Frequently Asked Questions

Click on any of the categories below to see the questions and answers for each.

• Joining a group
  • How do I get into a group?
    • We have many ways for you to find and get into a great small group:
      1. Find and join a group with our group finder on the Internet.
      1. For a group that meets in a home, click on home group.
      2. For a group that meets in the workplace, click on workplace group.
      3. For a group that meets online, click on online group.
      2. If you live in the Southern California area you can contact us by phone at 949.609.8701 or by email at smallgroups@saddleback.com. We’ll help you.
      3. If you attend any of our campuses, look for the Small Group Life table between services or simply ask the campus pastor. Either way, you’ll be directed to someone who can personally help you find a great small group.
      4. If you’ve been trying to get in a group and it’s just not working out, don’t give up. Email Pastor Steve Gladen at steveg@saddleback.com. We will help you get into a great group.
• Hosting a group
  • Do I need to be a "Bible Expert" to become a Small Group Host?
    • Definitely not! The most important things that you need are a desire to serve the members of your group and to grow in your own personal relationship with Jesus Christ. When you take this step of faith, through prayer, God's Holy Spirit will give you what you need to be an effective Host. Saddleback has many video curriculums available that provide expert teaching to your small group. Your host responsibility is to facilitate the discussion around that teaching using provided resources.
  • What are the requirements to H.O.S.T. a small group at SaddlebackChurch?
    • A H.O.S.T. must be a member of Saddleback Church or commit to becoming a member within 60 days.
  • What do I need to do to become a Saddleback member?
    • You need to have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, be baptized by immersion at Saddleback Church or another church that we accept, completed Membership CLASS 101, and have signed our membership covenant that is available in your CLASS 101 book.
  • How many groups or ministries should I be involved in?
    • The answer to this question is contained in your answer to how much time you have to do ministry effectively? We have found that people do one primary and one secondary group or ministry the best. Life stage and family responsibilities will help to determine how many ministries you can do, i.e. an empty nester will have more time to devote to a ministry than a young family with multiple children. We encourage small group leaders to be sure they are involved in a small group or ministry where THEY are being fed spiritually. It is only out of the overflow of what God is doing in your life that you will have the stamina and heart to serve others.
  • What if I am involved in another ministry?
    • Small group membership is how Saddleback members and attendees connect and grow in community. In order to serve in ministry, each of us needs to be growing in our spiritual walk and serving out of the overflow of what God is doing in our lives. Small groups give us a forum where we can support each other in building the five biblical purposes into our lives. Ministry is important and it is where we can express our shape for ministry to the body of Christ. Life can be very full and many are needed to serve the church in significant ways. Yet we know the spiritual power that is needed for service to the church will be gained in people's lives as they study in small groups together the things that are most important to God. Sometimes it is just a matter of priorities. We need to be connected and growing before we can be effective in the ministry God has for us. It may require you to set priorities for investment of your time and focus.
  • I'd like to be a Host, but should I wait until I have more experience?
    • If you have a willing heart, a VCR/DVD player, and a few open seats in your living room, you are ready to be a Host. Saddleback's small group material and recordings are "plug and play" so that any one with any level of experience can Host a successful group. If you will take our basic Leader Training 1 course, our pastors and instructors can help equip you to successfully host a small group.
  • How can I form a group with people who are similar to me?
    • If you would like to form a group as a certain affinity (like Couples, Singles, Women, Men, Single Parents, etc.), let us know when you fill out the online information requested on saddlebackfamily.com/Start a Small Group. However, in most cases your geographic community will provide a "proximate" life stage or lifestyle affinity. Be sure to invite your own friends that you enjoy hanging out with.
  • We have a small house or condo, can we still host a group?
    • Sure, all you have to do is say you are full or you can subgroup into smaller groups in several areas in the house. Subgrouping can actually be more fun for everyone, but it's really up to you.
  • Can I invite people who don't attend our church?
    • Absolutely! Inform your friends, neighbors, family members, coworkers and casual acquaintances about your small group study. Most of Saddleback's study materials are appropriate for both believers and seekers. Pray for God's guidance as you can make an eternal difference in the lives of others. b. While it is not our desire to attract people away from other Bible believing churches, Saddleback's desire is to both connect "unconnected" people at our church and take our next step to reach our "unchurched" community for Jesus Christ through our small groups.
  • I Live out of the immediate area of Saddleback. Should we still consider being a Host home?
    • Yes! If you live out of the area we would still love to support you as a Host. We presently have small groups in over 80 cities in Southern California. Since it is unlikely that we will be able to provide you with a list of potential group members, we would encourage you to pray about which neighbors, friends, coworkers and family members you could invite to join you for six weeks for your first study.
  • When should my group 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 leader, then people who can meet your schedule will be attracted to your group.
• Small groups in general
  • What is the definition of a small group?
