Yesterday, Sang bought us Pastrami sandwiches on rye bread and cole slaw from a Kosher deli. It was the best pastrami I've ever had. I always have to intro with what we ate since that is so important to our small group :)
For most of you who have finished the Prayer book a long time ago might not remember what Chapter 8 was about.... Joining In - corporate prayer. I was really encouraged today because our small group committed to meeting up on a non-small group day to have a mini prayer meeting on our own. What was great was that I wanted to mention it, but others mentioned it first. I can't play guitar and wanted a short time of worship, so someone volunteered to play but can't bring a guitar, so someone else going to bring a guitar. We'll probably meet sometime next week to devote time to prayer. (We usually meet every other week, so this is great that people want to come out on an off-week).
After small group, a small group member told me that setting aside time to pray in a group like this was on his heart and wanted to even talk to me about it before even coming to small group. He didn't know that this chapter was going to be about corporate prayer until he got to small group (what a coincidence) and was really encouraged that we've committed to a prayer time. We both agreed that this was divine. It was cool to see how God moves in hearts individually and then manifests things in a group.
Please please pray that this prayer meeting will actually happen and that the time of prayer will be GOOD. I can think of so many ways we could cover each other in prayer as well as pray for larger things.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Friday, October 24, 2008
nyc sg: update
last thursday, the nyc small group finishing j.i. packer's praying. it looks like we'll be joining the rest of the new brunswick groups and starting joshua harris's stop dating the church. since our books won't be here by our meeting time this week, we're going to get together for prayer and dinner.
our group is literally a small group. five of us--me, david, daniel, gina, and rebecca--meet every other week (emily moved back to nj so she's going to join one of the central jersey groups) at my apartment. i think our dynamics have been ok considering the size and it's nice to have familar faces but i worry sometimes about where this group will end up. rebecca is on a temporary "sabbatical" from goodnews and she is considering moving to brooklyn so that might leave our group with me, my husband, my brother-in-law, and gina. this works ok with me, but i think the other members wish our fellowship circle was a bit broader.
the challenge for me has been to reclaim some of the excitement of being a small group leader. preparing the studies in a way that is relevant and meaningful has been a lot harder than i remember from my college days. i think partly it's due to the fact that i've lost a lot of the zeal i once had for God's Word. please pray for me that i would have a bigger heart for these things.
our group is literally a small group. five of us--me, david, daniel, gina, and rebecca--meet every other week (emily moved back to nj so she's going to join one of the central jersey groups) at my apartment. i think our dynamics have been ok considering the size and it's nice to have familar faces but i worry sometimes about where this group will end up. rebecca is on a temporary "sabbatical" from goodnews and she is considering moving to brooklyn so that might leave our group with me, my husband, my brother-in-law, and gina. this works ok with me, but i think the other members wish our fellowship circle was a bit broader.
the challenge for me has been to reclaim some of the excitement of being a small group leader. preparing the studies in a way that is relevant and meaningful has been a lot harder than i remember from my college days. i think partly it's due to the fact that i've lost a lot of the zeal i once had for God's Word. please pray for me that i would have a bigger heart for these things.
Agenda for Next meeting
Hey guys,
Just emailing to let you know what will be happening on November 22!
The reason why we meet every month is to become more effective fellowship builders who build up a fellowship marked by sharing-in, sharing-out, and sharing-with.
Through our meetings, I want all of us to become more effective agents of change. In order for this to happen, the most vital need that I see for our team is each one of us having a strong, thriving relationship with God. There are other skills needed to become a good fellowship builder, but having a thriving personal relationship with God is foundational.
In order to overflow unto others, we need to know God and grow in grace ourselves! Know. Grow. Overflow.
I want all of us to become more spiritually vibrant. Our heart condition affects our church. So these days, I'm thinking how can we become fellowship builders who are constantly growing and thriving? What needs to be taught? What needs to change in our lives?
So for the Nov meeting, I want to focus on the topic of repentance.
I just heard a great sermon on repentance, and I want all of us to reflect on it.
Please begin praying for the Nov meeting. Let's pray that as we meet, we'll take another step forward!
