GROUPS & CLASSES
Small groups provide a safe place to be yourself, ask questions, make some friends,
and grow in your life with God. Most groups meet in homes and some meet at the
church. They all focus on studying the Bible and learning to follow Jesus.
Need help finding a group? Click here!
Time: Wednesdays 6:30 - 7:45 pm
Location: Room 2
Current Study: "How do I know if I am really saved?"
Resource book of the same title by John Ortberg
Contact: Dwight Friesen email or 209-329-6284
Time: Thursdays 10:00 - 11:00 am
Location: Room 2
Current Study: The book of Habakkuk
Contact: Pastor Rod, 209-369-1068
PEER MENTORING
Occasionally individuals would like to develop an on-going relationship with one
other person for sharing and growing in their walk with Christ.
If this would be helpful to you, please send the office an email: info@vinewoodchurch.com
Drawing Truth from His Word
The last two years we invited and challenged you to read through the Bible in two years. For those of you who did, we commend you! That is faithfulness to God and to his Word. This year we invite you to not read long passages at once, but to read small portions.
Madame Guyon, a student of the Bible in the 1600’s wisely writes: “If you read quickly, it will benefit you little. You will be like a bee that merely skims the surface of a flower. Instead, in this new way of reading with prayer, you must become as the bee who penetrates into the depths of the flower. You plunge deeply within to remove the deepest of nectar.”
This year, let’s read small portions of the Bible meditatively and prayerfully, inviting God to meet us so that his Word may transform us to become more like Jesus. Come to each portion you read with the desire to have a holy meeting with God.
Reflecting on Scripture
1. Be still and invite God to speak to you during this time with a simple prayer:
“Dear Lord, as I begin this time in your holy Bible, I open my heart to listen to you. I know that even a child can hear your voice. I pray with the little boy Samuel, “Speak Lord, for your servant is listening” (1 Samuel 3:9, 10).
2. Read the passage and notice what word or phrase stands out to you. It may help to write it down. In silence meditate on that.
3. What thoughts or emotions rise to the surface? What specific situation in your life today relates?
4. What is God’s personal invitation to you from the Scripture passage? Is there any action, response or step of obedience God wants you to make? You can write down what the Lord may be saying to you or offer a prayer of thanks. Or simply rest quietly in the Spirit’s presence.
Other questions to guide my time with God
¨ What does this passage tell me about God? About humanity?
¨ What does it say about my
relationship with God?
¨ Since this writing is God’s truth, what may I dream my life will be like as I let its power and influence direct my life? What would my life be like if I let the truth of these words penetrate my life?
Weeks
August 30-Septermber 4
Hebrews 10:19-39
September 6-11
Mark 4:1-25
September 13-18
Matthew 15:1-20
September 20-25
Matthew 18:1-35
September 27-October 2
Mark 8:31-9:1
October 4-9
Luke 9:17-31
October 11-16
Luke 11:1-13
October 18-23
John 16:16-47
October 25-30
John 8:12-30
Weeks
November 1-6
Mark 4:35-5:20
November 8-13
Psalm 23
November 15-20
Psalm 100
November 22-27
Isaiah 11:1-11
November 29-December 4
Isaiah 11:1-11
December 6-11
John 1:1-18
December 13-18
Luke 1:5-80
December 20-25
Matthew 1:18-2:18
December 27-31
Revelation 21:1-5, 22:1-21
NOTE: It can be a challenge to calm our hearts and minds to reflect on Scripture and wait for God to speak. As Henri Nouwen put it, our minds are like a banana tree filled with monkeys constantly jumping up and down. Don’t be surprised if your mind wanders. When you realize a monkey has distracted you, thank the Holy Spirit for being with you and making you aware, and refocus your mind on the Lord and what He is saying to you. Do this as often as necessary. With practice, you learn to ignore the monkeys.