Updated 8/25/15

Community Groups meet together for longer than one year but shorter than two years. Community Groups allow participants to form deep relational

bonds that are steeped in discipleship. After a period of time, the Community

Group will multiply into two groups and make room for new participants.

Connection Groups meet together for one or two short studies. Individuals interested in small groups but not yet

ready to commit to a Community Group are usually more comfortable in

a Connection Group setting.

How do I sign up? Visit one of our iPad kiosks in the narthex, turn to the back page in this book, or visit

us online at www.chapinumc.com.

Groups begin the week of Sunday September 6th

What are small groups? Small groups are an opportunity for you to form authentic, Biblical relationships and experience life-giving discipleship. Small groups meet together throughout the week in homes or at church to study the Bible, pray for each other, and live life together. We have a variety of groups to ensure the right one exists for you. Why should I join a small group? Coming to church on Sunday mornings is an important part of the Christian life, but it isn’t the only part. Small groups let believers go beyond church, because Sunday mornings just aren’t enough.

What about childcare? CUMC offers partial reimbursement for childcare during small groups. Visit www.chapinumc.com for more information and to download our reimbursement forms.

Study: Disciple I Facilitator: Robert Croom Type: Community Group Location: CUMC Room 221 Time: 6:00 – 8:30 PM Cost: $40.00 Description: Disciple is a program of disciplined Bible study aimed at developing strong Christian leaders. Disciple I study gives the Old and New Testaments equal time, emphasizing the wholeness of the Bible as a revelation of God. Disciple draws upon the work of scholars, the personal Bible reading and study of the participant, and dynamic group discussion to aid understanding of the Bible. This 34-week study will lead you on an intense and in-depth study of Scripture, equipping you to be a committed follower of Jesus.

Sunday

Study: Christian – It’s Not What You Think, by Andy Stanley Facilitator: Jerry & Mary Linda Rye and Walley and Susan Turner Type: Community Group Location: Rye Residence (Johnson Marina Road) Time: 5:30 – 7:30 PM Cost: $10.00 Description: What does it mean to be a Christian? Ask 100 people that question and you are likely to get 100 different answers. In Christian, an eight-session DVD Bible study, pastor and bestselling author Andy Stanley explores the one word that Jesus gave his followers that should define them, discussing the truth and fiction behind one of the most famous brands in all of history. If you are new to church or Christianity, or are a newlywed couple or young family, this study is for you! In addition to studying what it means to be a Christian we are eager to love on and mentor young families and new believers. Join us on Sunday evenings for a great time of building relationships with one another and with Christ.

Monday

Study: Authentic – Developing the Disciplines of a Sincere Faith Facilitator: Jeff and Becky McCormack Type: Community Group Location: McCormack Residence (Amick’s Ferry) Time: 6:15-7:30 PM Cost: $12.00 Description: This study introduces believers to spiritual disciplines that will help them develop a closer walk with God. We will learn from Christ’s example by practicing the spiritual disciplines He used to maintain a close relationship with His Father. We will also examine some of the areas of hypocrisy on our own lives as we discover how much we can grow in Christlikeness as we pursue the practices of Bible study, prayer, fasting, fellowship, service, and worship.

Study: The Battle is the Lord’s, by Tony Evans FULL Facilitator: Wayne and Dolly Shealy Type: Community Group Location: Shealy Residence (Lexington Ave) Time: 7:00 – 8:30 PM Cost: $15.00 Description: This engaging 20-week study will equip you to wage victorious spiritual warfare by knowing and trusting in the Lord. This study will walk you through five different emphases: Your agenda, your assistants, your adversary, your authority, and your actions.

Study: Children of the Day, by Beth Moore FULL Facilitator: Sherill Painter Type: Connection Group (Open to all Women) Location: Painter Residence (Three Dog Road) Time: 9:30 – 11:30 AM Cost: $16.00 Description: Join Beth Moore and walk the shores of Thessalonica with this verse-by-verse Bible study of 1 and 2 Thessalonians. During this nine-week study, you'll learn how to let go of past mistakes and discover your circumstances are not coincidental - God's timing is impeccable! Whether you're facing family crises, medical diagnoses, relationship troubles, doubts, or fears, you'll come away encouraged that even though it may not feel that way, you are exactly where Christ wants you to be!