Love in Christ,
SH
Just emailing to let you know what will be happening on November 22!
The reason why we meet every month is to become more effective fellowship builders who build up a fellowship marked by sharing-in, sharing-out, and sharing-with.
Through our meetings, I want all of us to become more effective agents of change. In order for this to happen, the most vital need that I see for our team is each one of us having a strong, thriving relationship with God. There are other skills needed to become a good fellowship builder, but having a thriving personal relationship with God is foundational.
In order to overflow unto others, we need to know God and grow in grace ourselves! Know. Grow. Overflow.
I want all of us to become more spiritually vibrant. Our heart condition affects our church. So these days, I'm thinking how can we become fellowship builders who are constantly growing and thriving? What needs to be taught? What needs to change in our lives?
So for the Nov meeting, I want to focus on the topic of repentance.
I just heard a great sermon on repentance, and I want all of us to reflect on it.
Please begin praying for the Nov meeting. Let's pray that as we meet, we'll take another step forward!
Love in Christ,
SH
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
North Jersey SG tonight
hi all,
Today our small group will be having dinner for sangs bday. No bible study today. We are meeting next week for bible study. I don't want to share too much in detail about what people are going through individually but our small group is pretty open with sharing and I hope we can be diligent in praying and supporting each other through hard times. I really want us to be a family. So please pray that even over burgers and cake we can encourage one anoher and those who aren't able to make it. I am stuck on a runway in Toronto and I hope I'll make it home in time for small group. Like I shared during out last meeting, I want to use this quiet time on the plane fruitfully to think of sg, you guys and the church. My computer battery died, as did my blackberry and soon I won't be able to use my phone. God is telling me to be quiet! :)
Today our small group will be having dinner for sangs bday. No bible study today. We are meeting next week for bible study. I don't want to share too much in detail about what people are going through individually but our small group is pretty open with sharing and I hope we can be diligent in praying and supporting each other through hard times. I really want us to be a family. So please pray that even over burgers and cake we can encourage one anoher and those who aren't able to make it. I am stuck on a runway in Toronto and I hope I'll make it home in time for small group. Like I shared during out last meeting, I want to use this quiet time on the plane fruitfully to think of sg, you guys and the church. My computer battery died, as did my blackberry and soon I won't be able to use my phone. God is telling me to be quiet! :)
Let's not forget Mike and Tina
Hello!
During our last meeting, Mike and Tina graciously shared with us some of their struggles as sg leaders. Feeling burnt-out and being stuck in a spiritual rut were some of the things that they shared.
I think that what they did was brave and mature - it was definitely a positive step for our team because I believe they helped to set the tone for our team. It's not easy to share our weaknesses, but God promises in the bible: when we pray for our brothers and sisters, God, through our prayers, comforts and revitalizes the brothers and sisters whom we're praying for.
It takes great humility to share our weaknesses, but as Paul says, we're strong in our weakness for his power is made manifest in our weakness.
Let's not forget to pray for Mike and Tina!
We ALL share in the same struggles. We're ALL running the same race, and beset with same spiritual obstacles. As leaders, we're all under attack. Let's not be ashamed to share our weaknesses and struggles.
Remember God's promise to us:
- "If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask, and God will give him life." (1 John 5:16)
- "Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for 3 years and 6 months it did not rain on the earth. Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit" (James 5:16-18).
During our last meeting, Mike and Tina graciously shared with us some of their struggles as sg leaders. Feeling burnt-out and being stuck in a spiritual rut were some of the things that they shared.
I think that what they did was brave and mature - it was definitely a positive step for our team because I believe they helped to set the tone for our team. It's not easy to share our weaknesses, but God promises in the bible: when we pray for our brothers and sisters, God, through our prayers, comforts and revitalizes the brothers and sisters whom we're praying for.
It takes great humility to share our weaknesses, but as Paul says, we're strong in our weakness for his power is made manifest in our weakness.
Let's not forget to pray for Mike and Tina!
We ALL share in the same struggles. We're ALL running the same race, and beset with same spiritual obstacles. As leaders, we're all under attack. Let's not be ashamed to share our weaknesses and struggles.
