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Wesley
Small Group Ministry
"They
devoted themselves to the apostles’ teachings and to the fellowship, to the
breaking of bread and to prayer…. Every day they continued to meet together in
the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad
and sincere hearts."
Acts
2:42-26 NIV
What
is a Wesley Small Group?
A Wesley Small Group (home group)
is made up of 3-15 people who come together to build relationships through
fellowship, accountability, bible study and prayer. The focus of this ministry
is to make Christ first in our lives and to glorify him.
Our spiritual foundations are demonstrated by sharing the love we
received from Christ with others. Each meeting is divided into time of
gathering/use of icebreakers, Bible study and discussion, and caring/sharing
through prayer.
Through
the Eight Point Covenant
for
Wesley Fellowship Groups, members are encouraged to share their thoughts,
feelings, problems and joys while applying Biblical principals, with confidence
that what is shared remains within the group.
An open chair
at all of the small group meetings is a reminder that there is always an open
spot for anyone who cares to join us. Please
consider joining a small group, there is an open chair waiting for you!
"Two
are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one
falls down, his friend can help him up. But
pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!"
Ecclesiastes
4:9-10 NIV
How
to Join a Wesley Small Group
1.
Have the Desire
- The first step in getting connected is to recognize your desire to join a
small group.
2.
Make a Decision -
Fill out an interest form.
3.
Make a Declaration - Contact Small Group Coordinators, Jerry and Sharon
Schwartzlow at:(757)
258-1072 or email:
Jerry@newtownumc.org
4.
Determination
- Try a group. If the group doesn't seem to be the right one for you,
don't despair or give up. Call Jerry and/or Sharon, they will arrange for
you to visit another group. All group leaders are agreeable to having you
visit as you search for the group that is just right for you.
8
Point Covenant for
Wesley Small Groups
1.
The Covenant of Love (agape)
Your commitment to each
individual in your group must be of the spirit that says, "Nothing you do
or say will make me stop loving you."
2.
The Covenant of Availability
Two commitments are sought
after here:
a) "I will be available, when humanly possible, each time our group
meets."
b) "I will make myself available to any member of our group whenever they
are in need."
3.
The Covenant of Prayer "I
will pray for each member of our group consistently." 4.
The Covenant of Confidentiality
"Understanding
that the other points in this covenant our only possible in the security of a
trust relationship, I will. therefore, make the commitment to our group to share
NOTHING outside of our group that has been shared inside our group or shared in
private with another member of our group." 5.
The Covenant of Openness "Understanding
that I cannot know you and that you cannot know me unless we tell each other who
we are, I will make the commitment to tell you who I am, both in my strengths
and in my weaknesses." 6.
The Covenant of Sensitivity "I
will ask God to make me sensitive to the needs of each person in our group and I
will consciously make the commitment to LISTEN to each person each time they
speak, whether in words, actions, or attitudes." 7.
The Covenant of Honesty "Understanding
that speaking the truth in love is both positive and constructive unto bodily
growth, I will allow God to use me in our group's growth process by telling you
when I agree and when I disagree." 8.
The Covenant of Accountability "It
is my conviction that God has placed me in our group for building up the Body of
Christ, and that from time to time within our group it will be necessary for me
to seek the mind of the Lord through the counsel and advice of our group.
when I ask the group or an individual in the group for their counsel and advice,
I will report to them what I have done with their individual or collective
wisdom."
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