module 4: small groups · the youth group, to a small group not be committed to christian...
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Module 4: Small Groups Background reading: Toward an Adult Church, A Vision of Faith Formation,
By Jane E. Regan
Handouts: Acts 2:42‐47, Biblical Reflection Wesley’s Faith Formation System River of Life Adult Faith and Discipleship Faith Formation Flow Nurturing Adult Faith and Discipleship (Grid) Nurturing Adult Faith and Discipleship – Guide for Use Blakemore UMC Adult Formation Blakemore UMC Children’s Formation Homework for Module 4
Goals: By the end of Module 4, participants will be able to:
1. Identify needed knowledge and skills for nurturing Christian faith and discipleship 2. Describe various audiences for small groups 3. Assess current small groups and classes offered in your congregation 4. Analyze gaps and set priorities for new small groups and classes
Selected Bibliography and Helpful Web Sites: Glover. Dan & Lavy, Claudia (2006). Deepening your effectiveness: Restructuring the local church for life
transformation. Nashville, TN: Discipleship Resources.
Plant, Marian R (2009). Faith formation in vital congregations. Cleveland, OH: The Pilgrim Press.
Dykstra, Craig (2005). Growing in the life of faith: Education and Christian practices, 2nd ed. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press.
Matthaei, Sondra Higgins (2000). Making disciples, Faith formation in the Wesleyan tradition. Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press.
Regan, Jane E (2002). Toward an adult church: A vision for faith formation. Chicago: Loyola Press.
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These free resources for understanding, planning, leading, and evaluating your ministry of Christian education and formation can be downloaded from www.gbod.org/education.
• Comprehensive Plan for Teacher Development. A chart showing a continuum of skills from “do no harm” to “do all the good you can” for teachers and group leaders. URL: http://www.gbod.org/atf/cf/%7B3482e846‐598f‐460a‐b9a7‐386734470eda%7D/COMPPLANTEACHERDEV_9‐29‐11.PDF
• What Every Child Should Experience in UM Congregations (booklet) http://www.gbod.org/atf/cf/%7B3482e846‐598f‐460a‐b9a7‐386734470eda%7D/WHATEVERYCHILDSHOULDEXPERIENCEUMC_2011.PDF
• Development through the Life Span. A chart showing age‐level characteristics, development in various areas, needs, gifts, expectations, and more. URL: http://www.gbod.org/site/apps/nlnet/content3.aspx?c=nhLRJ2PMKsG&b=6053319&ct=7303981¬oc=1
• Foundations: Shaping the Ministry of Christian Education in Your Congregation. This expresses core beliefs in Christian education and formation. Work with your team to unpack what this means in your own place, experience, and specific ministry plans. URL: http://www.gbod.org/atf/cf/%7B3482e846‐598f‐460a‐b9a7‐386734470eda%7D/FOUNDATIONS.PDF
• The 2013 Guidelines (available for purchase from Cokesbury in the fall of 2012) provide information on various ministry areas, including establishing appropriate measures. See Christian Education, the age‐level and family ministries volumes, and others.
• iTeach. A free monthly e‐letter for teachers and leaders on various aspects of Christian education and formation leadership. URL: http://www.gbod.org/site/c.nhLRJ2PMKsG/b.5457135/k.57B4/emiTeachem_newsletter.htm
• Conducting a ministry of Christian education and formation. Articles on recruiting teachers, forming a leadership team, working with curriculum, creating a budget, and more. Visit: www.gbod.org/education.
• Pathways to Congregational Vitality #2: Christian Education and Formation Ministry URL: http://www.gbod.org/atf/cf/%7B3482E846‐598F‐460A‐B9A7‐386734470EDA%7D/CE‐monograph2.pdf
• Pathways to Congregational Vitality #4: Equipping Teachers and Small Group Leaders URL: http://www.gbod.org/atf/cf/%7B3482E846‐598F‐460A‐B9A7‐386734470EDA%7D/CEmonograph4.pdf
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Module 4: Small Groups, Participant
Small GroupsModule 4
New York Conference Vital Congregations Incubator
November 18‐19, 2011
Goals for This ModuleBy the end of this module, participants will be able to:
1. Identify needed knowledge and skills for nurturing Christian faith and discipleship
2 Describe ario s a diences for small2. Describe various audiences for small groups
3. Assess current small groups and classes offered in your congregation
4. Analyze gaps and set priorities for new small groups and classes
Lead lives worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, as you bear fruit in every good work and as you grow in the knowledge of God (Colossians 1:10)God. (Colossians 1:10).
