Winter 2013 Villages!!!!

I’m excited to be starting a new round of our Villages this January. Villages are our small group ministry. We believe that the fullness of the Christian life cannot be experienced and enjoyed as it ought with just personal devotions and large group gatherings on Sunday mornings. We view small groups as an opportunity for holy conversation and encouragement in a more intimate setting.

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. Hebrews 10:24-25

This past fall, all of the Villages did the same study from Exodus 1-20 (which I loved). This winter we’re going to have several different groups doing different studies at different times. Check them out and contact the leaders and let them know you want to join. I am thinking about abandoning my group because some of the others look so good! All of the groups are starting the week of January 19th unless otherwise noted.

Sunday Nights
Crazy Busy at the Upshaws’ from 4:30-6:30 pm. No time for Village? This is the one for you! Northside Village is meeting Sunday afternoons starting January 19th. We have our discussion first and the meal afterwards. We’ll be discussing Crazy Busy by Kevin DeYoung (available at Amazon and Westminster). Written by an author who describes himself as “crazy busy” this book deals with the issue of busyness from a Biblical perspective. It also deals with the modern day issues that contribute to our busy culture. We will read through the book together and together see how we can encourage one other to live purposeful lives for the Glory of God! Kids are welcome! Please buy the book ahead of time, or just come enjoy the discussion. Note: we will not meet on Sundays that RVC @ Night occurs.

Exodus, Part Deux at the Sampsons’ from 5:30-7:30 pm. Did you feel like you got ripped off when our last Village curriculum ended at chapter 20 of Exodus? Then come to the Sampsons on Sunday nights to continue through another Exodus curriculum called The Shadow of Glory covering chapters 19-40. Note: we will not meet on Sundays that RVC @ Night occurs.

Monday Nights
Running Scared at the Jozwiaks’ on the East side. We will meet Monday nights at 6 pm, dinner included. This Village will address how to deal Biblically with different emotions. Anger, anxiety, fear, and depression pose significant obstacles in the Christian life (for some more than others). We will work through a different emotion every two weeks; one week to minister to that emotion in our own soul and a second week to discuss helping other with similar struggles. The text book for this class will be Running Scared by Ed Welch (available at Amazon and Westminster). While it is recommend that you purchase the book it is not required. Kids are welcome.

Tuesday Nights
Missions Lab at the Smiths’ on the East side. We will meet Tuesday nights at 6 pm, dinner included. The plan is to equip and mobilize the members of RVC to fulfill the Great Commission and to explore a calling to overseas service. We will read a book on missions, study the book of Acts, incorporate group discussions, pray for missions, and put practice what we are learning. Kid friendly.

Wednesday Nights
Systematic Theology, pt 1 at the MOB near Camp Randall. Group meal at 6 pm with teaching, discussion, and prayer to follow. Wayne Grudem has a well-regarded DVD series called “Christian Beliefs” that we’ll be going through. Dr Grudem has a Systematic Theology Book (Amazon/Westminster) that is used in many seminaries (not necessary for the group). What is the Bible? What is God like? What is the Trinity? What is creation? What is prayer? What are angels and demons? What is man? What is sin? Who is Christ? What is atonement? Come and learn together!

Thursday Nights
Desiring God at the Tucks’ on the West side. Group meal at 6 pm with teaching, discussion, and prayer to follow. Desiring God contains what’s likely, apart from the Bible itself, the most influential teaching in the life of our Church. I just found out recently that there’s a video curriculum going through the teachings and I thought it would be great for a Village. Reading along with the book would be helpful but won’t be required (available at Amazon and Westminster). Christian Hedonism Forever!!!!

Holy Vocabulary: Rescuing the Language of Faith at the Collops’ on the far West side. Group meal at 6:30 pm with teaching, discussion, and prayer to follow. The idea for this study is that Christians must reclaim our particular vocabulary. We overuse some words to the point that we empty them of meaning (“love”, “saved”, etc.). Other words suffer from lack of appropriate attention (“propitiation”, “sanctify”, etc.). The study serves to introduce (or reintroduce) these important words – not so we can check off the boxes on a vocab quiz, but so that we are drawn into a deeper relationship with Christ. This study will be a great for introducing your friends to Christ and the Church. It is highly encouraged to invite the unchurched to this study. This group can accommodate small kids (under 5).

Think about what group you want to be in and please contact the leader… but you don’t have to decide yet. There is one more group that may be forming up on the near west side south of the belt-line. I’ll keep you posted!