January is the perfect time to be a part of a Growth Growth.
Pastor Rick Warren would like you to consider six reasons
to be a part of a small group.....
1. A Growth Group moves me out of a self-centered
isolation. It's a lab for practicing unselfish, sympathetic
love. It's a classroom for learning how to get along in
God's family. You learn how to care about others and
share the experiences of others. It's biblical! 1 Cor. 12:26,
Eph. 4:16, Rom. 12: 4-5, Col. 2:19, and 1 Cor. 12:25.
2. A Growth Group helps me develop spiritual
muscle. Being a passive spectator by just attending
worship services will never help us grow to spiritual
maturity. Eph. 4:16 tells the story. If you want to
develop your spiritual muscles be sure to give them
a regular workout by participating in a small group!
Isolation breeds self-deception because we go
unchallenged. Real maturity shows up in relationships.
3. A Growth Group confirms my identity as a
genuine believer. "I can't claim to be following
Christ if I'm not committed to any specific group of
disciples." John 13:35, Gal. 3:28, John 17:21
1 Cor. 12:27 When we come together in love as a
small group from different backgrounds, it's a witness
to the world.
4. A Growth Group is the best way to share my
God-given mission to the world. Think of the model
that Jesus shared with us. Even he had a small group.
Together, we are to spread and share the Good News.
We are his hands, feet, eyes and heart. Eph. 2:10.
5. A Growth Group will keep me from spiritually
backsliding. We help to keep each other on track.
Hebrews 3:13 tells us to 'Encourage one another
daily...so that none of you may be hardened by
sin's deceitfulness.'
6. The Body of Christ needs me! God has a unique
role for each of us to play in his family. This is called
your 'ministry' and God has gifted each of us for
this assignment. 1 Cor. 12:7. Your Growth Group is
the place God designed for you to discover, develop
and use your spiritual gifts and talents.
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Saturday, November 10, 2012
Micah 6:8 Shoe Box Style
We've come a long way over the years with
our shoe box numbers and our strategy to get
the job done but one thing that has never changed
is the blessings shared and received for the
givers and the receivers!
This year two Growth Groups joined together to
complete our Micah 6:8 projects. We inspected,
sorted, and packed more than 400 shoe boxes,
donated by members of New Life Church,
to be delivered for Operation Christmas Child.
This year we ordered the official Go Boxes and they
certainly made things so much easier than when
we first started back in 2001 raiding our closets
for available shoe boxes to fill and wrap!
Through people's cash donations and bags of
extra goodies, we work filling lots of additional
boxes.
Samaritan's Purse shipping cartons have really
helped with the packing for shipping. Our guys did
a great job assembling, packing and tracking our shoe
box count! By the time we finished, we had filled 28
cartons with 428 shoe boxes from the New Life
Church family and friends.
Check out our teams at work!
Friday morning a new team gathered at church to
load the trailer for delivery!
They may look a bit young but let me assure
you, they are strong and very eager to help!
This special team is Pastor Paul and Ann's
grandchildren visiting from Costa Rica!
The trailer fully loaded, we all headed out to make
our final delivery for the season.
A special 'Thank you' to everyone who helped us
make this another great success. Each shoebox
if filled with so much more than mere toys, treats
and school supplies. Each box is filled with love,
the love of the person who packed it and the love
of God! It doesn't get any better than that!
our shoe box numbers and our strategy to get
the job done but one thing that has never changed
is the blessings shared and received for the
givers and the receivers!
This year two Growth Groups joined together to
complete our Micah 6:8 projects. We inspected,
sorted, and packed more than 400 shoe boxes,
donated by members of New Life Church,
to be delivered for Operation Christmas Child.
This year we ordered the official Go Boxes and they
certainly made things so much easier than when
we first started back in 2001 raiding our closets
for available shoe boxes to fill and wrap!
Through people's cash donations and bags of
extra goodies, we work filling lots of additional
boxes.
