The Bible teaches that followers of Christ experience spiritual growth in the context of community. God did not make us to learn in isolation; we need each other if we are to become spiritually mature. In Growth Groups we are able to take the next step in growing deeper relationships with God and others. Join a Growth Group so that you can discover for yourself what it means to be Learning in Community. Sign up below, in the Narthex, or by using a Connection Card during worship.
The Growth Group Committee
Spring 2013 Growth Groups
Seven weeks: Sunday, April 14 through the week of Sunday, May 26.
Group #1. - Nooma
Sunday, 9:45-10:45 a.m.
Jesus lived with the awareness that God is doing something, right here, right now, and anybody can be a part of it. Wherever he went, whatever he did, Jesus started discussions about what matters most, because for Jesus, God is always inviting us to open our eyes and join in. NOOMA is a series of short films that explore our world from a perspective of Jesus, inviting us to search, question, and join the discussion. Each video features the well-known and (in some circles) controversial Pastor Rob Bell, author of Velvet Elvis, Love Wins, and other books on living the Christian faith. No participant materials are required. Group Facilitator: Paige Bolton.
Group #2. - Exploring Romans
Sunday, 9:45-10:45 a.m.
Journey inside the pages of the Apostle Paul’s great letter to the church at Rome and meet a personal God who enters individual lives and begins a creative work from the inside out. Immersion remains true to Scripture but always asks “Where are you in your life? What do you struggle with? What makes you rejoice?“ Each week, we will prayerfully read (and reflect on the Scripture and then consider (1.) what God is saying to us and (2.) what it means for our lives individually and collectively, as part of the Body of Christ. Participants will need a copy of “Immersion Bible Studies - Romans:” by Lynn H. Cohick, available from Amazon. Group Facilitator: Steve Davis.
Group #3. - Your Spiritual Gifts
Sunday, 9:45-10:45 a.m.
“Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.” (1 Corinthians 12:4-7, NRSV) In accordance with Biblical teaching, this group is designed to help individuals discover their unique spiritual gifts and become involved in gifts-related ministries. A participant book is required at a cost of $16. . Group Facilitator: Marj Lawson.
Group #4. – The Resurrection of Jesus
Sunday, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Looking at various Bible passages and a video series featuring Anglican Jesus Scholar N.T. Wright, this group will explore the meaning of Jesus’ resurrection as both an historical event and a present reality. No participant materials are required. Group Facilitator: Pastor Eric Pasanchin.
Group #5. – Alive! New Testament Study
Monday, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Learn to investigate the meaning of the Bible through Inductive Bible Study. This is a way of working with Scripture that is intentional in trying to hear the message of the Bible on its own terms. It involves a movement from looking at the biblical text to tentative conclusions regarding the meaning of the text. This stands over against a deductive approach which begins with certain presuppositions or assumptions and reads these assumptions or presuppositions into the Bible. The Book of Philemon and the Gospel of John will be the primary texts for the group. Materials will be provided. Group Facilitator: Retired Professor of Education, Donald Rogers, assisted by Pastor Jackie Nowak.
Group #6. – Facing Current Events and Issues as Christians
Wednesday, 6:30 – 8 p.m.
Discuss current issues in society and culture from the point of view of Christian faith. Topics to be covered include: Was the U.S. Founded as a Christian Nation, Racism, Class Warfare, Being Green, and Immigration. Materials will be provided. Group Facilitator: Lois Thorp.
Registration
Other Opportunities for Adult Education
Mom2Mom welcomes new members at any time. This support group for mothers, studying, 99 Ways to Raise Spiritually Healthy Children, by Kathleen Bostrom, meets in the Hospitality room the 2nd and 4th FRIDAY, 9:00-11:00 am. Leadership of this study is shared by group members. Contact Marianne Farmer (lilsugarcreek@gmail.com) for more information. Child care is provided.
Date Night begins each month with a short discussion based upon the material Your Time-Starved Marriage. Child care is provided in the Christian Fellowship Center and the Nursery. Date Night, which meets September – May, is the third Friday of each month, beginning at 6:00 pm. Study leader is Megan Collins (megan@sminster.com).