Small Group Opportunities

Sunday evenings 6:00   September thru October

Christianity & World Religions - In our religiously diverse society it is essential that Christians seek to understand the faiths of others, to know how these faiths are similar to and different from their own faith. This course examines four major world religions, Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam and Judaism describing how they began, some of their essential teachings, and ways in which they differ from and are similar to Christianity. We'll taste foods that are important to their culture and visit their place of worship. 

Led by Erich Bacher
Sunday, September 12 for 7 weeks
6:00 - 7:30 p.m.
Meets at New Hope
Cost:  Small fee to cover cost of foods

Sign me up for Christianity & World Religions

Monday morning 9:30   September thru December

WOMEN OF THE WORD (WOW)- The group will be studying the book "Becoming More Than A Good Bible Study Girl" by Lysa Terkeurst.
 
Is something missing in your life? This author knows what it's like to consider God just another thing on her to-do list. For years she went through the motions of a Christian life. Go to church. Pray. Be nice. Longing for a deeper connection between what she knew in her head and her everyday reality, she wanted to personally experience God's presence.  Drawing from her own remarkable story of step-by-step faith and with her trademark wit and wisdom, Lysa invites you to uncover the spiritually exciting life we all yearn for.
 
Led by Bonnie Veitch, Donna Wilkinson and Karen Wojahn
Mondays -  September 13 - December 20
9:30 a.m.
Meets at First UMC in Room Z120
Cost:  Books are approximately $15

Sign me up for Women Of the Word

12 noon - 12:45   Ongoing through the year

FRUITS & THE SPIRIT - This group of encouragers is focused on learning to eat healthy and move more through good habits and prayer.  An optional food plan and private weigh in is available. 

Led by Patti Bacher
Monday, all year
12:00 - 12:45 p.m.
Meets at New Hope
Cost:  None
Sign me up for Fruits & The Spirit

6:30 - 9:00 p.m.   September thru May

DISCIPLE: BECOMING DISCIPLES THROUGH BIBLE STUDY-
"If you make my word your home, you will indeed be my disciples."
~John 8:31 The New Jerusalem Bible

Are you hungering for the Word of God? DISCIPLE Bible Study can help transform your life and your church into a biblically nourished congregation that nurtures and encourages people to live as disciples of Christ.
The DISCIPLE Bible Study program is designed to develop strong local churches through the in-depth study of Scripture. Through DISCIPLE, persons are strengthened in their faith and guided into service and ministry. Strong, biblically nourished leadership will help your church grow in vitality and Christian discipleship.

Led by Ron Saccol, Tina Johnson and Merrilee Saccol
Meet & Greet:  August 23rd
Class:  Monday, September 13 - May 23
6:30 - 9:00 p.m.
Meets at Suamico UMC
Cost:  Study manuals are approximately $40

Sign me up for Disciple - Becoming Disciples Through Bible Study

6:30 - 9:00 p.m.   September thru May

DISCIPLE: REMEMBER WHO YOU ARE- Participants in this thirty-two-week study will read the major and minor Old Testament prophets, with the exception of Daniel, and will read the thirteen letters traditionally attributed to Paul. To establish the historical context in which the prophets spoke for God, daily reading assignments also draw on the books of Deuteronomy through Chronicles.

Led by Dr. Clark Stevens
Monday, September 13 - May 2011
6:30 - 9:00 p.m.
Meets at New Hope
Cost:  Study manuals are approximately $40

Sign me up for Disciple - Remember Who You Are

10:30 - 11:45 a.m.   October thru December

THE JOURNEYS OF PAUL -  Discussion will focus on the Book of Acts, chapters 7:54 - 28:31, in order to further appreciate the relationships,               experiences, and accomplishments of the Apostle Paul.  Study guides, maps, and videos will be provided.
              
Led by Rev. Randy Richter
Tuesday, October 12 - December 14
10:30 - 11:45 a.m.
Meets at Bethany UMC
Cost:  Unknown

Sign me up for "The Journeys of Paul"

6:30 - 8:30 p.m.   September thru March

COMPANIONS IN CHRIST -  a small-group program in spiritual formation, offers a powerfully renewing experience that builds spiritual practices to help you share more fully in the life of Christ, and to bring what you learn into all areas of your life. This 28-week spiritual journey will draw you into daily time with God through individual reading and reflection and will gather you weekly with others in your faith community for deeper exploration.
This basic Companions in Christ class provides diverse, imaginative settings for learning the spiritual disciplines of prayer, scripture, study, worship, ministry and Christian conversation.
  
Led by Diane Wilson and Diane Zingler
Tuesdays, September 14 thru March
6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Meets at Bethany UMC
Cost:  Cost of the book is $20

Sign me up for Companions In Christ

6:30 - 8:30 p.m.   October thru November

COMPANIONS IN CHRIST II -  Companions in Christ Level II will study the latest book in the Companions series, "The Way of Scripture".
 
You go to Sunday school. You read the Bible. How, though, do you approach it? Do you search the Scriptures for validation of your own beliefs and decision, or do you allow the Word-in-text- to search you? This deeper experience in God's Word will support you in going beyond simple Bible study. As you follow this 8-week journey, you'll find ideas to help you lay aside preconceived notions and daily worries, creating a place for a transforming encounter with God.
 
