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| Intermountain District Discipleship Newsletter |
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To
Train, Resource and Inspire...
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October 2008
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 Take a peek inside this Edition...
Greetings from
Pastor Tim. Sunday School classes and other small groups
are well underway. What's on Pastor Tim's mind these days?
Before and Beyond
the Bible Study. Strong relationships are key to
discipleship. Consider how we can create space to nurture
connections within our groups.
Coming Up:
GroupLife Conference. Boise First is hosting the GroupLife
Conference broadcast from Willow Creek this weekend. Check it out!
The
Twenty-Somethings. Kenton Lee was recently appointed to
serve the Intermountain District as Young Adult Ministries
Director. Get a quick introduction here.
Partial Calendar of
Events. For your planning convenience, some of the events
coming up around the District are listed on the right hand side of the
newsletter.
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Dear Disciplers,
 I
love this time of year, when so many people return from their vacations
refreshed and renewed, ready to jump back into the routines of school,
church, and work. Most of the fall programs are in full swing by
now and people gather each week in Sunday School classes and other
small groups to worship and learn together. The relationships
that form in these groups have the potential to be life-changing as
participants move beyond learning
about Christ and help each other along in the process of
actually becoming like
Christ. God does amazing things as we talk and pray and simply
"do life" together.
In the midst of all this activity, I'd like to encourage you to think
about who may have disappeared from the groups you're involved
in. Are there people who had attended previously but are less
consistent now, or even absent? There are a number of reasons you
might not see them -- scheduling issues, switching to a different
group, even moving to a place far away. Perhaps they are
wrestling with health problems, conflict, or simply the distractions of
everyday life. In any case, this is an ideal time to reach out
and make a connection not just with the ones who are showing up each
week, but also with the ones who, for whatever
reasons, are not.
It doesn't take much to communicate that you care -- a brief note in
the mail to let them know you're thinking of them, followed up by a
friendly phone call to say you've missed them and want to make sure
they're doing okay. Make sure no one drifts away without being
reminded that they are loved. This is an opportunity to reflect
Christ's love in what might be a difficult time.
We are the body of Christ, loving and serving him together. If
there is anything we can do on the Intermountain District SDMI team to
help you as you follow Christ and lead others to do the same, please do
not hesitate to contact us!
Pastor Tim Brewer, Team Leader
Intermountain District SDMI
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Before
and Beyond the Bible Study
Sometimes
the best
part of a Bible study happens after the study, when the tasks are done
and the people involved have the freedom to converse beyond the
constraints of the day's lesson. There are other times when a
comment before the study reveals a thought or need which would
otherwise go unnoticed. Almost by definition, these informal
conversations are not organized. However, an intentional
disciple-maker can create an environment in which they naturally
flourish and create space for the development of true community within
a group. If this is an area you'd like to see strengthened in
your group, here are a few tips:
- Arrive early.
As people arrive, ask them about the past week. Catch a glimpse
of their joys and struggles. Help others to join in as they
enter. Notice any who may seem unusually quiet, and follow up as
needed.
- Develop
excellent questions and ask them
well. Try starting with an open-ended, no-wrong-answers question
to start the lesson. In the Bible study itself, include questions
that have clear answers from the text and move toward questions of
increasing depth to stimulate thinking and shift toward life
application. Be sure to provide plenty of time for group members
to think before you prompt a response.
- Include
fellowship in each week's schedule. Home groups often have
a small dessert or other simple snack time for this purpose before or
after the Bible study. Adult Sunday School classes may do well to
end a few minutes before the hour is finished to allow parents (and
others!) to talk briefly before picking up their children.
- End on time.
In many cases, it is good to end the "official" Bible study while
participants are still excited about the topic and interested in
discussing it further, rather than waiting until they are all done
talking. The topic may serve as conversation fodder when class is
dismissed.
Informal
time together can create powerful opportunities for discipleship.
So should we cancel Bible study so we can just eat brownies and
talk? By no means! There is always a balance to
maintain. But with a bit of preparation, informal conversation
can provide excellent opportunities for God's people to grow in
relationship with Him as they grow in relationship with each other.
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Coming
Up: GroupLife Conference
 Willow Creek is known for providing
quality conferences to help leaders become more effective in their
ministries. On October 17-18, 2008, Boise First will host a
broadcast event from the Willow's GroupLife Conference. This is
an excellent training event for all who are building small group
ministry in their local churches. Boise First has a limited
number of discounted tickets available.
Those interested may contact the church office at (208) 375-0322.
Sessions will include:
- Why Community is Essential
- Where Community Grows Best
- What Stunts Community Growth
- Seemed Like a Good Idea at the Time
- How Community Transforms
There will also be two breakout sessions:
- Practical Advice on Leading Small Groups
- Spiritual Formation in the Life of Small Group
Leaders and Members
Click for additional information, a Conference flyer, or the Boise First website.
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Mark
Your Calendar!
October
17-18, 2008
GroupLife Conference
via satellite
Boise First
Nazarene
October 25, 2008
"Rhythms" Big Picture
Youth Leadership Training
SLC First
Nazarene
February 16-20,
2009
Discipleship
Training Tour
Salt Lake
City, Twin Falls, Nampa, & Baker City
February 21, 2009
"Heroic Faith" Big Picture Youth
Leadership Training
NNU
April 12, 2009
Easter!
May 12-15, 2009
District NMI
Convention
&
District Assembly
Nampa
College Nazarene
June 24 - July
3, 2009
General Conventions
& Assembly
Orlando,
Florida
These
are just a few
of the many events.
Check your local
churches and the Intermountain District website
for more!
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 The Twenty-Somethings
The District SDMI Team welcomes Kenton
Lee as the Young Adult Ministries Director for the Intermountain
District. Kenton is an NNU graduate with a business degree, a
District Minister's License, and a passion for helping this age group
to truly engage with the church as a whole. The twenty-something
years are filled with tremendously important decisions, and the
ministry Kenton leads has the potential to provide an excellent place
for them in this transitional time.
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Living
Sacrifices
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"Love
must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.
Be
devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another
above
yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual
fervor,
serving
the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in
prayer."
Romans 12:9-13
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| Contact
Information |
We always welcome your input and your questions! To contact the
SDMI team, check out the District SDMI Team Page.
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