SMALL GROUP UPDATE | FEB 20

Hello awesome leaders, I hope all is well in your small group.  There are two things I wanted to bring to your attention this week.  Please read below and let me know if you have any questions.

OPEN GROUPS

This little guy is sad because he wants to be in a small group but can’t find a group to be in.  OK, not really, but right now we still have a number of people looking for a small group home.  If your group would be willing to take a few people in, please email me and let me know.

 

 

JESUS SAID

On the weekend of Feb 29/March 1, we will begin a series called “Jesus Said”.  This series will be a 6-week study on the words of Jesus in the book of Mark.  Along with this series, each week we will be providing an audio devotional that also encourages the congregation to read along in the book of Mark.  On top of that, we will be providing a small group discussion that will follow the sermon each week.  Check back next week for week 1 of that discussion guide.  

SMALL GROUP UPDATE | FEB 6

Hello awesome small group leaders,

I wanted to use today to follow up from our leader huddle two weeks ago.

LENT CURRICULUM: The Words of Jesus

During the six weeks leading up to Lent (starting the weekend of Feb 29/Mar 1) we are going to do a sermon series on the words of Jesus in the book of Mark.  As we prepare our hearts for Easter, I thought this would be a good time for our groups to join the weekend content.  Each week of that series, I will be sending out group curriculum that will follow each week’s sermon.  I would love for you to join us during that series.

I am also looking for one more person who might like to help write group curriculum for that series.  If you are interested, please email me and let me know.

GOD SPEED

I also wanted to pass along the video that we watched at the leader huddle last time.  If you were unable to be there or would like to watch again, please check this out: https://vimeo.com/theranchstudios/livegodspeed

As always thank you for your leadership in our congregation and your group!

Thank you, JG

 

Grow Together Update | Dec 12

Hello Grow Together Leaders, here are a few things I wanted to make sure you were aware of.

SERVICE OPPORTUNITY THIS SATURDAY

One of the best ways to grow as a group is to serve together.  We would encourage you to serve at the Parson’s Wrapping Event at 10 am this Saturday at Parson’s Elementary School.  This is a great way for you and your group to serve together.

SERVICE TIMES

As leaders in our church, I want to remind you that our service times are a bit different for the next two weeks.

This weekend (Dec 14 and 15) | Carols for Advent | 5 pm on Saturday, 8:15, 9:30, and 10:45 on Sunday.

Christmas Services (Dec. 21, 22 and 24) – all services are identical.

  • 5 PM on Dec 21
  • 9 and 10:30 AM on Dec 22
  • 3:30, 5 and 10 PM on Dec 24

KICKING OFF YOUR GROUP AGAIN IN 2020

The new year is right around the corner.  As you plan to kick your group off again I would love to help you find a study that will work well for you. Please let me know if you have any questions.  In the meantime, I would encourage you to check out Rightnow Media and begin thinking about what study your group will do next.  Here is a link for RightNow Media: https://www.rightnowmedia.org/Library

If you don’t already have an account, you can create one for free here: https://accounts.rightnow.org/Account/Invite/firstdecatur?returnUrl=https://www.rightnowmedia.org/Account/Media/InviteReturn

Thanks again!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

JG

 

 

 

OFF THE SHELF WEEK 13

First of all, Happy Thanksgiving!  Secondly, welcome to the final week of the Off the Shelf study.  Thank you so much for joining us during this series.

OFF THE SHELF – WEEK 13

Below is the small group guide for week 13 of the Off the Shelf series. Please feel free to download the guide and share it digitally with your group members.  There will also be paper copies available at the Welcome Center if you would prefer to pick them up there.

Here is the study guide for this week: Off the Shelf – Study Guide Week 13

BIBLE READING PLAN

For those of you who are doing the weekly reading plan, here is week 13: Week 13 OTS Reading Plan. This plan will be emailed on Monday morning to those who subscribed to the “Off the Shelf” email.  Please share this link with anyone in your group who is not signed up: https://www.firstdecatur.org/offtheshelf/

Please let me know if you have any questions.
Thank you and HAPPY THANKSGIVING,

JG

OFF THE SHELF WEEK 12

OFF THE SHELF – WEEK 12

Below are the video and small group guide for week 12 of the Off the Shelf series. Please feel free to download the guide and share it digitally with your group members.  There will also be paper copies available at the Welcome Center if you would prefer to pick them up there.

Here is the study guide for this week: Off the Shelf – Study Guide Week 12

Here is the video for this week:

If you can’t see the video, please click here.

BIBLE READING PLAN

For those of you who are doing the weekly reading plan, here is week 12: Week 12 OTS Reading Plan. This plan will be emailed on Monday morning to those who subscribed to the “Off the Shelf” email.  Please share this link with anyone in your group who is not signed up: https://www.firstdecatur.org/offtheshelf/

Please let me know if you have any questions.
Thank you and HAPPY THANKSGIVING,

JG

OFF THE SHELF – WEEK 11

WHAT’S NEXT???

Next week is week 11 of 13 in the Off the Shelf series. For those of you who have done the OTS study, your final discussions will be the week of Dec. 2 – 6. In light of that, here are some observations.

