A small Group is a group of people (6-15) who gather on a regular basis in neighborhood homes, restaurants, coffee shops or anyplace community happens for the purpose of growing in relationship with Jesus and becoming part of a Christ-like community. A Small Group is First Christians way of making a large church personal. We have Small Groups for every stage of life.
Why should I belong to a Small Group?
Life is better together! God doesn't want us to "do life" alone. We go through the ups and downs of life with one another, and we learn how to live the Christian life in community.
What does a Small Group Do?
Every group is a little different, but generally a group will spend some time catching up about their week, spend some time in prayer, delve into Bible study or other book or DVD study that the group has chosen, and spend time talking about how these things apply in their lives and in their unique situations. Many groups may also serve others -- either in their neighborhood, in their group or by joining a cause that they feel strongly about and want to support with their time and energy. Some groups will be focused around a special interest or activity, and all groups will be focused around Jesus and community.
How do I get into a Small Group?
Below, you will find a list of our small groups. If you find something that interests you, just fill out the form below, and someone from the church will contact you with more information. If you have any questions, please contact our Associate Minister of Community Life, Heath Schnelle, at 722-7202 or hschnelle@fcc-jc.org.
Sunday Small Groups
Sunday Morning Prayer
Led by: Tim Wallingford
Contact: Larae Thompson (lthompson@fcc-jc.org)
When: 7:55 am
Where: G29 (Prayer Room)
Join us as we pray for the ministries of FCC before Sunday services begin!
Young Married Class
Led by: Andy and Rachel Didyk
Contact Person: Rachel Didyk (racheldidyk@gmail.com / 859.533.5775
Starts: January 8
Ends: Year-Round
When: 11:00 am
Where: 101A
Men's Shoney's Group
Led by: This group rotates leadership.
Contact: Graham Bannister (ablegraham@hotmail.com)
When: 7:00-8:00 am
Where: Shoney's in Johnson City
This men's group enjoys a time of prayer, fellowship, discussion, and support over breakfast each week. Any man is welcome to join them. Click here for a cashier serving schedule for fall 2012.
Jonesborough Small Group
Led by: David and Beth Hearn
Contact: David Hearn (dwhearn@embarqmail.com)
When: first Monday of each month at 7:00 pm
Where: 291 Headtown Road, Jonesborough
This small group uses God’s Word as a springboard into discussions about daily living, decision making, and family life. Our study will be The Divine Conspiracy by Dallas Willard. This study helps us live more like Jesus in our everyday lives. It will not be easy but it will be worth it.
FCC Knitters
Led by: Rochelle Imboden
Contact: Rochelle Imboden (423.543.8213) or Catherine Welch (423.282.4566)
Starts: September 26
Ends: May 28
When: fourth Monday of each Month at 7:00 pm
Where: meets in various homes
This is a group of enthusiastic knitters who meet once a month to learn, encourage, witness, and engage in Christian friendships while knitting on projects. Each fall, they choose a charity to reap the benefit of their fast-working needles. Open to all women.
Tuesday Small Groups
Tuesday Prayer Group
Led by: Steve Hill
Contact: Steve Hill (shill@fcc-jc.org)
When: 9:30-10:30 am
Where: G29 (Prayer Room)
One of the joys of being a Christian is to pray for each other. Members of the Tuesday morning prayer group are committing to meeting every week to pray for prayer requests received by the church. They make contact during the week with those who have submitted the requests to pray with and encourage them.
Ladies' Craft Night
Led by: Tia Biles
Contact: Tia Biles (423.929.3666)
Starts: January 17
When: third Tuesday of each month from 6:00-9:00 pm
Where: G19
This group of ladies gathers each month to enjoy a night of crafting, fun, and fellowship. Crafting classes are not taught. Instead, ladies are invited to bring their current craft project and some snacks to share with the group. All women are invited.