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Module 4: Small Groups, Participant
Lovingg
Formation Questions
1. Since we last met, how have you experienced the presence of God?
2. With whom have you met in ti t kyour congregation to work on
goals?
3. What are you learning about being a spiritual leader?
Homework Review1. Tell about the responses you
received to sharing success stories from chapter 4 of Unbinding the Gospel.
2 Which exercise did you use with2. Which exercise did you use with leaders? (Paying the Rent, Ministry in Focus, or Faith Sharing in Three Chapters) How did it go? What did you learn about evangelism in your congregation?
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Module 4: Small Groups, Participant
LearningLearning
Small Groups & the Church
Fundamentally the church exists in order to further the kingdom, or reign, of God.
Toward an Adult Church:
A Vision of Faith FormationA Vision of Faith Formation
Jane E. Regan
Small groups provide a setting for exploring God’s self‐revelation and what our response could be for our context.
Safiyah Fosua & Carol Krau
The soul and the body make a [person]; the spirit and discipline make a Christian.
Causes of the Inefficacy of Christianity
Sermon 122, 1789,
John Wesley
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Module 4: Small Groups, Participant
Entry Points for Small Groups
Belonging
Believing
Behaving
Faith Formation
Cultivating identityCultivating identity
Discovering purposeDiscovering purpose
Making meaningMaking meaning
Mature faithMature faith
Extending God’s kingdom
Connecting the church’s inner life and outer work
Sanctification
Faith Formation
Cultivating identity
Discovering purpose
Making meaning
Mature faith
Extending God’s kingdomExtending God’s kingdom
Connecting the church’s inner Connecting the church’s inner life and outer worklife and outer work
SanctificationSanctification
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Module 4: Small Groups, Participant
Small Group Exercise
• What do (group) need to know?
• What do (group) need to be able to do?
• What do (group) need to experience?
Audiences for Small Groups
Cautious
Curious
Committed
Professing
Inviting
Cautious
Faith / religion may be largely unimportant, even unknown
They may be cautious because of unfamiliarity
They may show some interest, but carefully
They may have a history of pain or distrust
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Module 4: Small Groups, Participant
Curious
Have sufficient interest to merit investigation
Be willing to engage some personal experience orpersonal experience or experiment, perhaps through a secondary entry point
Have a friend who invites them and attends with them
Committed (to something)
Be interested enough for regular attendance in some aspect of the congregation’s lifeBe committed to the pastor, to the youth group, to a small groupNot be committed to Christian discipleship
Note: These adults may have “joined the church.”
Professing
Identify Jesus as Savior, Redeemer, and/or Lord
Take initiative for learning about the Bible, Christian spiritual practices, and other aspects of the Christian faith
Look for opportunities to serve in the church and community
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Module 4: Small Groups, Participant
Inviting
Living a life of active discipleship
Serving as a mentor and role model with others to help them develop as Christians
Moving toward a life that reflects the mind and heart of Christ
Faith Formation “Flow”
Encounter Explore
Embody
Embrace
LeadingLeading
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Module 4: Small Groups, Participant
Putting It All Together
Intentional planIntentional plan
Explicit expectationsExplicit expectations
Focused on Focused on the church’s missionthe church’s mission
Developed in context
Rooted in our Wesleyan heritage
Aligned for impact
Putting It All Together
Intentional plan
Explicit expectations
Focused on the church’s mission
Developed in contextDeveloped in context
Rooted in Rooted in our Wesleyan our Wesleyan heritageheritage
Aligned for impactAligned for impact
Nurturing Adult Faith and Discipleship Grid A Planning and Assessment Tool
CAUTIOUS CURIOUS COMMITTED PROFESSING INVITING
BIBLICAL LITERACY
PROFICIENCY IN USING SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES
REGULAR PARTICIPATION IN
SERVICE & OUTREACH
ABILITY TO ENGAGE IN THEOLOGICAL REFLECTION
GROWING CONFIDENCE IN TALKING ABOUT
ONE’S EXPERIENCE OF GOD
LEADING LIVES OF HOSPITALITY AND
GENEROSITY
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Module 4: Small Groups, Participant
Blakemore UMC, Adults
CAUTIOUS CURIOUS COMMITTED PROFESSING INVITING
BIBLICAL LITERACY
• Retreat: Getting to Know My Bible
• Bible from Scratch, OT
• Bible from Scratch, NT
• Sunday school classes
• Disciple 1, 2, 3, & 4
• Lectionary Discussion Group
• Jesus and the Gospels
• Communities of Practice?