Samaritan's Purse shipping cartons have really
helped with the packing for shipping. Our guys did
a great job assembling, packing and tracking our shoe
box count! By the time we finished, we had filled 28
cartons with 428 shoe boxes from the New Life
Church family and friends.
Check out our teams at work!
Friday morning a new team gathered at church to
load the trailer for delivery!
They may look a bit young but let me assure
you, they are strong and very eager to help!
This special team is Pastor Paul and Ann's
grandchildren visiting from Costa Rica!
The trailer fully loaded, we all headed out to make
our final delivery for the season.
make this another great success. Each shoebox
if filled with so much more than mere toys, treats
and school supplies. Each box is filled with love,
the love of the person who packed it and the love
of God! It doesn't get any better than that!
Sunday, November 4, 2012
Paraphrase It!
The members of our Growth Group are sharing an
exciting adventure together and we're seeing people
change and grow right before our very eyes! Last night
we watched with delight as God continued His great
work in a member of our group during our discussion
time while learning about the Paraphrase method
of Bible meditation. As we read Hebrews 4:12 over
and over again, thinking about what God was saying to
each of us and putting it into our own words, we
witnessed as God spoke to one gal's very pressing and
personal needs and provided comfort, and reassurance
that He is always with her, at her side, no matter what!
Watching her catch this message that was so personal to
her was inspiring. We Listened as she prayed aloud,
feeling safe and accepted. After a while longer as we
hugged and said our 'good-byes', we agreed that we
are thankful for the opportunity to spend time getting to
know one another and God so much better!
By the way, I checked in with our 'gal' today and she is
still 'pumped' by the work that God did in her last night!
We are truly blessed!
exciting adventure together and we're seeing people
change and grow right before our very eyes! Last night
we watched with delight as God continued His great
work in a member of our group during our discussion
time while learning about the Paraphrase method
of Bible meditation. As we read Hebrews 4:12 over
and over again, thinking about what God was saying to
each of us and putting it into our own words, we
witnessed as God spoke to one gal's very pressing and
personal needs and provided comfort, and reassurance
that He is always with her, at her side, no matter what!
Watching her catch this message that was so personal to
her was inspiring. We Listened as she prayed aloud,
feeling safe and accepted. After a while longer as we
hugged and said our 'good-byes', we agreed that we
are thankful for the opportunity to spend time getting to
know one another and God so much better!
By the way, I checked in with our 'gal' today and she is
still 'pumped' by the work that God did in her last night!
We are truly blessed!
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Probe It!
One of the things that I love about this Rick Warren study
of '40 Days in the Word' is the weekly introductory information
like last weeks' teaching about how to enjoy 'quiet time'
with the Lord! This week our memory verse James 1:22
sets the stage as we learn that Bible study without application
in our lives is dangerous! You read right, it's dangerous
because it can lead to pride and arrogance.
Applying the Bible is hard work but the Holy Spirit
provides the strength, determination and will power
needed to press through to apply the truth and make
the needed adjustments in our own lives."The challenge
in Bible application is to discover the eternal
truths that never change, and then apply them in a world
that is always changing."
The Probe It! method of Bible meditation by applying
S.P.A.C.E.P.E.T.S.questions.....
S- Is there a sin to confess?
P- Is there a promise to claim?
A- Is there an attitude to change?
C- Is there a command to obey?
E- Is there an example to follow?
P- Is there a prayer to pray?
E- Is there an error to avoid?
T- Is there a truth to believe?
S- Is there something to praise God for?
Write down your thoughts and applications! Notice
that every phrase in S.P.A.C.E.P.E.T.S. contains a
verb! That means that we're expected to take action!
of '40 Days in the Word' is the weekly introductory information
like last weeks' teaching about how to enjoy 'quiet time'
with the Lord! This week our memory verse James 1:22
sets the stage as we learn that Bible study without application
in our lives is dangerous! You read right, it's dangerous
because it can lead to pride and arrogance.
Applying the Bible is hard work but the Holy Spirit
provides the strength, determination and will power
needed to press through to apply the truth and make
the needed adjustments in our own lives."The challenge
in Bible application is to discover the eternal
truths that never change, and then apply them in a world
that is always changing."