Monday

Study: Jesus and the Gospels Facilitator: Evelyn Ann Neal, Jeff Storey, and John Chitty Type: Community Group Location: CUMC Room 221 Time: 6:30-8:30 PM Cost: $40.00 Description: The overarching aim of this study is to deepen discipleship through better understanding of Jesus and His interaction in the four Gospels. The study helps group members understand that Jesus is rooted in Judaism and the Scriptures of Judaism and that Christianity and the New Testament are rooted in the Scriptures of Judaism—our Old Testament. This 30-week study will excite you, encourage you, and equip you.

Study: Praying with Paul, by DA Carson Facilitator: Laura Wilson and Barbara Streeter Type: Connection Group Location: CUMC Room 215 Time: 6:30-8:30 PM Cost: $13.00 Description: Do you sometimes find it difficult to pray? Most Christians have experienced just that from time-to-time. In this study members will be exposed to the priorities of prayer, a God-centered framework for prayer, and practices for a more meaningful and dynamic prayer life. Christians today can still achieve the confidence Paul enjoyed by following his life-shaping principles and searching for a deeper devotional experience.

Tuesday

Study: Onward, by Russell Moore Facilitator: Will and Candy Rorie Type: Community Group Location: Rorie Residence (Timberlake) Time: 6:30-8:00 PM Cost: $13.00 Description: As the culture changes all around us, it is no longer possible for Christians to pretend that we are a moral majority. That may be bad news for America, but it can be good news for the church. Nominal Christianity isn’t working anymore. What's needed now, in shifting times, is neither a doubling-down on the status quo nor a retreat into isolation. Instead, we need a church that speaks to social and political issues with a bigger vision in mind: that of the gospel of Jesus Christ. As Christianity seems increasingly strange—and even subversive—to our culture, we have the opportunity to embrace the distinctiveness of the Christian faith and to be marginalized for the sake of the gospel.

Study: Follow Me, by David Platt Facilitator: Ann Cole Type: Connection Group (Johnson Marina Road) Location: Cole Residence Time: 12:00 – 1:00 PM Cost: $15.00 Description: What if you've always grown up in the church and been immersed in Christian culture your whole life? What does it mean for you to count the cost and follow Him? In Follow Me: A Call to Die. A Call to Live David Platt seeks to show whom we must take hold of. In order to live as authentic disciples, Platt believes we need an authentic encounter with the person of Jesus Christ, who He is, what that means, and to count the cost of truly following Him. Look afresh at the invitation Jesus offers, and discover perhaps for the first time, the joy and purpose that comes from abandoning your life to His.

Wednesday

Study: The Gospel in Genesis FULL Facilitator: Chris DiVietro Type: Community Group Location: DiVietro Residence Time: 7:00 – 8:30 PM Cost: $0.00 Description: This engaging study of Genesis traces the story of Jesus throughout the opening pages of Scripture. We’ll first see how Genesis 1-11 lay the foundation for the gospel of Jesus Christ-the good news of salvation and redemption that we find only in relationship with Him. We’ll then get to see how Genesis 12-50 foreshadow the gospel of Jesus Christ. When we read about Abraham, Jacob, and Joseph-the family of promise-we read about salvation by faith. We begin to understand that God orchestrates everything, including suffering and evil, in order to redeem the consequences of the fall and ultimately restore us to Him.

Study: America: Turning a Nation to God, by Tony Evans (Space is Limited) Facilitator: Guy and MJ Sorrell Type: Connection Group Location: Sorrell Residence (Village at Hilton) Time: 7:00 – 8:30 PM Cost: $15.00 Description: How can YOU help bring HOPE to our nation? At a time when it seems that our nation is toppling over - morally, culturally, economically, and politically - you may be asking this question: Is there any hope for America? Dr. Tony Evans says YES…THERE IS HOPE….Dr. Evans helps Christians understand that at the core, America's problems are spiritual. And, God and His rule are America's only hope. As His people, God is calling us to return to Him in humility and repentance, to submit to His rule and authority. Only as we commit to doing so, individually and collectively, will we realize that hope.

Tuesday

Wednesday

Study: Jesus Continued, by JD Greear Facilitator: Darlene Dobson, Cindy Lanier, & Martha Reid Type: Connection Group Location: CUMC Room 221 Time: 6:30 – 8:00 PM Cost: $13.00 Description: Why do so many of us think of Christianity as a lifestyle to which we conform, rather than a God with whom we commune? Jesus gave His disciples the audacious promise that it was to their advantage that He go back to heaven because the Holy Spirit could then come to live inside of them. How many of us consider our connection to the Holy Spirit so strong and so real that we would call his presence in us better than Jesus beside us? This Bible study has been created to help you relate to the Holy Spirit in new ways. Over the course of this study, you’ll see how you can have a satisfying, powerful relationship with God through the Holy Spirit.