PROFICIENCY IN USING SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES
• Retreat: Devotional Life in the Wesleyan Tradition
• Retreat: Walking with God
• Three Simple Rules
• Opening Ourselves to Grace
• Companions in Christ
• Covenant Discipleship Groups
• Communities of Practice?
REGULAR • Blakemore
Housing Trust • United Methodist
Men
PARTICIPATION IN SERVICE & OUTREACH
g
ABILITY TO ENGAGE IN THEOLOGICAL REFLECTION
• Living the Questions
• Covenant Discipleship Groups
• Communities of Practice?
GROWING CONFIDENCE IN TALKING ABOUT
ONE’S EXPERIENCE OF GOD
• Story-telling (Wednesday)
• Witness?
UM HERITAGE
• Orientation to Blakemore (2 hr. intro offered 4X a year)
• Seminar: Methodism 101
• Being Methodist in the Bible Belt
• By Water & the Spirit
• This Holy Mystery
CHURCH YEAR
• Pancake Breakfast (Shrove Tuesday)
• Easter Egg Hunt
• Advent workshop • Twelfth Night • Jazz Mass (Mardi
Gras)
• Advent studies • Lenten studies
• Writing Advent or Lenten devotionals
Blakemore UMC, Children
CAUTIOUS CURIOUS COMMITTED PROFESSING INVITING
BIBLICAL LITERACY
• • Sunday school • VBS • Retreat: Getting to
Know My Bible
• Retreat: Getting to Know My Bible
PROFICIENCY IN USING SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES
• • • Way of the Child • Sprouts?
REGULAR PARTICIPATION IN
SERVICE & OUTREACH
• Sprouts?
SERVICE & OUTREACH
ABILITY TO ENGAGE IN THEOLOGICAL REFLECTION
• Sprouts?
GROWING CONFIDENCE IN TALKING ABOUT
ONE’S EXPERIENCE OF GOD
•
UM HERITAGE
• • Worship readiness (sacraments)
• John Wesley
CHURCH YEAR
• Pancake Breakfast (Shrove Tuesday)
• Easter Egg Hunt
• Advent workshop • Twelfth Night • Jazz Mass (Mardi
Gras) • Ash Wednesday
• Journey to Jerusalem (Wednesday)
• On the Way to Bethlehem (Wednesday)
Individual Reflection
Reflect on your own congregation, using the grid. Add categories based on your own assessment of what is needed in your context for people to grow in faith and live aspeople to grow in faith and live as disciples. You might want to begin with one age group, assigning current classes, small groups, retreats, etc. to various sections of the grid.
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Module 4: Small Groups, Participant
Homework1. Continue working on your grid with one
or two leaders from the congregation. Be prepared to share it at our next meeting.
2. Discuss with one or two leaders in the congregation what kind of leaders arecongregation what kind of leaders are needed for the small groups you are considering. Consider how you will equip those leaders.
3. Develop a strategy for encouraging participation in small groups. Be prepared to share it at our next meeting.
Evaluation
What went well?
What did you learn?
What would you revise to make the module more effective for use in your congregation?
What else do you need to plan well for small groups?
Closing prayerInvite participants to close the
meeting with the following sentence prayers:
Today, I thank God for…Today, I ask God for…
(As with Mutual Invitation, participants may pass if they do not wish to pray aloud.)
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Handouts:
Module 4
Small Groups
Handouts: Module 4, Small Groups
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Handouts: Module 4, Small Groups
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Biblical Reflection For Module 4: Small Groups The believers devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching, to the community, to their shared meals, and to their prayers. A sense of awe came over everyone. God performed many wonders and signs through the apostles. All the believers were united and shared everything. They would sell pieces of property and possessions and distribute the proceeds to everyone who needed them. Every day, they met together in the temple and ate in their homes. They shared food with gladness and simplicity. They praised God and demonstrated God's goodness to everyone. The Lord added daily to the community those who were being saved. Acts 2:42‐47 (CEB) What practices characterized the early Christian community? Which of those practices are effectively present in your congregation? Which practices need to be improved? What other practices are present in your congregation? How is the nature of God's reign/kingdom revealed through this passage? What response does this passage elicit for your life? For your congregation?
Handouts: Module 4, Small Groups
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Handouts: Module 4, Small Groups
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Handouts: Module 4, Small Groups
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Mik
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0 Th
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ener
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hurc
h.