The Probe It! method of Bible meditation by applying
S.P.A.C.E.P.E.T.S.questions.....
S- Is there a sin to confess?
P- Is there a promise to claim?
A- Is there an attitude to change?
C- Is there a command to obey?
E- Is there an example to follow?
P- Is there a prayer to pray?
E- Is there an error to avoid?
T- Is there a truth to believe?
S- Is there something to praise God for?
Write down your thoughts and applications! Notice
that every phrase in S.P.A.C.E.P.E.T.S. contains a
verb! That means that we're expected to take action!
What a Team!
Meet our Growth Group team for the fall 2012 quarter!
You might recognize some familiar faces and notice some new ones!
L to R: Paul & Pam Gionet, Kristi McIntyre, Darlene Ouellette,
Brian & Laurie Babcock, Sally Dyer and Danielle Caron.
Last week we met new Believer and Kristi's beau
Colonel Ryan Voss! Colonel (his name) joined us for the
first time! Welcome Colonel and Congratulations for your
your new life in Christ!
Our study of Rick Warren's '40 Day...' has really been exciting!
We're learning lots and enjoying great discussions. All Growth
Groups have been challenged to complete a Micah 6:8 project
and we are excited to once again fill, sort and pack shoe boxes
for Operation Christmas Child. I'll post pictures after our
Dedication Sunday, early in November!
L to R: Paul & Pam Gionet, Kristi McIntyre, Darlene Ouellette,
Brian & Laurie Babcock, Sally Dyer and Danielle Caron.
Colonel Ryan Voss! Colonel (his name) joined us for the
first time! Welcome Colonel and Congratulations for your
your new life in Christ!
Our study of Rick Warren's '40 Day...' has really been exciting!
We're learning lots and enjoying great discussions. All Growth
Groups have been challenged to complete a Micah 6:8 project
and we are excited to once again fill, sort and pack shoe boxes
for Operation Christmas Child. I'll post pictures after our
Dedication Sunday, early in November!
Monday, October 15, 2012
' Picture It'
I love surprises, don't you? Though 'Picture It' is the focus of the second method of Bible meditation, Pastor Warren surprised us by starting this weeks' session with how to best enjoy Quiet Time with God. Our Growth Group discussion revealed that carving out the time each and every day to read and study the Word was often a real challenge for us, so we appreciated the simple plan Pastor Warren provided. "Seek first His kingdom and righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." Rev. 6:33. What does that mean to you? The word seek is so important because it directs us to make drawing close to God our #1 priority and it implies that we need to take action.
God deserves and desires our devotion! As we turn to God and give Him our devotion, we get direction, we gain delight in God and we grow more like God! Have you struggled with quiet time? It seems that once my feet hit the floor every morning, my day can take on a life of it's own so I have made a daily commitment to dive into the Word early while enjoying my first cup of coffee before the phone starts ringing and I begin working on my To Do list. What's your Quiet Time action plan? Don't have one? Why not start today?
I love this this simple plan for Quiet Time! If this is new to you, start small 5-10 minutes!
* Wait on God (quiet and still)
* Pray briefly (short opening prayer)
* Slowly read a section of Scripture (aloud if possible)
* Meditate and memorize
* Write down what God shows you
* Have your time of prayer
The 'Picture It" method of Bible meditation works best when you're reading a narrative, story or parable. Imagine what the scene looked like and try to see yourself as one of the active participants. What would I be thinking about and feeling as the scene played out? What character do I identify with? What is God saying to me and what does He want me to do? When finished meditating about this, jot down your thoughts, observations, questions and any other action steps you need to take.
I hope that you're enjoying the techniques being shared in this series as they reveal how we can each enjoy a very close, personal experience with God!
