Small Groups
Goal of Small Groups:
• Grow in our Relationships
• Confidence in our Faith
• Encourage Discipleship
Relationships
The more we meet together in small groups and talk about the issues that we are each struggling with – the closer we will bond with each other. This bond is what builds up Christian fellowship and increases the drive to encourage each other to live the life of a disciple of Jesus Christ.
Faith
You need to have a regular time alone with God to read and study His word and to spend time in prayer; however, to grow in your faith – it requires that you openly discuss what you are studying with other Christians. The result builds a stronger relationship with God and increases your confidence in your faith.
Discipleship
The most important relationship of all – the one you have with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. This is what it is all about. Helping each other grow and mature in faith. So many times in our discussions, someone will say something so profound that it touches my heart and lifts my soul. I would never experience or know this joy without spending time in fellowship with other disciples. Disciples who help to grow other disciples by sharing the love of Christ.
Have questions? Contact either:
• Joe Locke
• Sue Ward
• Greg Force
• Cameron Treece
2018 Fall Information:
We are planning for our Fall Small Groups. In order to gauge the potential interest in the studies being considered for the fall, it would be very helpful if you would please sign up early to determine the level of interest, so we can identify the number of groups, and order materials and start planning schedules for the fall. Here are the proposed groups:
- Creed – What Christians Believe and Why by Adam Hamilton (6 weeks)
- To Live Is Christ – the life and ministry of Paul by Beth Moore (11 weeks)
- Disciple I Becoming Disciples Through Bible Study (34 weeks)
- Disciple IV Under the Tree of Life (32 weeks)
- Experiencing God (13 weeks)
- Practicing His Presence (6 weeks)
- Tuesday Morning Bible Study – Weekly (check newsletter)
- Wednesday Night Bible Study – Weekly (check newsletter)
- Christian Education for Special Needs Students – 10 Weeks
Below is additional information for each group, with a link to the sign-up for the study you would like to join. If by mid-July, we do not have enough for a group, we will contact you to see if another study would work for you. Please contact Joe Locke or the group facilitator for additional questions.
To Live is Christ by Beth Moore
Join Beth on a journey into the life and heart of Paul, the Apostle to the Gentiles, who served faithfully and loved heartily. You will discover him to be a man who formed many close friendships with both men and women.
More than any other person, Paul provides us an example of sold-out servant-hood. He understood what it means to die daily, crucified with Jesus Christ. As a result, Paul shows us how to live fully as a bondservant to Christ. As you study the Book of Acts and the Letters of Paul, you will come to know the characters personally. Most of all you will feel the challenge to follow Paul’s example just as he followed the example of Christ.
FACILITATOR: SUE WARD
WEDNESDAYS: @ 6:30 pm
LOCATION: @ Church
FOR: ALL ARE WELCOME
Creed: What Christians Believe and Why
We’re all searching. Sometimes the search is easy: simply type a question and the answer pops up. But sometimes our questions are complicated, and the answers are difficult to see and harder to articulate. How do we discover and examine the truths that give meaning and purpose to life? Adam Hamilton believes that some powerful answers are contained in the Apostles’ Creed, an early statement of foundational Christian beliefs.
In this book for Lent, Easter, and beyond, Hamilton considers important questions of life, reality, and truth. He explores not only what Christians believe, but also why they believe it and why it matters.
FACILITATOR: JOE LOCKE
SUNDAYS: @ 6:00 pm
LOCATION: TBD
FOR: ALL ARE WELCOME
Tuesday Bible Study
Weekly Bible Study based on the book of Revelation.
FACILITATOR: CAM TREECE
TUESDAYS: @ 10:30 am
LOCATION: @ Church (Builders Class)
FOR: ALL ARE WELCOME
Wednesday Bible Study
Weekly Bible Study based on the book of Revelation.
FACILITATOR: CAM TREECE
WEDNESDAYS: @ 6:30 pm
LOCATION: @ Church (Conference Room)
FOR: ALL ARE WELCOME
Practicing His Presence by Charles Riggs
To establish a deep relationship with someone, time together and communication are important. The same is true with our relationship with our heavenly Father. Practicing His Presence is a booklet designed to encourage you to establish / continue a daily routine for spending time with God. Written by Charles Riggs, Dir. Of Counseling and Follow-up for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.
