At Austin Ridge, we want everyone to be connected in God-honoring relationships where they are continually growing in their relationship with Jesus Christ. We believe that one of the best environments for that to happen is in a LifeGroup. LifeGroups are small group communities (approximately 10-12 people) designed to help people take their next step in their relationship with Jesus Christ. LifeGroups are also one of the best ways we can walk alongside our members during times of celebration and times of crisis.  How can you get into a group?

Through a GroupLink study called "Igniting Your Passion for God" starting February 12th!

Click here to watch an intro to the study:

This 10- week study will be held at Austin Ridge on Sunday evenings, and will be led by ARBC's own Doug Sherman! This study is for both people who want to get connected to a LifeGroup (we will connect you into a small group on the first evening) as well as those who are currently in LifeGroups. Childcare for this 10-week study will be free to all attending.

To register, click one of the two links below.

If you are *not* currently in a LifeGroup,
click here to register for the 10-week study.

If your current LifeGroup will be attending,
click here for registration details.

FAQs about Igniting Your Passion for God Study

What is the study about and who is teaching it?
Doug Sherman has authored 6 books, his most recent book being "More Than Ordinary: Enjoying Life with God." Doug is a gifted teacher and speaker, having spoken in over 400 venues across the country. Doug's true passion is in helping people walk with God as they learn more about how to enjoy Him every day. "Igniting Your Passion for God" is a 10-week study he recently taught within our men's ministry. Because God has been using this study mightily with the men of our church, we wanted to offer this to our small groups as well.

Here are several testimonials from this men's study:

"This is the best men's study I've been in, and I've been in full time ministry for 36 years. Full of God's truth, very applicable and real." - Chuck Wallace

"It will radically elevate your view of God and how much He cares for you." - Ken Ziegler

"This material and study are foundational and reset my relationship with God." - Don Sansom

Can you tell me more about the logistics of this study?
The study will begin on February 12th and will go from 5:30-7:30PM (note: all of the subsequent sessions will end at 7PM, but we need to allot an additional 30 minutes for connecting new people at the first study). We will break for two weeks over Spring Break, and finish at the end of April. All sessions will take place at Austin Ridge Bible Church in Bldg A.

What is the balance between small group and large group time?
The first study starts with 45 minutes of large group, followed by 45 minutes of small group. The remaining studies will start with 45 min of small group followed by 35 minutes of large group teaching (5:30-6:15 small group time, 6:25-7PM large group teaching). Nearly all of the small groups will be assigned a private room on campus to get the most out of their small group time.

If 5:30PM is too early for our LifeGroup, is there another logistical option? Our preference would be that small group would take place before large group teaching, but, with the exception of the first session, it is possible to arrive at 6:15PM for large group and then meet in small group after 7PM. This being said, please note that there will only be childcare until 7:00PM (unless coordinated directly with Kelli Stoffels (kelli@austinridge.org).

Will childcare be provided?
The church will be providing free childcare for this 10-week study from 5 to 7:15pm. It is our desire that everyone at The Ridge will get connected into small group, and we hope that providing this benefit will assist in making this happen.

Will Children be learning anything during the meetings?- The children will be led through age appropriate devotionals throughout the 10-weeks of the study. We do not just want this to be "free babysitting". We want the children to also experience biblical growth in small group community.

Will food be provided?
Food for adults and children will be provided at the first study only. LifeGroups will be on their own to decide whether or not to bring dinner or snacks for the nine remaining sessions.

Can I just attend the 10-week study and not continue in a LifeGroup?
We believe that for biblical community to really take root, it is essential to really walk with a small group for at least six months to a year. Our preference would be that you would continue forward in this same small group. That being said, if after 10-weeks you would prefer to switch to a new group or you would prefer to take a break from small groups, you will have that opportunity.

If I want to get connected to a LifeGroup, but Sunday evenings normally do not work for me, is there another option? If you can make at least 6 of the 10 sessions, we would still ask that you attend the Sunday evening study. Please also note that many of the small groups in attendance will meet on different evenings after this 10-week session ends. If there is no way Sunday can work, please drop a note to our Small Groups Pastor, T.J. Morelli, and he will work with you on getting plugged into a small group (tj@austinridge.org).

Will these sessions be recorded if I miss one? Doug will be professionally recording this study in the next year. His desire is that this material can be taken to other churches across the nation and overseas. That being said, for this 10-week study, we will be capturing a rough audio recording of the large group teaching in case you miss a week or two. Obviously, the small group time is an essential part of the study. Our encouragement would be that you would prioritize these 10-weeks and try to make as many as possible.

What is the cost of this study? The study material for "Igniting Your Passion for God" is $15 per person. If you are currently in a LifeGroup, this will be paid through your LG leader. If you are new to LifeGroups, this will be paid online at time of registration. Many of you have the More Than Ordinary book, but if you do not have this book, you can pick it up for $10 at the first session. You will be asked to read the first 5 chapters of the book as this study progresses.

What if money is really tight for me right now, but I still want to attend? We do not want money to be the issue that would keep anyone from participating in this study. Please contact T.J. Morelli if you would like to request a scholarship (tj@austinridge.org).