Ministries
 




Bible Studies & Small Groups





It is important that individuals study in fellowship with other Christians. Small groups allow a person to grow in his or her faith with the help of other people who can provide accountability and support.

Below is a list of groups currently meeting. In addition to these ongoing groups, please be sure to check out our current Phoenix classes (August-May) and adult Sunday school classes (year round). For more information on these groups, contact the person listed or Warren Pattison, Director of Adult Ministries, at wpattison@firstumc.org or 682-1912.

SUMMER BIBLE STUDIES AND SMALL GROUPS

Interested in Home-Based Small Groups?
We’re always looking to start more home-based Wesley small groups. In these groups, you will engage in simple Bible study based on the Scripture passage for the upcoming Sunday's sermon. These groups are great for all adults, whether you're just starting to study the Bible or have been studying all your life. Through these groups, you can grow closer to Christ and more fully embody our vision of “Worship Plus Two.” Contact Warren for more info.

Sunday
See our listing of morning adult Sunday school classes.

Wednesday
ReConnecting: A Study on Methodism
Wednes
days, 6:00 - 7:30 PM
Room F-23

New Study Starts July 13
Seven Sessions
Contact Warren for more info.

Led by Rev. Emily Oliver, the group will explore what God has done with the people called Methodist, what God is calling us to be in this day and time, and how we can grow into the future as disciples of Christ. Materials cost: $12. Childcare is available by reservation only to 863-682-1912.

Mark's Gospel From Scratch
Wednes
days, 6:30 - 7:30 PM
Room F-21

Seven Sessions, June 1-July 20
Contact Warren for more info.

Chris Agoranos leads this look at the Gospel of Mark. Perfect for all adults and older youth, you'll enjoy this study whether it's your first Bible study or your hundredth.

Faithbuilders
Wednes
days, 6:30 - 7:30 PM
Room D-3

Modified Summer Schedule
Meets May 18, May 25, June 1, June 8, July 20
Will resume weekly meetings on Aug 31
Contact Mia for more info.

The Faithbuilders Group consists of 30-something singles and couples that enjoy Bible Study, social events, fellowship, and lots of fun! If you are interested in finding out more about this welcoming group of young adults, please contact Mia West.

Young Couples
Modified Summer Schedule.
Meets offsite for some sessions. Contact Ron for more info.

Wednesdays, 6:30 - 7:30 PM
Room E-22

Ongoing Group
Contact Ron for more info.

The Young Couples are a group where couples can meet, socialize and learn more about the Word of God. Come and enjoy fun, friendship and fellowship! The group meets on Wednesday nights in room E-22 OR meets off campus for some sessions.

Band of Brothers - Men's Bible Study
Modified Summer Schedule. Contact Carl for more info
Wednes
days, 6:30 - 7:30 PM
Room E-20

Ongoing Group
Contact Carl for more info.

This group of guys meets to discuss issues of faith and daily life, action movies, ethical issues and scripture. In addition to their study, they sponsor service projects and plan trips and outings. They are always ready to welcome new brothers!

STUDIES COMING FALL 2011

Disciple Bible Study I: Becoming Disciples Through Bible Study
Various days and times starting in September 2011
Length: 35 Sessions (including orientation), 2.5 hours once weekly
Cost: $36 for student manual. Scholarships are available.
Contact Warren for more info or to register.


BECOMING DISCIPLES THROUGH BIBLE STUDY is the foundation of the DISCIPLE Bible Study program. It is equally appropriate for people who are new to the Bible as well as those who have been studying for some time.

DISCIPLE assumes that the Bible is the key to renewal in the church. It recognizes the human-divine nature of the Bible: The actual texts of Scripture were written by human beings like ourselves in their cultural settings, under the divine inspiration of God.

