(from Discipleship Journal magazine)

Quick tips for increasing the value of the Bible in your small group:

• Begin your time in Scripture with a prayer that reminds you of what you’re reading (e.g. “Lord, this is Your Word, and we are Your people. Open our ears to hear what You want to say to us right now.”)
• Stand as you read.
• Make a bookmark for your Bible with a verse that reminds you whose Word it is (e.g. Ps. 119:160; Is. 40:8; 2 Tim. 3:16).
• After you read a passage–and before you start to study it, teach it, or respond to it–say quietly, “These are the very words of God.”

——————————————————————————————-

To encourage personal application, ask group members to come up with a lesson learned, an action to take, and a person to tell.

——————————————————————————————-

How to turn conversations with unbelievers to spiritual matters:

• Do you ever think about spiritual things?
• Where would you say you are in your spiritual journey?
• Have you ever made the discovery of knowing Jesus Christ in a personal way?
• If you could be sure there is a God, would you want to know Him?
• How do you think someone becomes a Christian?
• Can I share the thing that has been most important to me as a mom/dad/boss/etc.?
• Most people in America say they believe in God. What does believing in God mean to you?
• How would you describe your view of God? of Jesus?
• What do you think happens when you die?

– an article from LifeTogether.com
5 ways to get everyone committed to contributing to your group
 

1. When you ask the first question, you should answer it first. When you’re done, simply ask, “How about somebody else?”
2. Don’t rush responses, but learn to enjoy silence. Wait patiently with roaming eye contact. You might count to 7 or say, “I can wait longer than you!”
3. As soon as someone says anything, affirm their response, whether it is a great answer or a one-word response. Make it safe for people to share their thoughts.
4. Ask for volunteers to read the Bible passage or a paragraph from a book. But don’t put anyone on the spot unless you know they don’t mind reading.
5. Pass the baton to another member to host the group next time. This will scare his or her socks off but grow his or her faith as a result.

 Remember, God’s dream for each of your group members really is that over time each will grow to shepherd other people. The start they often need is simply reading in the group; then down the road they might facilitate a circle of three or four people for prayer. Eventually, Lord willing, some of them will go on to leading a group or mentoring a new believer.

A spattering of leaders, both new and veteran, give us a peek into their hearts and their small group ministry. Enjoy reading about Steve/Debbie Gatherer,  Gilbert/Winnie Chan (co-leading with Terry/Brenda Smith), Eric/Lisa Nilson, and Blaine/Rachal Carr.

1.      How long have you been leading a small group, and what was the determining factor in taking the plunge of leadership?

S/D: Since Sept 07, because we both had gained so much help from Joseph Christopher’s “Covenant Marriage” class a couple of years ago, that we felt we might be in a position to encourage couples in their marriages.

G/W: We’ve been leading the current group officially on 2/28/08.  Brenda and Winnie were talking about how a number of the parents of middle schoolers attending grow groups were not in small groups themselves, including ours.  So we wanted to test the waters and see if others would like to form a group with us during the same time as the M.S. grow groups.

E/L: I have been leading a small group for 3 years. Before that I was an assistant for 3 or 4.

B/R: We have been small group leaders for the past 7 years.  We were
part of a large group that needed to multiply and did not have assistant leaders in place so we saw a big need and went after it.

2.      What has been one of the most rewarding things about leading thus far?

S/D: The passion that everyone has in doing their lessons each week, building on conversations, willingness to trust in us as leaders, their wanting to make their marriages better instead of just giving up.

G/W: Seeing the neat people God is drawing together for spiritual growth and friendship.

E/L: Seeing individuals and families grow in Christ. It has been so fulfilling to see people’s relationships with Christ in their infancy grow through childhood and beyond. It is just like watching your own children grow.

Blaine: One of the most rewarding things about leading is
witnessing the spiritual growth in the group members.  Rachal: It is
rewarding to see all the strong relationships our family has made at
Bethel as a result of being involved in the small group ministry.

3.      What has been one of the hardest challenges about leading thus far?

S/D: Spiritual attack has been a difficult thing to come up against.

Winnie - keeping in touch with group members during the week on personal level.

E/L: The realization that a critical part of demonstrating Christ’s love, is to also provide Christ like discipline and rebuke, which unfortunately may not be received well by the Believer.

Blaine: My biggest challenge definitely is managing my expectations
regarding both my leadership and capabilities of others at any given time.
A good rule of thumb that unfortunately I forget at times is you are
never as good or bad as you think you are.  Rachal: My biggest
challenge is managing the group size and childcare logistics.  We want
to be inviting and accomodating and yet preserve group intimacy and or course keep our sanity.

4.      What’s the basic flow for how you lead a small group meeting?

S/D: We open at 6:30-6:45 with fellowship, we sometimes have a mixer (not always), we get right into the lesson of our book which takes us to 8:15ish then we pray. (every couple of weeks or so we break into men & women to have more concentrated time together) we try every 6-8 weeks to have a date night, but some homework assignments include dates as well.