Study: Lord, Teach me to Pray, by Kay Arthur Facilitator: Honey Wilson Type: Connection Group Location: Various Residences Time: 6:30 – 8:00 PM Cost: $13.00 Description: Learn what the Lord's Prayer teaches us about effective prayer and how to put into practice its timeless principles. Kay will equip you to be used in God's kingdom. Her authority comes from God's Word; her compassion stems from a life touched by deep tragedy as well as great triumph. Getting to know her heart for God will be one of the joys of this study. What you learn will be yours to practice for a lifetime, just as Jesus intended when He taught His disciples how to pray.

Study: Proverbs Facilitator: Steve and Kim Houck Type: Community Group Location: Houck Residence (Lexington Ave) Time: 6:30 – 8:00 PM Cost: $0.00 Description: Join us for an exciting and in-depth study of the book of Proverbs. What is wisdom? Does occupying the top of life’s heap mean you have it? Does being near the bottom mean you don’t? Wisdom can certainly help you acquire wealth, influence people, or succeed at your career, yet it involves more than knowledge alone. It’s also a matter of understanding God’s perspectives in applying what you know and having the character to act accordingly. That is why true wisdom—the kind that begins with fear of the Lord—frequently runs counter to what our culture values and applauds. This is the wisdom the book of Proverbs teaches.

Wednesday

Study: Children of the Day, by Beth Moore FULL Facilitator: Sherill Painter and Linda Wilber Type: Connection Group Location: CUMC Room 215 Time: 6:30 – 8:30 PM Cost: $16.00 Description: Join Beth Moore and walk the shores of Thessalonica with this verse-by-verse Bible study of 1 and 2 Thessalonians. During this nine-week study, you'll learn how to let go of past mistakes and discover your circumstances are not coincidental - God's timing is impeccable! Whether you're facing family crises, medical diagnoses, relationship troubles, doubts, or fears, you'll come away encouraged that even though it may not feel that way, you are exactly where Christ wants you to be!

Wednesday

Study: Vanishing Grace, by Philip Yancey (Space is Limited) Facilitator: Rick and Chris Faulkner Type: Community Group Location: Collett Residence (Amick’s Ferry) Time: 7:00 – 8:30 PM Cost: $9.00 Description: In this five-session small group Bible study by Philip Yancey you'll examine how to offer grace in a way that is compelling to a jaded society. Vanishing Grace explores how Christians live in the middle of hostility and rejection today. Philip Yancey delves into the reasons for the hostility and gives us models of different, more effective ways to communicate the Good News.

Study: SHAPE Facilitator: Barbara Streeter Type: Connection Group (6 Weeks) Location: CUMC Room 117 Time: 6:30-8:30 PM Cost: $9.00 Description: Have you ever wondered what God was thinking when He created you? Do you feel like He has greater plans for you? Are you ready to know how God wants to use you for His glory? This 6-week small group study is designed to help you discover how God is using your SHAPE – spiritual gifts, heart, abilities, passions, experiences – for your good and His glory!

Wednesday

Study: Respectable Sins, by Jerry Bridges Facilitator: Dave and Lee Ann Lawrence Type: Community Group Location: Lawrence Residence Time: 7:00 – 8:30 PM Cost: $15.00 Description: As Christians, we believe that all sins are considered equal in God's eyes. Yet it seems we've created a sliding scale where gossip, jealousy, and selfishness comfortably exist within the church. In short, some sins have simply become acceptable. Just as culture has lost the concept of sin, the church faces the same danger. Drawing from scriptural truth, we’ll learn how subtle behaviors can derail our spiritual growth. Victory over personal sin comes through the gospel's transforming power, the perfect release for those who desire to thoughtfully examine their lives and discover a deeper walk with God.

Study: Men’s Small Group Facilitator: Norm Agnew Type: Community Group Location: CUMC Room 119 Time: 6:30-8:30 PM Cost: TBD Description: Men! If you are eager to study God’s Word with other young fathers, this group is for you! We gather every other Wednesday to encourage one another, share our struggles balancing work and life, and helping on another mature as husbands, fathers, and followers of Jesus. In the past we’ve done both topical studies and books of the Bible.

