The summer is always a challenging time for small groups.  With vacations and time away, camps for the kids, swimming parties and barbeques on the weekends, family reunions, and so many other great things to do, it is sometimes hard to fit your small group into the calendar!  In fact, is it even possible?  The answer is usually, “Yes, as long as you plan ahead!”

So the question is how can you keep your group growing together over the summer?  Here are some tips that many groups have found helpful here at Canyon Hills Church:

Top 10 Ideas For A Great Summer

1.  Make your plans now, before you get into the heat of the summer.

         a.  Pull out a calendar and compare vacation plans.  You may find several good meeting dates right in front of you.

         b.  Don’t be afraid to meet on a different night if it helps you get more of the group there for the meeting.

         c.  Realize going into the planning session that you may not all be able to be at every meeting.  And it’s ok to meet with just part of the group as long as you can include everyone over the course of the summer months.

2.  Consider scaling back on your meetings.

If you’re meeting every week, give some thought to twice a month.  If you’re meeting twice a month, think about meeting once for study and once for fellowship (maybe even at the park or a Dodger’s game).

3.  Talk about putting several groups together for a picnic.

This can be a great time to get to know a few more people at Canyon Hills!  It is also a great opportunity to invite neighbors and friends to your group!

4.  Plan a block party and ask your group to help you plan it and put it on!

5.  Plan a movie night and take the whole family.

All the families!  Or have the movie night at home.  Pop popcorn and serve cokes and movie candy.  You might even have your own multi-plex theater: one screen for the kids and another for the adults.

6.  Have a game night!

Playing Pictionary, Scattergories or Crainium can be a great way to get to know your group.  Or try playing Bunko or Mexican Dominoes.  Whatever pulls you together and can include the kids is a great way to connect your group.

7.  Give some thought to connecting to serve someone else!

You may know of a family or a person that just needs some help with their yard or their home.  Finding a way to play a part in meeting a need is a great way to stay connected.

8.  Serve together!

Serve in the Children’s, Junior High, or High School Ministry!  Serve together as Ushers or Greeters; join the Choir; join the Bus Ministry.  You can find out about these and other opportunities by calling the church office (661-871-1150).

9.  Sit together at the weekend service!

This is a no-brainer.  Even if you normally don’t attend the same service, consider linking arms for the summer.  Then, go out for lunch or coffee and dessert after the service.

10.  Have a monthly party and invite your friends to join your group for dinner and a fun activity.

You can download the outlines right from the small group resource page. Simply click on the First Samuel icon on the home page, or visit the small group resource page. 

For many groups this week marks the half way point of the five week study. Over the past weeks you have had the opportunity to connect with many new people in addition to covering a lot of study material.

We hope that you have enjoyed “Unshakable”. More than that, it is our prayer that you have been seriously challenged by this study. That said, don’t forget to email us (contact@canyonhills.com) with any amazing stories that have taken place over the last few weeks. We have received several already and look forward to hearing what God is doing in your group through this study.

During the coming weeks we would like to encourage you to begin having conversations about what your group is going to do after the study is over. There are lots of options. You just need to decide what the next step is for your group. Whatever the decision we want to encourage you to take personal responsibility in your relationship with Christ.

One thing that we encourage at Canyon Hills Church is the growing of believers. We challenge you, through prayer and your personal time with Jesus, to figure out what the next step is in your relationship with Christ. Jesus calls us to a deepening relationship with Him and that means that we can not stay the same. We have to constantly search for what He wants us to do next. We want you to build your life on the foundation that is unshakable!