The first 2 weeks will be an introduction and discussion on Bible Study. Then a 4 week simple approach (15 min. daily) to help get you into a habit of spending time with God each day.
We will focus on a specific Bible verse(s) that you found relevant during the week, discuss and spend time in prayer.
FACILITATOR: JOE LOCKE
TBD
LOCATION: TBD
FOR: ALL ARE WELCOME
TBD
TBD
FACILITATOR: KATHY BUTLER
WEDNESDAYS: tbd
LOCATION: @ Church (Conference Room)
FOR: WOMEN
LOCATION: Home on the Westside
Christian Education for Special Needs Students
This is a ten-week course providing the participants with information about the history of Christian Education for students with special learning needs as well as taking each of the nine major classifications of disabling conditions and discussing their unique learning needs and how to meet those needs. This includes teaching methods and behavior management strategies. Evidence of individuals with disabilities in The Bible will be presented. No text other than The Bible will be necessary. Any homework to be assigned will come out of the class discussions. Each class will last 90 minutes to two hours. Wednesday evening is the preferable meeting night.
LEADER: STEVE CANNON
FOR: All are welcome!
BEGINS: TBD
LOCATION: @ Church
2018 Disciple Series!
One of the principles for Bible Study is the Word of God is Jesus Christ, and the words of the Bible tell us about that Word. When we speak of Scripture as being inspired, we are recognizing that the Scriptures were written by particular persons in particular circumstances. We are saying that the Scriptures are connected to God, and because of that connection, the Scriptures have power to bring about encounter between God and the one who reads Scripture. The authority of Scripture, then, lies in its ability to cause encounter. From: Disciple 1 Becoming Disciples Through Bible Study.
If you’ve taken Disciple 1 in the past, I can tell you from experience it is every bit as rewarding to take it again – God’s Word is truly the Living Word, meeting us where we are at this point of our journey. Or you may want to take the deeper dive into a more specific study, like Disciple IV. These do not have to be taken in order. If you haven’t taken Disciple 1, you would certainly get a lot out of either study.
It is with that objective that two studies from Cokesbury’s Disciple series are being considered for the fall.
Disciple I – Becoming Disciples Through Bible Study
The first, “Becoming Disciples Through Bible Study”, is a thirty-four week study that provides a fairly thorough overview of the entire Bible to help guide our understanding of who God is and how He is working out His plan of salvation for His creation. It is an excellent course for a deeper appreciation of the relationship between Old and New Testaments and the grace offered through Jesus Christ.
FACILITATOR: GREG FORCE
TIME TBD
LOCATION:TBD
FOR: All are welcome
LOCATION: TBD
Disciple IV – Under the Tree of Life
There have been three other Disciple studies developed subsequent to the one above for deeper dives into specific portions of the Bible. One of these, “Under the Tree of Life”, is a thirty-two week study of the Writings from the Old Testament (i.e., everything not in the first five books or the Prophets) and the Gospel of John, Revelation and the epistles of John, James and Jude from the New Testament.
FACILITATOR: DARYL GIBBS
TIME TBD
LOCATION:TBD
FOR: All are welcome
LOCATION: TBD
Other groups being formed
– College Group
– Young Adult
Don’t see what you are looking for?
CLICK HERE to suggest a Bible Study you would like to see offered, or provide you contact information and we can help you find a group.
Frequently asked questions:
Where do groups meet?
Most of our Small Groups meet in homes or at the church. Depending on the time of year and the group the location could be different. After you sign-up for a group, you will receive an email from the leader shortly before it starts with information about the location, etc.
How often?
Depends on the group. Usually weekly. The length of the group depends on the study. Most Small Groups last 4 – 8 weeks; however, more in-depth studies go for 12+ weeks.
Is childcare provided?
Groups that meet on Wed. nights when supper is provided, child care is also available. Groups that meet on other nights may or may not offer child care – members can determine if they would like to share costs, etc. If enough groups meet on the same night, let us know and we can try to arrange this if needed.
What is the meeting format?
Each group creates their own. Basic recommended approach for each, includes:
– Welcome and enjoy time together
– Gather and Open with prayer
– Devotion / Bible Study
– Prayer concerns – close in prayer