Handouts: Module 4, Small Groups
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Faith Formation Flow
Encounter
Faith Formation Flow © 2010, Carol F. Krau, Ph.D., General Board of Discipleship. Used by permission.
Encounter Explore
Embody
Embrace
Handouts: Module 4, Small Groups
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Nur
turin
g A
dult
Faith
and
Dis
cipl
eshi
p
C
AU
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CU
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CO
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PRO
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Nurturing Adult Faith and Discipleship Guide for Using the Grid
Adults grow in faith in many ways. To deepen their relationship with God and neighbor, adults need knowledge, skills, practice, and experiences. Faith includes what adults believe, what adults value, what adults do, and what adults experience. Leaders who plan adult ministries need to identify the knowledge, skills, practice, and experiences that adults in their congregations need in order to live as disciples of Jesus Christ. These leaders also need to remember that adults have varying levels of experience with the Christian faith and the church. The attached grid is designed for charting current opportunities for adult faith formation, to identify gaps, and to consider possibilities that will address the gaps. Across the top of the grid are words to describe varying levels of knowledge and experience of adults. Beginning at the left, the words describe adults with little to no experience with the Christian faith or the church. As you move across the continuum, the words describe deeper levels of experience. These words can be modified to describe markers along the journey of faith in words that best fit your context. Here is a description of what the words on the top row of the grid mean: Cautious Faith/religion are largely unimportant, perhaps unknown; some interest shown, but carefully. Perhaps history of pain or distrust; perhaps cautious because of deep unfamiliarity Curious Sufficient interest to merit investigation. Willing to engage some personal experience or experiment, perhaps through a secondary entry point. Perhaps willing because a friend takes interest and involvement by inviting and attending with Committed (to Something) Interested enough for regular attendance at something (may not be worship). Commitment may not be to Christ, but to the pastor, to the person who invited, or to group through which person has entered Professing At a point of personal acceptance of Jesus Christ as Savior; will take some initiative for learning about Christian spiritual practices and involvement in a church community.
Inviting Living a life of active discipleship; taking responsibility for being a mentor and model with others to help them develop as Christians; moving toward a life that is entirely within the mind of Christ. The left-hand column of the grid includes knowledge, skills, practice, and experiences that will help adults grow in Christian faith and live as disciples of Jesus Christ. This list is descriptive, not exhaustive. Leaders of adult ministries in your congregation should modify and add to this list to fit your context. Here is a description of what the categories in the left-hand column mean:
Handouts: Module 4, Small Groups
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Biblical Literacy: Biblically literate adults are intimately familiar with the Bible. They know how to read, study, “listen to,” and apply Scripture in their lives. Biblically literate adults have developed knowledge, skills, and expertise in the following: 1. Find books, chapters, and verses in the Old and New Testaments 2. Retell the major biblical stories, identifying correctly who is in the story and what happened 3. Summarize how the Bible was developed (who wrote the various parts; what was the
context; what was the writer’s purpose; who decided and how did they decide what should go into the Bible)
4. State the various categories of literature in the Bible (law, prophets, writings, gospels, epistles, etc.)
5. Identify and describe various literary styles in the Bible (prose, poetry, story, metaphor, parable, etc.)
6. Use a commentary, concordance, and Bible atlas 7. Use lectio divina and other methods for devotional reading 8. State the role of the Bible in their lives (influences beliefs, values, and behavior; provides
guidance; offers comfort; challenges one to think in new ways; etc.) 9. Analyze the overarching message(s) of the Bible (grace, justice, righteousness,
discipleship, etc.) 10. Analyze how one particular story, saying, or event fits into the larger picture of the
overarching message(s) of the Bible Biblically literate adults not only have knowledge and skills in these areas, but also they choose to use this knowledge and skills to intentionally deepen their knowledge and love of Scripture. Proficiency in Using Spiritual Disciplines: As adults mature in faith, they know how to use spiritual disciplines and regularly practice the spiritual disciplines as individuals and in group settings. Adults who are proficient in using spiritual disciplines have developed knowledge, skills, and expertise in the following: 1. Name and describe a variety of spiritual disciplines (prayer, reading and studying Scripture,
worship, fasting, Christian conversation, feeding the hungry, visiting the sick and imprisoned, advocating for justice, etc.)
