Groups:  Small groups

Small groups are a key part of our Church life and we encourage as many
adults as possible to be part of a group. Groups were relaunched in October 03 and we currently have around 230  church members who are part of a small group.
There are 23 groups, which meet on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday evenings, Thursday and Tuesday mornings (the latter has a creche).
Groups meet weekly in term time, in people's homes for around two hours,
for a time of getting to know each other, Bible study and prayer.

We are always happy to welcome new members.
For more details of what homegroups are like, and whether there is one
currently running at a time and place which would suit you to join, contact the staff team.

"Our aim is to grow in our friendship with God, and in the out-working of our faith in everyday life."

To help this process we have groups for children on Sunday mornings and groups during the week for adults (and teenagers).

Download this terms theme booket here

Introduction to this terms theme - "Discipleship!"

Disciples or Christians? John Stott in his ‘farewell’ book ‘The Radical Disciple’ rues the day that the term ’disciples’ was subsumed by ‘Christians’ to describe those that would follow Jesus. Stott argues that although both Christian and Disciple imply a relationship with Jesus Disciple is the stronger as it stresses being under the ‘discipline’ of Jesus inviting a pupil - teacher relationship.

Within the Church today there exists different levels of commitment. The reality is that although many would call themselves Christian few are ready to take up the challenge of being a disciple - “our common way of avoiding radical discipleship is to be selective, choosing those areas in which commitment suits us and staying away from those areas in which it will be costly” - Stott.

Here at St Paul’s the challenge of being a disciple of Jesus today has been sharpened as we have engaged with the opportunity to rediscover the real ‘flesh and blood’ Rabbi from Nazareth through our 2010 series ‘Just Jesus.’ At the beginning of this New Year we have a significant opportunity for all Church Members to grow as disciples through a six month focus on radical discipleship.

By following the TIDE course (Training in Radical Discipleship and Evangelism) written by Grace Turner we will embark on a journey focussing on key areas of discipleship. You may remember that Grace led a Leadership Weekend for our Church last June and was a real inspiration to the 50 or so people from our Church Family who attended.

Apart from a break for Easter in April, each week over the next six months will use material from Grace’s 12 session TIDE course as the basis for preaching, teaching and small groups. Sunday Evenings will give us a further opportunity to engage with the TIDE course through watching Grace’s DVD teaching input and with follow up ministry, informal worship and prayer. In order that as many from our Church Family can take part on Sunday evenings the time the evenings begin has been moved from 7.00pm to 6.30pm.

As we greet this New Year please do prayerfully commit yourself to this opportunity that God gives each of us to both step out and step up our walk with Christ. Every Blessing -

Paul

 

 


Newcomers to the groups are always welcome; approach someone you know in a group,
or contact Syvlia Yelland sylvie.yelland@ntlworld.com


St. Paul's Church : St. Paul's Rd West : Dorking : Surrey : RH4 2HT