Small Groups

what is the small group component of Prodigal?

The small group meetings are an essential component of Prodigal. During these times when we meet in groups of 4-6 persons to discuss our homework, we openly and candidly share our struggles and victories, identify areas in our lives where we need God's healing, power, and grace, and most importantly, pray for each other in Christ-centered love and concern. In our groups we obey the exhortation to "confess our sins to one another," and in doing so experience the biblical truth that "we will be healed" (James 5:16).  Anything shared is held in absolute confidence in accordance with the confidentiality rule that all members must agree with in order to participate.

"In the two years I've attended Prodigal, God has taken me to deeper levels of intimacy with Him, which is about knowing him more, not just knowing more about him. It has almost been like a second conversion for me. I see clearly now that God's will is for me - really, all of us - to become more like his Son. But as the Apostle Paul said, "Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me" (Philippians 3:12). The men and curriculum of Prodigal have been key components of God's redeeming work in my life." 

Paul Chen

While group members will offer to each other encouragement and perhaps even firm exhortation, there is no condemnation or judgment, for it is precisely our honest recognition of our sinfulness that brings us into genuine Christian community with one another and God. Prodigal is grounded in the reality of our brokenness and sinfulness, our inability to live as God wants us to live by will power alone, and our need to continually surrender to God's transforming grace. All of this takes place in the context of Christ-centered community, and of our confidence in knowing that God will change us, in his time, to be more like his Son-for service to others, our joy, and his glory.

For more information on Prodigal contact Dr. Dale Pollard at dale@8thdaycommunity.org, or by cell at 360-201-3957.