Frequently Asked Questions
What is a C.O.R.E. Group?
C.O.R.E. is an acronym for Community, Outreach, Relationship and Experience. We envision C.O.R.E. Groups to be the very heartbeat of Radiant. These groups are where the real ministry of Radiant will take place. First and foremost your group will be a place where people will grow closer to each other and more importantly closer to God. This will happen as you study God's Word together and work to reach out to others in ministry.
Typically, our C.O.R.E. Groups are made up of 8 to 12 people who want to grow spiritually and connect with friends who are going in the same direction. The best description is simply a group of people like you who are looking for a way to become more like Christ.
Do I need to be a "Bible Expert" to become a C.O.R.E. Group Host?
Definitely not! Obviously you already possess a desire to grow in your own personal relationship with Jesus Christ and see others do the same. As you take the step of faith to become a host you can count on God's Holy Spirit to give you what you need to be effective. This semester, we will be using a DVD curriculum that will provide expert teaching for your C.O.R.E. Group. Your only responsibility will be to facilitate the discussion around that teaching using the provided resources.
Are all of the groups required to study the same material?
Once or twice a year we will ask all groups to study the same material. Otherwise, we will provide a list of suggested studies from which you and your group can choose. The first semester we will be studying the same curriculum, which will allow us to have one church wide focus.
How should our group handle childcare?
Childcare will vary in each group. Below are some possible options for childcare:
1. Arrange childcare individually.
2. Chip in on a babysitter to watch the children at a home near the host home.
3. Have children present at the study but in a different room.
4. Rotate each week watching the children, if they are present.
5. Find another CORE group meeting on a different night and swap childcare.
Am I "locked in" to only one group once I join?
No, of course not! This is precisely the reason we will have two sign-up periods each year. We only ask that you make a commitment to attend your group for the semester if at all possible. When the next sign-up and registration period comes, feel free to try another one. The reality is that we recognize it may take a few semesters before you find your place (but we believe you will find it!).
How Many People Should Be in Each Group?
Small-group experts agree the ideal size group should be 3 to 15. Remember, Jesus Himself chose twelve to be a part of the small group He led. As the group gets larger than 10-12, group dynamics change. The larger the group, the easier it becomes for a quiet person to hide in a spiritual and emotional sense. The larger the group, the more difficult it becomes to nurture each person.
Do you suggest C.O.R.E. Groups meet once per week?
The short answer is yes, we recommend once a week as the ideal frequency for a group to meet. But, we also acknowledge that groups that may want to meet every other week which can still be effective as long as they use other mediums to provide ongoing care, nurturing and leadership development of the group. In addition, groups should be careful to provide adequate time to complete the selected or recommended curriculum in the amount of time allotted in a semester.
Where do you find your study material for your C.O.R.E. Group leaders?
We empower and encourage this to happen through group members giving adequate input to where the group needs to go but also to the group hosts to be able to select. We will provide a list with a wide variety of top curriculums available from highly recommended and popular small group curriculum sources which are spiritually sound and doctrinally accurate. If a host finds a curriculum not on the recommended list, they are welcome to submit it to the church C.O.R.E. group leadership for review.
How do people move from one group to another, or do they?
Yes, we have found over time that people do move from one group to another. It is important that you let people have the ability and the flexibility to move to another group. It's important that the hosts understand that meeting the members' needs is the primary concern, even if it means they find another group. We encourage hosts to remember that not all people grow at the same rate, or have the same needs over time. It is healthy for people to seek a group that meets their needs at the time.
When do groups meet?
Groups meet at the time, place, and day of the week that best ministers to the needs of the groups. Whether it's 5 a.m. on Fridays for a men's group, Sunday night for a couples group, or Tuesday night for a ladies group. If you are starting a new group, you should choose the time and place that is convenient to you the host, then people who can meet your schedule will be attracted to your group.
How long should the average C.O.R.E. group meeting last?
A typical C.O.R.E. group meeting is one and a half to two hours. However, it is unique for each group, depending on the type of group, and should be worked out by agreement of the group members in the process of developing the what will be done and how it will be done in your group. It is a good idea to have a definite start time and end time so that those attending will know what to expect and can plan for certain needs such as arranging child care.
Contact coregroups@radiantchurch.com for information on how to get plugged into a small group, or information on how to lead one!