Find Community. Build Friendships. Grow in Faith.
Join a Small Group and connect with others through Bible study, prayer, and authentic Christian community.
Small Groups at Immanuel Crystal Lake
What are you looking for? A Bible study near you? A way to make real friends at church? A place to grow spiritually and feel like you belong?
You’re in the right place.
Here at Immanuel Crystal Lake, small bible study groups are a big part of who we are. We believe church should be more than a friendly place. Church should be a friend-making community where people know you, care about you, and walk with you through real life.
At Immanuel Crystal Lake, small groups are a key way we touch hearts and transform lives with the light of Christ. We’d love to help you find your place.
Please contact Sharon Tieman at stieman@immanuelcl.org for more information.
-
Churches today excel at being warm and welcoming. Smiles at the door. Clean spaces. Friendly greetings. But that describes a lot of places like banks, restaurants, even hotel lobbies.
What people are searching for is friendship, community, and deeper faith.
That’s exactly what small groups create.
Immanuel Crystal Lake is blessed with a wonderful problem: We have too many people for anyone to know everyone! Small groups give you a “corner” of the church. This becomes your people, your community, your spiritual home within the larger church family.
-
Our small groups, which are sometimes called Bible study groups, life groups, or community groups, are where faith becomes personal and where friendships grow. Groups usually meet weekly for 5-6 week stretches. Typically, group members meet in each other's homes during 3 series in the church calendar year. Things that happen in each meeting include, but are not limited to:
Study Scripture with real-life application
Pray for and support one another
Build relationships that last
Encourage spiritual growth and accountability
A single “live coal” won’t stay hot for long, but a group of coals together can glow through the coldest night. In the same way, small groups help you stay connected, encouraged, and grounded in Christ, especially when life gets hard.
-
If you’d like to join a small group, or if you’re not sure where to start, contact Sharon Tieman at stieman@immanuelcl.org. We’ll help you find a group that fits your schedule, your interests, and your spiritual needs.
The Power of Knowing God
Begins September 13, 2026
Christian friendship matters, and small groups at Immanuel are a meaningful way to build connections while growing in faith. These groups aren't about becoming Bible scholars. They're about encouraging one another, studying God's Word together, and growing in faith and character. Groups meet weekly, with schedules designed to fit a variety of availability.
Get to Know God as He Really Is
In this six-session video study, Dr. Tony Evans explores what it means to know God more deeply and live confidently as His child.
Through Scripture, practical teaching, and personal stories, you'll discover how your relationship with God can become more than attending church or participating in Bible studies. This study provides practical tools for developing an authentic, life-changing faith and a deeper connection with Jesus Christ.
Questions about Small Groups?
Contact Sharon Tieman at 815-459-1441 or stieman@immanuelcl.org.
Small Group Leader Resources
The small group ministry of Immanuel Crystal Lake is critically important! Life changing small groups are led by leaders who invest the best of their time, talents, and passion into the lives of their small group members. There is simply no replacement for highly invested and gifted group leaders.
Use the resources on this page and this site as you prepare for and lead your small group. Regular coaching by the pastoral staff and experienced small group leaders will be provided throughout your tenure as a group leader.
Training Videos:
Welcome and Thank You!
Small Group Covenants
Help! My Small Group has been Hijacked!