Small Group is moving!

[NOTE: please read Luke 16:1-16 to prepare for Monday's discussion.]

That's right. For the month of November, Small group will be held at the church, due to a temporary reduction in the capacity of the Johansson house.

So beginning this week, November 5, we will be meeting in rooms 13-14 at the church. Childcare will be in the nursery. We will meet at the church through the month, and reassess.

To get in the church, drive all the way around to the back side, and come in the glass doors between the new building and the old building.

Also, anyone who has snacks should bring something that does not need to be refrigerated! Also, since someone is coming to lock up, we need to make sure we are out by 9:30.

Thanks for your understanding.

Reflections from Fairhaven:
Thanks to everyone who came to Fairhaven. It was a major blessing to be able to worship with those men, and see how God has truly changed lives. Bill and I were able to talk to a man who was addicted to drugs for 15 years, but has been sober for 5 months since turning his life over to Christ. Scott spent almost 30 minutes talking and praying with another man who was kicked out by his wife for his drug habit. God is changing lives through the power of Christ, and it's awesome to see that power at work. Thanks again for serving!

See you Monday!

Fairhaven Details and Pastor Appreciation

Hey guys! It was great to be able to worship with our brothers and sister from Albania this past week. It's awesome to be reminded of John's vision in Revelation 7:9-10 "...behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, saying, "Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!"

Christ's church is alive and growing, meeting people's greatest need: reconciliation with God through Christ Jesus, the forgiveness of sin. Praise and glory and honor to the one true God, and to the Lamb!

A couple of reminders:
WE WILL NOT MEET AT THE JOHANSSON'S ON OCTOBER 29th! If you haven't let us know if you will attend Fairhaven, please do so. Also, if you need childcare, you can drop you children of at the Sexton's a little after 5.
Here's a reminder of the details:
When: Monday, October 29, 5:30 PM
Where: 260 Pike St., Covington, KY 41012
Take I75 North to Exit 191 toward Pike St/Covington, Go Straight on Jillian's Way, turn right on Pike St. It will be on a corner on the left hand side. Parking is typically open on the right.

If you haven't given an money for the Pastor's Appreciation lunch next week, and are willing and able to give, please find the Sexton's or Logozzo's on Sunday. We are asking for $5 per family, but feel free to give what you are able.

See you Monday at 5:30!

Week 5 - October 15

Reading for Next Week:
Luke 14:16-24

Summary of This Week:
The Parable of the Rich Fool (Luke 12:16-20)
We looked at how our attitudes toward our (not really ours - what God has given us) money, possessions, and time either show that we are trusting in God to provide for our needs or whether we are trusting in "our" resources to provide for our needs. We considered what were biblically good reasons to save (Genesis 41 - Joseph preparing for famine, Proverbs 6:6-8 - ants preparing for winter, Proverbs 21:20 - wise not consuming all their food immediately) and saw examples of bad reasons to save (Exodus 16 - Isrealites saving manna because they didn't trust God to supply it again tomorrow, Luke 12:16-20 - the rich fool saving his crop so he wouldn't have to work in the future). The main point of the parable was a caution against greed. We must ask ourselves why we are saving and if there are needs now that can be met with the resources God has given to us.

Pastor Appreciation and Fairhaven

1. Pastor Appreciation
October is Pastor Appreciation month, so our Small group will be showing our thanks in 2 ways. (1) We will pass around cards at small group for the next two weeks for each family to sign. (2) We will be providing our pastors with a lunch catered from Panera. We are asking each family to give $5 towards this. Please bring it this week or next!

2. Fairhaven Rescue Mission
On October 29, instead of our regular meeting, we will be going to Fairhaven rescue mission in Covington. Childcare will be at the Sexton's home. I will bring a sign-up sheet to small group for the next two weeks, but if you forget to sign up, please send me an e-mail or give me a call to confirm. We need to know both if you are going to Fairhaven and if will you need childcare.
When: Monday, October 29, 5:30 PM
Where: 260 Pike St., Covington, KY 41012
Take I75 North to Exit 191 toward Pike St/Covington, Go Straight on Jillian's Way, turn right on Pike St. It will be on a corner on the left hand side. Parking is typically open on the right.

