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SMALL GROUP MINISTRY...
On 1st and 3rd Sundays, at 6:30pm, Small Groups meet in homes for a time of Bible study - interaction and reflection on the Truth of God's Word. Often, the group meetings include prayer and an intimate worship time. These relaxed, casual gatherings also offer a chance for you to meet or get better acquainted with others as you build relationships and strengthen bonds of fellowship. In addition to home cell groups, specialized groups are also offered for students and stay-at-home moms, with more on the way.
 Part of Our Mission as a church states that we 'emphasize Small Group Ministries, both Home Cell and Specialized, where the winning of souls to Christ is a major focus.' A Small Group meeting affords us an awesome opportunity to minister to unsaved friends, neighbors, and co-workers through relationship-building in a friendly, non-threatening environment. Jesus said in John 4:35, 'I tell you, open your eyes and look to the fields! They are ripe for harvest.' We're harvest-minded people!
From Acts, chapter 2: 'They devoted themselves to the apostles' teachings and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer...They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added daily to their number those who were being saved.' Now THAT is what Small Groups are all about! Purpose to be involved, faithfully and consistently. Get connected...with LPWC Small Groups!
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LPWC SMALL GROUPS...
 HOME GROUPS
Hagan Small Group (led by Chris & Angie Hagan) - Meets at various locations in Greenville and Blue Ridge. Call 864-246-7615.
Few Small Group (led by Ricky & Theresa Few) - Meets at the home of Paul & Annette Belden on Highway 290 (Locust Hill Rd.) in Taylors/Sandy Flat. Call 864-895-2804.
Carlan Small Group (led by Rick & Cheryl Carlan) - Meets at the Carlans' home on Shoally Ridge Drive in Boiling Springs, SC. Call 864-578-7043.
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SPECIALIZED GROUPS
 SALT (Students Actively Learning Together for students grade 6 thru 11) and LIGHT (Living In God's Hope Together - for high school seniors and college age students) - Led by Bobby & Donna Lord and Steve & Sandy Carter. Specialized small groups for students. SALT meets 1st and 3rd Sundays, 6:30pm, at the Powerhouse Room or at various locations. Call 864-834-8331. LIGHT meets 1st and 3rd Sundays, 6:30pm, at the home of Steve & Sandy Carter on Piedmont Park Road in Greenville or at various locations. Call 864-292-6856. Activities include Bible study, swimming, softball, Greenville Braves baseball, concerts.
Covenant Life (led by Joe and Kim Zeller) - specialized small group for married couples. This small group meets on the 1st Sunday night of each month at 6:30pm at the Zellers’ home (208 Daybreak Court just off Highway 290, Taylors). It’s open to ALL married couples, whether you’ve been ‘hitched’ for six months or sixty years! Each meeting will allow you the opportunity to fellowship and build relationships with other couples, and will include a brief teaching/discussion time specifically designed to minister to and help meet the unique needs married couples face. Children are welcome! See Joe or Kim Zeller for directions or for more information. Call 877-9633.
Music Team Small Group (led by Scott & Sherry Bachmann) - Specialized small group for those who minister as part of the Music Team on Sundays and Wednesday nights. Meets bimonthly at various locations at 7:30pm. Call 864-834-3737.
Moms @ Home (led by Sherry Bachmann & Kim Zeller) - Sponsors various meetings and special events for moms throughout the year. Call 864-834-3737. Email Sherry at momathome04@hotmail.com.
AND...Announcing
Women of Purpose and Men of Purpose!
These groups are led by Sherry & Randall Norris. The groups exist for the purpose of fellowship, accountability, and as a means to facilitate the attendance of special events and conferences. They meet separately from our regular home-based small groups.
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 TWELVE REASONS EVERYONE SHOULD BE IN A SMALL GROUP...
- Small Groups are a scriptural example set for us in the New Testament. (Acts 2:46)
- Biblical 'koinonia' (fellowship) is more than a casual meeting at the church house. It is a source of close, caring relationships. (Acts 2:42)
- Each believer needs to be trained in a practical way to become a true disciple. (Matt 28:19-20)
- Christian maturity includes the ability to relate to the body of Christ as a functioning part. (Rom. 12:4-5)
- To be an part of and contributor to the church as a 'prophetic community.' Believers in Christ, should share not only in meetings, but their lives together on a committed, continuing basis, so that through them Jesus Christ will be demonstrated to our community. (John 13:34-35)
- Each believer needs to be taught how to become a servant through hands-on experience, which is the first step in becoming a leader in the Kingdom of God. (Mark 9:33-37)
- Small Groups are a place to bring new converts for nurturing, rooting and growth in the family of God, and provide a non-threatening atmosphere for individuals to accept Jesus Christ. (Acts 2:47)
- Small Groups are a place of encouragement and protection for believers. (I Thess. 5:11)
- Small Groups provide each person with the opportunity to receive pastoral care through delegated authority and proper scriptural covering. (Acts 6:3-7)
- Small groups give opportunity for discussion, teaching, clarification of prophecy, declaring the 'vision of the house,' and interaction with other believers in a way that will strengthen those participating. (Hab. 2:2-3)
- Small groups are a wonderful place to see that each believer discovers and exercises gifts and callings God has placed, and do so in a safe environment with oversight and covering. (I Cor. 12:7)
- So that each person can truly be a channel of blessing through which can flow rivers of living water, and learn to be a living stone in the Body. (Col. 2:19)
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 ADOPT-A-MISSIONARY...
LPWC Small Groups are encouraged to 'adopt' one of the missionaries or missionary families) that we support. Many thanks to the small groups that have already selected a missionary to adopt:
• The Hagan small group has adopted Victor Carlos (missionary to Mozambique).
• The Few small group has adopted Carmen Linder (missionary to Honduras).
More missionaries are available! For a complete listing on all of the missions ministries supported by Living Praise, click here. And for more info on just what it means to 'adopt-a-missionary,' see Missions Pastors Robert & Kim Stroud.
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 TOP TEN SIGNS YOU MAY BE IN THE WRONG SMALL GROUP...
10. Leader refers to meeting as a 'tribal council' and insists on voting one member out of the group each week.
9. Just before refreshment time, hostess passes out free samples of Rolaids.
8. Group leader has his name legally changed to 'Jabez.'
7. Group members enjoy playing 'Pin the Tail on the Youth Pastor.'
6. Person sitting next to you always asks, 'You mind if I take my socks off?'
5. That family with 10 kids always comes early and stays late.
4. Hostess greets you at the door with, 'Smoking, non-smoking, or first available?'
3. Group members always 'greet one another with a holy kiss.'
2. Hostess insists on serving locusts and wild honey.
1. Group leader: 'After our Bible study, I'd like to show those slides again from my missions trip to Bora Bora!'
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