At Immanuel we have a Small Groups Department, which Are small groups of people coming together on a regular basis for a common purpose and led by an identified leader/facilitator. These groups meet together to grow in Christ, connect in fellowship and support each other in these endeavours.

Vision statement: To promote within Immanuel Baptist intentional friendship, encouragement, service, outreach and spiritual growth for the glory of Christ.

The Small Groups Ministry would like your help in giving us suggestions for possible topics for study resources for the upcoming 2010 year.  Jot down your ideas and email Ingrid at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 897-0822 and leave a message or jot a note in her mailbox in the copy room. Many thanks for your help.

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 Small Group Ministry News!

If you are new at Immanuel and would like to become part of a small group, let us help you get plugged in.  We can help coordinate new groups – if you have suggestions, please let us know what topics might interest you.

Small groups are a great way to connect you with others in our church family, so that we can learn and grow together!

We are always looking for new people to facilitate new groups.

Contact Ingrid Taylor at 897-0822 or email her at:

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

There is a new updated brochure on the bulletin board listing all our small group materials for lending.  Please take one so you can plan your next study!!  The studies are also listed BELOW.

Here are four very important reasons.

First, you’ll begin to understand the Bible better in a Small Group—there’s nothing like the chance to ask questions.

Second, you’ll begin to feel like you’re part of God’s family—and not just a face in the crowd.

Third, prayer will become more meaningful for you—your friends will be praying for you and with you.   

Finally, you’ll be able to handle stress and pressure better—when your friends are there for you, life is a very different experience.

 LIBRARY OF SMALL GROUP STUDIES - UPDATED FEB.2010

There are a number of studies listed below that are available to borrow for use in your Small Group.

A brochure is available at the church office.  Come and pick one up.

Ingrid Taylor, Small Group Coordinator at

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 897-0822.

SPIRITUAL FORMATION

The Prayers of Jesus

Prayer was the backbone of Jesus’ life and ministry.  From his baptism to his crucifixion, the Gospels portray Jesus as a man of prayer who knew and deeply valued intimate communion with His heavenly Father.  What can we learn from the prayers he prayed?  Six (6) interactive small group sessions explores the prayers of Jesus to gain new insights into prayer, the character of God and how to deepen your relationship with Him.

Foundations

Doctrine is the study of what God has to say.  What God has to say is always the truth.  This discipleship course is a presentation of the basic doctrine, or truths of the Christian faith, in a simple, systematic, and life-changing way.  Topics: The Bible, God, Jesus, The Holy Spirit, Creation, Salvation, Sanctification, Good and Evil, The Afterlife, the Church and The Second Coming.

Experiencing God:  Knowing and Doing the Will of God

Join author Henry Blackaby as he teaches the basic principals of the Experiencing God course.  This 13 session study looks at such topics as: God’s Will and Your Life; Looking to God; God Pursues a Love Relationship; Love and God’s Invitation; God Speaks (2 parts); The Crisis of Belief; Adjusting Your Life to God; Experiencing God Through Obedience; God’s Will and the Church; Kingdom People; Continuing Fellowship with God.

Driven by Eternity

Drawing on the principles of 2 Cor.5:9-11, John Bevere reminds us that all believers will stand before Christ and receive what they have earned in life.  Many of us will be shocked to learn that the majority of our time was spent on things that don’t count toward eternal rewards.  13 sessions.

God Views from series Curriculum of Christlikeness (Renovare)

A journey of discovery examining six of the most common false views of God and four true pictures.  Also, experience a variety of Bible studies and creative exercises designed to help you enter into more intimacy with your heavenly father.  A 12-part series.

Believing God: Experiencing a Fresh Explosion of Faith by Beth Moore

Do you take God at His Word, believing what He has told us, or do you just believe in His existence and the  salvation He offers?  Based on Isaiah 43:10, this study explores what it means to believe God.  Through studying the lives of Abraham, Moses, and others from Hebrews 11 as examples of persons who believed God, Beth encourages women to deepen their own trust in God and receive a fresh word from Him.  10 life-changing sessions.

Getting a Grip:  Finding Balance in Your Daily Life

Bill Hybels, founding and Sr. pastor at Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, Ill., helps guide you toward wise choices and disciplined action in five vital areas of your life: your time, your health, your finances, your spiritual life, and your relationships.  As you learn what the Bible has to say about each of these, you’ll discover how able and eager Jesus is to help you obtain solid traction on the road of life.