Remember God's promise to us:
- "If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask, and God will give him life." (1 John 5:16)
- "Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for 3 years and 6 months it did not rain on the earth. Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit" (James 5:16-18).
Monday, October 20, 2008
study guide
for the new brunswick small groups studying joshua harris's stop dating the church, there is a free online study guide that the author developed. i don't know how good it is or if you already know about it, but could be a good reference:
http://www.joshharris.com/stop_dating_the_church.php
http://www.joshharris.com/stop_dating_the_church.php
Friday, October 17, 2008
Your Conviction of the Month from Stott's Leadership Seminar
Post your conviction under "comments" please!
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Let's pray for our SGs!
Thanks, leaders, for the update!
Let's not forget these prayer topics, but remember to lift them up!
Let's not forget these prayer topics, but remember to lift them up!
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
woodbridge sg update
[from mina via email]
Woodbridge Small Group
Meets Thursdays @ 7pm chez David and Katerina Pirek (Will resume Nov.
13)
Members:
David and Katerina Pirek (and Timothy, too!)
Aaron Jaggard
Sungho Lee
Caroline Sung
Mina Kim
We took a break all summer because David and Katerina were hosting
guests, and then they had their baby on Oct. 2. We'll be picking back
up starting November 13. Caroline hosted a potluck dinner on Thurs,
Oct. 9 after Aaron suggested we get together for dinner.
Prayer requests:
1. Because our group took a very long break this summer, it feels very
fragmented right now. Pray that we'd be able to pick up again in
November with renewed fervor and excitement to meet and be a part of a
community.
2. Pray for our material...we'll be discussing what we want to do this
coming year.
3. Pray for our host family and their newest member - Timothy David!
It'll add a new dimension to have a baby as a sg member!
Thanks!
Woodbridge Small Group
Meets Thursdays @ 7pm chez David and Katerina Pirek (Will resume Nov.
13)
Members:
David and Katerina Pirek (and Timothy, too!)
Aaron Jaggard
Sungho Lee
Caroline Sung
Mina Kim
We took a break all summer because David and Katerina were hosting
guests, and then they had their baby on Oct. 2. We'll be picking back
up starting November 13. Caroline hosted a potluck dinner on Thurs,
Oct. 9 after Aaron suggested we get together for dinner.
Prayer requests:
1. Because our group took a very long break this summer, it feels very
fragmented right now. Pray that we'd be able to pick up again in
November with renewed fervor and excitement to meet and be a part of a
community.
2. Pray for our material...we'll be discussing what we want to do this
coming year.
3. Pray for our host family and their newest member - Timothy David!
It'll add a new dimension to have a baby as a sg member!
Thanks!
nb women's sg (christine & tina) update
[from christina via email]
Tina Lee and I are coleading the Central Jersey Tuesday Women's Small Group. Small group begins at 8.
We've met at 4H the past two weeks, but will begin to meet at Busch (I believe Sunhee's dorm) from now on. Our sg gals include:
Jennifer Bang
Gina Chang
Sunhee Sul
Mijin Yeom
Hannah Yook
Hanna Chang
Lydia Moon
Lydia Moon
So far, our bible studies have been going out very well... particularly our last one. This past week, Jason, Tina, and I worked together to form a study aimed at fostering a lot of group discussion and applying what we learned about "church dating" from our first meeting. We included questions based on Harris' book, relevant scripture, and P. John's sermon. I'm encouraged by this sg because I feel like they're very open to sharing and so sweet! We pretty much have the froshies and sophomores coming out consistently.
Here's some prayer requests I'd like to request:
* Gina Chang has been very vocal about her family struggles. Please pray for Tina and I to be as supportive and encouraging to her.
* Even though our sg has been going out well, I am personally struggling. Please pray that God will fill my heart with conviction and a greater sense of purpose in sg leading and loving this church.
nb women's sg (carmina & christine) update
[from christine via email]
Hello all!
Central Jersey Women (led by Carmina and Christine Chung)
Monday 8:30 pm
Catherine Kim
Esther Kim
Lydia Moon
Clare Jang
Justine Kim
Tina Kim
Liz Lee
Jessica Kim
Jennica Kim
Jenna Lee
Jennifer Ju(??)
