ACC LifeGroups | Ideas for Leaders

I hope you have a very merry Christmas…filled with the richness of God’s great love.  I hope you are surrounded by friends wherever you are.  And I hope your cup overflows on everyone you encounter.  God bless you at Christmas!

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A number of group leaders have told me their group would like to do the Truth Project, but when they hear that you either have to attend a training offered by the Truth Project team or attend all sessions of a group that is using the material…few have followed up on their interest.

On Saturday, January 9th from 8:30 to 12:30, Adventure is hosting a Truth Project training.  As the host church, our group leaders will be able to attend for $69.99 per couple (a savings of $20), can be leader and co-leader, and the training includes the DVD set.

My recommendation…talk with your group and sign up to attend if you’re interested.  At $69.99 it’s a good value for a 12 week series.  Ask everyone in your group to chip in.  Send a couple good candidates to the training.

You register by Trudy Thomas at 951.354.8362.  Be sure and let her know that you’re an Adventure Life Group and you’ll receive the discounted rate.

Need more information?  You can find out more about the Truth Project right here.

I don’t know about you, but I look forward to this day all year.  Greenberg Smoked Turkey, cornbread dressing, cranberry relish, sweet potatoes, and pecan pie.  That’s worth looking forward to!

But…it’s not the whole reason I look forward to this day.  I also look forward to it because it is a day that reminds me of all I have to be thankful for.  Family.  Friends.  Health.  A God who knows me and loves me.  Even died for me.  That’s a lot to be thankful for.

Hope you have a great day…wherever you are.

One of the most transformational activities that your group can ever do is to serve together.  It’s one thing to share a love of chips and salsa.  It’s one thing to sit in a living room and talk about the Bible and what a difference it makes.  It’s one thing to share prayer requests and even pray for each other.

It is another thing altogether to set aside your own interests and pay attention to the needs of someone else.  It’s another thing altogether to make a difference by serving.  It will have more impact on your group than almost anything else you can do.

We’ve Made It Easy For You

This is so important we’ve worked hard to make it easy for you to find a way for your whole group to serve together.  There are Seasonal Giving opportunities in November and December.  There are also serving opportunities at all four of our Christmas Eve services (on the 23rd and 24th), giving you the opportunity to serve as a group at one and attend another.

Take a look at the opportunities.  Talk it over right away with your group.  Once you’ve decided, let us know ASAP with how you’d like to jump in.  Click here to sign up.

Serving Opportunities:

Seasonal Giving in November:

Monday, November 16th: 6:00-8:00pm – Food Box Assembly at Adventure in CP3
Wednesday, November 18th: 11:00am-3:00pm – Food Box Transport to Aldar Academy
Thursday, November 19th: 1:00-3:00pm – Food Box Assembly at Adventure in CP3
Monday, November 23rd; 10:00am-12:30pm – Food Box Distribution
Tuesday, November 24th; 10:00am-12:30pm – Food Box Distribution
Wednesday, November 25th; 10:00am-12:30pm – Food Box Distribution

Seasonal Giving in December:

Friday, December 4th; 4:00-6:00pm – Toy Sorting and Organization
Thursday, December 10th; 12:00-5:00pm – Gift Wrapping in A106
Thursday, December 10th; Beale Air Force Base Food Box Delivery
Saturday, December 12th; 12:00-3:00pm – Gift Wrapping in A101
Wednesday, December 16th; 9:30-11:00am – Ornament & Cookie Party at Aldar Academy
Wednesday, December 16th; 11:00am-1:00pm – Aldar Lunch and Student Shopping
Thursday, December 17th; 9:30-11:00am – Ornament & Cookie Party at Aldar Academy
Thursday, December 17th; 11:00am-1:00pm – Aldar Lunch and Student Shopping
Saturday, December 19th; 10:00am-1:00pm – Food Box Assembly and Toy Sorting in A101
Monday, December 21; 10:00am-12:30pm – Christmas Basket Distribution
Tuesday, December 22; 10:00am-12:30pm – Christmas Basket Distribution
Wednesday, December 23; 10:00am-12:30pm – Christmas Basket Distribution

Christmas Eve Service Opportunities at the 5:00pm and/or 7pm Service:

Living Nativity Scene
Petting Zoo
Parking Team
Greeter Team – Outside
Greeter Team – Inside
Seating Usher Team
Refreshment Tables

As you can see, there is plenty to do!  What you can’t know without trying it is what a difference it will make.  Not only for those you are serving…but your group members as well.  Think about it.  Talk about it.  Once you’ve decided,  click here to sign up.

Would your group benefit from studying the principles of biblical financial management?  Many of your members will have heard of Crown Financial Ministries.  The original 10 week, homework and study intensive program has helped many, but the amount of preparation (and leader training) has prevented many groups from benefiting.

Managing Our Finances God’s Way is a new 7 week study that is DVD-driven and features teaching by Rick Warren, Chip Ingram, Ron Blue and Chip Bentley.  This study is designed for groups that would prefer a more streamlined approach.  In addition to the group sessions, a companion workbook will lead your members through the process of getting control of their finances by developing the following important practices:

• a transaction record that monitors where their money actually goes
• personal financial profile that provides an overview of their finances
• financial goals designed to lead to where they’d like to be
• monthly income and priority expenses providing a realistic snapshot
• spending plan giving thought to what the money should go towards
• monthly expenses worksheet projecting expected costs
• debt repayment schedule forecasting the pay-down of existing debts

Depending on the number of groups that participate in the study, materials will cost approximately $10 per person.  Additionally, participating groups that are open to new members will benefit from coordinated promotion in January as the study begins.

