Small Groups
SMALL GROUPS
Several months ago, the peopleof Manassas Baptist Church identified Bible Study and Community as two of our greatest needs. Considering that need, our elders identified implementation of a small group ministry as one of the chief priorities for the church. We thrive in community. We show more spiritual growth in the context of community. We bounce ideas off each other. We share victories and deep pain. We laugh and cry together.
After several months of training, our first small group leaders invited others to join them in taking a next step in walking with Jesus. These four new small groups will meet regularly over the next year, each with a different focus, meeting time and schedule. Several of the groups are closed and not taking in new members due to either the nature of the group, the purpose of the study or its current size. A few groups are open and welcome others to join them.
After an initial “getting acquainted period,” we ask that members commit to regular attendance in their group for a year to eighteen months, since small group relationships take some time to develop. New groups will be starting throughout the year, giving additional opportunities to participate in a community study.
The hope behind our small group initiative is that everyone who attends Manassas Baptist will eventually be a part of a small group that will help them grow in their relationship with Christ and connect in a deeper way with his body of believers. In addition to the groups listed below, new groups will be starting throughout the year.
If you are interested in joining one of the OPEN groups below or are interested in taking the training to become a small group leader, please email our church secretary () . You don’t have to be a great speaker or Bible scholar to lead a group but must have an interest in engaging others in developing their faith more deeply.
CURRENT SMALL GROUP OPPORTUNITIES:
JIM & JOAN GUTHRIE’s group begins with a biblical study When Life Is Hard, by James MacDonald. Life is hard! This group will be looking at the trials of life and sharing about those times that refine Christians in ways we often don’t notice. This group currently meets on Sunday evenings twice a month from 7 to 9 PM and is OPEN.
TOM & LINDA SUPPAN’s groups strengthen the husband/wife relationship and deal with conflict within relationships, all from a biblical viewpoint. While the focus is on the marriage relationship, these groups are excellent for couples thinking about marriage. One group meets on the 2nd Thursday of each month; the second group meets on the 4th Thursday of each month. These groups require a firm commitment of one year and are currently CLOSED due to size.
GEORGE & MERYL FRANCK’s small group is discovering the presence of God in the daily lives of believers and in the work of the church; in other words, looking for “God sightings.” Through Bible study, prayer and sharing fellowship, group members will encourage and affirm each other in faith, knowledge and relationship with Christ. As described in John 10:27, the group will seek to hear and recognize the voice of the Shepherd. This group meets every other Monday at 7:30pm and is currently OPEN.
JOE & JEANA WOOD are leading a different sort of group. The group will begin a 13-week study focused on discovering God’s plan for your life. The study addresses our absolutely frantic lives that often lead to procrastination, over-commitment, chronic tardiness and anxiety. Joe and Jeana have gone through special training to lead this study based on Ken Smith’s It’s About Time! There is a registration fee to cover the cost of materials. The group will meet on Sunday mornings and is currently OPEN.