Small Groups consist of 8-14 people, each of whom is committed to spiritual growth. Groups meet regularly in the homes of their members either for a defined period of time, for example for 8-10 weeks, or indefinitely. Each group may have a specific purposes such as Bible study, support, fellowship, outreach, and recovery. Some groups have multiple purposes. Some groups also take on various projects such as supporting a specific missionary or helping a family in need.

Typically, newly started groups meet for a defined period at the end of which, members determine if they desire to continue meeting and on what basis. At this point, most groups continue. Some may decide to grow by dividing into two groups.

Each group has a leader or leaders, although some groups rotate leadership among all members of the group. Those who desire to grow in leadership skills are encouraged to participate and then take on leadership responsibilities in a new group.

Altogether, small groups are ...

…a place to experience “body life”

…a place to care and be cared for

…a place to ask questions

…a place to learn God’s word and apply it to your life

…a place to be accountable

…a place to use your spiritual gift(s)

…a place to minister to others

…a place to encourage and be encouraged

…a place to draw near to God

…a place to pray and be prayed for

…a place to love and be loved

…a place to grow in grace

Existing small groups
There are a number of small groups presently functioning at Randall Baptist Church. Some of these groups may have openings for additional members. If you are interested in joining an existing group, call the church office to obtain further information on such a group and be put in contact with one of the leaders of the group.

If you are interested in joining a new group, please call the church office and ask to speak with the Pastor of Discipleship, Dick Murphy, who will assist in the formation of a new group.

If you are interested in leading or facilitating a small group please call the church office (716-634-9800) and ask to speak with the Pastor of Discipleship, Dick Murphy, who will assist in helping you form a new group.

From Dick Murphy, Pastor of Discipleship
In his letter to the believers at Ephesus, the Apostle Paul wrote the following prayer:

I pray that ... He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long, and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:16 - 19.

The phrase “together with all the saints” suggests that the spiritual objectives sought in Paul’s prayer are for each believer, and that it is in “togetherness” that believers are filled to the measure of the fullness of God. In short, you and I will grow deeper in our relationship with Christ as we work at it with one another.

One of the most effective ways to achieve spiritual growth is in a small group of believers, each of whom is committed to spiritual growth as the objective of the group. By developing interpersonal relationships, praying together and for one another, reading and studying God’s word and fellowshipping together, members of a small group learn to love one another. By so doing, members grow individually and also help the entire church body grow into a healthy assembly.

It is my prayer that you might experience the spiritual growth and body-life that is available in the setting of a small group. If you are already in a small group, great! Renew your commitment to the members of your group and to the objective of growing in the Lord together with them. If you are not now in a small group, I would encourage you to consider becoming part of one. You can do that by simply calling me and I will then make arrangements for you to join an existing small group or be part of forming a new group. You can also start a small group by asking some of your close friends at church to join with you to form a new small group, and then beginning to meet together at a mutually convenient time and place. If you do form a new small group in that way, please let me know about your group.

I have personally experienced the joy of participating in a small group with fellow believers. Doing so has allowed me to become more involved in the lives of others and in ministry, and has greatly helped in my own personal growth. I would encourage you to become involved in a small group. You will reap lasting benefit.