Honor’s Reward: How to Attract God’s Favor and Blessing

Bestselling author, John Bevere, unveils the power and truth of an often-overlooked principle—the spiritual law of honor.  If you understand the vital role of this virtue, you will attract blessing both now and for eternity.  12 part DVD series (CD’s also available).

THE BIBLE

The Parables of Jesus

This Deeper Connection series is unique.  Unlike any other Bible Study available, this visually stunning, 6 session DVD series is written and taught by biblical experts—6 professors with specialized area of knowledge.  Don’t let the word ‘deeper’ scare you.  These engaging and accessible studies are for everyone who wants to deepen their understanding of God’s Word and apply it more faithfully and effectively.

John 3:16

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”  Timeless and powerful, these words proclaim a message of love, a source of hope and a promise of life.  One sentence, softly spoken 2,000 years ago, is just as relevant today as when Jesus first uttered it.  Interactive study unpacks the incredible message of John 3:16.  By Max Lucado.

1 Thessalonians

A 6 week Bible study packed with relevant and important teachings by the Apostle Paul for living the Christian life today.

James: Developing a Faith that Works

The book of James is packed with wisdom, encouragement and practical instruction to help you and your small group put your faith in Christ to work.  A faith that works is what it’s all about.  Vol. 1 is a 6 week study incorporating James 1-3 followed by another 6 week study of James 3-5.  Topics such as: How to Manage Your Mouth, How to Relate Wisely to Others, etc.

Daniel: Lives of Integrity, Words of Prophecy by Beth Moore

Just as the prophet Daniel faced unbelievable pressure to compromise his faith in a hostile culture and was constantly confronted by temptations and threats, today’s believers face similar trials.  This 12-session study is created in two parts.  The first portion, Daniel 1-6, deals with Daniel’s life as he faced the kind of pressures and temptations Christians encounter today.  Daniel models how to develop enduring integrity in an enticing world.  The second portion, Daniel 7-12, explores thrilling prophecies from the time of Daniel through the second coming of Christ.

Stepping Up: A Journey Through the Psalms of Ascent by Beth Moore

Explores Psalms 120-134.  Travelling pilgrims sang these psalms both on the way to the great festivals of the Jews and as key elements of the worship at those festivals.  Students will interact with Beth Moore and the Scriptures in new  ways.  They will gain a new appreciation for the life of faith as a journey to greater fellowship with and worship of God.  Beth says, “I am expecting nothing less than a new level of relationship and intimacy with God through these psalms.  I ask you to settle for nothing less as well.  The more we unveil our faces to God and bare our souls to Him, expressing what is on our hearts, the safer we’ll feel with Him and the closer we’ll draw to Him”.

Esther: It’s Tough Being a Woman by Beth Moore

This study looks at the Old Testament story as a profile in courage and contains many modern parables for today’s woman.  Going up against heavyweights bent on her destruction, Esther trusted God and landed a blow that saved her people.  Esther’s destiny can be yours as you know more deeply the God who stands in your corner.  10 week study.

John: The Way to True Life

We all long for a full, rich, satisfying life.  But how do we fill up the empty places of our soul?  How can we quench our thirst for something deeper, more lasting, more meaningful?  John urges us to take a fresh look at Jesus.  He invites us to renew our faith in the One who promises to be the way to true life.  This study is comprised of 26 studies, in 2 parts.

RECOVERY

Surrendering the Secret by Pat Layton

Without question, abortion can be one of the most traumatic experiences in a person’s life.  Research indicates that more than 40% of women of child-bearing age have experienced its pain.  Many women hide the secret of abortion and suffer severe consequences.  This powerful new study helps hurting women find the path to healing through honest, interactive Bible study; meaningful group experiences; unique journaling exercises; and confidential, caring community.  8 weeks.

Celebrate Recovery from Saddleback Church

A Christ-centered recovery ministry for the church.  Alcoholism, Divorce, Sexual Abuse, Codependancy, Domestic Violence, Drug Addiction, Sexual Addiction, Food Addiction, Gambling Addiction are more than ‘issues’.  They’re about people who sit as close to us as the next pew, or our own.  People struggling with problems that sermons or Bible studies alone won’t solve.  But there is a way the church can help the hurting move beyond their hurts, hang-ups and habits to experience the healing and liberty of Christ.  (Qualified instructor required).