Freedom Recovery for Women
Led by: Lisa Tipton
Contact Person: Lisa Tipton (lisa@familiesfree.com)
Starts: January 10
Ends: March 27
When: 6:30-8:00pm
Where: 103B
This group is designed to help women learn new skills, process their issues, and gain support in a positive and non-judgmental setting. Topics will include, but are not limited to: anger management, relationships and proper boundaries, relapse prevention, and personal empowerment
Galatians 5:1 “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”)
Family Reconciliation
Led by: Ellen Myatt
Contact Person: Ellen Myatt (Ellen.myatt@gmail.com)
Starts: January 10
Ends: February 28
When: 6:30-8:00 pm
Where: 101B
There is no pain like family pain. Often, the people you are closest to have the ability to hurt you the most. God wants to see healing in your family, and this is the course that will help guide you through the process of healing and transformation in those difficult family relationships. Together we will cover a number of topics including: Identity in Christ, Personality Theory and Conflict, Conflict Resolution Skills, Listening and Communication, Forgiveness and Reconciliation. Do you unnecessarily carry guilt and bitterness because of family relationships? Bitterness in these relationships can hinder your personal growth as well as your walk with God. Join us, and together we will pursue healing in our families
Grief Share
Led by: Steve Hill
Contact Person: Steve Hill (shill@fcc-jc.org / 423.722.7205)
Starts: January 10
Ends: April 3
When: 6:30-8:00pm
Where: 101A
GriefShare is a special weekly DVD seminar/support group for people grieving the loss of someone close. It's a place where you can be around people who understand how you feel and the pain of your loss. At GriefShare, you learn valuable information that will help you through this difficult time in your life.
Single & Parenting
Led by: Kristy Lamberson Tipton
Contact Person: Kristy Lamberson Tipton (Klambers@frontierhealth.org)
Starts: January 10
Ends: April 3
When: 6:30-8:00 pm
Where: 103A
As a single parent, we want one thing…our kids to be okay. Single and Parenting addresses that concern from a Christ-centered perspective through video, workbooks, group activities and discussion that help parents ultimately thrive as single parents in motion! This group helps single parents learn to stabilize, realize, customize, and ultimately thrive. The first sessions will focus on resetting parents’ expectations for themselves and their children- and stabilizing the chaos they are experiencing. Later, parents realize what God has to say about parenting and their emotions. Understanding God’s perspective lays the foundation for single parents to deal with reoccurring challenges. Parents are encouraged to focus on the uniqueness of every child. Specific techniques help parents customize their parenting to the individual needs of their children. The final segment helps single parents thrive by re-energizing and learning effective techniques to resolve conflict
James: Mercy Triumphs
Led by: Joy Clifton
Contact person: Joy Clifton (cjclif@msn.com/423.284.4945)
Starts: January 24
Ends: March 20
When: 6:30-8:30 pm
Where: 103A
Bible scholars compare James to the prophet Amos. In other ways James more closely resembles the Book of Proverbs than any New Testament book. Come along with Beth Moore on a journey to get to know both the man and the Book of James. You will never be the same again. Topics in this study include: joy, hardship, faith, reversal of fortunes for rich and poor, wisdom, gifts from above, single-mindedness, the dangers of the tongue, humility,and prayer.
Wednesday Small Groups
Biblical Prophecy
Led by: Pat Bonner
Contact: Pat Bonner (pjbonner0@embarqmail.com)
When: second Wednesday of each month at 10:00 am
Where: 103A
Any lady in the church who desires to understand prophecy according to Scripture is welcome to join us.
Ready for Recovery for Men
Led by: Fred Schmid and Life Journey Team
Contact Person: Fred Schmid (fschmid@fcc-jc.org/ 423.525.5700 x249)
Starts: January 11
Ends: Year-Round Group
When: 6:30-8:00 pm
Where: G28
The Christian life isn’t just about being saved, it is about being changed. We are called to live in freedom from things in the world that would bind us and control us. Ephesians tells us: “This is the will of God…your sanctification.” God cares very much about His children moving forward in their walk with Jesus. No matter your struggle, this group will offer a non-judgmental environment of support and Christ-centered healing. The group will provide educational pieces on a variety of topics that will super-charge your growth and recovery.