I wasn't at the meeting this saturday, but so far our small group is going pretty nicely. dynamics are good too, which i wasn't expecting. carmina and I struggled with preparing for the first small group from the book, but we talked to sungho and bounced some ideas with him. this led to some creative and collaborative discussion and also gave us some clarity about our role as leaders and teachers.
Hello all!
Central Jersey Women (led by Carmina and Christine Chung)
Monday 8:30 pm
Catherine Kim
Esther Kim
Lydia Moon
Clare Jang
Justine Kim
Tina Kim
Liz Lee
Jessica Kim
Jennica Kim
Jenna Lee
Jennifer Ju(??)
I wasn't at the meeting this saturday, but so far our small group is going pretty nicely. dynamics are good too, which i wasn't expecting. carmina and I struggled with preparing for the first small group from the book, but we talked to sungho and bounced some ideas with him. this led to some creative and collaborative discussion and also gave us some clarity about our role as leaders and teachers.
north jersey small group update
[from sooyoung via email]
Hi guys,
I thought I'd open the lines of communication and discussion (per our mtg) by giving an update about our small group.
The People: Hyun, Diana, Mike, Sam (Stretchy), Dave Choi, John Choi, Sang Bang, Jime (in Korea), Charles and Danny Kim. Danny is the newest to join our small group and has come out twice. Since Dave Choi moved to central Jersey, he might be leaving our small group after we're done with our book.
When we meet: Every other week. Our schedule is irregular because I have a weird event/travel schedule. Generally, we meet every other week and try to grab meals as a small group at least once a month.
Where we meet: My house in Glen Rock. Some of us commute home together on the train.
What we're studying: Prayer.... We just did chapter 8 on "Hanging On" about perservering through prayer. We're the slowpokes! We haven't finished this book yet and have
Our upcoming schedule:
- 10/21 - Tuesday - We're probably going to do dinner for Sang's Birthday
- 10/29 - Wednesday
- 11/12 - Wednesday
- BREAK since I'll be on vacation for 2 weeks
A few prayer requests...
* I'd love prayer on thinking about what our small group will study next. I wanted to go back and forth between reading a book and studying the word. I have a study on the Sermon on the Mount that I'd like for our small group to go through. Please pray for me as I prepare and pray about what we will study next.
* John and Danny are new to our small group and I pray that we can make them feel like a part of our family.
* Our small group has really started to open up to one another, and I hope we can be diligent in keeping each other accountable, praying for one another, encouraging each other in discipline, and showing a lot of love.
Hi guys,
I thought I'd open the lines of communication and discussion (per our mtg) by giving an update about our small group.
The People: Hyun, Diana, Mike, Sam (Stretchy), Dave Choi, John Choi, Sang Bang, Jime (in Korea), Charles and Danny Kim. Danny is the newest to join our small group and has come out twice. Since Dave Choi moved to central Jersey, he might be leaving our small group after we're done with our book.
When we meet: Every other week. Our schedule is irregular because I have a weird event/travel schedule. Generally, we meet every other week and try to grab meals as a small group at least once a month.
Where we meet: My house in Glen Rock. Some of us commute home together on the train.
What we're studying: Prayer.... We just did chapter 8 on "Hanging On" about perservering through prayer. We're the slowpokes! We haven't finished this book yet and have
Our upcoming schedule:
- 10/21 - Tuesday - We're probably going to do dinner for Sang's Birthday
- 10/29 - Wednesday
- 11/12 - Wednesday
- BREAK since I'll be on vacation for 2 weeks
A few prayer requests...
* I'd love prayer on thinking about what our small group will study next. I wanted to go back and forth between reading a book and studying the word. I have a study on the Sermon on the Mount that I'd like for our small group to go through. Please pray for me as I prepare and pray about what we will study next.
* John and Danny are new to our small group and I pray that we can make them feel like a part of our family.
* Our small group has really started to open up to one another, and I hope we can be diligent in keeping each other accountable, praying for one another, encouraging each other in discipline, and showing a lot of love.
Monday, October 13, 2008
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