Prerequisite: Companions in Christ level I
Limit: 8-10 people
Fee: cost of participant's book
           
Led by Donna Wilkinson and Bonnie Veitch
Tuesdays, October 5 thru November 30
6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Meets at First UMC
Cost:  Cost of the book is approximately $20

Sign me up for Companions In Christ II

6:30 a.m.   Ongoing

WOMEN'S PRAYER GROUP - Using The Upper Room as a guide, this group meets weekly for breakfast and to pray for those in need.  
 
Led by Geri Lewis-Nytes
Wednesdays - Ongoing all year
6:30 a.m.
Meets at McDonalds in Allouez on Webster Avenue
Cost:  Breakfast costs

No sign up necessary - all are welcome any week.

9:30 - 11:00 a.m.    September - May

TASTE & SEE WOMEN'S BIBLE STUDY -  This group will start the fall off with the book, "A Grand New Day, It's Not Too Late To Begin Again".  Do you ever look back on the decisions you have made and feel as if you have        settled for a second-rate life? Maybe as a young girl you had dreams of how your life would be, yet as a grown woman you look around and wonder how you got to this place of despondency and disappointment.

Wake up! It's time to start your day with God's Word and this Women of Faith study. Teeming with insights and quotes from conference speakers, this 12 week study will open your heart to God's love and wisdom as you seek to live your life more fully in Him. The God who created us wants to bless us. He offers us- today and everyday- a new beginning.  Revelation 21:5, "Behold, I make all things new".
 
Led by Donna Wilkinson
Wednesdays, September 15 - May
9:30 - 11:00 a.m.
Meets at New Hope
Cost:  Book is approximately $15

No pre-registration necessary.  All women are welcome. No limit to class size.

12 noon - 1:00 pm    Ongoing

BOOKS BETWEEN BITES- beginning on September 8, the group will be reading and discussing, "THE ME I WANT TO BE" by John Ortberg.  Bring a lunch or sandwich fixings are provided for a donation.

Led by Rev. Dave Wilkinson
Wednesdays, September 8 - ongoing 
12:00 - 1:00 p.m.
Meets at First UMC
Cost:  Book and lunch

No pre-registration necessary.  All are welcome. No limit to class size.

1:00 - 3:00 p.m.   September thru May
OR
6:30 - 8:30 p.m.   September thru May

DISCIPLE: BECOMING DISCIPLES THROUGH BIBLE STUDY -The Bible is central to our faith, yet it can be such a confusing book!   This is a 32-week study which will take us through the majority of the Bible.  Each week there are daily readings and a 2-hour class.  There are three parts: watching DVD of a leading theologian giving background information on scripture being studied, what the Bible actually says, what is happening culturally at the time, and what this means for us today.
This is a great place to learn and grow.  If you have questions, please contact Pastor Sue May or Lisa Srenaski, Coordinator of Discipleship Ministries at St. Paul's UMC, 920-494-4549.
 
Led by Pastor Sue May
Wednesday, September 8 - May 2011
1:00 - 3:00
OR
6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Meets at St. Paul's UMC
Cost:  Study manuals are approximately $40

Sign me up for Disciple - afternoon class
Sign me up for Disciple - evening class

9:30 - 10:30 a.m.   October thru November

IDENTIFYING AND UNDERSTANDING LITERARY PRINCIPLES AND STRUCTURES IN THE BIBLE - Important literary characteristics from a wide variety of Biblical texts will be analyzed.  The reader will gain a greater understanding and new appreciation for how and why ancient authors employed specific literary devices and forms to communicate their messages.  Teachers will find this approach beneficial for preparation and presentation.

Led by Rev. Randy Richter
Thursday, October 14 - November 18
9:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Meets at Bethany UMC

Sign me up for Inductive Literary Study

9:30 a.m.   Ongoing

WOMEN'S BIBLE STUDY - This group will be doing a Beth Moore Bible Study.  For more information please call Jane Jones at 338-8352.

Led by Jane Jones
Thursdays, Ongoing
9:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Meets at First UMC

No need to sign up.  All are welcome.

6:30 - 9:00 p.m.   September thru May

DISCIPLE - INTO THE WORD INTO THE WORLD - encourages persons to open themselves to hearing what God has to say to them through the Bible and to be guided into service in the world by Scripture and their study of it.

This thirty-two-week study selects specific portions of Scripture and delves deeper into them. Depth study of Scripture will be the work both of individual members and of the group in its weekly meeting. Equal attention is given to both the Old and New Testament with concentration on four books: Genesis, Exodus, Luke, and Acts (eight lessons on each book). Appropriate connections are made to other parts of Scripture both through reading and study assignments and through commentary in the study manual. Participants will read familiar passages, see them in fresh ways, and anticipate that God will speak through them. 

Led by Ron Vinger and Paula Voskuil
Thursdays, September 9 - May 2011
6:30 - 9:00 p.m.
Meets at Bethany UMC

Sign me up for Disciple - Into the Word Into The World

6:30 p.m.   September thru October

ADVANCED LAY SERVANT MINISTRIES:  SPEAKING WITH CONFIDENCE -  The class will address: Creating, preparing presentations in groups and the church. The role of communication in small groups and how to effectively share ideas will also be part of this 6-week program.
 
Led by Rev. Russ May
Thursdays, September 23 - October 28
6:30 p.m.
Meets at Peace UMC

Sign me up for Advanced Lay Servant Ministries

6:30 a.m.   Ongoing

MEN'S BIBLE STUDY - BAND OF BROTHERS (BOB) -  This group of men meets weekly to discuss a book or timely topic. 
 
Led by Rev. Dave Wilkinson
Fridays, Ongoing all year
6:30 a.m.
Meets at First UMC

No need to sign up - all men are welcome.