    • In its simplest form, a small group is defined as a "Small Group Bible Study". A small group is a subset of the church body that meets on Sunday. Small groups meet in non-church locations such as homes, restaurants, coffee shops, businesses or any location that is convenient for the attendees. They meet morning, noon or night, any day of the week. This follows the pattern of the early church in Acts 5:42 "Day after day, in the temple courts (weekend celebration) and from house to house (small group fellowships), they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ. [NIV]. At Saddleback, we ask small groups to do more than study the Bible. We ask them to accomplish all five of the purposes that Jesus gave us in the Great Commandment (Matt. 22:37-38): Love God (Worship) and love our neighbor (Ministry) and in the Great Commission (Matt. 28:19-20) Go and Make Disciples (Evangelism), Baptize them (Fellowship) and Teach them (Discipleship). We believe that as we balance the purposes we grow a healthy church. healthy small groups, and healthy followers of Christ.
  • What is the format for small groups?
    • People connect in new small groups consisting of 6 to 16 people who provide love, support, friendship, connection and spiritual strength. The format is an informal and comfortable 1½-2 hour gathering at the home of a Host for six weeks. Participants are comprised of people from our church, as well as friends, neighbors, relatives and coworkers who are invited to join in the adventure. Most groups are guided through the study series using DVD programs and study guides.
  • Do we use husband and wife leadership teams?
    • Yes, we do. We find it very beneficial to have both the husband and wife lead in couples small groups. Each one brings different gifts to the leadership position. They each fill in and compliment the other.
  • Do you have women leading groups with men in them?
    • Yes we do. We have women leading groups based on the biblical principle that the Pastors have given them the authority, so they are under the covering of that authority to lead that group.
  • Are the five purposes carried out over the life of the group, and, not necessarily on a weekly basis?
    • That is correct. You want to take a snapshot of your group over a two or three month period to see that there is health and a balance of the five purposes. So, a group need not do all five of the purposes at every group meeting. A key role of the leader is to see that the five purposes are balanced "over time" and to place emphasis on areas where the group needs to grow.
• The actual meeting
  • How long should the average small group meeting last?
    • A typical small 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 Small Group Agreement that covers what will be done and how it will be done in your small group.
  • How should time be divided in the group?
    • This is up to the group host and why the host is so important. The host is able to determine where the group is in the five purposes and what they need to be doing. We suggest that the leader take a snapshot about every two to three months to see that health and balance is brought into the group over time.
  • How should our group handle childcare?
    • First, make childcare a top priority in order to make it happen. If there are people who can't afford childcare, others need to step up to help out. Another thing is that you want to rally together. You might be able to get a sitter to watch the kids in one part of the house while the group meets in another room. If there's home nearby, one person can watch the kids there while the group meets in another house. You may even try to rotate people out of the group to take care of the children. There are many childcare options these are just a few, and more are listed in your Leader Training-1 curriculum.
  • On which day of the week does the study take place?
    • One of the great things about the small group is that it fits with every person's schedule. Pick the day and time that works best for you then select the group nearest to you that works. A business and professional group may choose to meet for breakfast or lunch. A busy career couple might choose to meet on Saturday mornings while a mom with kids in school might prefer a group that meets on a weekday morning.
  • Do you suggest Small Groups meet once per week?
    • The short answer is yes, we recommend once a week as the ideal frequency for a small group to meet. But, we also acknowledge that groups that meet every other week or monthly can still be effective as long as they use other mediums to provide ongoing care, nurturing and leadership development of the group.
• Inviting people/growing your group
  • How can I get more people for our group?
    • You and the members of your group should invite unconnected people you meet at church, your friends, neighbors, coworkers and family to join the group. This is the best way to get new members in your group. Pray before you invite someone new. Ask God to soften his or her heart and then step out in faith and make the invitation. In addition, we will have a "Group Finder" page at Saddlebackfamily.com where a person interesting in joining a group can find a listing of groups in their area and contact the Host. You must also make sure your group is listed as "Open" and that you have checked the box that gives Saddleback permission to advertise your group in "Group Finder" at saddlebackfamily.com.
  • How do I get my established group to want to grow and multiply?
    • This starts with the vision, mission and strategy of your group being very clear to you and to the members of your group. Saddleback's Small Group Vision and Mission Statements help small groups understand why their group exists: 1) Vision: "To see every person, from the core of our church to the ever-growing community, connected in a healthy small group." 2) Mission: "To help spiritual seekers become transformed believers who model Purpose Driven lives and motivate others to do the same." It is also very important to lead your group members through the stages of leadership development, from the open chair, to helping people to discover roles and responsibilities, to the solidification of formal roles and apprentices being brought up and finding their purpose through subgrouping. Subgrouping allows your group to grow larger while maintaining a good leader to member ratio.
  • What are effective ways to get small groups involved in bringing seekers on a continual basis?
    • We would suggest, that if a person is asking that question that they may want to lead a seekers group that would be targeted for people that may want to know more about Christ or are open to asking questions or to express doubts, so that there can be a positive open forum. But one of the most effective ways we have found is for someone to champion Missions and Evangelism in the small groups. This would help give a voice to that very need of honoring the open chair and bringing seekers to your group. Also we found that although a group may be doing a study, a seeker can also gain benefit just from the relationships and being around other believers in a group.
