Growing in Faith

“Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” II Peter 3:18

We believe that God has called his people to come together regularly to worship the Lord, to open up God’s Word, and to build relationships with one another; so that we can grow in our faith. We exist as a local church because God has left us with a mission: “Go and make disciples” (Matthew 28:18-20) As we grow in our faith, we want to help others to grow along with us. There are several ministries available that meet throughout the week to help you in your journey of faith. Please check some of the resources listed below.

Adults

Adult Bible Classes: We have two classes that currently meet on Sundays in Room 204 & 206 at 9:00 am. We offer Bible studies that are open to all and run 8-10 weeks depending on the curriculum. (during the school year)

Small Group Bible Studies: These groups of 10-12 adults meet weekly during the school year in homes throughout the area on weeknights and weekends. Small Groups are a great place to meet others from Grace while you open up God’s Word and learn things that you can apply to your life. Our groups always welcome those who would like to check out a group. Join one for the whole year or just for one of our 8-10 week sessions in the fall, winter, or spring. Contact the church office (428-1331) or Pastor Bill at gracepastorbill@charterinternet.com if you would like get some information about our current groups.

Ladies’ Bible Studies: We normally have 2-3 groups that meet during the school in our building and in the community, as women of all ages get together to study God’s Word and pray for one another. Contact the church office (428-1331) or see Judy Vader, Deaconess of Women’s Ministries (jmvader45@gmail.com), if you are interested in learning more.

Men’s Bible Studies: We currently have 2 men’s groups that meet during the week to study God’s Word and talk about issues in guys’ lives. Contact the church office if you have any questions or if you would like to check out a group.

Resources:

We believe that healthy spiritual growth happens in community; so we highly recommend that people of all ages get connected with a Bible study or a Small Group where they can dig into God’s Word together and challenge each other to grow. However, there is also a need for every follower of Christ to set aside regular time each day to pause for prayer and to open God’s Word. Listed below is a sampling of helpful books that will compliment one’s personal time spent in God’s Word.

Anderson, Neil. Victory Over the Darkness. Ventura, CA: Regal,2000.

Bonhoeffer, Dietrich. The Cost of Discipleship. New York: Touchstone,1995.

Bridges, Jerry. The Pursuit of Holiness. Colorado Springs: NavPress, 1988.

Bridges, Jerry. Transforming Grace. Colorado Springs: NavPress, 1991.

Calvin, John. Institutes of the Christian Religion, 1559 ed. Translated by Henry Beveridge. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1997.

Hendricks, Howard and William Hendricks Living By the Book. Chicago: Moody, 1991.

Lewis, C.S. Mere Christianity. New York: Touchstone, 1996.

MacArthur, John. The Gospel According to Jesus. Grand Rapids: Zondervan,1988.

MacArthur. Our Sufficiency in Christ. Dallas: Word,1991.

Manning, Brendan. Ragamuffin Gospel. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1995.

Miller, Donald. Blue Like Jazz. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2003.

Nee, Watchman. The Normal Christian Life. Anaheim, CA: Living Stream, 1993.

Osborne, Larry. A Contrarian’s Guide to Knowing God. Colorado Springs, CO: Multonomah, 2007.

Peterson, Eugene. Christ Plays in Ten Thousand Places. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans,2007.

Piper, John. Desiring God. Sisters, OR: Multonomah,1986.

Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality. Nashville: Thomas Nelson,2006.

Sproul, R.C. The Holiness of God. Wheaton: Tyndale, 1988.

Willard, Dallas. The Divine Conspiracy. San Fransisco: Harper,1997.

Yancey, Philip. The Jesus I Never Knew. Grand Rapids: Zondervan,1995.