Disciple Sunday, September 17, 2022
This coming Sunday is Disciple Sunday! We will hear testimonies of how Disciple class members have been transformed through their experiences in their classes, relationships developed in the class, and faith journey. Following each service you will have the opportunity to learn about new bible studies starting this fall. You can see the bible studies below, complete with links to order books and a link to register. If you have questions, please write to the Growth Groups Team.
Forgiveness, by Adam Hamilton (Starts week of September 24)
There is nothing more crippling than holding on to anger. Anger, more than any other emotion, has the power to consume all aspects of our lives, distort our sense of purpose, and destroy our relationship with God.
In the passionate and life-changing book Forgiveness: Finding Peace Though Letting Go, bestselling author Adam Hamilton brings the same insight that he applied in the bestseller “Why?” to the challenge of forgiveness. Hamilton argues that revelation comes when we realize that forgiveness is a gift we give ourselves rather than to someone else. He also contends that only when we learn to forgive others and ourselves can we truly receive forgiveness from God.
This study coincides with the Sermon Series: Forgiveness – starting Sunday, September 24.
See more about the study, Forgiveness and watch the promotional video.
God’s Welcome, by Amy Oden (Starts week of October 22)
“If our conversation on hospitality in the church stops with coffee pots and name-tags, we are in danger of leaving folks hungry for the real food that brings them to our doors.” God’s Welcome is a different kind of how-to book on hospitality, one that studies the stories of God’s welcome and takes seriously the culture of hostility that sometimes masquerades as Christianity. Gather your small group or leadership group (discussion guide included in the book) and dig into the important work of gospel hospitality.
This study coincides with the Sermon Series: Come to the Table – starting Sunday, October 22
See more about the study, God’s Welcome.
Better Decisions, Fewer Regrets, by Andy Stanley (Thursdays, 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. starts September 21)
Discover five game-changing questions to ask every time you make a major decision regarding your finances, relationships, career, and more. Good questions lead to better decisions. And your decisions determine the direction and quality of your life—they create the story of your life. And while nobody plans to complicate their life with bad decisions, far too many people have no plan to make good decisions. Learn from experience and stop making bad decisions by integrating five questions into every decision you make, big or small.
See more about the study, Better Decisions, Fewer Regrets.
Disciple 1 – (Tuesday OR Wednesdays from 7:00 – 9:00 pm starts week of September 24)
Embark on a foundational study of the entire Bible that will give you a deeper understanding of Scripture and its meaning for your personal faith. Through daily readings, video presentations by Biblical scholars, and in-depth discussions, you will journey from Genesis to Revelation over the course of 34 weeks. Disciple 1 is open to anyone, regardless of your experience with the Bible. If you’ve never been in a Bible study, this is a great place to start!
Get your copy of the study guide, Disciple, Becoming Disciples Through Bible Study.
Disciple 2 – (meeting day/time TBD, starts week of September 24)
Entitled, “Into the Word Into the World”, this second study in the popular Disciple Bible Study series is designed for those who have completed Disciple 1. The study invites participants to journey deeper into Scripture by focusing on four books: Genesis, Exodus, Luke, and Acts. In addition, the study invites participants into a deeper life of faith by guiding them each week to practice a spiritual discipline arising from Scripture. During this 32-week study, participants will spend about 30 minutes per day in reading and prayer in preparation for the weekly 2-hour meetings.
Get your copy of the study guide, Disciple, Into the Word Into the World.
Disciple 4 – Sundays from 4:00 – 6:00 pm starts September 24
Entitled “Under the Tree of Life”, this fourth and final installment in the Disciple program covers a variety of Old Testament books such as Ruth, Esther, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes along with the Gospel of John, 1-3 John, James, Jude, and Revelation. Featuring a “psalm of the week”, the study places a particular emphasis on prayer and worship. During this 32-week study, participants will spend about 30 minutes per day in reading and prayer in preparation for the weekly 2-hour meetings.
Get your copy of the study guide, Disciple, Under the Tree of Life.
