deltaguitar
09-27-2011, 09:02 AM
Hey all. I just thought I would share that my wife and I are now joining a homegroup at our church. We have been attending The Villagehttp://fm.thevillagechurch.net/ church for a little over a year and are loving the church but we just need to get connected a little more. I used to be heavily involved in church and the music ministry so when we moved here I was not interested in jumping right in.
Anyway, some may know that my wife is deaf so bible studies where there is a lot of discussion or conversation are very difficult for her.
Well, since we started going to church here we met a lady who was wanting to interpret for the deaf (almost a miracle) and so a little deaf ministry was started and more and more deaf people have started coming. We have had as high as 15 or 20 deaf people in service at a time but there is a consistent group now of probably 8 to 10.
The pastor has been teaching about gospel centered community and how in a church this large it is a necessity to get plugged into a small group for growth and maturity. Last Wednesday about 500 from the church got together to try to find a home group and among those was the the deaf ministry that will be starting a home group. I was very hesitant at first because I wasn't sure I really wanted to be in a deaf group because I don't really fit into their culture nor can I communicate in sign language with them. Also, most of the deaf folks were women and I really wasn't interested in being in a group where I was the only man. Well, a young deaf man about my age has been coming and he and I have a lot in common so now I feel like I can be a part of this group and connect in a deeper way.
I was worried but God seems to be showing me that I need to be a part of this group, at least for now. It isn't glamorous or anything but maybe this is where I need to be for now. I know my wife will benefit and I am hoping God will allow us to be used for spreading the gospel and bringing glory to his name.
Does anybody have experience with home groups and does anybody have any advice on how go about making them a success? Do you have guidelines or ways to handle discussion so that people can share and it be a safe environment? I am not sure than anyone really knows exactly what we are supposed to do. I know we have a curriculum and a book from the church but other than that I don't know.
Anyway, some may know that my wife is deaf so bible studies where there is a lot of discussion or conversation are very difficult for her.
Well, since we started going to church here we met a lady who was wanting to interpret for the deaf (almost a miracle) and so a little deaf ministry was started and more and more deaf people have started coming. We have had as high as 15 or 20 deaf people in service at a time but there is a consistent group now of probably 8 to 10.
The pastor has been teaching about gospel centered community and how in a church this large it is a necessity to get plugged into a small group for growth and maturity. Last Wednesday about 500 from the church got together to try to find a home group and among those was the the deaf ministry that will be starting a home group. I was very hesitant at first because I wasn't sure I really wanted to be in a deaf group because I don't really fit into their culture nor can I communicate in sign language with them. Also, most of the deaf folks were women and I really wasn't interested in being in a group where I was the only man. Well, a young deaf man about my age has been coming and he and I have a lot in common so now I feel like I can be a part of this group and connect in a deeper way.
I was worried but God seems to be showing me that I need to be a part of this group, at least for now. It isn't glamorous or anything but maybe this is where I need to be for now. I know my wife will benefit and I am hoping God will allow us to be used for spreading the gospel and bringing glory to his name.
Does anybody have experience with home groups and does anybody have any advice on how go about making them a success? Do you have guidelines or ways to handle discussion so that people can share and it be a safe environment? I am not sure than anyone really knows exactly what we are supposed to do. I know we have a curriculum and a book from the church but other than that I don't know.