G/W: Light refreshment and  social time
Ice breaker
Just started sharing testimony
Kids go off for a short teaching time while
Parents have opening prayer (adoration and silent confession) and                 Discuss sermon questions
Closing Prayer (thanksgiving and supllication)

E/L: Creating and maintaining an environment of openness and acceptance, all the while staying focused on Christ’s teachings through prayer, study, sharing of testimonies and fellowship. We look for opportunities to reach out and help each other and those around our groups by way of extended family and friends, as well as other outreach opportunities.

B/R: An average evening consists of an icebreaker, worship,
announcements, study, prayer/sharing, followed by fellowship

5.      What’s working as to connecting with your members?

S/D: Finding out what their needs are and meeting with some one-on-one. Being interested in their lives outside of group.

G/W: Working together on ShareFest.  Discussions have been good.

E/L: My group desires fellowship for connection (one on one, group and other outreach activities where we can connect with each other and others simultaneously.)

B/R: We have found informal social events to be the best time to connect
with group members.  There has also been deeper connections made when
we split into men and women groups for our study or prayer time.

6.      Just for fun, if you were a vehicle, which one would you be and why?

S/D: No idea.

Gilbert would be his Acura Integra hatchback, versatile and faithful.  Winnie would be a Toyota sedan-small, family-sized, reliable and hardworking but not high-powered (though quite a bit of enthusiasm and commitment).  If pets take on the looks of their owners after a long period, maybe people take on the characteristics of their vehicles (or only keep ones like themselves for long periods).

E: SUV, can be used for anything; may not be the best choice for some things, but will get the job done regardless of the terrain.

Blaine: I would have to choose a pickup because I like to carry
heavy loads and blaze my own trails and of course I have a big appetite for fuel.
Rachal: Definitely a mini-van because I’m practical, versatile, and
kid-friendly.  Coincidently, these are the two vehicles we own.

As this small group year goes into the home stretch, Bethel’s leadership wants to celebrate you with an appreciation dinner, wants to inspire you with the Bethel vision for the fall, and wants to hear from you as to how you and your group have pursued Jesus more deeply in the past year.

All this starts at 6:00 p.m. on Sunday night, May 18, in the fellowship hall, and it’s for all women’s, men’s, Growth & Healing, and GROW group leaders, and their assitants! The whole gang will be there!  We need to know if you are coming with an RSVP to debbie.gatherer@bethel-church.org (and if you need childcare to krisheena.mason@bethel-church.org) by May 13 (oh, go ahead and let us know now– teehee).

I heard there’s a Donnie and Connie sighting too (if you were there at the LCE back in September, this is the wacky redneck couple)!

Ask your group to think about 3 rules that they absolutely live by and refuse to break for anyone, anytime. After you have given them a few minutes, ask them to share their rules. Then have a discussion about why it is difficult or easy to come up with 3 rules to live by.

To be an effective leader, you have to value people. All your people–especially the ones that make the facilities look great–even if you don’t see them at work. We think our Bethel custodial team rocks and want to highlight their behind-the-scenes service. Melody Hall, Micah Stewart, and Marilyn Hoover reply to the Sower’s questions:

1. How long have you been working at Bethel, and what are the main roles you do around the property?

MH: I started doing custodial November of 2000! Main roles….if i see/find messes, clean ‘em! Bathrooms, main foyer, offices, hosp room, back stage, well….all over the church actually! Just keep things orderly, supplies filled and things picked up, keep the windows clean as possible!

MS: I have been working for about 4 years, I don’t remember exactly.

MaH:  I have been at Bethel for over 5 years now. I started when Bethel opened the new fellowship hall wing. I am responsible for keeping the fellowship hall area clean, which includes the espresso cafe, kitchen, the breezeway, the outdoor patio, the bathrooms, in the fellowship hall, office and the upstairs one, and all the fellowship breakout rooms.

2. What’s the best thing about working at the church, and why?

MH: There are many great things about working at Bethel…one would be the really cool people I get to see on a daily basis; another is the opportunity to serve the Lord and His kids–and the flexible hours are pretty cool too!

MS: The people I am with, because everyone here is great, staff and others.

MaH:  The best job is cleaning the toilets, not really. The best thing about working at the church is there is great satisfaction in knowing that when people come to Bethel that it is a place where we take pride in by keeping the church clean. I know God is watching and when I get to heaven I want God to say well done faithful servant by keeping my house clean. One of the other things I like about working at the church is all the people  I work with.

3. What’s God been doing in your life lately? How’s He been speaking to you?

MH: To simply trust Him in all things and in all ways. Not to fear when He asks me to do something that I wouldn’t normally do on my own.

MS: Lately God has been working to make me more humble and leading me to reach out to people that don’t have anyone around them that will influence them in the right way.

MaH: God is showing me that I need to rely on Him and not myself and to keep sharing my faith so that I can be that vessel that can reach out to those who don’t know the Lord. The Lord keeps telling me that He loves me just the way I am.

4. What’s your favorite way to personally slow down and relax?

MH: Oh, that is easy, I LOVE to make cards of all kinds and scrapbook too. Being with my family and friends is very special to me too!

MS: Finishing all my homework

MaH: I slow down by laying back and reading and I love my Sunday afternoon naps.

