice how helping others can minister to them. Every person you meet matters to God, and they have something to teach you, if you are open and humble. Treat them with respect. See the value of the people you're serving—and expect God to speak to you through them.

Serve Regularly

While one-time projects can be great, real life-change happens when you serve consistently. Not everyone in the group may be able to make it to a one-time project. If you do something monthly or quarterly, more group members will have opportunities to serve. Perhaps you want to adopt a school in a needy area and volunteer to tutor there on a regular basis, or help out at a food pantry once a month.

Understand the Purpose

Serving others, whether through a one-time project or on-going involvement, is not a way to earn points with God. Rather, it is a way to open ourselves and allow God to form us. It is obedience to Scripture. By serving others, we allow God to develop our compassion. Serving helps others, but also forms us spiritually. By imitating Christ, who came to serve, we grow in Christ-likeness. It is not about impressing God, or others. Talk about these ideas with your group. You may want to discuss some of the countless verses in the Bible that talk about the poor. (Isaiah 58 and Matthew 25 are great passages to start with.)

Invite Others

I have found that non-Christians are often more open to doing a service project than they are to coming to church or small group. Inviting non-group members to come along on a service project can often be a first step toward inviting them into the group itself.

Take Time to Debrief

Ask group members to talk about what they're learning from serving. Are they feeling guilt or gratitude for their own privilege? Let them process. Then, push them to go deeper. How does their affluence isolate them, for example? How do the poor have to trust God more than the well-off? Allow the group to wrestle with the feelings and questions that come up

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Small Group Picnic will be in August after Sunday service. Time and location to be announce but targeting August 29th at 12:30...please mark your calendars

Questions and Answers:

Q. What kind of Small Groups are available for me?
A. Getting into a group is easy, and you've already done the most difficult part - picking up the small group directory! Group leaders are always on the lookout for new members, and they would love for you to use the provided information to contact them. We have several small groups geared to meet various needs and schedules.

Q. What happens in a Small Group?
A. The meetings include fun and developing relationships, Bible study, prayer for each other, praise, and regular service and mission projects.

Q. What if I don't know anything about the Bible?
A. You are in the right place! We are here to learn and grow together. The lessons are designed to be challenging, but non-threatening for those with little Bible background.

Q. How much time is required?
A. Small Groups meet either weekly or every other week for about two hours per session. This varies from group to group.

Q. When do groups meet?
A. Groups meet throughout the week- evenings are the most popular. 

Q. Where do Small Groups meet?
A. They meet in homes, the church, the youth house or workplaces of group members.

Q. What about child care?
A. Each group decides how they will handle child care. Some provide it within the group; others have attendees arrange their own. Groups who meet on Sunday mornings or Wednesday nights may leave their children at church.

Q. Do I need to be a member of Chapel Hill UMC?
A. You do not need to be a CHUMC member to be a part of a Small Group.

Q. What types of Groups are there?
A. There are many types of Small Groups: couples, single adults, women, newly married, young adults, mixed, etc. many Groups form around seasons of life (parents of similar-aged children, empty nesters, single moms and more). Our women's, youth, student, and recovery ministries have Small Groups or community life experiences as well. 

Randy Frazee wrote, "The development of meaningful relationships where every member carries a significant sense of belonging is central to what it means to be the church." This may be what Paul was getting at when he referred to the church as the "new humanity" (Colossians 3:9-11). Jesus did not come to call individuals, but to create a new community. Being a Christian is about living in the community, and the best way to join the Christian community is through active involvement in a Small Group.

For more information, please contact Sarah Courtney at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Bible Study Material

Christianbook.com - Online catalog of Bible Studies
Lifeway.com - The official Lifeway store website
Bible Study Courses - Christianity Today's Bible Study offerings
NavPress - NavPress offers excellent Bible Studies plus some free downloads
Cokesbury - The United Methodist Church's Publishinghouse

Small Group Leader/ Coaches Resources

Smallgroups.com - This site offers plenty of resources for people involved in Small Groups at all levels.

Up to date meeting times for Chapel Hill Small Groups:

Sunday Small Groups:

8:00 am Koinonia Room
Morning Son
Angela Paulin

9:30 am Conference Room
Crossroads  *Sunday School*
Yvonne Peacock

9:30 am Fellowship Hall
Bible Study *Sunday School*
Al Kenney 827-5276

9:30 am Koinonia classroom
Bible Study *Sunday School*
Various Leaders

10:45 am Conference Room

Seekers (following 9:30 am Service)
Alan and Stacey Singer

5:30 pm Guys and Dolls
Kevin & Rhonda Richard 826.3087

6:00 pm member homes
Circle of Friends
Steve Raleigh 826-1962

Monday Small Groups:

9:00 am
Ladies Worship and Workout

5:30 pm Youth House
Teen Celebrate Recovery
Sandra Heppler 826-8054

5:45 pm 1st, 2nd and 3rd Mondays
Conference Room
Girlfriend's In Christ
Sarah Courtney

6:30 pm Youth House
Celebrate Recovery
Sandra Heppler 826-8054

6:30 pm 1st and 3rd Mondays

Couples In Christ Route 45
Jimmy Blair

Tuesday Small Groups:

11:30 am 3rd Tuesday
Fellowship Hall
Hilltoppers
LaNova Cook 827-0189

6:00 pm 3rd Tuesday
Fellowship Hall
Methodist Men
Tom Perry 826-6394

6:45 pm 1st and 3rd Tuesday

Member Homes
Gary Bell 831-5255

7:00 pm Youth House
Men's Celebrate Recovery
Sandra Heppler 826-8054
Josh Bennett 577-7226
Craig Breedlove 844-2583

Wednesday Small Groups:

9:00 am 1st Wednesday Fellowship Hall
Nellie Group (Circle)
Hattie Utley 826-4979

9:30 am Route 45 downstairs
Wednesday Women
(Nursery available)
Denise Kirtley 830-8330 (h) 577-0141 (c)

10:15 am 2nd and 4th Wed.

Conference Room
Fellowship In Christ
Stan Glenn or Sue Glenn 826-9902

6:00 pm Downstairs ROUTE 45
Lookin' Up
Diana 860-7969
or Roger Whitmore 827-3144

6:30 pm Member Homes
Saved by Grace
Tim Wright 869-0199

Thursday Small Groups:

8:15 am Ladies Prayer Group

9:00 am Ladies Worship and Workout

10:00 am Conference Room
Yoke Takers Bible Study
Tom Perry 826-6394

6:00 pm Conference Room
Disciple 1
Allen Singer

6:30 pm Youth House
College/Young Adult Ministries
Josh Bennett 577-7226

7:00 pm 1st and 3rd Thursday
Various members' homes
Circle of Hope
Marilyn Pleasant 827-0337
Yvonne Peacock 826-8179

Friday Small Groups:

11:00 am 1st and 3rd Friday

Conference Room
Sisters in Christ (Women)
Beryl LaBruyere 826-3874
LaNova Cook 827-0189

Saturday Small Groups:

6:30 am Church
Band Of Brothers (Men)
Steve Hoskins 826-3705 & Gary Bell 831-5255

7:30 am Cursillo Men

Highway 45 

Small Group Book Reviews:

I Promise - How 5 Commitments Determine the Destiny DVD

http://www.librarything.com/work/2089418/details/52127146 I Promise: How 5 Essential Commitments Determine the Destiny of Your Marriage
http://www.librarything.com/work/7233728/details/39972511