Small Groups
It’s our vision to be a church of small groups where people experience life together, grow, spiritually through study and prayer, support and challenge one another, and reach out and minister together.
The Bible says in Acts 5:42 that “daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.” In Acts 20:20, Paul said that he “kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house.”
What is a Small Group?
- A Small Group is a gathering of people who usually meet weekly for Bible study, prayer, and fellowship.
- A place to build authentic friendships with people who will be there for us outside of group as well.
- Some groups meet at the church, but most meet in homes.
Why connect to a Small Group?
- Small groups move us out of the crowd and give us a place to belong and connect with others.
- People in small groups share life together, even when life is difficult and messy.
- Small group relationships can help you grow spiritually in ways that just attending a church service cannot do.
How do I get connected?
- Contact the church office at 865-471-5530
- Contact our Small Groups Pastor, Rusty Arwood (click here )
- Contact one of our Small Group Leaders (click on any group listed below for more information)
Typical age range: MID 20’s to MID 50’s
Singles, Couples, or both: BOTH
Contact: Rusty Arwood
We are a group that’s diverse with some college age people, all the way up to 60’s and 70’s. Our typical group consists of a meal, prayer time and Bible study. We meet on Sunday afternoon from 12:45 until about 3:00. We like to have fun and enjoy fellowshipping together. Families with children are welcome as we have childcare each week.
Request more info about this Small Group (click here).
Typical age range: 40-70
Singles, Couples, or both: Couples
Contact: John Baird
Anyone is welcome. We eat and fellowship in a group with one another on Tuesday nights at 6:30 at True Life Church. Studies vary, for instance, we will study a book of the Bible or read/study a book written by a Christian author.
Request more info about this Small Group (click here).
Typical age range: 30’s to 40’s
Singles, Couples, or both: Predominantly families/couples (One single)
Contact: Preston Ford
We meet on Friday’s at 6pm. Our time consists of sharing a meal together, sharing in each other’s joys and struggles, praying with and for one another, and striving to apply biblical principles to everyday living.
Request more info about this Small Group (click here).
Typical Age Range: 45-65
Singles, Couples, or Both: Couples
Contact: Roger Griffith
We meet each Sunday from 5:30-7:30. First we share a meal together, and then we have a study & discussion time. Our studies include verse-by-verse study through books of the Bible, video lecture studies, and books such as Mere Christianity and Reason for God.
Request more info about this Small Group (click here).
Typical Age Range: 30’s-40’s
Singles, Couples, or Both: Predominantly families/couples
Contact: John Harrell
We meet on Sunday’s at 12:30pm in the Alpha community. Our time consists of having lunch together, discussing individual family needs/struggles, doing periodic studies that are applicable to our group needs, seeking biblical principles for individual/group growth, looking for opportunities to reach out beyond the group, and living life together as a whole.
Request more info about this Small Group (click here).
Typical Age Range: 20’s-60’s
Singles, Couples, or Both: Both
Contact: Jimmy Inman
We usually meet at the Inman’s house on Sundays from 5pm to 7:30pm. We have a meal and fellowship. The type of studies we do vary.
Request more info about this Small Group (click here).
Typical Age Range: 20’s-40’s
Singles, Couples, or Both: Couples
Contact: Ryan Keller
We are a group of young couples who have kids or are expecting. We meet on Fridays at 6:30pm to have a meal, fellowship with one another, have a Bible study, and pray together.
Request more info about this Small Group (click here).
Typical Age Range: 16+
Singles, Couples, or Both: Both
Contact: Andy Ropp
This is motorcycle riders, and those interested in motorcycles, getting together for fellowship, discipleship and outreach. We meet on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month at 6:30 PM, and at least once a month for a fellowship ride and/or outreach activity. We are motorcycle riders encouraging and reaching motorcycle riders for Christ.
Request more info about this Small Group (click here).