Is your group interested?  We’ll confirm your interest later, but if you think this sounds like a study that would be helpful for your group would you Email Us? Thanks!

So you’ve finished 30 Days to Save Your Family and you’re wondering what’s next.  We have several popular studies in stock and would love to help you get started.

• Beginning Life Together:  A DVD driven study based on the biblical purposes (fellowship, discipleship, ministry, mission, and worship).  This six-session study features Steve Arterburn, Steve Farrar, Doug Fields, Chip Ingram, Anne Ortland, and Bruce Wilkinson.  We use this study to start new Life Groups here at Adventure, but it would be a great overview for any group to work through.  Study guides are available for $7.50 each and the DVD is available for checkout.   Email Me to reserve your copies.  Be sure and tell me which one you want and how many.
• Connecting with God’s Family: A DVD driven study based on the biblical purpose of fellowship.  This six-session study features Henry Cloud, Steve Farrar, Doug Fields, John Ortberg, Joe Stowell, and Denise Wendorff.  Whether your group is new or you’ve been with the same folks for several years, this study will help you strengthen your commitment to each other.  Study guides are available for $7.50 each and the DVD is available for checkout. Email Me to reserve your copies. Be sure and tell me which one you want and how many.
• Growing to Be Like Christ: A DVD driven study based on the biblical purpose of discipleship.  This six-session study features Steve Arterburn, Doug Fields, John Ortberg, Anne Ortland, Todd Wendorff, and Lance Witt.  If your group is ready to jump-start spiritual growth…this is a very practical study.  Study guides are available for $7.50 each and the DVD is available for checkout. Email Me to reserve your copies. Be sure and tell me which one you want and how many.
• Mirror Image: From the Liquid series, this is a study of 5 of the best known parables (Good Samaritan, Prodigal Son, etc.).  Easily one of the most powerful studies I’ve ever used.  Presented as a dramatic and very contemporary retelling, your group will find themselves in the middle of a great discussion.  The DVD is $15 and the questions are on the DVD or in the Leader’s Guide.  No study guide is necessary. Email Me to reserve your copies. Be sure and tell me which one you want and how many.
• Alive at Five: Also from the Liquid series, this is a study based on the book of James.  Similar to Mirror Image, this study uses a contemporary retelling of the principles, allowing your group members to see God’s truth from a fresh angle.  The DVD is $15 and the questions are on the DVD or in the Leader’s Guide.  No study guide is necessary. Email Me to reserve your copies. Be sure and tell me which one you want and how many.
• Money Talks: One of the newest studies from the Liquid series, Money Talks take a humorous look at some of the best known parables about money, finances, and stewardship.  If you’re looking for a study to go along with Pastor Rick’s November series, Never Worry About Money Again, this may be the ticket.  If you’d like to use this study we can order it for you.  Email Me to let me know you’re interested in Money Talks.

The Truth Project is a challenging 13 week curriculum produced by Focus on the Family.  In order to use the material, training is required.  There are two ways you can access the material: (1) You can attend the an approved leader training event or (2) you can sit as a learner in a group that is using it and then use the material in your group later.  You can find out more right here. Once you’ve met the training requirement, you can order materials right here or email us to find out about borrowing a set.  Questions?  Email Renee Flores for more information.

Most groups using 30 Days to Save Your Family will be finishing up in the next couple weeks and are asking, “What’s next?”  Is there a recommended curriculum that we should use next?

Money Talks, a new 5 session study from the folks at Liquid, will accompany Pastor Rick’s November message series pretty nicely.  He’ll begin a 4 week series, tentatively called “Financial Health,” on November 1st.

Although many of our existing Life Groups at Adventure have used a study or two from the Liquid series, the series  may be new to you.  Most groups really enjoy these studies because they do a great job of presenting a very fresh look at some of the best known parables and biblical topics.  For example, Mirror Image was a study that many groups used in 2008 that provided some powerful insights into 5 of the Jesus’ best known parables.

Money Talks takes a look at 5 New Testament passages on money presented from the vantage point of a modern Southern California family.  To provide a safe environment for a discussion about money, Liquid’s producers chose to develop a slightly off-beat, somewhat comedic angle.  The 5 passages covered are:

• The Parable of the Talents, Matthew 25:14-30
• The Rich Fool, Luke 12:13-34
• The Shrewd Manager, Luke 16:1-9
• Sowing Generously, 2 Corinthians 9:6-15
• The Rich Young Ruler, Mark 10:17-31

You can watch a preview of the 2nd session by clicking right here.  Take a look…we’ll be making the study available for $20 per group (includes shipping).  It will be available beginning Sunday, November 1st with your RSVP to Debbi.

You’re invited! Be sure and join us this Sunday, October 11, from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. in A101.  If you’re leading or hosting a Life Group here at Adventure, we want you to make this gathering a priority!

You’ll learn about:

• Plans for upcoming studies
• How to use the “finder” to promote your group and add members
• How to use the “finder” to communicate with the members of your group
• How to take advantage of the fall and help your group engage in service together

Need childcare?  Childcare is available with your RSVP for a minimal charge of $3 per child.  RSVP RIGHT HERE.

See you Sunday?  Hope so!  Always a great time.

The countdown is on!  Here are a few last minute details:

• If you didn’t pick up your 30DTSYF packet on Sunday, you can do that this Sunday after both services.
• The packet has the DVD, 10 copies of Session One, Leader’s Notes, Group Agreement, and Group Calendar.
• Remember, each week the Study Guide sessions will be available for download right here on this site.
• If you’d rather pick up your Study Guide sessions, please Email Us to make sure we have enough materials.
• If you haven’t completed your webfinder profile set-up you can get the instructions RIGHT HERE.