2023-2024
SMALL GROUP OPTIONS
 “The Lord set his love on you and chose you.” Deuteronomy 7:7

2023-2024 Schedule
9:15 - 9:30am: Childcare drop off
9:40am: Large group worship
10:00am: Small groups
11:15am: Childcare pick up
Our groups begin meeting in September through December for the fall studies, and January through May for the spring studies. Review the list of studies planned for 2023-2024 below to choose which group you'd like to participate in. All groups will be hosted on Friday mornings, aside from the Tuesday night option (at the bottom of the page). 
GROUP 1
Leaders: Melissa Broski, Marlene Murray, Katie Schouten
Care Leaders: Haley Bold and Rafa Pessoa
Fall Study: 
Jonah - Love the Loveless by Love God Greatly and Good News of Great Joy by John Piper

The story of Jonah is more than just a story of a disobedient, runaway prophet and a hungry fish. It’s a story of a compassionate God who longs for everyone to come to salvation.  Come join us as we follow the S.O.A.P.  journaling method (Scripture Writing, Observations, Applications, and Prayer) to read through the text of Jonah to learn how, regardless if we are an outsider, like the people of Nineveh, or an insider, like Jonah, to the Kingdom of God, God goes to great lengths to demonstrate His grace and mercy to all. 

Come, let us adore him.  Spend November and December readying your hearts for Advent through our study of John Piper’s “Good News of Great Joy.”  Piper’s website provides all we will need for reading or listening to 25 short devotionals to keep Christ at the center of the Advent season.   

Spring Study: 
The Book of Acts- Empowered by Love God Greatly

Through this Love God Greatly study, we will follow the S.O.A.P. journaling method (Scripture Writing, Observations, Applications, and Prayer) to read through the Book of Acts.  The Holy Spirit empowered the early church each and every day as they told the world about Jesus. Through trials, persecution, and difficulty, the disciples spread the message of Christ with boldness and persistence.

​The same power that enabled the early church to preach the gospel enables us to spread the gospel today. As you study the Book of Acts you will find many examples of God’s faithfulness and the boldness of the disciples, all the while being encouraged to continue to spread the gospel in your personal sphere of influence.
GROUP 2: Closed, all slots filled
Leaders: Rachel Adamo, Bethany Bartlett and Cari Ekbom
Care Leader: Sarah Bohn and Megan Eleid
Fall Study: 
Prayer: Experiencing Awe and Intimacy with God by Timothy Keller
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Christians are taught in their churches and schools that prayer is the most powerful way to experience God. But few receive instruction or guidance in how to make prayer genuinely meaningful. In Prayer, renowned pastor Timothy Keller delves into the many facets of this everyday act.

With his trademark insights and energy, Keller offers biblical guidance as well as specific prayers for certain situations, such as dealing with grief, loss, love, and forgiveness. He discusses ways to make prayers more personal and powerful, and how to establish a practice of prayer that works for each reader.

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Spring Study: 
The Faithful: Heroes of the Old Testament by Beth Moore, Priscilla Shirer, Lisa Harper, Kelly Minter, and Jennifer Rothschild

Borrowing from best-selling studies by Beth Moore, Priscilla Shirer, Lisa Harper, Kelly Minter, and Jennifer Rothschild, this 5-session study explores crucial moments in the lives of five Old Testament figures—Esther, Gideon, Malachi, Nehemiah, and Hosea.

​Through their stories, discover how God uses the lives of ordinary people for His glory and the good of His people. Strengthen your faith as you walk alongside these larger-than-life figures who all chose to obey God no matter the circumstances. Corresponding teaching videos of 25-70 minutes in length may be used as part of this study.
GROUP 3: Closed, all slots filled
Leaders: Deborah Kaczor, Sarah McMenomy, Chris Schmit and Heather Smith
Fall Study & Spring Study: 
Habits of the Household: Practicing the Story of God in Everyday Family Rhythms by Justin Whitmel Earley

Now more than ever, parents are struggling to combat the frenetic pace our daily lives bring. If you have found yourself parenting with the mindset of “I just have to get to bedtime,” you are not alone. While overwhelming and disjointed thoughts may rage in your head, we know that we are called in 2 Corinthians 10:5 to “take captive every thought and make it obedient to Christ.” With scripture guiding us, we will turn to Habits of the Household to glean ways in which we can take captive our thought lives and our household habits and make them obedient to Christ while honoring Christ’s calling in Matthew 28:19 to “make disciples of many” as we take the privilege of parenting seriously. 

Our small group will alternate weeks of reading Habits of the Household and its referenced scripture with weeks of applying the concepts outlined by Earley and discussing our experiences. This group will place a high value on being critical and curious readers as we seek to strengthen our reliance on scripture by deeply exploring all referenced passages of the Bible within Habits of the Household, rather than glossing over verses as we come across them. Because of this added component during our weeks of reading and the weeks of application we have planned, we will take the full Side-by-Side calendar year to complete the book.

This slow pace will afford us the opportunity to be thoughtful about how we consume the recommendations within the book and apply them in ways that honor God’s word and celebrate our individual household values and rhythms.