Typical Age Range: 50-70's
Singles, Couples, or Both: Both
Contact: Scot Rippy
We meet in Dandridge on Thursdays at 7 pm for appetizers/desserts, Bible study, prayer time and fun fellowship. Our group is mostly empty-nesters, but some members have older children living at home. We enjoy coming alongside each other to encourage one another in life and grow in the Lord together. We welcome all ages that are NOT in need of childcare.
Request more info about this Small Group (click here).
Typical Age Range: 30’s-60’s
Singles, Couples, or Both: Both
Contact: Will Roach
The Roach Small Group meets from 12:30 – 3pm on Sundays.
Request more info about this Small Group (click here)
Typical Age Range: 40’s-60’s
Singles, Couples, or Both: Currently Couples
Contact: Rex Rogers
We meet on Thursday Nights at 7:00 PM. Dessert/snacks and drinks available. Studies &/or topics vary as the group chooses. Usually ends by 8:30.
Request more info about this Small Group (click here).
Typical Age Range: 50’s-70’s
Singles, Couples, or Both: Both
Contact: Jim Srock
We meet on Thursdays at 6:00 pm. We share a meal, do a bible study and then we have prayer time. Usually over between 8:30 to 9:00pm.
Request more info about this Small Group (click here).
Typical Age Range: 18 - 25
Singles, Couples, or Both: Both
Contact: Jacob & Andi Wilke
We are a group that aspires to grow together in Christ and help disciple each other. Proverbs 27:17 is the verse we built the idea for the group from which says, “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.” We meet on Sundays from 6:00 to 8:00 for some fellowship, a meal, and then we begin our small groups at 6:45. We also have a fellowship evening the last Sunday of each month.
Request more info about this Small Group (click here).
Typical Age Range: 20's - 40's
Singles, Couples, or Both: Couples
Contact: Nathanial Baird
We are group of young couples who meet on Saturday at 6pm to share a meal and study the Bible while building up and encouraging each other to be biblical spouses/leaders who meet people where they are helping them to become fully devoted followers of Christ.
Request more info about this Small Group (click here).
Typical Age Range: 40 and above
Contact: Tammie Green or Arline Medlin
We meet on Sunday from 4:30-6:30. We are to be a place where no one stands alone and to focus on the Word of God, His purpose and love in the lives of women.
Request more info about this Small Group (click here).
Childcare Available?
Group Type
Location/Area
The Bible pictures large gatherings of believers and small, intimate gatherings as well. Both are necessary. In fact, we believe that a church should always be growing larger and smaller at the same time. It should be growing larger through evangelism as more and more people come to Christ, but it should be growing smaller as people are plugged into small groups where relationships can be developed. Each of us desperately needs to be connected to others as we journey through what is often a fragmented and difficult world. We believe that life change can most easily occur in the context of a small group of believers. All the ministry of a church (evangelism, fellowship, discipleship, worship, and ministry) can take place in a small group. Pastoral care can be done through these groups as believers care for one another. People who are not yet Christians can come and learn about Jesus Christ in a non-threatening environment. Ultimately, we believe God’s plan is for believers to build a loving and united community within to reach the community without in order to share in an eternal community with Him.
Small Group Ministry Core Values
1. Following The Biblical Pattern: Small groups follow the biblical pattern presented in the book of Acts of the church having large gatherings and meetings of small groups.
2. People Are Our Priority: People, not programs, are our priority. Therefore, we will focus on building relationships through small groups.
3. Relating Properly To “One Another:” Small groups are a great way to accomplish the “one another” statements of Scripture.
4. Experiencing Life Together: God is calling us to real fellowship, which is truly experiencing life together. It is sharing the common life that we have in Christ.
5. Authenticity: God wants us to be authentic, genuine, and open. That can often be difficult to do. However, we desire to create an atmosphere that encourages authenticity in the small groups.
6. Every Believer Is A Minister: We are one body with many members and each member is to use his or her God-given spiritual gifts to minister and care for one another through the small groups. This decentralizes pastoral care and allows the Body of Christ to function in the proper manner.
7. Multiplication: God’s plan for every church is to multiply disciples, leaders, small groups, and churches. We plan to do this by being a church of small groups.