SMALL GROUPS
SMALL GROUPS
SMALL GROUPS
We believe that small groups will help the members of Oak Valley Baptist Church mature beyond our vertical relationship with Christ into the deeper levels of intimacy with each other. We also believe that these small groups will help people experience the Gospel of Jesus Christ, discuss his word, and bond with one another in a completely new way (Luke 24).
2026 Spring Independent Studies!
During this Spring Small Group Term, each group can select their own unique topic of discussion based on spiritual interests, relationship building, or growth and development opportunities.
Fresh Insights
(Every other Sun at 12:30PM)
This group is intended for people who have a basic understanding of scripture and are ready to go deeper in their study and beyond the surface in their understanding of the Bible as Kingdom Disciples.
Topic: Five Practices of Fruitful Living by Robert Schnase
Have you ever wondered how you develop a fruitful lifestyle? This study provides an honest, practical, and winsome guide to the spiritual journey. By repeating and deepening certain fundamental practices, we cooperate with God in our spiritual growth. These five practices -to receive God’s love, to love God in return, to grow in Christ, to serve others, and to give ourselves fully -as we attend to them and develop them, help us settle ourselves in God and become instruments of God’s grace.
Facilitator: Tony Miller and Minister Davyda Hammond
Dates: 2/15, 3/1, 3/15, 3/29, 4/12, 4/26
Meeting Location: Hal Williams Conference Center (in-person and Zoom)
Zoom Link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89769793917?pwd=EvP20xCDhe1zrrpksgjobEafbaDOea.1
Meeting ID: 897 6979 3917
Passcode: 730099
Soarers and Explorers
(Every other Sun at 12:30PM)
Do you wish to soar like an eagle and rise above where you have been in life? Are you ready to pick up that paintbrush and design a new canvas for your life? Or maybe you are interested in developing a deeper understanding of God in a relaxed environment that encourages freedom to learn from a variety of perspectives…If so, SOARERS AND EXPLORERS is the place for you!
Topic: Divine Babies by Dr. C. Dexter Wise III
This study identifies seven stages or phases through which babies grow into maturity. The birth analogies and illustrations are reflective of how God desires to conceive babies within you as he did with many biblical persons, the life of Israel, and the life of Jesus. We will learn how to give birth to the blessing God has conceived inside of each of us!
Facilitators: Ella DuBose, Kowetha Mack
Dates: 2/15, 3/1, 3/15, 3/29, 4/12, 4/26
Meeting Location: Fellowship Hall area (in-person and Zoom)
Zoom link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84482958873?pwd=vabX48rnaoVUXe6zWSTLSsOwnDK41B.1
Meeting ID: 844 8295 8873
Passcode: 924680
Me, Myself, and I AM
(Every other Mon at 11:30 AM)
Are you looking for a place where single adults embrace their season of singlehood and learn to better understand this unique opportunity for spiritual and personal growth as well as total commitment to God! If you are dating, engaged, widowed, divorced, never been married, and/or a single parent who is looking for encouraging ways to live a healthy and satisfying single life, then ME, MYSELF, AND “I AM” is the group for you!
Are you seeking victory over the battles within your daily life struggles? If so, this study will teach you how to fight negative thoughts, overcome lies, and find peace by not letting the “Enemy” (the Devil) influence your minds and actions. Instead, the focus is on God’s provision in difficult times based Psalm 23.
Topic: Don’t Give the Enemy A Seat at Your Table: It’s Time to Win the Battle of Your Mind by Louie Giglio
Have you ever wanted to know and recognize your enemy? If so, come and learn how God has prepared a table for you in the presence of your enemy! In this study, insights are provided into how to overcome the enemy’s lies and find peace and spiritual security in any circumstances or situations.
Facilitator: Arnetha Johnson and Dorothy Graham
Dates: 2/16, 3/2, 3/16, 3/30, 4/13, 4/27
Meeting Location: Willie Threat Conference Room (In Person/Zoom)
Zoom Link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84242908653?pwd=Am8pEdQ9EnSfTOhHhmCYO5uWbGYZjA.1
Meeting ID: 842 4290 8653
Passcode: 134387
New Discoveries
(Every other Mon at 6:30PM)
If you are well-versed in the Bible but ready to go deeper in God’s Word, uncover hidden gems in Scripture, discover new truths, tackle more difficult spiritual concepts or receive a fresh revelation of God’s Word in your life, then…NEW DISCOVERIES is right for you!
Topic: Through Faith and Flaws (Special Study Guide)
This six week study is a summary of the lives of women in the Old Testament. It will highlight key moments from their lives and encourage you to reflect on the power of their witness and how it can impact you in contemporary situations. It’s designed to inspire people in their faith walk and encourage thoughtful engagement with the Bible through personal reflection and/or journaling.
Facilitators: Minister Davyda Hammond
Dates: 2/16, 3/2, 3/16, 3/30, 4/13, 4/27
Meeting Locations: In person and Offsite location
(Contact Facilitator for more information, 865 483-5162)
Zoom Link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87300573015?pwd=vBcKgp8VC5sALDCAy51Xi4yS2ahCnx.1
Meeting ID: 873 0057 3015
Passcode: 222243
Hymns and Hats
(Every other Wed at 2:00PM)
Do you miss the days when everyone wore hats, gloves, and wingtips to church, or long for those old hymns, anthems, and Sunday School banners? If you believe that the church has progressed but appreciate how our faith is rooted in the wisdom of our elders and in church tradition. If so, we invite you to join the Hymns and Hats Small Group where we will discuss how to continue growing in our spiritual walk through the Golden Years and how to make an impact in 21st Century ministry!