I Really Want to Change… So Help Me, God
Led by: Dave & Peggy Martin
Contact Person: Dave Martin (dmartin@marionmold.com)
Starts: January 11
Ends: March 14
When: 6:30-8:00 pm
Where: G27
Are you truly serious about allowing the power of God to transform your life?. Then prepare yourself for an incredible, life-changing experience. Change is difficult! It is made even harder without practical guidance on how to do it. The author of our series, James MacDonald, is serious about the business of change according to God’s Word. Imagine changing to be more like Christ. Call for registrations
Hands of Faith
Led by: Bill & Mitzi Gwaltney
Contact Person: Bill Gwaltney (wcgwaltney@charter.net)
Starts: January 11
Ends: Year-Round Group
When: 6:45-8:30pm
Where: 105B
Ministry Purpose The Hands of Faith Cancer Ministry provides support and encouragement to cancer survivors and their families through a volunteer assistance network in the form of prayer and practical service.
Programming The Hands of Faith Cancer Ministry recognizes the need for spiritual and emotional support, encouragement for the survivor, help for the caregiver, encouragement for children, help in dealing with financial issues and assistance with such day-to-day problems as transportation, sitting with the patient and home maintenance.
A Women's Study of the Acts of the Apostles
Led by: Sheila Lundy
Contact Person: Sheila Lundy (sheilajlundy@charter.net/423.282.6590)
Resumes: January 11
Ends: May 9
When: 6:45-8:00 pm
Where: 105D
The book of Acts holds the key to our living a powerful, fruitful Christian life! With Luke's early history of the church, the entire book of Acts breathes an atmosphere of thankful and joyous optimism in the face of every obstacle. We will see how the history of the first spread of the Good News of Jesus Christ throughout the world began in the midst of great controversy, crisis and persecution. Prayer saturated with praise is stamped upon the entire book. Through this very practical "down-to-earth" study, we will seek to know and understand the Acts of the Apostles as we experience the power of the Holy Spirit in our present-day living.
Christ-Centered Singles
Facilitated by: various leaders
Contact: Heath Schnelle (hschnelle@fcc-jc.org)
Resumes: January 11
When: 6:15 pm
Where: 105E
Living Beyond Yourself: Exploring the Fruit of The Spirit by Beth Moore provides a personal Bible study of the fruit of the Holy Spirit as presented in the book of Galatians. Through this study participants will look at the supernatural aspects of the fruit and that you cannot grow, learn, or produce the fruit on your own. Beth challenges you to develop the fruit by maintaining an intimate relationship with the Spirit of God.
The Church
Led by: Tim Wallingford
Contact: Tim Wallingford (423.722.7213)
Starts: January 11
When: 6:45-8:00 pm
Where: 104AB
A study of the New Testament church led by the FCC's senior minister, Tim Wallingford.
Men Only
Led by: Brian Way
Contact: Brian Way (mwaydo@yahoo.com)
When: 6:45-8:00 pm
Where: G30
A safe place for men to talk about what is really happening in their lives.
Nutrition and the Bible
Led by: Howard Petersen
Contact: Heath Schnelle (423.722.7202)
Starts: January 11
When: 6:45-8:00 pm
Where: 103B
A biblical approach to nutrition led by Dr. Howard Petersen.
Purposeful Parenting
Led by: Lisa Blankenship and others
Contact: Lisa Blankenship (lblankenship@fcc-jc.org)
Starts: January 11
When: 6:30 pm
Where: 103A
Join an exciting and innovative training opportunity for parents with children of all ages. Each evening will begin with a training module, followed by breakout sessions for parents of younger children, pre-adolescents, teens, and college-age children.
Young Christian Families
Led by: Annie Simmons
Contact: Annie Simmons (annie.simmons@hotmail.com)
Resumes: January 11
When: 6:45-8:00 pm
Where: 105C
We will be studying The Power of a Praying Parent by Stormie Omartian. From this study you will learn how to turn to the Father and place every detail of your child's life in His loving and capable hands such as safety, friends, peer pressure, ect...
Thursday Small Groups
Cracker Barrel AM
Led by: This group rotates leadership.
Contact: Brent Welch (brentwelch@embarqmail.com)
When: Thursday at 6:00 am
Where: Cracker Barrel in Johnson City
A group of 10-15 men who discuss either a Christian book or the Bible. We rotate who leads the discussions and enjoy learning together and helping each other grow in Christ-likeness.