5. What’s your favorite thing to do with your family/spouse?

MH: My family really enjoys playing games together! Ever since my kids were little we would play games! Now that my kids are married, the tradition continues! That is a blessing!

MS: Eat, play games

MaH: Family vacations at Twin Lakes are the best. I also enjoy hitting golf balls, swimming and floating down the Yakima with my husband.

6. How can we be praying for you?

MH: That I would continue to grow closer and closer to Jesus…..I am a high school cluster leader for a group of wonderful high school girls…pray that I lead them well! I also serve in the Kid’s Express Preschool as an assistant teacher, pray that I would daily love the kids in my class as the Lord would have me love them!

MS: Pray that I can be an example to others in that Christ is working in me, and that God will give me opportunities to reach others and knowledge of how.

MaH: Please pray that as a wife of a non believer, that by my actions Jim will come to know the Lord and that God will give me the boldness I need in sharing my faith.

Learn more about this and then spread the word!  Go to: http://ied.gospelcom.net

One hundred Bethel men have already signed up for this inspirational event, which takes the place of the annual men’s retreat. Cost is $39 without lunch and $47 with lunch. Register now and recruit a guy to come with!

Keynote Speakers
Rick Kingham

Rick Kingham currently serves as President of National Coalition of Men’s Ministry (NCMM), a network of ministries representing over half of the churches in America. He previously served as Senior Pastor of Overlake Christian Church. Rick was formerly a Vice President of Promise Keepers, having been one of the original 72 men who began the ministry.

Napolean Kaufman

From the playing fields of Lompoc High School in California, Napoleon Kaufman went on to play football at The University of Washington. A two-time college All-American and Heisman Trophy candidate he became a first round draft pick for the Los Angeles Raiders. His professional football career catapulted him to elite status as a “premier” NFL running back, but Sunday afternoons with the NFL did not hold his passion for long. In response to the call of God, Napoleon retired from professional football and today is the Senior Pastor of The Well Christian Community in Dublin, California. He hosts a weekly television program and is a popular speaker at conferences and retreats around the country. Pastor Napoleon and his wife have four children.
www.thewellchurch.net

You can subscribe to these daily Purpose Driven Life devotionals at  dailydevotionals@purposedrivenlife.com

God gives us strength to be content. This is an important spiritual truth to learn because if wealth, good looks, or the seemingly perfect spouse brought lasting contentment, then Hollywood would be filled with some of the most content and happy people on earth. But it’s not.
What does this mean?

• Don’t compare yourself to others – When you compare your life with someone else’s, the only place it can lead is discontent. There will always be people who appear to be better off than you, but you don’t know their real circumstances.

I recall counseling a husband many years ago, who said he wished his wife could be more like so-and-so, and he named a woman in our congregation. What he didn’t know was that the woman was an alcoholic who was causing awful heartache and stress for her family and her husband. That’s why the Bible says it is unwise to compare ourselves with others or even with ourselves! (2 Corinthians 10:12)

• Be grateful for who you are and what you have – Learning to be content requires that you stop any “when and then” thinking – “When I am ___________, then I’ll be happy.” (You fill in the blank.) You may actually be content for a little while but then someone else or something else will come along and drain the contentment from your life.

But listen – you are unique. God created you to be like nobody else, so why would you want to be anyone else? God is perfect, and you were his perfect choice to be you! Understanding that is a huge step toward being content with your life.

And then look at all the things God has given you. So often we allow what we don’t have to dominate our focus to the point we forget the many, wonderful things we already have – not only material things, but far more important blessings, such as family and friends.

• Give yourself to others – If you will begin giving yourself to others, sharing what things you do have, sharing your time and your talents, you will find yourself learning to be content. Helping others will give you an appreciation for what you have and who you are but, more importantly, you will find yourself growing in contentment. Why? Because God designed us to serve and share with others and until we do that, we will feel great discontent.

• Focus on things with eternal value – The real secret to becoming content is to focus on the things that have eternal value. It may be a familiar teaching to you, but Jesus said we should store up our treasures in heaven, and not on earth “where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.” (Matthew 6:19–21, NIV)

Think about the things in your life – What will last forever? What will last at least for your lifetime? What will last only a few short years, or months, or days? Based on eternal value, what things are most important in your life? Where – and with whom – should you invest your most time and energy?
By reorganizing your life around eternal priorities, you will find yourself growing in contentment, as you live according to God’s design and purpose.

Pastor Jon Walker is a writer for www.GraceCreates.com.

“Olympic Families: Champions Play Together” is the theme of our 5th annual Family Camp at Ghormley Meadows. Families with all-aged kids will enjoy the fun and food at Ghormley on Friday evening, May 30 through Sunday noon, June 1.

Activities include archery, hiking, frisbee golf, campfires, the Zip line, high/low ropes course, and our annual massive Capture the Flag game!  This year we are adding canoeing as our newest activity, along with new games and our speaker Todd Kleppin from Central Church here in town.

Registration has begun and goes through April 30. Pick up a flyer at the foyer table this Sunday and/or pay your deposit there. $70 for ages 13 and up; $35 for ages 7-12, and ages 6 and under are free. Includes lodge-living, food, a T-shirt and all activities.