  1. I realize that one of the studies is on Thanksgiving week.  I know that may be tough for your group, so if you are unavailable that week, I would recommend combining it with week 13.
  2.  Due to parties, concerts, family obligations, and the like, many groups elect to take December off.  I would highly recommend that you consider taking a break during December, but if you do, here are a few ideas:
    1. Pick an evening to enjoy a meal together, no studies, and no big plans.  December is already very full for many people.  Make it a relaxed time for your group.
    2. Make sure you (and your group) know when you are starting up again in January.  Have everyone put that date on the calendar. Sometimes breaks get long when there is ambiguity about the restart.
    3. Consider doing a small service project together as a group.  The last couple of years, my group has partnered with my parent’s group and served at Hickory Point Christian Village for an evening. It was time well spent.
    4. Begin thinking now about what your group will study in January.  We will not be putting out a group guide each week, but I would be happy to help guide you as you think about this.  Please email me at any time if you would like help choosing a study.

OFF THE SHELF – WEEK 11

Below are the video and small group guide for week 11 of the Off the Shelf series. Please feel free to download the guide and share it digitally with your group members.  There will also be paper copies available at the Welcome Center if you would prefer to pick them up there.

Here is the study guide for this week: Off the Shelf – Study Guide Week 11

Here is the video for this week:

If you can’t see the video, please click here.

BIBLE READING PLAN

For those of you who are doing the weekly reading plan, here is week 11: Week 11 OTS Reading Plan. This plan will be emailed on Monday morning to those who subscribed to the “Off the Shelf” email.  Please share this link with anyone in your group who is not signed up: https://www.firstdecatur.org/offtheshelf/

Please let me know if you have any questions.
Thank you, JG

OFF THE SHELF WEEK 10

OFF THE SHELF – WEEK 10

Below are the video and small group guide for week 10 of the Off the Shelf series. Please feel free to download the guide and share it digitally with your group members.  There will also be paper copies available at the Welcome Center if you would prefer to pick them up there.

Here is the study guide for this week: Off the Shelf – Study Guide Week 10

Here is the video for this week:

Click here if you can’t see the video.

BIBLE READING PLAN

For those of you who are doing the weekly reading plan, here is week 10: Week 10 OTS Reading Plan. This plan will be emailed on Monday morning to those who subscribed to the “Off the Shelf” email.  Please share this link with anyone in your group who is not signed up: https://www.firstdecatur.org/offtheshelf/

Please let me know if you have any questions.
Thank you, JG

Off the Shelf Week 9

OFF THE SHELF – WEEK 9

Below are the video and small group guide for week 9 of the Off the Shelf series. Please feel free to download the guide and share it digitally with your group members.  There will also be paper copies available at the Welcome Center if you would prefer to pick them up there.

Here is the study guide for this week: Off the Shelf – Study Guide Week 9

Here is the video for this week:

Please click here if you can’t see the video.

BIBLE READING PLAN

For those of you who are doing the weekly reading plan, here is week 9: Week 9 OTS Reading Plan. This plan will be emailed on Monday morning to those who subscribed to the “Off the Shelf” email.  Please share this link with anyone in your group who is not signed up: https://www.firstdecatur.org/offtheshelf/

Please let me know if you have any questions.
Thank you, JG

OFF THE SHELF WEEK 8

Thank you to those of you who made it to the leader huddle last Sunday.  For those who were unable to make it, I am planning to send a summary of our meeting next week.

OFF THE SHELF – WEEK 8

Below are the video and small group guide for week 8 of the Off the Shelf series. Please feel free to download the guide and share it digitally with your group members.  There will also be paper copies available at the Welcome Center if you would prefer to pick them up there.

Here is the study guide for this week: Off the Shelf – Study Guide Week 8

Here is the video for this week:

If you are unable to see the video, please click here.

BIBLE READING PLAN

For those of you who are doing the weekly reading plan, here is week 8: Week 8 OTS Reading Plan. This plan will be emailed on Monday morning to those who subscribed to the “Off the Shelf” email.  Please share this link with anyone in your group who is not signed up: https://www.firstdecatur.org/offtheshelf/

Please let me know if you have any questions.
Thank you, JG

Off the Shelf Week 7

LEADER HUDDLE – THIS SUNDAY

Please join us for our Leader Huddle this Sunday, Oct. 20, from 6-7:30 in Mosaic Cafe.  Dinner is provided. This will be the 2nd of 4 huddles this school year.  I would love to see you there for training, prayer, and connection with other leaders.

 

OFF THE SHELF – WEEK 7

Below are the video and small group guide for week 7 of the Off the Shelf series. Please feel free to download the guide and share it digitally with your group members.  There will also be paper copies available at the Welcome Center if you would prefer to pick them up there.

Here is the study guide for this week: Off the Shelf – Study Guide Week 7

Here is the video for this week:

Off the Shelf Small Group Video Week 7 from Jonathan Grunden on Vimeo.

If you can’t see the video, please click here.

BIBLE READING PLAN

For those of you who are doing the weekly reading plan, here is week 7: Week 7 OTS Reading Plan. This plan will be emailed on Monday morning to those who subscribed to the “Off the Shelf” email.  Please share this link with anyone in your group who is not signed up: https://www.firstdecatur.org/offtheshelf/

Please let me know if you have any questions.
Thank you, JG