Growth Groups

A growth group is an informal gathering of people who are interested in mutually developing their own spiritual growth by investigating together what the Bible has to say about a particular subject. A Growth Group is small enough (10-12 people) to allow anyone who wishes to participate the freedom to speak within a casual, relaxed atmosphere.

Each group is directed by a leader who has reviewed the passage and is prepared to guide the conversation. However, no one in the group is required to speak. This self-discovery discussion format multiplies the benefits of each individual’s own study by giving them an opportunity to share insights or just “listen in” to the conversation.

Many people have reported that they enjoy this format because they can read their Bible for themselves, but they are not reading it by themselves! Others have said they appreciate this non-denominational approach because the Bible itself is the only material used in the conversations.

Each group meets in a home or our church building weekly for one hour (a listing of available groups is on the back of this brochure). All lessons are self-contained, and require no previous attendance, so anyone can “drop in” to visit any group at any time. The College Avenue Church of Christ (1817 N. College Avenue) provides free supervised childcare for infants, and special ministries for older children, from 5:45 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. each Sunday night to make it possible for parents to participate in a Growth Group undistracted.

WITH ONE HEART: God's Guidelines For Faith Friendships

“May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ” - Romans 15:5-6

The quality of the fellowship experienced between followers of Jesus may be likened to a friendship, but not in the sense in which that word is ordinarily used. The fellowship between brothers and sisters in the Lord is
a faith friendship: an intentional relationship, formed not out of common personal interests that we just happen to have, but founded on a common purpose in life; a friendship that is not based on the fact that we have chosen each other, but on the marvelous fact that we have each been chosen by Christ!

Nowhere is this more evident that in the book of Romans. While Romans is generally acknowledged to be the most outstanding work of theology in the New Testament, it also demonstrates and develops the nature of faith friendships.

* Paul masterfully describes how the gospel had broken down the age-old barriers between Jews and Gentiles, bringing these former strangers into a common caring fellowship of grace.

* As he closes the book in Chapter 16, Paul mentions - by name - some 26 individuals to whom he was close, including several that he terms "dear friends."

* And in Chapters 12-15 he provides specific guidelines for developing, and maintaining, these faith friendships.

Join us as we examine God's guidelines for faith fellowships! Here are the topics for our conversations this fall:

September 9	"Faith Friendships" (1 Thessalonians 4:9-10; Romans 16:1-16)
September 16	"Be Transformed" (Romans 12:1-2)
September 23	"We Have Different Gifts" (Romans 12:3-8)
September 30	"Be Devoted To One Another In Brotherly Love" (Romans 12:9-10; 13:8-10)
October 7	"Keep Your Spiritual Fervor" (Romans 12:11-12)
October 14	"Share With God's People" (Romans 12:13)
October 28	"Live In Harmony With One Another" (Romans 12:14-16)
November 4	"Do Not Repay Anyone Evil For Evil" (Romans 12:17-21)
November 11	"Submit To The Authorities" (Romans 13:1-7)
November 18	"Clothe Yourselves With Christ" (Romans 13:11-14)
December 2	"Stop Passing Judgment On Each Other" (Romans 14:1-13)
December 9	"Accept One Another" (Romans 14:14-15:7)

For growth group times and locations, or more information, contact our church office at 862-1552.