Precept Study: Ezra/Haggai and Nehemiah
Led by: LeAnne Blackmore
Contact: LeAnne Blackmore (283-9148; bmore@comcast.net)
Starts: January 5
When: 10:00-11:30 am
Where: 103A
Ezra/Haggai: You can trust God. Experience what it's like when God places His hand on the lives of His people in Ezra and Haggai to prove He is the promise-keeping God.
Nehemiah: How do you respond when the enemy tries to interfere with God's clear direction? The enemies of God sought to frighten Nehemiah as he proceeded to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. Nehemiah shows us leadership and obedience in the face of opposition, as well as God's miraculous blessing and provision.
James: Mercy Triumphs
Led by: Amber Stewart
Contact: Amber Stewart (amgs16@mac.com)
Starts: January 12
When: 10:00-11:30 am
Where: 103B
Bible scholars compare James to the prophet Amos. In other ways James more closely resembles the Book of Proverbs than any New Testament book. Come along with Beth Moore on a journey to get to know both the man and the Book of James. You will never be the same again. Topics in this study include: joy, hardship, faith, reversal of fortunes for rich and poor, wisdom, gifts from above, single-mindedness, the dangers of the tongue, humility, and prayer.
Survey of the New Testament
Led by: Eleanor Daniel
Contact: Eleanor Daniel (eleanor22840@embarqmail.com)
Starts: January 12
When: 10:00 am
Where: 101A
Gain a greater understanding of the whole of the New Testament and how it fits together by surveying it using the Bethel Bible Series.
Knowing God and Discerning His Will
Led by: Eleanor Daniel
Contact: Sabine Schnelle (sschnelle@ecs.edu)
When: first Thursday of each month at 7:00 pm
Where: Jayme Davis' home
A women's Bible study on knowing God and learning to discern His will.
Quiet Confidence for a Woman's Heart
Led by: Karen Keplinger
Contact: Jennifer Bales (bales5140@embarqmail.com/423.926.5140)
Starts: September 8
When: second Thursday of each month at 7:00 pm
Where: various homes
Quiet Confidence for a Woman's Heart is a journey with author Elizabeth George which explores twelve transformational truths God wants you to know from the 23rd psalm.
With Hope in Mind NAMI
Led by: Sherry Falkner
Contact Person: Sherry Falkner (slfalkner@hotmail.com / 423.282.0676)
Starts: March 15
Ends: May 3
When: 6:00-8:00pm
Where: TBA
Men's Thursday Night Bible Study
Friday Small Groups
Friday Morning Prayer Group
Led by: Cindy Torbett
Contact: Cindy Torbett (somedayu@aol.com)
When: 6:00 am
Where: Cracker Barrel in Boones Creek
Prayer is the key to this group.
Divorce Care
Led by: Steve Hill
Contact Person: Steve Hill (shill@fcc-jc.org / 423.722.7205)
Starts: August 17
Ends: October 30
When: 6:30-8:00 pm
Where: 101a
It’s hard to know how to help someone who is going through a divorce. It takes a long time and a lot of work to heal the pain that comes with the breakup of a marriage. At DivorceCare we are here to encourage you or your loved one in this painful process. Participants learn valuable information and build relationships that will help through this difficult time in their life. Participants may join at any time... Free childcare available.
Piney Flats Small Group
Led by: Jeff Montgomery
Contact: Jeff Montgomery (drjeff@charter.net)
When: every other Friday night at 7:00 pm
Where: 1185 Rice Cross Road in Piney Flats
We are a fun group of couples with children, empty nesters, and singles. We studied the book Radical by David Platt and completed a study on the cross of Christ. Our current study is the Attributes of God.
The Friday night meeting time allows for a relaxed setting where people feel free to fellowship after the study. Join us!
Saturday Small Groups
Men's Mentoring Group
Led by: John Mark Wade
Contact: John Mark Wade (jwade@ecs.edu)
When: 9:00 am
Where: G49 (downstairs conference room)
The men’s mentoring group meets for prayer and discussion of the Bible as it applies to the current events in our world. Outwardly-focused service projects are taken on by the group, based on perceived needs and the ability of the group to offer service.