Journeygroups

March Leader Meeting

2012-03-14T12:44:00.000-07:00

Can't help it! Just always enjoy the time we spend together, you guys are the best! So appreciate your hearts and loved hearing what is happening in your groups. Truly, God is using each and every one of you to send His touch out to people! Meeting space is limited, so we rolled open the big door in room 11 and Brett Hogue BBQ'd some great burgers for us...thanks buddy! Sylvia Gaston helped us keep sight that we are shepherds and caregivers of precious people with her story from the book "Servolution" and we had a little fun, with of all things....toilet paper! We learned one of you is a foster parent, one of you is a special education teacher, some of you are proud grandparents and that all of you, love Jesus, lol! Our next
Leader meeting is May 6th. Mark your calendars!

Radical- A Sermon on the Mount Study

2012-02-17T13:41:00.000-08:00

We're in an all-church study called "Radical" a study of the Sermon on the Mount. Our Journeygroups follow the weekend series in groups, this allows a deeper look in to one of Jesus' best known teachings, we get to discuss what it means to us to live out this kind of "Radical" way of living out life in Christ.

Missed out on one of your group sessions? Catch it here.

January Meeting

2012-02-03T13:17:00.000-08:00

We had a great meeting on January 20th....thanks to everyone who made it and lots of grace to everyone who just couldn't be there, we missed you!

MEETING RECAP: The Little Things
--------------------------------------------------
After some tasty deserts and a little fellowship time, Sylvia Gaston and Debbie Cordero gave us a challenge. They showed a picture up on the screen for 60 seconds and our challenge was then to write down as many of the items as we could remember. Each of these little things were essential elements to having a successful small group. You'll find the picture as well as the list below.

Then Pastor Andrew shared about our next sermon series and JOURNEYgroup focus: Radical. By now, you know that we will be focusing on the Sermon on the Mount as an entire church during this session.

Then, I enjoyed sharing with you the signifance of "little" things, which really are not small at all. It is no "little" thing that you open your homes and make time in your own busy schedules to slow down and meet with just a few other people for encouragement and study in God's Word. More eloquently expressed by Brother Lawrence, author of The Practice of the Presence of God the Best Rule of a Holy Life. He said, "That we ought now to be weary of doing little things for the love of GOD, who regards not the greatness of the work, but the love with which it is performed."

I shared the message I had received from one lady who had become a part of a JOURNEYgroup for the first time. She wrote, "This was a personal challenge to me due to many things including my health. I felt like I was suppose to sign up and go to these meetings. I have been isolated for a long time. I went to this group and my challenge was to make a connection and show up despite what was going on in my life. I shared only a little during this time but in a way it was a lot for me. Signed, Until the next journey group....I responded, Dear_____, I understand when a "little" is a lot, so proud of you! Signed, Kim.

Finally, we also talked together about the challenge of balancing support vs. counseling in our gatherings. You can reference the handout below.

KEY INFO FOR A SUCCESSFUL GROUP!
----------------------------------------------------------
1. Many new people are signing up for our groups for the first time. I am adding people to groups each week. Be sure you are logging in and contacting your new group members. Welcome them!

2. Pick up your Sermon on the Mount discussion guide and DVD Radical at guest services this weekend.

3. WE MESSED UP!

I know this is hard for all of you to believe, but it is the truth. The good news is, it is not a huge deal. The bad news is, if you don't get this information it could cause some confusion.

Here's the story: the DVD sessions and the discussion guide chapters are out of sequence. Regrettably, session 1 of the DVD does not correspond with chapter 1 in the discussion guide. Instead, session 1 of the DVD corresponds with chapter 2, session 2 of the DVD corresponds with chapter 3, section 3 of the DVD corresponds with chapter 4, and so on.

Basically, whatever session you are on in the DVD add 1 and you will magically know which chapter you are on in your discussion guide. The titles of the DVD sessions match the titles in your discussion guide so that might be a help as well.

MORE THEN 100 PEOPLE HAVE SIGNED UP FOR GROUPS FOR THE FIRST TIME!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We are so excited that more people are getting into groups. This demonstrates that people are beginning to catch the vision for deeper relationship and growth in Christ. As of right now, there are 573 people signed up for JOURNEYgroups this term. This is only possible because of awesome leaders like you!

OUR NEXT MEETING TIME
--------------------------------------
Please place on your calendar our next meeting on Sunday, March 11 at 6:00 pm. This will be a gathering in the middle of our session and will be designed to give us an opportunity to gather together and identify challenges we are facing, celebrate victories and generally make sure we are all running in the same direction!