Thursday

Study: Armor of God, by Priscilla Shirer Facilitator: Heidi Cripe Type: Connection Group (Open to all Women) Location: CUMC Room 201 Time: 9:30 – 11:30 AM Cost: $13.00 Description: All day, every day, an invisible war rages around you — unseen, unheard, yet felt throughout every aspect of your life. A devoted, devilish enemy seeks to wreak havoc on everything that matters to you: your heart, your mind, your marriage, your children, your relationships, your resilience, your dreams, your destiny. But his battle plan depends on catching you unaware and unarmed. The Armor of God, more than merely a biblical description of the believer's inventory, is an action plan for putting it on and developing a personalized strategy to secure victory.

Study: SHAPE Facilitator: Pat Mayo Type: Connection Group (6 Weeks) Location: CUMC Room 214 Time: 9:00 – 11:00 AM Cost: $9.00 Description: Have you ever wondered what God was thinking when He created you? Do you feel like He has greater plans for you? Are you ready to know how God wants to use you for His glory? This 6-week small group study is designed to help you discover how God is using your SHAPE – spiritual gifts, heart, abilities, passions, experiences – for your good and His glory!

Study: Men’s Small Group Facilitator: Scott King Type: Community Group Location: Chapin McDonalds Time: 5:30 – 6:30 AM Cost: $0.00 Description: If your schedule is maxed out but you’re still craving the opportunity to study God’s Word and spend time in fellowship with other men, this group is for you. Set your alarm a little earlier on Thursdays and join us as we study together, pray together, and laugh together.

Study: Follow, by Andy Stanley Facilitator: Drew and Alana Brunmeier Type: Connection Group Location: Brunmeier Residence (Eagle’s Rest) Time: 6:30 – 8:00 PM Cost: $10.00 Description: Lots of people think Christianity is all about doing what Jesus says. But what if doing what Jesus says isn’t what Jesus says to do at all? Jesus' invitation is an invitation to relationship, and it begins with a simple request: follow me. Religion says “Change and you can join us”. Jesus says, “Join us and you will change.” There’s a huge difference. Jesus doesn’t expect you to be perfect. He just wants you to follow him. Being a sinner doesn’t disqualify you from following him. Being an unbeliever doesn’t disqualify you from following him. In fact, following almost always begins with a sinner and unbeliever taking one small step.

Thursday

Study: Sacred Secrets, by Beth Moore Facilitator: Cathy Clawson Type: Connection Group (Open to all Women) Location: CUMC Room 215 Time: 6:30 – 8:30 PM Cost: $10.00 Description: Sacred Secrets is the new 6-session study from Beth Moore that explores the theology of secrets. Secrets can be good or harmful. Some secrets need forgiveness, and some should be kept between you and God. While Sacred Secrets is lighter than Beth's typical Bible studies, it does not lack in richness or quality. Join us to find out what happens when we let God teach us "wisdom in the secret heart" Psalm 51:6.

Thursday

Study: ALPHA Facilitator: Gary Heiligman and Kim Leavenworth Type: Connection Group Location: Heiligman Residence (Amick’s Ferry) Time: 6:30 – 8:30 PM Cost: $0.00 Description: ALPHA is an opportunity to explore the Christian faith in a warm and welcoming environment. Whether you have questions about faith in Jesus Christ or have walked with Him for years, this group is perfect for you. Doubter, seeker, and follower alike will find ALPHA presents the Gospel of Jesus Christ in a clear and inviting manner. ALPHA also equips you to live your life as a disciple of Jesus, knowing the joy that comes from following Him faithfully.

Friday

Study: Crazy Busy, by Kevin DeYoung Facilitator: Charlie Banks and Chris DiVietro Type: Connection Group (Open to all Men) Location: Chapin McDonald’s Time: 6:30-7:30 AM Cost: $9.00 Description: Men are wired to produce. At work and around the house, all we want to do is get stuff done. Is that what life has for us? Sometimes being busy seems like the theme of our lives. Yet this frantic pace poses a serious threat to our physical, social, and even spiritual well-being. DeYoung argues a life of constant chaos is far from what God intends and helps us figure out a better way forward by striking a mature and well-reasoned balance between doing nothing and doing everything.