​We would be thrilled if you’d join us!
GROUP 4
Leaders: Aide Bustamante and Sarah Suarez.
Care Leader: Crystal Stephens
Fall Study: 
The Meaning of Marriage by Timothy Keller

Based on the acclaimed sermon series by New York Times bestselling author Timothy Keller, this book shows everyone—Christians, skeptics, singles, longtime married couples, and those about to be engaged—the vision of what marriage can be according to the Bible.

Modern culture would have you believe that everyone has a soul mate; that romance is the most important part of a successful marriage; that your spouse is there to help you realize your potential;  that starting over after a divorce is the best solution to seemingly intractable marriage issues. Timothy Keller, with insights from Kathy, his wife of thirty-seven years, shows marriage to be a glorious relationship that is misunderstood and mysterious.

In this study, we will contemplate what the Bible says about
1) the theme of marriage and “two becoming one” 
2) how men and women each display the image of God
3) how to demonstrate the grace and love of Jesus in our marriages
​4) how to strengthen and be strengthened by our marriage no matter it’s current state of health. 

Spring Study: 
When You Pray: A Study of Six Prayers in the Bible by Kelly Minter, Jackie Hill Perry, Jen Wilkin, Jennifer Rothschild, Jada Edwards, and Kristi McLeeland

Do you have trouble thinking of words to say to God when you pray? Are you afraid some emotions are too intense to express to God? Do you reach the end of a day only to realize you haven’t prayed at all? You’re not alone. Prayer is the way we relate to God, but sometimes it’s a struggle. Throughout God’s Word, we encounter many voices who teach us how to pray.
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In this 7-session study, join with six beloved Bible teachers who will help you study prayers in the Bible that can inspire your own. You’ll learn that God welcomes your praise and lament, your thanksgiving and intercession. You’ll see examples of how to pray when you’re alone and when you’re gathered with others. Above all, you’ll notice there’s no one right way to pray. As you draw near to God through prayer, you’ll find your faith strengthened and your heart united to Christ.
GROUP 5
Leaders: Robin Morgenthaler, Katherine O’Grady, with assistant leaders. Care leader sought 
Fall Study: 
When You Pray: A Study of Six Prayers in the Bible by Kelly Minter, Jackie Hill Perry, Jen Wilkin, Jennifer Rothschild, Jada Edwards, and Kristi McLeeland

Do you have trouble thinking of words to say to God when you pray? Are you afraid some emotions are too intense to express to God? Do you reach the end of a day only to realize you haven’t prayed at all? You’re not alone. Prayer is the way we relate to God, but sometimes it’s a struggle. Throughout God’s Word, we encounter many voices who teach us how to pray.
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In this 7-session study, join with six beloved Bible teachers who will help you study prayers in the Bible that can inspire your own. You’ll learn that God welcomes your praise and lament, your thanksgiving and intercession. You’ll see examples of how to pray when you’re alone and when you’re gathered with others. Above all, you’ll notice there’s no one right way to pray. As you draw near to God through prayer, you’ll find your faith strengthened and your heart united to Christ. Video and 5 days/week homework.

Bible Illumination
​For a few weeks as a small group, we will read God’s word from a variety of translations and discuss the background, the context, the meanings so that God’s word is illuminated for us and we all can better understand what He wants us to know.
Spring Study:
Calm My Anxious Heart by Linda Dillow
 
Fear and anxiety tend to creep into all areas of women’s lives. We worry about our children, our friends, our careers, our families, our spouse, and the list goes on. It can be a constant struggle to let go and be free from the burden of worry.
Designed to help you finally experience the calm and contentment that the Bible promises, Calm My Anxious Heart is an established and time-tested classic. Filled with solid encouragement and practical help for soothing and processing anxiety, it offers meaningful and helpful ways to refresh your spirit with Scripture and calming insight.

Preparation for this topical study is easy to light and can be completed in one day.
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Now including a 10-week Bible study to help you dig deeper.​
INTERNATIONAL GROUP
Leaders: Ariel Boswell, May Ling Chen, JoEllen Park and Rosie Thacher
Care Leader: Jihae Seo
The international class welcomes women from foreign countries with an interest in learning the beliefs of Christianity and seeking to improve their English conversational skills.
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Is there a God? Can God be known? Who is Jesus?  What does the Bible teach?  If you have ever asked yourself any of these questions this class can help you find answers.

​In each class we study Bible stories which lay the foundation of the Christian faith.  Additionally, we have an English lesson whose primary purpose is to expand your vocabulary and improve your conversational skills. Time is given in small groups to practice your English.
TUESDAY NIGHT GROUP
Leaders: Deidra Richards
Care Leader: Funmi Baffour​
Fall Study:
Women of the Word: How to Study the Bible with Jen Wilkin
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We all know it’s important to study God’s word. But sometimes it’s hard to know where to start. What’s more, a lack of time, emotionally driven approaches, and past frustrations can erode our resolve to keep growing in our knowledge of Scripture. How can we, as Christian women, keep our focus and sustain our passion when reading the Bible?

​In this 10 week podcast, author Jen Wilkin shares basic strategies, practical tips, and helpful encouragement for Bible study that transforms both the mind and the heart. 
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Spring Study:
TBD