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Join the church-wide Transforming small group study
February 2 - March 16! Get complete info here.
Small
groups are the heartbeat of Hope! Small group participants
meet together on a regular basis to learn together, laugh
together, play together, pray together, party together,
serve together and cry together. In other words, they do
life together! Small groups are all about connecting people
with each other, with Christ, and with opportunities to
make a difference in our community and beyond.
Find
more info and browse small groups.
*This link will take you to another Web site.
Links back to Hope's Web site will be on the bottom
of the page.
Click
below to learn more about the Small Groups Ministries of
Hope:
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Starting
Point is an ideal 10-week small group environment for those with
questions about faith and those who want to learn more about the
Bible and Christianity. Who exactly is it for?
What is the mission?
To lead
seekers, starters, and returners into a growing relationship with
Jesus Christ by creating an open and accepting environment where
they can experience a taste of community.
How
do I get into a group?
You must first attend
an orientation. At the orientation, you will hear all about Starting
Point, have an opportunity to sign up for a group, and purchase
your materials.
For more info and/or
to confirm orientation dates/times, contact Steve Ellis at steve@gethope.net
or 532.0620.
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For
where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there
in their midst."
- Matthew 18:20 NKJV
They
devoted themselves to the apostles teaching and to the fellowship,
to the breaking
of bread, and to prayer. All the believers were together and had
everything in common.
Every day they continued to meet together... they broke bread
in their homes and ate
together... and the Lord added to their number daily those who
were being saved."
Acts 2:42, 44, 46-47
Every church our size
inevitably loses its sense of personal closeness and intimacy
at its large weekend services. That's where small groups come
in.
Ever since the first
church in Jerusalem (with more than 3000 members), small groups
have been God's design for ministering to individual needs and
growing individual disciples. Hope's commitment to "transform
people into fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ" is best
nurtured in groups of five to fifteen people who meet regularly
to pray, study God's Word and encourage one another to maximize
their Christian life. In a small group, your needs can be shared
and cared for, and your giftedness and ministry skills can be
unleashed!
'Need more reasons to
be involved in a community group? Here's eight great ones!
- You will understand the Bible better in a small group.
If you've ever listened to a Bible teacher or preacher and wanted
to stop that person and say, "But what about...?"
or "I don´t understand!" Then, a small group
is for you! Preaching and teaching is one way communication.
You listen while the speaker speaks. It´s fine for imparting
knowledge, but not as effective for personal application as
a small group. In a small group setting you can ask questions,
participate in a discussion of the text, and hear others share
insights and illustrations of the truth you are trying to grasp.
Small groups exist to help facilitate Biblical application to
your personal situation.
- You will feel like you're really a part of God's family.
Most people who have been a part of a group say the greatest
benefit is the close relationships and friendships that develop.
They will frequently telephone each other during the week to
share an urgent prayer request or an exciting answer. You´ll
discover that your needs and problems are not unique; we´re
all in the same boat. It helps to know that others are facing
the same difficulties, or have lived through them and learned
spiritual principles in the process.
Over fifty times in the New Testament the phrase "one another"
is used to describe our relationship to other believers. We
are instructed to love one another, encourage one another, pray
for one another, accept one another, bear one another´s
burdens, and build up one another. The only way you can obey
these commands is in a small group! We really do need each other.
God never meant for you to go it alone in the Christian life.
If you´re lonely, the answer to your problem is to join
a group.
- Prayer will become more meaningful to you.
Many people are hesitant to pray in front of others, especially
in a large church. In a small group of 5 to 15, you will learn
to participate in prayer by having a conversation together with
God. No one is pressured to pray, but as you become comfortable,
you´ll be able to pray sentence prayers and join in. There
are many promises in the Bible related to group prayer. In praying
together with a few others, we are drawn together and we find
answers to the needs in our lives.
- You will be able to handle stress and pressure better.
Small groups provide excellent support in times of crisis, change,
and stress. You´ll have a sense of stability and security
knowing there are people who really care for you and are committed
to standing with you. When someone loses a job, or a family
member has an extended illness, or a mother needs a babysitter
- these are practical needs that will be naturally taken care
of through your small group. Your group will coordinate and
deliver hot meals to you if your family is in need. Many people
in our church could testify that they would not have made it
through a difficult time if it hadn´t been for the support
of their group. In addition, we have a number of special support
groups that deal with problems like alcoholism, financial difficulty,
abuse, and other needs.
- You will have a natural way to share Christ with others.
It may be that some of your friends who don´t know the
Lord wouldn´t be caught dead in a church. They have a
preconceived idea and just the thought makes them defensive.
But those same people may be open to an invitation to a casual
Bible discussion in a home or office setting. In a small group,
your unbelieving friend can ask questions and express honest
doubts without feeling "put on the spot". When your
friend sees the love and warmth and honesty of your group, it
will make him more receptive to the Good News.
- You will develop your undeveloped leadership skills.
The Bible teaches that every believer is given certain talents
or "gifts" to benefit others in the family of God.
Unfortunately most Christians remain as Sunday morning spectators
all their lives because large group meetings are primarily "sit
and listen" situations. As you share and participate in
a relaxed small group setting, you´ll discover your confidence
and self-esteem rising. This will help you at work, at church,
and in every other relationship.
- You will deepen your understanding of worship.
Many believers mistakenly believe that worship can only happen
on Sunday mornings in large group with a sermon and a praise
team! But, worship happens anytime we focus on God. Sometimes
that happens best in a smaller group while praying or singing
together. At Hope, we even allow the leaders of each group to
serve the Lord´s Supper whenever the group wants to have
a communion service.
- You will be a New Testament Christian!
The book of Acts is very clear about how God intends for his
people to grow and have their needs met in the church. We will
never be able to hire enough professional pastors to meet all
the individual needs in our church family. God never intended
for it to be that way!
You are
encouraged to find a small group that's right for you and join!
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