DISCIPLE affirms that the canon was formed as it is in order for God to speak to us. BECOMING DISCIPLES THROUGH BIBLE STUDY gives equal time to both the Old and New Testament, emphasizing the wholeness of the Bible as the revelation of God. DISCIPLE aims at transformation, not just information, and calls on persons to submit themselves to examination by Scripture, to put themselves under the power of God’s Word, and to be changed by God’s Word. DISCIPLE invites persons to bring their experiences and struggles to the Scripture. All persons know something is amiss with their existence and yearn for the Word from God.

BECOMING DISCIPLES THROUGH BIBLE STUDY uses biblical language and images and draws upon the work of scholars to aid understanding of the Bible. Through engaging video, participants are able to learn from some of the best in the area of contemporary biblical scholarship.

This study requires reading large portions of Scripture each week and is based on careful study and preparation. Daily study (30-45 minutes 6 days a week) is required, and the rewards are rich. During the course of thirty-four weeks, groups will move through the biblical stories of Creation to the New Jerusalem. The titles of the sessions along with theme words; theme verses; and major persons, events, and topics will set the sequence of the biblical story in the minds of the participants. The principal Scripture for each session follows the chronological movement of the biblical story.

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Financial Peace University
The first session is FREE to attend
Starting Fall 2011
Length: 13 Sessions
Cost: $100 for lifetime membership kit. Scholarships available.
Contact Warren for more info.

The first lesson of Financial Peace University is totally free and open for anyone to attend. All you have to do is register. Once the first lesson is over you will be given the opportunity to purchase your lifetime membership which includes the rest of the FPU lessons and class materials.

Imagine what the people of God could do for the Kingdom of God if they were debt free! Learn how to beat debt and build wealth by living like no one else. Dave Ramsey's biblically-based video series shows you how to get control of your finances, follow godly principles for handling money, and be able to give for the good of the Kingdom.

Over the 13 weeks of FPU, you will learn biblical principals and practical advice for handling your finances. Over the 91 days of the class, the average family pays off $5300 in debt and saves $2700. For more info, read this FAQ.

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Families of Faith
On Summer Break. Will resume on September 11, 2011
Sundays, 5-7 PM
Room: Parlor
Length: ongoing group
Contact Warren for more info.

Meeting simultaneously with our SPLASH children's ministry, this small group of families meets for dinner, prayer and Bible study. New families are always welcome!

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Beginning Sign Language
On Summer Break. Will resume in September 2011
Mondays, 6:30-8:30 PM
Room: D-1
Length: ongoing group
Contact Warren for more info.

Learn sign language for music and speech interpretation. Join Donna Rininger and Becky Petrie in learning the basics of sign language. All ages are welcome! 6:30-7:30 PM is signing for music with Donna. 7:30 - 8:30 PM is sign vocabulary building with Becky. Come for one or both hours.

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Beginning / Intermediate Computing
Space is limited! Registration required.
Tues
days, 9:30 - 11:30 AM
Start Date: Sept 6
Length: approx 13 weeks
Contact Warren for more info and to register.

This class starts at the very beginning, assumes no familiarity with computers, and progresses at the overall class's pace. Topics covered include hardware, internet, email, word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, and basic photo editing. The instructors will show you how to use gMail, Google docs, Picassa and other free internet-based applications. The skills learned using these can be transferred to other applications like Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

9:30-10:30 is instructional time on one of the topics listed above.
10:30-11:30 is a time for more practice or individual projects and personal assistance. Come for one or both hours.

Thursday Morning Women's Bible Study
On Summer Break. Will resume in September 2011
Thursdays, 9:30 - 11:00 AM
Room E-5

Ongoing Group
Contact Warren for more info.

Women of all ages are invited to join this group for prayer, Bible study and fellowship. Studies vary and recent studies have included Invitation to the Gospel of John and N.T. Wright's book Surprised by Hope. More ladies are always welcome!

 

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First United Methodist Church
A Stephen Ministry Church
72 Lake Morton Drive - Lakeland, Florida 33801 863.686.3163
For Questions and/or comments contact the webmaster@firstumc.org