WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF AN SFG?

Our groups exist to provide a space to grow in community and grow in our love for God’s Word. Because of this, we think they are a great way to engage the campus community and continue to deepen your relationship with Christ..

Student can also gain Spiritual Life Credits (SLCs) for participating during a semester. If a student attends nine group meetings in one semester they will earn two Discipleship SLCs 🙌

SFG FAQ

  • You are not required to participate in a Jessup SFG, though it is highly encouraged! They also can be a great way to earn Discipleship Credit for your Spiritual Life Credit Requirement.

  • Before you register for an SFG, we recommend reading through all of the group options to determine which one fits best for you! All of our SFGs can be found at this link and you will be able to register for a group by clicking on “Join” once on the group page and following a few short verification steps. Once you join a group, you will see it added to your class schedule on your student portal within the first few weeks of school.

  • Unfortunately, we have a limited amount of space in our SFGs each semester. The groups are created with the intention of being able to get to know the other members of your group. In order to do this well, we try to cap most of our groups at 8 people.

    If you missed the boat and your SFG is full, we encourage you to look at the other options available. We offer a wide variety of groups and topics each semester, so we are bound to have something else that piques your interest! If you cannot find another group or have scheduling conflicts, you can email campusministries@jessup.edu to see if you can join a wait-list for the group you originally wanted.

  • Students enrolled in an SFG earn credit by faithfully attending a minimum of 9 of the offered meetings over the semester. A “Credit” or “No Credit” grade will be given at the end of the semester solely based on group attendance. Students who receive semester credit will earn 2 Discipleship Credits towards their total Spiritual Life Credit requirement. Students are welcome to attend more than 1 SFG in a semester but can only receive credit for 1. Students may also receive credit for a qualifying Christian church small group that fulfills the SFG goals and requirements.

  • Yes! Spiritual Life Credits can be attained during the semester or over the summer for eligible small groups at a local Christian church or Christian para-church ministry that aligns itself with the William Jessup University’s Doctrinal Statement, Community Covenant, and Campus Ministry partnership parameters. To ensure that the small group meets Jessup’s Spiritual Life Credit parameters, we recommend contacting campusministries@jessup.edu to verify. This helps eliminate any confusion about what is and is not eligible for credit before the experience is completed.

    Like our Jessup SFGs, your small group participation credit is based upon your faithful attendance to the group. You must attend the small group faithfully and intentionally during the course of the semester or summer in order to receive credit for your small group.

    To receive credit for your small group you must submit a Spiritual Life Credit Form and include the topic of your group, the number of times you attended in the semester/summer, and answer some reflection questions. Your small group leader will also be contacted to verify your faithful participation to the group.

    Spiritual Life Credit Forms are due at the end of each semester (or summer term) and may be turned in to the Student Life office no later than the Friday before finals week for eligibility. Forms for summer discipleship/small groups must be submitted by the fall add/drop deadline (at the end of the first week of the semester). A $25 late fee will be assessed for forms submitted after the deadline.

  • Any SFG or external small groups eligible for credit will:

    • Make the studying of the Bible and the building of relationships their main objectives in meeting together

    • Align with WJU’s Statement of Faith, and Community Covenant as well as WJU’s heritage

    • Be comprised of members 18 years or older (other college peers or adults)

      • Being a small group leader in high school, middle school, or elementary age contexts is considered Christian Service and is eligible for Christian Service Credit, not SFG/Small Group Credit