Friday

Study: CrossTrekkers Facilitator: Staci Cosby Type: Connection Group (Open to all women) Location: Various Time: 9:00-11:00 AM Cost: $5.00 Description: Do you love hiking? So do we! We’ll meet every Friday at 9 AM at church, travel together to a trail, read a devotional, then go for a hike and enjoy God’s beautiful creation! Hikes will vary from 4 to 6 miles in length (Harbison State Forest, Dreher Island, Palmetto Trail, etc). Location and length will be emailed by Monday of every week

Study: Multiply, by Francis Chan and David Platt Facilitator: Michael Hipp Type: Community Group Location: Hipp Residence Time: 6:00 – 8:00 PM Cost: $0.00 Description: After Jesus rose from the grave, He left His followers with a simple command: “Go into all the world and make disciples” (see Matt. 28:19). The church should be known for this. If we are going to call ourselves followers of Jesus Christ, we should be making disciples. Every Christian is called by God to minister. You are called to make disciples. Multiply is designed as a simple resource that you can use to begin making disciples. Our prayer is that it will give you the confidence you need to step out in faith and disciple the people whom God has placed in your life.

Fusion Student Small Groups

Study: Junior and Senior High Girls Facilitator: Mary Beth Fuller, Julie Edwards, Terri Cacioppo Location: Fuller Residence Time: Monday, 6:30-8:30 PM

Study: High School Guys Facilitator: Harlon Drew and Frank Tyler Location: Drew Residence Time: Tuesday, 6:30 – 8:00 PM

Study: 9th Grade and 10th Grade Girls Facilitator: Dee Dee Simmons and Natalie McCoy Location: McCoy Residence Time: Every Other Tuesday, 6:45-8:15

Study: 7th Grade Girls Facilitator: Dee Dee Simmons and Jamie Highberger Location: Simmons Residence Time: Every Other Tuesday, 6:45 -8:00 PM

Study: High School Co-Ed Facilitator: Tim and Tiffany Walker; Ben and Nicole Hawkinson Location: Hawkinson Residence Time: Tuesday, 7:30-9:00 PM

Study: 7th Grade – 12th Grade Co-Ed Facilitator: Carson Chitty and Tabitha Smigelski Location: Chitty Residence Time: Monday, 6:30 – 8:00 PM

Study: Junior and Senior High Girls Facilitator: Melissa Bianco, Emily Reinhart, and Michelle Estridge Location: Bianco Residence Time: Wednesday, 7:30-9:30 PM

Study: Junior and Senior High Co-Ed Facilitator: Brad Bramlett, John Chitty, and Carson Chitty Location: Bramlett Residence Time: Thursday, 6:30-8:00 PM

Study: 8th Grade – 10th Grade Girls Facilitator: Hannah Faile and Becky Wrenn Location: Wrenn Residence Time: Wednesday, 6:30 – 8:00 PM

Study: 7th Grade – 9th Grade Guys Facilitator: Ben Mackie and Steve Wheaton Location: TBD Time: TBD

Fusion Student Small Groups

Study: 7th Grade and 8th Grade Girls Facilitator: Kara Durant, Kaylee Susong, Jodran Elgin, and Grace Wheaton Location: TBD Time: TBD

STUDENTS!! Scan this QR code and sign up for your small group today!

SHAPE One-Day Seminar

Have you ever wondered what God was thinking when He created you? Do you feel like He has greater plans for you? Are you ready to know how God wants to use you for His glory? This 6-week small group study is designed to help you discover how God is using your SHAPE – spiritual gifts, heart, abilities, passions, experiences – for your good and His glory! If you are not able to make one of our SHAPE small groups but still interested in learning more about how God has created you, we have the perfect opportunity for you! Join us Friday evening October 2nd and Saturday October 3rd for a SHAPE weekend seminar. Friday October 2nd from 6:00 – 8:30 PM Saturday October 3rd from 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM This is great chance together with fellow believers to learn in an intense and exciting way. Registration for this seminar includes lunch on Saturday. If you would like to join us, use the registration instructions at the back of this booklet.

How do I register for an adult small group?

If you are ready to register for a small group, here’s how! Visit us online at www.chapinumc.com, click on the announcement banner for small group registration, fill out the form, and your small group leader will be in touch. Or, you can scan this QR code with your smartphone QR code reader and sign up right from your phone! If you have any questions, you can contact our Minister of Assimilation Chris DiVietro at 345-2801 or chris@chapinumc.com

Groups begin the week of Sunday September 6th