Covenant Groups to Begin Next Month
Small Group Ministry will offer several small groups beginning next month that will give you the opportunity to deepen your spiritual life as you deepen your relationships with others in the church. These will be “covenant groups” which emphasize a commitment to daily Scripture reading and prayer, attendance at weekly meetings, and caring and sharing with the other members of the group. Many have asked for a small group experience like the triad experience. Although each of these covenant groups can accept six to eight members plus two leaders, a key purpose of the covenant group is to facilitate the development of caring and bonding that occurred with the triad groups.
The groups will start during Lent, which is traditionally a period of spiritual preparation for Easter. Two different types of groups will be offered. The first is Disciple Bible I. This is a structured program for individual and group study that is designed to cover 80% of the Bible in 34 weeks. Since the concept of covenant groups may be new to many in the church, our groups will initially commit to 8 weeks in order to develop this unique type of group experience. Those who want to continue with the entire 34-week program may choose do so after the introductory 8-week session is completed.
For this group you will need a Bible and Disciple I Study Manual. The manual, which can be used for the entire 34-week program, costs $36.75. Financial help is available to those who need it in order to purchase the book.
Following is a list of the leaders and times for Disciple Bible I groups:
Time: Dates: Co-leaders:
Sat. 10:00 a.m.-noon 2/25-4/14 Carl Hendrickson and Wanda Hitt
Mon. 5:30-7:30 p.m. 2/27-4/16 Bill Groce and Anne Williamson
Wed. 3:00 -5:00 p.m. 2/29-4/18 Sheryl and Max Holstein
Thurs. 10:00 a.m.-noon 2/23-4/12 Peggy Cleveland and Bobbie Cherry
The second type of group will emphasize the contemplative approach to prayer and Scripture reading. Christian contemplation is the practice of interior silence that leads to a deep “resting in God.” Centering Prayer is one of the contemporary forms of this ancient Christian tradition. This group will give you a thorough introduction to the contemplative practices of Centering Prayer and Lectio Divina, a method of “praying with Scripture.”
For this group you will need a Bible and the book Forty Days to a Closer Walk with God: The Practice of Centering Prayer by J. David Muyskens, which will guide you in a daily practice of contemplative prayer. Cost of the book is $10.87. The group will meet once a week for 7 weeks for prayer and sharing. Those who wish to continue to share contemplative prayer with others may then choose to join a Centering Prayer group at CLCC.
Time: Dates: Co-leaders
Sun. 12:45-2:15 p.m. 2/19-4/1 Cindy Avens and Richard Zelley
You may register for a Disciple Bible I group or the Contemplative Prayer group clicking on this link http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/BC378Y6 - or by calling the church office at 706-632-1048. Registration will end Feb. 13 so that books can be ordered before the groups begin.