Small Groups serve to connect people relationally in groups (four to ten individuals) for the purpose of growing in Christ’s likeness, loving one another, and contributing to the work of the church, in order to glorify God and make disciples of all nations. 

What it's about
Knowing-and Being Known
Loving-and Being Loved
Serving-and Being Served
Celebrating-Being Celebrative

Meeting times and places:  

• The "Lighthouse" Group - Sunday evenings at 5 PM at the church adult classroom.  Contact: Ethel Dykstra - 284-3541
• Carl Wierda's Group meets at Tom and Judy Kingma's Home - Sunday evenings at 6:00 for fellowship and 6:30 PM for study.  Contact: Judy K - 587-7818
• Tad & Karen DeGroot's Group - Sunday evenings at 5 pm.  Contact Tad or Karen at 585-7337 for meeting location and more information.

SMALL GROUP CURRICULUM INFORMATION:

THE LIGHTHOUSE GROUP: 

 Our study is in Exodus.

 Trust God.  It sounds so simple.  Yet it is often difficult to trust God with the important areas of our lives--our money, our career, our marriage, our health.  In the book of Exodus, Israel's struggles resemble our own.  In this story of hardship and hope, we can learn along with Israel that God is worthy of our trust.  The story of Israel's exodus thus becomes a model for every Christian's exodus from the enslaving power of sin.  Jesus Christ the redeemer becomes Lord of those who would acknowledge his saving love and power.  All this and more are bound up in the book of Exodus.  Serious students will find a gold mine of insight and practical values that relate to living today.  This is history with a punch. 

The Lighthouse Bible study group meets in the lighthouse classroom at 5 PM on Sunday evenings.  If you would like to be a part of this group, please join us there or talk to Ethel Dykstra.

 CARL'S GROUP:

   THE SMALL GROUP led by Carl Wierda will begin on October 11 at 6 PM at Tom and Judy’s house. We will be studying “The Truth Project”.
What is Focus on the Family's The Truth Project®?
     In a recent study, the Barna Research Group revealed a stunning statistic that continues to reverberate throughout the evangelical world. Only 9 percent of professing Christians have a biblical worldview. Because of this, today's believers live very similarly to non-believers. A personal sense of significance is rarely experienced, we spend our money and time on things that fail to satisfy and we begin to wonder what life's ultimate purpose really is. We are, in short, losing our bearings as a people and a nation.
     To counter this slide within the body of Christ, we are launching one of the most ambitious and powerful projects in the history of our ministry—Focus on the Family's The Truth Project.
     The Truth Project is a DVD-based small group curriculum comprised of 12 one-hour lessons taught by Dr. Del Tackett. This home study is the starting point for looking at life from a biblical perspective. Each lesson discusses in great detail the relevance and importance of living the Christian worldview in daily life.
     We believe this one project represents the possibility for exponential change within the body of Christ, as we expect that thousands will be transformed by this curriculum. As it has been throughout history, God continues to call ordinary people to make an eternal difference in our world.

TAD & KAREN'S GROUP:

SMALL GROUP- You are invited to learn together with Tad & Karen’ group as we begin meeting from 5-7 PM on Sunday, October 11th to begin a video/book study of Boundaries, by Henry Cloud and John Townsend. Please talk to Tad or Karen if you have questions. The location will be determined by next week!
     “Having clear boundaries is essential to a healthy, balanced lifestyle. A boundary is a personal property line that marks those things for which we are responsible. In other words, boundaries define who we are and who we are not. Boundaries impact all areas of our lives: Physical boundaries help us determine who may touch us and under what circumstances -- Mental boundaries give us the freedom to have our own thoughts and opinions -- Emotional boundaries help us to deal with our own emotions and disengage from the harmful, manipulative emotions of others -- Spiritual boundaries help us to distinguish God's will from our own and give us renewed awe for our Creator --   
     Often, Christians focus so much on being loving and unselfish that they forget their own limits and limitations. When confronted with their lack of boundaries, they ask: - Can I set limits and still be a loving person? - What are legitimate boundaries? - What if someone is upset or hurt by my boundaries? - How do I answer someone who wants my time, love, energy, or money? - Aren't boundaries selfish? - Why do I feel guilty or afraid when I consider setting boundaries? Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend offer biblically-based answers to these and other tough questions, showing us how to set healthy boundaries with our parents, spouses, children, friends, co-workers, and even ourselves.”