2. Use various spiritual disciplines on a consistent basis 3. Locate resources that assist in using spiritual disciplines (devotional guides, instructions for
a particular spiritual discipline, Advent or Lenten studies, etc.) 4. Develop a familiarity with various writers throughout the Church’s history (St. Augustine, the
Desert Fathers and Mothers, Teresa of Avila, Richard Foster, Joyce Rupp, etc.) Adults who are proficient in using spiritual disciplines not only have knowledge and skills in these areas, but also they choose to use this knowledge and skills to intentionally deepen their love of God and neighbor.
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Regular Participation in Service and Outreach: As adults mature in faith, they become more compassionate people, seeking the welfare of all people and of the earth. Adults who regularly participate in service and outreach have developed knowledge, skills, and expertise in the following: 1. Name and describe spiritual gifts (teaching, hospitality, leadership, etc.—see 1 Corinthians
12, Romans 12, and Ephesians 4) 2. Identify personal spiritual gifts and increase commitment to use those gifts in their daily
lives 3. Find opportunities for serving the needs of people in their local and global community 4. Discover specific needs in their communities 5. Analyze root causes of social issues, such as health care, poverty, and the environment 6. Advocate for justice for all persons Adults who have knowledge and skills in these areas use this knowledge and skills to intentionally deepen their love of neighbor. Ability to Engage in Theological Reflection: As adults mature in faith, they increase their ability to reflect on what they believe, integrating what they believe into a “way of being” in the world. Adults who can engage in theological reflection have developed knowledge, skills, and expertise in the following: 1. Name and describe sources that influence theology (Scripture, tradition, reason,
experience) 2. Identify what sources of theology are most important for them 3. Increase their ability to articulate what they believe and how that belief has been confirmed
in their lives 4. Recognize how their theology shapes their “way of being” in the world (ideas about
forgiveness, justice, compassion, etc.) 5. Examine their assumptions about God, Jesus, the Bible, and the church (why do they
believe what they believe) 6. Consider alternative perspectives about God, Jesus, the Bible, and the church (why others
believe what they believe) Adults who have knowledge and skills in theological reflection use this knowledge and skills to intentionally increase self-awareness, appreciation for the diversity of theological thought, and ability to engage in healthy dialogue about matters of faith. Growing Confidence in Talking about One’s Experience of God: As adults mature in faith, they grow in their ability to recognize God’s presence in their lives and are increasingly confident in sharing their experiences of God.
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Adults who are growing in their confidence to share their experiences of God have developed knowledge, skills, and expertise in the following: 1. Identify and describe an experience in which they felt the presence of God 2. Know and use the vocabulary of the church to describe their experiences of God (grace,
justification, sin, reconciliation, etc.) 3. Listen to and respect others’ experiences of God 4. Develop confidence in talking to others about their experiences of God Adults who have knowledge and skills in talking about their experience of God use this knowledge and skills to witness to God’s love and grace in their lives, share their struggles, and identify the significance of their experiences. Lead Lives of Hospitality and Generosity: Adults who lead lives of hospitality and generosity demonstrate the “fruit of the Spirit” (see Galatians 5). They live out of a sense of God’s abundance. Hospitable and generous adults have developed knowledge, skills, and expertise in the following: 1. Identify biblical stories of hospitality to strangers and generosity with others 2. Share accounts of when they have experienced hospitality and/or generosity from others 3. Describe accounts of having experienced God’s generosity and/or hospitality in their lives 4. Consider situations in their families, congregations, and communities that call for hospitality
and generosity 5. Welcome newcomers to their congregations and communities 6. Use their time, money, and gifts to support the ministries of their congregation and to serve
the needs of their local and global communities Adults who have knowledge and skills in living hospitable and generous lives use this knowledge and skills to witness to abundant life through Jesus Christ, to combat a culture of scarcity, and use all that God has given them to participate in God’s purposes for all creation.
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, 3, &
4
• Le
ctio
nary
D
iscu
ssio
n G
roup
• Je
sus
and
the
Gos
pels
•
Com
mun
ities
of
Pra
ctic
e?
PRO
FIC
IEN
CY
IN
USI
NG
SPI
RIT
UA
L D
ISC
IPLI
NES
•
Ret
reat
: D
evot
iona
l Life
in
the
Wes
leya
n Tr
aditi
on
• R
etre
at: W
alki
ng
with
God
• Th
ree
Sim
ple
Rul
es
• O
peni
ng
Our
selv
es to
G
race
•
Com
pani
ons
in
Chr
ist
• C
oven
ant
Dis
cipl
eshi
p G
roup
s •
Com
mun
ities
of
Pra
ctic
e?
