07.26.2010
Leading a Short-Term Group
by Dane
We’re very excited as we begin to gear up for our fall Short-Term Groups! These are what we called “Galatians Groups” this past winter. They are a six week bible-study experience that centers on discussion of the sermons. A Short-Term Group is like a Test Drive for community, leaders can try out their leadership skills; and people seeking to get plugged into a group can see what it’s like. It is a great way to get to know others and learn more about the theme of the sermon. So many enjoyed our last Short-Term Group series, that we decided to do it again.
One of our Short-Term Groups from the Galatians series.
One of our Short-Term Groups from the Galatians series.
This September, our Short-Term Groups will be discovering together the character of a follower of Jesus.
We want to see over 25 new groups started this fall! In order for that to happen, we need leaders. In order to
lead, you don’t have to be an “expert teacher.” In fact, 90% of our Short-Term Group leaders from last winter
were first time leaders! We will give our leaders the lessons and help them to get started!
We’re looking for people who enjoy others and desire to help them! If you would like to be considered, read over our “Leader 411“
for more detail, and then contact Stephanie Nesbitt to talk further about possibilities.
Stephanie can be reached at: stephanie.nesbitt@the-chapel.org or 330.315.5910
→ If you are interested in attending a group (but not leading), we will begin registrations for that next month!
07.12.2010
good numbers
by Dane
We have good numbers to report to you soon about our Embrace Tomorrow goals.
Celebrate the good things God is doing in the midst of your group! Thanks for serving.
06.24.2010
Short-Term Groups Forms
by Dane
We are beginning to gear up for this fall’s Short-Term Group experience. We’ll be in Luke’s gospel when Jesus gives his best thoughts to those who follow him. He pours into the disciples what kind of character he is looking for. Read Luke 6:12-49.
Our prayer and hope is that 25 groups launch the second week in September. We need your help for the right kind of leaders. I’ve attached our 411 document that explains briefly what we are looking for in a leader. short-term-groups-leader-411
If a you or someone wants to be considered you can download this application and fill it out. Send it back to Stephanie Nesbitt.
shorttermgroupsapp-101 shorttermgroupsapp-10
06.23.2010
We’re in the middle of our summer series called, “What I’m Learning.” I’ve found it’s a great way to use what you’re learning from your own time with Christ. I also like that I have my curriculum already developing. It is easier to find a topic and develop a lesson. I also love that it pushes every one in my group to consider what they are learning from the Bible.
I’ve just been hit by a great verse in Psalm 78. And I’ve been thinking about it a bunch.
This Psalm is a where God’s goodness in a variety of ways is recounted. Four times we are reminded of God’s actions: miracles in Egypt (9-16), food and punishment in the desert (19-31), forgiveness (33-39), promised land (41-55). Each time after God’s kindness is expressed Israel choses continue to rebel and turn their backs on him.
That’s where verse 17 and 18 hit me. “But they continued to sin against him, rebelling in the desert against the Most High. They willfully put God to the test by demanding the food they craved.”
The Lord was providing for them all they needed. It was not enough for them. They demanded that God give them water, meat. They crossed their arms and said, “No More” to God. This is an act of rebellion. The Lord had a course for their life. No it wasn’t easy. Yet it was his journey for them. Israel wanted nothing of it. “We want meat! We want comfort! We don’t want to fight! We don’t want this.”
Israel did not trust God. They did not want the journey the Lord had set for them. Instead they demanded from him everything they wanted. Are we much different? Are we willing to surrender to Christ….everything? He has asked us to trust him. Each of us has difficult steps to take. Everyone’s life has areas of faith. We cannot live outside of a life of faith. It is the way God has designed it. You and I will have areas of discomfort, awkwardness, difficulty, pain, hurt. These are the areas we must trust him in.
If we don’t learn to trust the Lord we will end up demanding. We will take our ball and go home and not deal with him. At those times we say, “Well if that’s the way you play God, I’m out of here.” Demanding is a bad place to be. This text tells us that we are actually rebelling against God.
This demanding can go unnoticed. We can be completely unaware we doing it. Are we demanding the Lord change our kids? …our finances? our job? our spouse? our extended family? our parents? our car?
We can do it better.
Ps 85 tells us a different story of dealing with life’s twists and turns. In this Psalm Israel gets it right. How?
- They remember God’s past actions (1-3)
- They petition him in trust (4-7)
- They remember God’s character (8-13)
In the middle of a trial it is so difficult to remember what God has done in the past in our lives or remember his character. The difficult situation is like a dark cloud that you can’t escape from. It is like a magnet that holds you in the whirlwind of frustration. It takes everything you have to pray and to remember. Yet that is where our hope is at.
May God bless you as work to trust the steps, the life he’s called you to live.
Check this link out below I found below that’s related to this subject. I also have my Powerpoint slides we used this last Sunday. Enjoy.
http://www.mckenziestudycenter.org/bible/articles/testing.html
06.21.2010
Let’s get excited for our big launch for our Short Groups this fall. Nothing comes close to pulling into community, new people from our pews. 90% of attenders of our Gal Grps last January were new to community or were without a group. Nothing comes close to giving newer leaders an opportunity to try out leading. Everyone needs an easy way to start. Short groups give you six weeks to try it out. Hey if you’re no good at it, you probably can’t hurt the Kingdom too badly. …right? :^)
We will launch our groups on Tuesday the 14th of September. The series will be on Luke’s, sermon on the plain. Great issues of loving our neighbors, using what we hear, judging others and more will be discussed. Groups will finish the week of October 17th. Some we are praying will continue on and become a permanent Home Group.
Want to try it out or know of others who should lead? Contact Stephanie at stephanie.nesbitt@the-chapel.org