Posted by:
Sally Dyer
God deserves and desires our devotion! As we turn to God and give Him our devotion, we get direction, we gain delight in God and we grow more like God! Have you struggled with quiet time? It seems that once my feet hit the floor every morning, my day can take on a life of it's own so I have made a daily commitment to dive into the Word early while enjoying my first cup of coffee before the phone starts ringing and I begin working on my To Do list. What's your Quiet Time action plan? Don't have one? Why not start today?
I love this this simple plan for Quiet Time! If this is new to you, start small 5-10 minutes!
* Wait on God (quiet and still)
* Pray briefly (short opening prayer)
* Slowly read a section of Scripture (aloud if possible)
* Meditate and memorize
* Write down what God shows you
* Have your time of prayer
The 'Picture It" method of Bible meditation works best when you're reading a narrative, story or parable. Imagine what the scene looked like and try to see yourself as one of the active participants. What would I be thinking about and feeling as the scene played out? What character do I identify with? What is God saying to me and what does He want me to do? When finished meditating about this, jot down your thoughts, observations, questions and any other action steps you need to take.
I hope that you're enjoying the techniques being shared in this series as they reveal how we can each enjoy a very close, personal experience with God!
Posted by:
Sally Dyer
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
The Start of Our 40 Day Journey
Welcome to our Growth Group blog. If it's your first ever visit or your first visit in a while, why not take a look around? You'll discover a wide variety of postings dating back to 2009! Our blog has provided us with a perfect way to share our memories of special occasions like birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, service projects, study topics and so much more. We'd love to read your Comments! It's easy! Type your comment, along with your name, in the box provided at the end of my post. Comment as Anonymous. Hit Preview just in case you'd like to make any edits, then Publish.
Over the next few weeks, we'll detail information about the '40 Day Journey'. Pastor Rick Warren says that "No other habit can do more to transform your life and make you more like Jesus than to study and act upon God's Word." We'll learn six techniques of Bible meditation to increase our knowledge as we study the Bible and we hope that you'll check in here regularly to get an update. This last Friday, we started Session One PRONOUNCE IT! The memory verse for Week One is "Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly. " Colossians 3:16a . Pastor Rick Warren, through a DVD, tells us that "the ultimate purpose of the Bible is not to inform us, it is to transform us. God doesn't want us to just be hearer's of the Word, He wants us to be doers of the Word- living gospels- sharing the good news of Jesus Christ not only in our words, but in our lives." The 'Pronounce it" method of Bible meditation is simple. Why not try it? Read this weeks memory verse over and over again, but emphasize each word in the verse one at a time. After each word, stop and write down your thoughts, even if it's just a word or two. Now look at your life through the lens of this verse. How does this truth apply to your life today? After you have thought about an application, write it down. Then finish your time by talking to God about what He said to you in His Word.
During the next 40 days, strive to spend quiet time with God every day and love, learn and live God's Word!
Posted by Sally Dyer
Group Ministry Coach
Over the next few weeks, we'll detail information about the '40 Day Journey'. Pastor Rick Warren says that "No other habit can do more to transform your life and make you more like Jesus than to study and act upon God's Word." We'll learn six techniques of Bible meditation to increase our knowledge as we study the Bible and we hope that you'll check in here regularly to get an update. This last Friday, we started Session One PRONOUNCE IT! The memory verse for Week One is "Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly. " Colossians 3:16a . Pastor Rick Warren, through a DVD, tells us that "the ultimate purpose of the Bible is not to inform us, it is to transform us. God doesn't want us to just be hearer's of the Word, He wants us to be doers of the Word- living gospels- sharing the good news of Jesus Christ not only in our words, but in our lives." The 'Pronounce it" method of Bible meditation is simple. Why not try it? Read this weeks memory verse over and over again, but emphasize each word in the verse one at a time. After each word, stop and write down your thoughts, even if it's just a word or two. Now look at your life through the lens of this verse. How does this truth apply to your life today? After you have thought about an application, write it down. Then finish your time by talking to God about what He said to you in His Word.
During the next 40 days, strive to spend quiet time with God every day and love, learn and live God's Word!
Posted by Sally Dyer
Group Ministry Coach
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