Chicago Chapter 20171228

We started our study back in October of 2016, and it’s hard to believe we have been meeting for over a year!  The group has been meeting pretty consistently for the last year.  Our number has held fairly steady with about 8 people coming each week.  Due to the holidays this year our attendance has been more sporadic.  In addition, with Melody and I finalizing our adoption of Joshua, we ended up not meeting with our respective groups in December, with the exception of a Christmas party for Melody’s group in late December.

We are still in the book of John, and as of the writing of this report, we anticipate finishing around the end of Q1/2018.  My co-leader and I have different styles of leading, but both help bring out the vibrancy of the text to the group.  I’m thankful for his knowledge and in-depth understanding of various aspects of the Scripture as it has helped me personally as well as the group.

Going into this year, I would like to have the group focus more on the seriousness and priority of their faith and how it touches every aspect of their lives – from their work, their decisions, their families, and their relationships – it is all grounded in their beliefs and understanding of the Lord.  I plan to meet with my co-leader to discuss this further.

I’m encouraged by the response to the group so far.  They seem to be learning but I think it will be helpful to get more specific and purposeful in what we do.  I’m glad to have the opportunity to help them grow and it’s always encouraging when we see the “aha” moments for them in study or in discussion.

This past month, we had Keith Eng come to our parenting group to talk about Biblical manhood.  Many of the moms in the group struggle with physically or emotionally absent fathers; the moms had many questions on how to get their husbands to be more involved.  They were very thankful that they had a chance to ask another man about another perspective.

Our parenting group has begun its 3rd year of meeting.  We started out with 6 moms from various walks of life (Christians and non-Christians, divorced and married), meeting to discuss a better way to parent- a heart-based, Christian approach.

This past year, we have come to the realization as a group that any type of discipline that merely changes the behavior doesn’t have true lasting change.  It is only when God penetrates the hearts and minds of both the parents and children in a home that we see lasting change.

With that perspective realized, we have decided to transition to studying the Word of God instead of focusing the discussion on parenting methods. This is really an answered prayer and praise! 

As a group of 10 moms presently, we have committed to reading and studying the word of God together.  Our resource is based on “Answers Bible Curriculum”.  Three leaders rotate to lead, with the other 7 members each having a role in the group, so as to have ownership in the group.  All but 9 are now Christians.  One of the moms is more open and has been going to church on a regular basis.  We know it has been a spiritual struggle for this one mom to believe.  Prayer is needed and we realize that we need to devote more time to that as leaders in the group.  We look forward to see the wonderful things that God will do in the group in the new year.