Tonight's Blog for April 1, 2013

We finished the month of March, with a great Easter Sunday Morning, as the Blog last night shared with you. Mondays are often days to reflect and plan for the week ahead, but after a day like yesterday, it is good to take a deep breath, and seek ways to find out what we can do to honor GOD as we kick off plans for summer… 

Summer? YES, I want to let you know about some of the specific plans we are thinking about as we prepare for Summer… yes i know, summer really will be here soon, after all wasn't today the first day of baseball? Our thoughts for you this next few weeks, is to continue to blog and to continue to study GOD's word, and to help folks to grow as students of the Bible by asking and answering questions about the Bible. You see, our goal as a church is to have 100% involvement in small groups, in our worship time, and to give folks a chance to become involved in ministry by finding an area of service that will use their gifts, in their areas of passion. 

During the month of March, we had 5 Sundays to prepare us for Easter, as we talked about the reality of the life we live in Christ. By sharing with you these specific plans, it is again our prayer that you will hear us as leaders reaching out to you, with these gentle nudges, to walk along side of us. Let me give you one example. Our small groups are all on the same set of material, "How to Study the Bible," by Mark Moore (you can learn more at: markmoore.org ) If you have attended any of the groups, you know that we are starting with a focus on one scripture passage. The first assignment was to choose a passage from the Bible, as small as a paragraph, or up to a chapter if you desire. We then were asked to read with an open mind, and make a list of Questions that are raised from the passage. Finally, our first assignment ended with a similar request, to make a list of observations, from the specific text to share.

Why am i sharing this with you? Often after Easter or at the beginning of the year, folks want to make "resolutions" to celebrate. Since our goal is to add as many people to small groups as possible, we want to invite you to pray about this opportunity. I will do all I can to help you to be in a group that will be a blessing to you! The first step is to take a chance, to decide to be in a small group. If you do, I will be glad to help you choose a scripture to study. We will both grow by walking together through your passage… let me know what I can do. Will you pray for wisdom today, and for a chance to come along side others who have made this choice ? GOD bless you, big marv