Have you considered joining a church group? If you’re looking for friends who share your faith or you want to grow spiritually, getting involved with a church group is a great decision. Although you might feel some social anxiety the first time you go, church groups are designed to help you open up and build a vibrant community.
They allow you to go deeper in faith discussions and really get to know your peers. You’ll build strong social skills and make lifelong connections in these groups. Keep reading to learn more about the benefits of attending a church group.
What Is a Church Group?
Church groups are small groups of people who meet regularly to study the Bible and build friendships. There are many different types of church groups, each with different themes and purposes for meeting. Here are just a few you might encounter:
Marriage growth groups
Parenting support groups
Study-focused groups
Groups for singles
New believers groups
Church groups are typically led by one or two community members. They invite the group over to their home, usually on a regular schedule of once every few weeks. During these group meetings, you can expect to have social time and study time — time to build friendships and time to grow in your faith.
Sometimes, church groups include food, like cookies or snacks. Once church groups get to know each other, they may start having social outings in addition to the regular group meeting time. This makes it easy to build deeper relationships, get to know others and support each other in your faith.
The Importance of Church Group: 7 Ways You’ll Grow
Social connections are good for our physical and mental health. When we are connected to others, we can become the best versions of ourselves. Church groups are designed to be welcoming and accepting, providing a safe place for you to connect with others and grow.
Here are seven reasons you should join a church group.
1. Sense of Community
One of the most meaningful parts of a church group is the sense of community you build going through life together. Church groups create an ideal environment to make new friends with people who share your values. Many Catholics make lifelong friends or meet their spouses at a church group.
2. Faith Out Loud
By participating in a church group, you can deepen your faith and grow in articulating your innermost thoughts. Without practice, this can be challenging. A church group provides a safe space to work out your beliefs so that you’re ready to share them with other friends and loved ones.
3. Prayer Practice
Another benefit of joining a church group is getting practice with praying out loud. If you’ve never prayed for someone out loud before, you may feel self-conscious about how you sound. However, praying for others is essential as a Christian. At a church group, you can practice praying for others and develop confidence in praying out loud.
4. Personal Growth
There are many opportunities for personal growth at a church group. For example, you’ll practice commitment and discipline by attending regularly. You’ll also develop strong social and personal skills and learn to better communicate with others.
You may even have the opportunity to lead the group, either during the study or the discussion time.
5. Volunteer Opportunities
Your church group may also offer volunteer opportunities within the Church or larger community. Joining a volunteer activity allows you to make a difference in people’s lives alongside your friends. You’ll be able to learn new skills and make new connections while volunteering.
6. Fun Social Events
Many church groups host social events as well as a regular Bible study. Group events like square dancing, movie nights and seasonal group outings can help you form deeper friendships while having wholesome fun. Deepening your connection with other Christians at fun events will also strengthen your personal relationship with God.
7. Accountability
Church groups can also provide helpful accountability for growing in your faith. When you spend time with other Christians, you’ll be encouraged and inspired to walk even more closely alongside God. Your friends will offer support and hold you accountable to your beliefs during tough times. Research shows that people who attend church groups are less likely to stop attending services when life gets tough or busy.
How to Get Involved in a Church Group
Maybe you’d love to get involved with a church group, but you’re unsure how. You can find church groups through your local Catholic church or by asking friends if they know of Catholic church groups nearby. If you’re in a new area, find a church and use social media to look for local Catholic groups.
Here are five steps for getting involved in a church group:
Find a local Catholic church.
Learn about available groups.
Choose a group to try out.
Attend a group meeting.
Make the group a priority.
Some groups may prefer to only include people in a particular life stage. For example, you probably don’t want to join a parenting group unless you’re married with kids. Take some time to think about your interests and goals for joining a church group. You can try multiple groups at the same time to help you find the right fit.
Of course, you may attend a group and realize it’s not a good fit. That’s OK! Keep trying until you find a group where you can invest in the relationships and grow alongside your peers. Commitment is essential for getting the most out of a church group — unless you go consistently, you won’t develop deep relationships with others in the group.
Get Involved With Catholic World Mission
In the United States, many Catholics long for a greater sense of community. Finding a church group can enrich your social connections and help you become the best version of yourself.
Another way to grow in your faith and feel a stronger sense of community is to support worthwhile causes. Around the world, many people experience a lack of education, low access to medical care and spiritual poverty away from Christ. Catholic World Mission bridges the gap between donors and partners to uplift those in spiritual and material poverty. It’s our priority to bring resources to those in need so that they can become the best versions of themselves. We focus on the three pillars of dignified living, evangelization and education, equipping communities around the world with support and encouragement.
Learn more about our mission, and consider donating to help communities around the world.
Get Involved with the Catholic World Mission Family
MAKE A DIFFERENCE TODAY
Comments