SMALL GROUPS FOR MEN & WOMEN
Sunday Groups:
Discover Saint Matthew: Becoming a Mission Partner, Sunday, April 6th and Sunday, April 13th (between worship services from 9:45-10:45 am)
Learn more about this community of faith, who we are and where we are going. Hear what it means to be in partnership with the vision and mission of Saint Matthew. Gain a broader understanding of how to get involved in community here and specific opportunities for spiritual growth. Take the next setp of commitment. For those who have been at Saint Matthew for awhile, use this class to learn how you might re-focus your current involvement according to your spiritual gifts. Come meet new people and get connected in a meaningful way! Pick-up a brochure and register at the Welcome Center or contact church office for more information, 932-1955 ext 100.
Alignment with Christ, 9:40-10:35 am in the Music Room (April 13th-May 18th)
This six-week session is a follow-up to 70 Days of Vision. It will take a deeper look at becoming more grounded in faith. Explore spiritual practices and disciplines that will keep you in alignment with God's purposes for you. Develop a personal plan to make faith a way of life and not a "church activity." Leader: Rev. Mary Naegeli
April 13: Intro. to the idea that God has a purpose for our lives and that we can discover that purpose
April 20: Meeting God: Solitude and Silence
April 27: Conversing with God About It: Prayer
May 4: Reviewing What We Know So Far: Bible Study
May 11: Applying What We Know: Practical Theology (Scriptural guidance and application)
May 18: Discovering our Purpose with the Body: Spiritual Gifts Assessment
Parenting: Teaching Kids to be Resilient, 9:45-10:45 in the Memorial Garden (May 4th & May 18th)
How is "overprotection" creating a false sense of security and identity in our kids? Whey don't we let our kids fail? Hear from a Christian school psychologists's perspective and participate in this thoughtful discussion. How can we strengthen our children's character and develop responsibility? This discussion is appropriate for parents of all age children. Childcare is available in the nursery. Leader: Sissy Rodgers, School Psychologist, L.E.D.
Monday Groups:
Study of Daniel: Dare to be Different, 6:30-7:45 am at Naegeli's home in Walnut Creek
Daniel and his faithful Jewish friends were exiled among pagans. Their continual challenge was to maintain loyalty to God, no matter the cost to themselves. How are we called to be different from our culture? How do we maintain loyalty to God in an environment of competing demands and pressures? This promises to be a lively way to start the week! Leader: Rev. Mary Naegeli
Careers in Transition, 5:30-7:00 pm in Prayer Room at church
Ongoing--join any time. This group is for those seeking employment or considering a career move. Join others to provide and receive encouragement, prayer support and networking possibilities. Missional focus is reaching out to others throughout the valley in need of transitional support. Topics: Why did God Let This Happen to Me?, Human Resources, Dealing with Depression, Internet Usage, Believing that God Will Be Your Deliver, Resume Writing, How can I Cope with the Stress of Being Unemployed?, Interviewing, How Can I Get Out of An Emotional Pit?, Career Coach Presentation, ”Unfaithfulness” While Unemployed, Weekly Planning Strategies, Trusting God—What Does this Mean?, Networking, Keeping Busy While Looking for Work, Researching Target Companies, Why Bad Things Happen to Good People, Linked In. Leaders: Connie Davis and Marty Rasmussen
Let's Grow, 7:00-8:30 pm at the home of David & Stacy Woodworth in Walnut Creek (6 sessions beginning April 14th)
This group will take a closer look at examples in the Bible that will help us in our Christian walk. How did God use the unlikely to further his purposes? Come and grow--work to strengthen your faith and your ability to reach out to others. Come for great study and discussion! Leaders: David and Stacy Woodworth
Bible Study--Topic still to be determined, 7:00-8:30 pm at the home of Paul & Robin Strange in Concord
Although the study is undecided, this group will be involved both in study and exploration of missional opportunities in the Monument Corridor area. Lots of lively discussion and exciting possibilities. Leaders: Dennis and Lin Ashlock
Wednesday Groups:
Saint Matthew Revealed, 7:00 pm in the Worship Center (6 sessions beginning April 2nd)
Learn more about the core values of Saint Matthew through the perspective of your base ministry.
Thursday Groups:
The Way: Becoming a Community of Disciples, 7:00-8:30 pm at home of Curt & Sue Longacre home in Concord (8 sessions, April 3rd through May 22nd)
"While Jesus was walking along the shore of Lake Galilee, he saw two brothers. One was Simon, also known as Peter, and the other was Andrew. The were fishermen, and they were casting their net into the lake. Jesus said to them, 'Come with me! I will teach you how to bring in people instead of fish.'" (Matthew 4;18-19) There is more to Jesus' invitation to "come with me" than meets the eye. As was the custom in ancient Israel, Rabbis (teachers) would choose individuals to be their disciples. These talamidin (disciples) would often leave home to travel with a Rabbi for long periods of time, watching, listening, and then imitating the Rabbi that they might learn to reflect the Torah in their own lives as the Rabbi did in his. Teaching was not done in the classroom; it was done in the midst of real life. The Rabbi and talamid learned together as they engaged others in the midst of every day life. Today we might call this approach to discipleship "learner-centered teaching," and it is this approach that we will use in this small group. The group will cover topics such as the missio Dei (mission of God), real-life challenges to being a Christian in today's culture, spiritual formation, leadership and character development, and other topics that our Rabbi (Jesus) may choose to raise along the way. This will be a unique small group. Hopefully you will learn a model of discipleship that you can use in leading small groups, one-to-one mentoring relationships, and inviting others to follow Jesus. Leader: Rev. Curt Longacre, Director or Fuller Seminary Northern California, Adjunct Assistant Professor of Ministry
Other Groups--day still to be determined:
Grief: Transition to Hope, at the home of Linda Cole
If you have recently lost a loved one or perhaps are feeling the need to connect with others about a loved one lost some time ago, join with others for comfort, prayer, sharing, and a study especially designed for those grieving a death. Leader: Linda Cole (935-9240)
Spiritual Gift and Base Ministry Coaching Groups
Groups will be formed as needed, simply indicate your desire on your registration form or e-mail Nancy Pierce at nancyp@saintmatthew .org and you will be contacted with details.