DivorceCare

A DVD seminar series featuring some of the nations foremost Christian experts on divorce and recovery topics seen from a biblical perspective.  The seminars are combined with support group discussion of the materials presented during the video.  13 interactive sessions.

LEADERSHIP

Jesus on Leadership, Becoming a Servant Leader

Gene Wilkes leads a study about discovering the type of leaders we may be following the example of Jesus.  You may not consider yourself a leader, but this book will help you see that God has designed for us to be servant leaders.  Followers of Jesus are servant leaders because Jesus “did not come to be served, but to serve.”  (Mark 10:45) Come discover your ‘spiritual giftings’, your ‘relational skills’ and the use of these with your ‘vocational skills’.

God Cares Ministry: Living Waters in a Dry Land

This training series will help you start a nursing home ministry or enhance your existing outreach.  “The Lord is Calling and Equipping Servants; Meeting the Spiritual Needs of Nursing Home Residents; Group Ministry in the Nursing Home; One-to-one Visiting in a Nursing Home; How to Lead Our Friends to Jesus; Ministering Beyond the Limitations of Dementia” are a few of the topics covered.  This 8 week program, lead by facilitator Larry Tirrell, can be arranged as the need/desire arises.

OUTREACH

Where Faith & Culture Meet

Take your group to a place where you can...see people’s needs in a new way; understand your calling; learn how your faith can shape culture.  What does it actually look like for us to go into today’s diverse world with the gospel of Jesus?  How can we live in our culture-not apart from it-in ways that make a real difference?  This study helps your group experience and envision how you can be a counterculture for the common good.  Sessions include: 1. Begin, 2. Dwell, 3. Unite, 4. Reconcile, 5. Invest, 6. Sessions

Just Walk Across the Room by Bill Hybels

This study signals the next era in personal evangelism.  Pastor Hybel’s firm conviction is that the highest value in personal evangelism is being attuned to and cooperative with the promptings of the Holy Spirit.  This means playing only the role you are intended to play—walking when the Spirit says to walk, talking when the Spirit says to talk, and falling silent when the Spirit suggests that you’ve already said enough.  Today, the goal for every Christian is to reflect Christ’s love and follow his example by taking simple walks across the room—leaving our circles of comfort and extending hands of care, compassion, and inclusiveness to people living far from God.  Four sessions on simple steps point people towards faith.

Becoming a Contagious Christian

Is your love for Jesus Christ contagious? It can be!

In this book, Bill Hybels explains how you can experience life’s greatest thrill—leading a friend or loved one to the Saviour.  Evangelism doesn’t have to be frustrating or intimidating.  It should be the most natural thing in the world.  With this study, come receive encouragement and direction.  DVD/workbooks, 6 sessions.

ALPHA

Alpha: Questions of Life

Alpha is a 13 week study dealing with a practical introduction to the Christian faith, answering questions like: What is the purpose of life?  What happens when we die? Why did Jesus have to die? What relevance does the Bible have for our lives today? It is the perfect “seekers” group.

Marriage Alpha

Marriage Alpha is an 8 week study presented on video by Nicky & Sila Lee of Holy Trinity Brompton in London, England.  “Most couples come into marriage with big expectations.  As they leave their wedding through a shower of confetti and meander off into the sunset, they cannot imagine ever not wanting to be together.  The long-term reality is different, and potentially, far better.”

DISCIPLESHIP

Developing Your Shape to Serve Others

A 6 week study on the purpose of Ministry.  God designed your unique mix of gifts, natural abilities, personality, values and life experiences, to play an essential part in His Kingdom.

Growing to Be Like Christ

A 6 week study on the purpose of Discipleship.  Equipping you for developing the basic habits of spiritual growth.

Sharing Your Mission Everyday

A 6 week study on the purpose of Evangelism.  Equipping you to extend love to seekers around you and to talk about your experience with God in ways that people will understand.

Navigators

(The new 2:7 series consisting of 3 book/studies)  Book 1: Growing Strong in God’s Family:  Learn how to sharpen your quiet time.  Do Bible studies and memorize key verses on the most essential elements to Christian living.  The next three study topics will be:  Deepening Your Roots in God’s Family and Bearing Fruit in God’s Family.

Watch for these studies to come—Bait of Satan by John Bevere and The Truth Project by Focus on the Family.