Apprentice Groups

 

What is an Apprentice Group?

At Cornerstone, our mission is to be a community shaped by the gospel for the renewal of all things. One of the ways in which we pursue this mission is through Apprentice Groups. Apprentice Groups (think small groups) are home and church‑based community groups that meet together to study scripture and curriculum. Apprentice Groups exist to cultivate friendship and spiritual formation. We cultivate friendship by gathering together, sharing meals, and telling our stories. We pursue spiritual formation through Bible study, prayer, and the practice of healthy living together. 

Summary:

  • 10-14 people per group 

  • Meet weekly OR twice a month

  • Commit for a semester at a time (with the option to keep going as long as you want)

  • Meet in homes

  • Provided, church-wide curriculum (written by Cornerstone with “Cornerstoners” in mind)

  • Fall and Spring semesters are 12-13 weeks each, with breaks built in

Why should I join an Apprentice Group?

Community matters: Today, meaningful community is hard to come by. Many of us long for people who know our stories, who can pray for us, challenge us, or bring meals when times are tough. But most of us don’t have easy access to that kind of community. As the world becomes increasingly individualized and isolated, levels of loneliness are going up and, even within the church, people are finding themselves detached from the communal life we were made for (see 1 Cor 12:12-27). In direct opposition to the increased isolation of our time, Apprentice Groups exist to offer creative, accessible avenues for all people to find a place in meaningful community.

One of the ways you may notice Cornerstone’s intentional pursuit of accessible community for all people is through Multigenerational Apprentice Groups. These groups are exactly what they sound like—a space for people in all walks of life. Whether you are married with young kids, later in life and widowed, navigating singleness in your thirties, an empty-nester, or walking through a divorce—there is a a place being held for you. Multigenerational Groups are meant to look and feel like a family unit where you might find yourself across the room from someone with twenty years more or less experience than you, someone whose everyday life is entirely different than yours, or someone you never expected to spend time with. By design, Multigenerational Groups offer a space where all believers can learn from one another and experience true belonging.

On the other side of that coin, you’ll notice many groups with specific age ranges. These groups, distinguishable by the lack of “multigenerational'“ in the title, exist for when you need to do life shoulder to shoulder with a group of people who are going through a similar season of life as you. This might be true if you need the camaraderie of others who are doing the hard work of raising toddlers, or if you need to process through the grief of divorce with those who have walked that acutely difficult path, or if you’re newly married and simply looking for married friends. Regardless, these groups exist to offer support, camaraderie, and belonging.

Finally, we know that childcare can act as a significant barrier to getting fully immersed in community. As a response, Cornerstone offers free childcare on Sundays and Wednesdays for Apprentice Groups to make use of while they meet offsite. To learn more, email groups@cornerstonetulsa.org.

Discipleship matters: In addition to opening the door to meaningful belonging, Apprentice Groups create space for robust discipleship. Along with an increase in individualism in our time, there as been a massive increase in spiritual apathy, confusion, deconstruction and more. Through Cornerstone-written curriculum, groups are invited to reflect on the scriptures every week using tools like Lectio Divina, Inductive Bible Study, and other spiritual practices. We want to accept and take seriously Jesus’ invitation to take his yoke upon ourselves and learn from him (see Matt 11:28-11). In Apprentice Groups, you have the opportunity to apprentice yourself to Jesus in community, practicing and learning in a charitable, safe environment. Importantly, there are no spiritual prerequisites to joining an Apprentice Group. If you’ve been following Jesus for 20 years or 20 minutes, you are welcome.

How do I join an Apprentice Group?

You can join an Apprentice Group any time throughout the year by browsing open groups and requesting to join the one that works best for you. Please read the tips below before signing up.

  • Please make note of and abide by the age limits of the groups, this ensures that each group meets the needs of its members. Multi-generational groups are the only groups without age restrictions.

    • If you are signing up with another person, indicate this when you request to join a group in the message box.

  • If you have special requests or circumstances, contact nread@cornerstonetulsa.org before requesting to join a group.

  • If none of the groups online work for your schedule or are full, fill out this form.

 
 

We are always looking for new Apprentice Group Leaders! If you’re a passionate gather-er of people, if you long to nurture biblical friendships, and if you’re willing to humbly learn alongside others, let us know!