Topic: Divine Babies by Dr. C. Dexter Wise III
This study identifies seven stages or phases through which babies grow into maturity. The birth analogies and illustrations are reflective of how God desires to conceive babies within you as he did with many biblical persons, the life of Israel, and the life of Jesus. We will learn how to give birth to the blessing God has conceived inside of each of us!
Facilitator: Ella DuBose
Dates: 2/18, 3/3, 3/18, 4/1, 4/15, 4/29
Meeting Location: Willie Threat Conf. Rm. (in person & zoom)
Zoom Link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84522641678?pwd=gJuAagBamUZw7Kwo3feTzIskP2pfdu.1
Meeting ID: 845 2264 1678
Passcode: 566546
Iron Sharpeners
(Men’s Group – Every other Thurs at 6:30PM)
This is a unique opportunity for brothers of the church and community to come together in their own space and with varying experiences for the purpose of growing in unity and strength in the LORD! The goal is to foster an environment to share in unusual ways over biblical principles and create a new or better understanding of God’s Word and his plans for each of their lives. There is a “seat at the table” for each person and we want to discover the power and effectiveness of stepping into leadership roles and being an example for our future.
Topic: Ready, Set, Go! Igniting African American Men for Christ
by William J. Lee
This study aims to be a transformative resource, using biblical teachings to empower African American men to live out their faith, find strength in Christ, and navigate life’s challenges. It will address themes relevant to faith and racial identity to foster a deeper connection with Jesus.
Facilitators: Ralph Mack and David Mosby
Dialogue: An open but guided discussion for men to explore various topics such as personal growth, spiritual and mental health, cultural expectations, role distinctions, etc.
Dates: 2/19, 3/04, 3/19, 4/2, 4/16, 4/30
Meeting Location: Hal Williams Conference Center (in person & zoom)
Zoom Link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84651940333?pwd=YZry552tmGg8AoW8XrvM8vDhRDjNZ2.1
Meeting ID: 846 5194 0333
Passcode: 720340
Sure Grasp
(Every other Sat at 11AM)
Do you sometimes feel overwhelmed while studying the Bible on your own, like it is too much to digest in one swallow? The SURE GRASP Small Group is for believers who value quality over quantity in studying God Word; those who want to fully unpack spiritual concepts and Bible stories to ensure a complete understanding. This group’s motto is: “Slow and steady will make us right and ready!”
Topic: Key Bible Themes: The Wilderness, Redemption, The Holy Spirit,
Slow to Anger, Love in the Bible, The Covenants
Wouldn’t you love to explore key biblical themes that run throughout the entire story of Scripture? In this study, participants will trace how God meets His people in times of testing -in the wilderness, rescues and restores through redemption, empowers through the Holy Spirit, reveals His patient and compassionate character as slow to anger, calls His people to live out biblical love, and establishes lasting relationships through His covenants. Together, these themes help participants see the Bible as a unified story centered on God’s faithfulness and His desire to transform lives.
Facilitators: Clifford Davis and Gwen Campbell
Dates: 2/21, 3/7, 3/21, 4/4, 4/18, 5/2
Meeting Location: Zoom only
Zoom Link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83596395510?pwd=DAtUg3P91yV15M55YUWMVb0kRI9sQk.1
Meeting ID: 835 9639 5510
Passcode: 104695
Frequently Asked Questions
Small groups foster close relationships. The small group atmosphere is ready-made for building friendships. People are quick to recognize needs, and help to meet them. The relationships formed within small groups form a strong fabric within a church. Relationships that are formed outside of the setting of a church service, are relationships that will endure and strengthen over time.
Small groups provide a way for Christians to live out their faith instead of merely hearing more preaching and teaching. If Sunday morning is for listening, then the rest of the week is for living. Small groups create a context for Christians to live out their faith in real life and share in the practical aspect of the Christian Faith.
Small groups allow for mutual edification among believers. It’s easy to depend upon the professionals to give us our spiritual food. According to the Bible, God gives spiritual gifts to all believers, not just the person who preaches on Sunday morning. These gifts are for the benefit of the whole church. Every Christian should minister to together Christians with his or her gifts. This happens most naturally, effectively, and purposefully in small groups. Plus, we start to realize that other believers face the same problems we do. “Edification of the body of Christ” is at work.
Small groups meet wherever is convenient for that group to meet (zoom, homes, church parks, restaurants, coffee shops or office buildings). The group facilitator will work with the group to select a mutual meeting place that best fits the purpose of the group. Wherever you meet, you are the church in action!
Childcare will vary from group to group and will be determined at the group level.
No, you do not have to be a member of OVBC to join a Small Group. Members, however, will receive priority when spaces are limited.
At the beginning of each term, open invitations are made via public announcement and personal invitation. After that, joining a group is easy! Simply contact a group leader or the church office at 865-483-5162 or email secretary@oakvalleybc.com to see if an opening is available.