Sign ups are off to a great start and we are excited about what God is doing through you!

More blessings to you than you can count,

Handout 1

Publish at Calaméo or browse others.

Handout 2

Publish at Calaméo or browse others.

All-Church Study

2011-12-27T14:38:00.000-08:00

Journeygroups and an All-Church Study beginning the week of February 5, 2012
Sermon on the Mount by John Stott
What does it mean to seek first the kingdom in our relationships, values, ambitions, finances and commitment to God? Jesus' answer to these questions amazed those who first heard the Sermon on the Mount.

Study guides will be provided to all Journeygroup leaders.

Pretty awesome

2011-07-13T09:07:00.000-07:00

One journeygroup member recently shared about her daughter reading the Bible to her (daughter is 11 yrs. old) ... Mom has difficulty reading and understanding the Bible and so she prayed to God about it ... about 2 days later her daughter was reading and the Mom came into the room and asked her what she was doing? Her daughter said, "Come sit by me and I will read it to you." They had a precious time while the daughter read, Mom listened and then the daughter said, "Do you understand it?" Yes, the Mom did ... they have done this twice now ... Mom cried while she was telling us this, as she realized, God had heard her prayer! Pretty awesome, huh?

Summer group

2011-06-30T15:15:00.000-07:00

Can't help it, just always love hearing what God is doing in groups and He doesn't slow down for summer! Virginia Lowe is leading a summer study titled, "If You Want to Walk on Water You Have to Get Out of the Boat", a John Ortberg study.

Virginia had this to say, "Getting out of the boat can be scary, but I think we are developing a "safe environment" for our group members to take that first step!"

I asked Virginia if she had been challenged herself in any way to, "Get Out of the Boat?" She shared this, "I was recently asked to lead a session at the upcoming Leadership Summit, and after a small panic attack, I thought, maybe, since I am leading a small group about getting out of my boat that this is a God thing??? I accepted the invitation, I'm stepping out and leading a session at the Summit this August. The one thing I would add is that we all have "boats" that we want to stay in... home, work, friendships...they aren't bad boats and we might even be tempted to stay in them because they are safe, secure and familiar ... but as Ortberg points out ... Jesus is outside the boat ... I want to be where Jesus is!

Ward Group

2011-04-15T11:15:00.000-07:00

I received this picture in an email this week from Eric and Heather Ward with these words and it made me smile.

"Hi guys - here is the pic of all the kids' shoes that are at our house on Sunday afternoons. Needless to say they go home a little dirty....but I thought this was a great representation of what "community" looks like! The adults are outnumbered by the kids around here!" - Heather Ward

Love our Journeygroups, Love our Leaders. Thanks again for the pic guys!

Cordero group

2011-04-13T14:26:00.000-07:00

Last week I visited Joe and Debbie Cordero's Journeygroup, the cheesecake we had for dessert was awesome! Loved the conversation we had around the study in Acts but was surprised when I got a personal word of instruction from the Lord during their prayer request time. Like most groups they closed with a prayer time for one another, I was just visiting, I belong to my own group, so...I hadn't really planned on making any kind of prayer request, plus I thought.."I pray every day with my husband", believing that God is at work in those prayers and He is. But just the same, I believe I heard this word of instruction from the Lord, "put your request out to this group, and I will work in it". Well, I didn't argue but reluctantly shared a personal care with this group for prayer. As we closed, a few of the members of this group encouraged me with words and pictures they received while my request was lifted in prayer by the group, it was very sweet and I was able to carry that encouragement home and share it with my husband. So thanks Cordero Group for letting me visit, we received some very personal ministry through your prayers and words and were strengthened by you! Funny...I came to encourage you!

Chick Chat

2011-04-05T13:54:00.000-07:00

What a great morning with the ladies in Chick Chat! I dropped in for a visit and was so graciously welcomed! Thank you! Loved the way you encouraged one another, how you sought after words for one another, words to build up, words that offered hope, strength and assurance. And wow! You really have created a safe place to have genuine discussion on tough issues. Today, these ladies explored scripture, their hearts and shared from real life relationships and experiences. Loved my time in your Journeygroup, thanks again!

This Journeygroup for women meets every Tuesday at 10:00 a.m in room 12 at the church. and is lead by Delores Sutherland and Wanda Dutra