REG
ULA
R
PAR
TIC
IPA
TIO
N IN
SE
RVI
CE
&
OU
TREA
CH
• B
lake
mor
e H
ousi
ng T
rust
•
Uni
ted
Met
hodi
st
Men
AB
ILIT
Y TO
EN
GA
GE
IN
THEO
LOG
ICA
L R
EFLE
CTI
ON
• Li
ving
the
Que
stio
ns
• C
oven
ant
Dis
cipl
eshi
p G
roup
s •
Com
mun
ities
of
Pra
ctic
e?
GR
OW
ING
C
ON
FID
ENC
E IN
TA
LKIN
G A
BO
UT
ON
E’S
EXPE
RIE
NC
E O
F G
OD
• S
tory
-telli
ng
(Wed
nesd
ay)
• W
itnes
s?
Handouts: Module 4, Small Groups
25
UM
HER
ITA
GE
•
Orie
ntat
ion
to
Bla
kem
ore
(2 h
r. in
tro
offe
red
4X a
ye
ar)
• Se
min
ar:
Met
hodi
sm 1
01
• B
eing
Met
hodi
st
in th
e B
ible
Bel
t •
By
Wat
er &
th
e Sp
irit
• Th
is H
oly
Mys
tery
CH
UR
CH
YEA
R
•
Pan
cake
Bre
akfa
st
(Shr
ove
Tues
day)
•
Eas
ter E
gg H
unt
• A
dven
t wor
ksho
p •
Twel
fth N
ight
•
Jazz
Mas
s (M
ardi
G
ras)
•
Ash
Wed
nesd
ay
• A
dven
t stu
dies
•
Lent
en s
tudi
es
• W
ritin
g A
dven
t or
Lent
en
devo
tiona
ls
MIN
ISTR
Y IN
D
AIL
Y LI
FE
• In
tro to
Spi
ritua
l G
ifts
• 6
Wee
k st
udy
of
spiri
tual
gift
s •
Com
mun
ities
of
Pra
ctic
e?
• B
ook
Clu
b •
Circ
les
• D
oubl
e N
icke
ls
• A
nnua
l ret
reat
•
Tues
day
Tabl
e Ta
lk
Handouts: Module 4, Small Groups
26
Bla
kem
ore
UM
C
Nur
turin
g C
hild
ren’
s Fa
ith a
nd D
isci
ples
hip
C
AU
TIO
US
CU
RIO
US
CO
MM
ITTE
D
PRO
FESS
ING
IN
VITI
NG
BIB
LIC
AL
LITE
RA
CY
•
•
Sun
day
scho
ol
• V
BS
•
Ret
reat
: Get
ting
to
Kno
w M
y B
ible
• R
etre
at: G
ettin
g to
K
now
My
Bib
le
PRO
FIC
IEN
CY
IN U
SIN
G
SPIR
ITU
AL
DIS
CIP
LIN
ES
•
•
•
Way
of t
he C
hild
•
Spr
outs
?
REG
ULA
R P
AR
TIC
IPA
TIO
N
IN S
ERVI
CE
& O
UTR
EAC
H
• S
prou
ts?
AB
ILIT
Y TO
EN
GA
GE
IN
THEO
LOG
ICA
L R
EFLE
CTI
ON
• S
prou
ts?
GR
OW
ING
CO
NFI
DEN
CE
IN T
ALK
ING
AB
OU
T O
NE’
S EX
PER
IEN
CE
OF
GO
D
•
UM
HER
ITA
GE
•
•
Wor
ship
read
ines
s (s
acra
men
ts)
• Jo
hn W
esle
y
CH
UR
CH
YEA
R
•
Pan
cake
Bre
akfa
st
(Shr
ove
Tues
day)
•
Eas
ter E
gg H
unt
• A
dven
t wor
ksho
p •
Twel
fth N
ight
•
Jazz
Mas
s (M
ardi
G
ras)
•
Ash
Wed
nesd
ay
• Jo
urne
y to
Je
rusa
lem
(W
edne
sday
) •
On
the
Way
to
Bet
hleh
em
(Wed
nesd
ay)
Handouts: Module 4, Small Groups
27
Module 4, Small Groups Homework Please complete the following prior to our next session in February:
1. Continue working on your grid with one or two leaders from the congregation. Be prepared to share it at our next meeting.
2. Discuss with one or two leaders in the congregation what kinds of leaders are needed
for the small groups you are considering. Consider how you will equip those leaders.
3. Develop a strategy for encouraging participation in small groups. Be prepared to share it at our next meeting.
Handouts: Module 4, Small Groups
28