“How About You?”
October 2nd will mark the beginning of an exciting new small group opportunity. “How About You?” will provide an opportunity for those in the 9:30 worship service to both connect with one another and have a place for intentional Christian community. After the worship service, still in the gym, we will take 30 minutes to gather in groups and examine how we can better follow Christ in our lives.
In Christ God sees us as saints, HAY will help equip us to be better Christian leaders in our family, relationships, workplace and community. To get there we must first make sure that our own souls are nourished. This self-leadership takes place in community. Hebrews 10:24-25 stresses the importance of intentional Christian community as we seek to live faithfully in the world.
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. (NIV)
The practice of followers of Christ gathering together to help one another along the journey started with Jesus and the disciples and has continued throughout history. Each time there has been major growth in the Christian faith, these gatherings, or little churches within the big church, have been central. These type of groups were central to early Methodism. John Wesley saw Christianity as impossible alone. In contrast to an individual spirituality Wesley states:
“Directly opposite to this is the gospel of Christ. Solitary religion is not to be found there. ‘Holy solitaries’ is a phrase no more consistent with the gospel than holy adulterers. The gospel of Christ knows of no religion but social; no holiness but social holiness.”
But what about…
We understand that there are many things competing for your attention. Because of this we have sought to address anything that might stop you from participating in this transformative opportunity. For you to be able to participate we have made some changes to children’s and youth ministries on Sunday mornings to accommodate them during this time. There will be a space for your children and youth to simultaneously participate in a small group environment so your children will also have the opportunity to grow in their faith and connect with their peers.
Childcare will be provided in the fellowship hall, we just ask that you register. Middle and high schoolers will meet in the youth lounge and participate in their own HAY discussion groups. Food will be provided in both spaces.
We cannot walk this journey alone. Come join us beginning October 2nd. All are welcome.