General Questions
What is Transit?
I keep hearing about Large Group. What is that?
What is a Small Group?
When and where does Transit meet?
When does Transit end each Sunday?
What camps/events does Transit have?
How do I volunteer to become a part of Transit?
Parent Questions
Can a parent be a Small Group Leader of his or her student?
How can I, as a parent, get involved with Transit?
How is my student’s Small Group Leader or group chosen?
Can my student bring a friend to Transit?
What if my student doesn’t have a small group, yet?
What is On-Deck?
My student has expressed a desire to be baptized. What is the process for Transit students?
General Questions
What is Transit?
Transit is the dynamic Sunday-morning environment where middle school students (6th-8th grade) gather to explore their relationship with Christ and others. Transit meets in the Attic during the 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. worship services. There is nothing stale about this gathering! Your middle school student will swiftly discover why hundreds enthusiastically return each week to explore faith, friendships and accountability.
I keep hearing about Large Group. What is that?
Transit impacts your student through two environments every Sunday. One of these is Large Group in the Attic, where all 6th-8th grade students first meet to interact in zany team games, vibrant worship with their own live band and learn from inspirational speakers. The goal of Large Group is to set up fun and meaningful discussions during Small Group.
What is a Small Group?
Small groups provide the fuel that drives students to make good choices during each week. Ideally led by two adult leaders and a high-school mentor, each small group includes students from the same middle-school grade, geographic area and gender. This gives them the opportunity to grow a group of Christian friends close to home for added encouragement and accountability. Students enjoy getting together outside of church with their Small Group Leaders and small groups for additional fun, community service and personal/spiritual growth. Our goal is for each small group to remain together for the duration of middle school. On occasion, a group that grows too large will be multiplied to keep relationships personal. But, don’t worry – friends and old leaders are always around!
When and where does Transit meet?
Buckhead Transit meets each Sunday morning at 9:00am and 11:00am in the Attic.
Browns Bridge Transit meets each Sunday at 9:00am, 11:00am and 6:00pm (starting August 12) in the Attic.
Gwinnett Transit meets each Sunday afternoon at 6:00pm in the Attic.
North Point Transit meets each Sunday at 9:00am, 11:00am and 4:30pm (starting August 12) in the Attic.
Watermarke Transit meets each Sunday morning at 9:00am and 11:00am in the Attic.
When does Transit end each Sunday?
Students typically get out of small group a few minutes after the main service ends. However, since conversations are geared to help students explore issues important to them, Transit does not have an official time to end. Each group wraps up discussion at its own pace.
What camps/events does Transit have?
6th grade – Boot Camp & Walking Wisely Weekend
7th grade – Frequency & Walking Wisely Weekend
8th grade – Frequency, Walking Wisely Weekend & Mission Trips
Click HERE to go to our Events page.
How do I volunteer to become a part of Transit?
When you look at the beaming faces in Transit, you see far more than middle schoolers. You also see dozens of energetic adults and high school students who were once in your shoes – wanting to jump in, yet wondering whether they had time or energy to commit to mentoring. They discovered what you will soon recognize – our volunteers aren’t here to merely help. The relationships they form become their ministry and swiftly a treasured priority. In fact, small group leaders engage with the same students for the entire three-year duration of middle school – laughing, listening and leading. We’re delighted you want to become part of the reason that middle schoolers love Transit! For more information, click HERE.
Parent Questions
Can a parent be a Small Group Leader of his or her student?
Becoming a Small Group Leader is a ton of fun and an exciting way to stay engaged with your own middle school student. We absolutely encourage parents to become Small Group Leaders – and, with our swiftly expanding student ranks, we need you! – but we do not permit parents to lead their own children during Transit. Some students need more space than others and are far more likely to be candid in small group discussions about life’s challenges when parents are not present. We’ll help find the best fit for you, as well as the right place to maximize your student’s experience in Transit.
How can I, as a parent, get involved with Transit?
We’re glad you asked! There are lots of ways to share in the fun, even as you experience your own spiritual growth through serving! You can start by asking your student’s Small Group Leader how you can support them. Offer to set up a trip, provide transportation to an outing, host a gathering or even send them an encouraging note. Any time you can provide the leader an opportunity to just hang out with your students, ministry is happening. If you still want to do more, consider contributing as a Small Group Leader, Host Team, Kitchen Team, On-Deck Leader or Event Volunteer! For more information, click HERE.
How is my student’s Small Group Leader or group chosen?
Small Group Leaders volunteer to participate and then go through an Interview/Approval process before being selected to lead students. We group all students by school grade, geographic area and gender.
Can my student bring a friend to Transit?
Absolutely! In fact, we encourage it. Transit is designed to be fun Fun FUN and inspirational for every middle school student! We’re thrilled when your student is so excited about what he or she is experiencing at church that it has to be shared! Middle school is a critical stretch, when relationships can begin to get messy and emotionally challenging and growing spiritual strength now will influence choices that matter!
What if my student doesn’t have a small group, yet?
Following Large Group, your student will go to On-Deck in the Attic to learn more about Transit and how we operate.
What is On-Deck?
Know how it feels to be a first timer and not quite at ease? On-Deck takes the “awkward” out of “trying to fit in!” Designed especially for students who do not yet have a small group of their own, it is a transition environment that bridges the gap. When Large Group dismisses to small groups, your student will go to On-Deck for two weeks. Then, based on grade, gender and school, he or she will be introduced into a permanent small group.
My student has expressed a desire to be baptized. What is the process for Transit students?
That’s awesome! We’re excited with you! Click HERE to visit our Baptism page.