  • Should Hosts invite people only from Saddleback or can we invite seeker friends?
    • That is totally up to the Host and to the group. The point is to seek God prayerfully about who to invite. Hundreds of lives have been changed because groups have welcomed their unbelieving neighbors, coworkers, friends and family into their groups. Your group can too!
  • How do I raise up leaders?
    • This is a process where your group members can help and do small tasks and functions of your small group. Based on their giftedness, rotate leadership and have members lead a sub group. They can host when you are out of town and then they can be released to do their own group should they choose. Encourage your small group members to attend Saddleback's Leader Training-1 so they can more effectively develop as hosts.
• How do I?
  • How do I get help?
    • Every small group host is assigned a Small Group Community Leader who is your point of contact to Saddleback's small group community and is the source of help, information and resources to help you. Your Community Leader's contact information can be found on your "My Small Group" page at saddlebackfamily.com.
  • How do we prevent small groups from breaking up family unity?
    • No ministry should take priority over the family. If it does, then they are out of sync with God's will. We need to help people see the value of the family.
  • 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 leaders understand that meeting the members' needs is the primary concern, even if it means they find another group. We encourage leaders 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.
  • My group is dying, what do I do?
    • This is where connecting with your Community Leader is important. Your Community Leader will be able to help you diagnose what is happening and recommend changes or training that could help you as a leader, and help your members as well. A common vision and mission and agreement on how your small group is to function is required for success as a continuing small group. If different people in your small group have different needs, or ideas, than what your small group is doing, it may be time for them to move on and find a group that will meet their needs. There also may be value in you taking a break from the group or go to other groups. Again, it is through relationship with your Community Leader that you can be coached into seeing what is right for your group.
  • What if my group wants to continue and I can't continue to lead?
    • You can identify a new Host from within the group if there is someone that is qualified. Your group can determine the Host as long as they meet our Host requirements. Please read the answers to questions on Host requirements.
  • How does my Small Group get involved in Local or Global P.E.A.C.E?
    • Your group must register by 1) going to saddlebackfamily.com and 2) click on "Share (Missions)" and 3) click on "Get Started" and 4) Click on either "Local" or "Global" and follow the prompts to register your group and begin the process.  The website answers most questions you will have, but if you have technical questions/problems when trying to navigate the P.E.A.C.E. system, please call the P.E.A.C.E. Help Desk at 949-609-8400.
  • I have changed the day, or type of group I am hosting. What do I do?
    • We ask you to update your group information on your Host Page that you can access through saddlebackfamily.com/My Host Home Page. Also notify your Community Leader so he can support you with additional members or resources as you need them.
• What do we study?
  • Are all of the groups required to study the same material?
    • Once or twice a year we ask all groups to study the same material associated with a campaign like Purpose Driven Life. Otherwise, we ask each group to select what they want to study based on the interest of its members and their spiritual maturity. For available small group studies click Small Group Studies.
  • Is curriculum dictated by the church leadership?
    • Once a year we have a "campaign" like 40 Days of Purpose or 40 Days of Community in which we ask all groups to study the campaign subject and materials. Other than that we recommend Saddleback, NavPress or other solid evangelical small group Bible or "felt need" studies. Click Recommended Studies to find curriculum.
  • What small group studies are recommended and where can I get materials?
    • Saddleback has a wide range of small group studies available and recommends that in between major Church emphases like Purpose Driven Life or Purpose Driven Community Campaigns that your group select studies that meet the needs of those in your group. You can find information on available studies by clicking Small Group Studies. Each of these studies is available to Small Group Hosts on weekends on the patio at the Bookstore Pavilion or during the week at the Ministry Center through the Maturity Team.
  • How do I find curriculum for my group?
    • Saddleback's recommended studies can be found by clicking: Saddleback Church Small Group Studies. There are several publishers like NavPress and Serendipity that offer good curriculum. It is very important for you to find curriculum that is doctrinally sound for your small groups. Feel free to contact your Community Leader if you have any questions about curriculum or concerns about a particular curriculum.
  • Where do you find your study material for your Small 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 leaders to be able to select. We also have a list of the top two hundred curriculums that Saddleback Church would recommend on our web site. Click here for those recommendations: Saddleback Small Group Studies.
  • What do we do when we finish a study?
    • Have a party and celebrate the time you have shared together as a small group. Affirm those that leave and assure them of your prayers. Invite them to return to the group at any time. Schedule your next meeting with those that will be continuing, decide on the study that you will do next, and move on ahead.
• Training
  • I'm an experience small group leader, why do I need to go to Leader Training 1?
    • We want every small group leader to understand the distinctive principles of Saddleback small groups. Those distinctive principles are covered in Basic Leader Training 1. Also, we believe that leaders are learners and we strive to provide advanced Leader Training and growth opportunities for our leaders. After you complete Basic and Advanced Leader Training, Saddleback provides opportunities for seasoned leaders to sharpen their skills on a twice a year basis in All-Church Host Gatherings in January and July each year.
• Do you have a Small Group Question not answered here?
  • Please e-mail smallgroups@saddleback.net for an answer within one working day.