Pre-Reading for October 15

For Monday's discussion we'll be looking at the parable of the rich fool in Luke 12:16-21. For the context of the parable, read Luke 12:13-34. If we have time, I'd also like to look at the biblical origin of money found in Deuteronomy 14:22-27.

Snacks/Childcare for October 15th

Snacks: Beth
Childcare: Crystal

Week 4 - October 8

What we covered:
We finished up Matthew 13.
The Parable of the Dragnet
There is a coming time when the net will be drawn up, and the fish (everybody) will be sorted by good and bad. The only way we can be considered good is to respond to the gospel, accept the net, and be justified by the blood of Christ.

The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard (Matt 20)
No matter how long we work in the landowner's (God's) vineyard (the world), we receive the same wage (eternal life). The key point is, we all work, and God has a purpose for our work.

What are we doing next week:
We will start parables on money, wealth, and stewardship.
Bill Logozzo will be posting the reading for next week, as soon as Sophia teaches him how to post to a blog!

Snack/Childcare for October 8

The schedule for this week's small group is:
Snacks: Molly
Childcare: Cathryn

Week 3 - September 24

Sorry this is a week late!

What we covered:
Parables of the Mustard Seed and Leaven
The Kingdom of God grows from seemingly insignificant beginnings into something bigger than anything else (like the mustard tree) and pervasive into all things (leaven).

Parables of the treasure in a field and the pearl of great price:
The Kingdom is of such a surpassing value that we can't even comprehend it. It is worth all we have and more, and we should be willing to give all we have.

Next Meeting - October 9th
Don't forget: no meeting on October 1!
We will cover at least Mark 4:26-29. I am still working on my preparations, so I will update and re-send this week!

See you on the 9th!

Week 2 - September 17

It was great to be back at Small Group. I really enjoyed being back with you!!

Here's the re-cap:
What we covered:
Jesus starts the "Kingdom Parables" with the wheat and the tares (weeds)
We discussed what the Kingdom of God is, and what Dave Boyers had a great example his daugther Andrea put together, which you can see at the left.

Key point: As Christians, we are members of the Kingdom now (Eph 2:6, Phil 2:20).
As for the parable, the key point is:
Judgement is coming, so we should examine ourselves now. God is patient and is withholding his wrath, but his wrath is inevitable.

What we will cover next week:
Continuing in Matthew 13, we will cover verses 31-33 and 44-46, and Mark 4:26-34. This is five parables, so make sure you are ready to go!

See you there!

Parable study outline first half overview

1. Kingdom of God
2. Wealth
3. Service and Obedience
4. Love and Thankfulness
5. Judgement

This should last us through January end.

About every 6 weeks we will have one of three events: Date Night, Girls Night Out, & Guys Night Out. If you are interested in planning either of the latter, just let Kurt or Crystal know!

Week 1 - September 10

Sorry I missed this week. We had a great trip to see the family; last one before the new baby!

What we covered:
Thanks to Bill for leading! Bill gave an overview of parables, why Jesus gave them, and how you should study them. When studying parables, be sure to understand:
1. Who is the audience?

2. What are the key points of the message?

3. Where is Jesus giving the message?
4. When did this occur in His ministry?
5. Why is He choosing to share it this way?

We also covered the parable of the sower.

What we will cover September 17:
We will continue with the "Kingdom Parables". Please read all of Matthew 13. Most of the chapter was covered last week, but just to keep it in context, read it all!
We will be focusing on the rest of the parables in the chapter, after the seeds. Most are short, but each give us a glimpse into the mind of God, and how he has designed us to live in His kingdom.

Be thinking about:
- What is "The Kingdom of God"? Where is it? Why does Jesus talk about it so much?
- Why so many different parables on it?
- How should each of these parables impact our lives today?

I am looking forward to Worshipping and getting into the Word with you this week!

Small Group Welcome and themes

Hey guys! Welcome to the Sexton Small Group blog! Instead of just sending e-mails, I thought I would try this out. This way you can come back and check what happened on weeks you missed, and figure out what is going on the next week and beyond!

I though this may be a good place to put childcare schedules, snack schedules, meeting schedules, directions to special events, everything!

If this is a dumb idea, just tell me so. I am just trying!