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In the closing verses of Matthew, Jesus tells His followers to “go and make disciples” (Matthew 28:19). The book of Acts describes the practices of the church as devotion to “the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and the prayers” (Acts 2:42). The Apostle Paul reminds early congregations of the necessity of “equipping the saints for the work of ministry” so they would come into maturity, rather than being “tossed to and fro and blown about by every wind of doctrine” (Ephesians 4:11-14). As the body of Christ, we are challenged to take the gospel of Jesus Christ to all people. We encourage our members to participate in at least one small group opportunity per year to enhance personal spiritual growth.
Some small groups are short term (6-8 weeks) and some are long term (up to 34 weeks). Costs are for study materials only. Registration forms are available according to Fall-Winter-Spring-Summer and there are deadlines for registering. Call for days and times.
Our current small group studies are:
Swapping Housewives: Rachel & Jacob & Leah
The story of marriage mayhem with Jacob, Rachel, Leah, Bilhah, and Zilpah is one of my favorite stories in the Bible. It reads like ancient soap opera that could compare with any of our modern twists and plots! Come join us as we explore the Bible suing ancient Biblical personalities to study subjects, such as stages of love, communication, adult sibling rivalry, jealousy, envy, and other adult topics. Our book’s author is Vashti Murphy McKenzie, the first woman bishop elected in the 213-year of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.
Class Leader: Rhonda Hermann
Meeting Time: Thursday from 10:30 to 11:30 (beginning February 7th, and lasting for 8 weeks)
Soul Feast: An Invitation to the Christian Spiritual Life
This Study is a clear, practical, and inspiring discussion on prayer, worship, fasting, self-examination, and hospitality. It offers a framework for understanding the spiritual life disciplines and instructions for developing and nurturing those practices.
The Purpose is to “help people of faith understand and begin to practice some of the basic disciplines of the Christian spiritual life. Disciplines are simply practices that train in faithfulness. The is goal of the Study is more toward “formation”, being formed into a faithful follower of Jesus Christ, then is about information, although that is provided as well.
Chapters include topics: “Communication and Communion with God: Approaches to Prayer”, “Gathered and the Spirit: Our Common Worship” and “The Practice of Self-Emptying: Rediscovering the Fast.”
Class Leaders: Ben Devoid and Hutch Hutchins
Meeting Time: Tuesdays from 7:15am to 8:15am (beginning January 8th, and ending March 9)
Men’s Bible Study
Join some of our Methodist men for a bible study on Wednesday evenings, from 8:00pm to 9:00pm, following the Wonderful Wednesday evening programs. The group concluded their first study in late November, Wild at Heart: Discovering the Secret of Man’s Soul by John Eldredge.
The group will meet January 23rd in the board room to determine their next curriculum to study. Please contact Mike Standley if you are interested in participating in their class.
Class Leader: Mike Standley
Meeting Time: Wednesdays from 8:00pm to 9:00pm
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