New Advent All Church Study
Watch for opportunities to join a small Discipleship Group during Advent as we study Christmas Is Not Your Birthday: Experience the Joy of Living and Giving Like Jesus by Mike Slaughter. From the publisher: “Every year, we say we’re going to cut back, simplify, and have a family Christmas that focuses on the real reason for the season—Jesus. But every year, advertisements beckon, the children plead, and it seems easier just to indulge our wants and whims. Overspending, overeating, materialism, and busyness rob us of our peace and joy and rob Jesus of his rightful role as the center of our celebration. This Christmas, cut through the hype that leaves you exhausted and broke at the end of the year. Instead, experience the peace of knowing that God is truly with us, the joy of giving sacrificially, and the love of a Savior who gave everything he had for us. In five short, engaging chapters, Pastor Mike Slaughter inspires readers to approach Christmas differently and be transformed in the process.”
Christmas Is Not Your Birthday is available from Cokesbury.com or Amazon.com in either paperback or for your e-reader.
LOVE * GROW * SERVE * SHARE
Encourage * Learn * Explore * Community
Throughout the Bible, you can see that God often did amazing things through groups of people. God provided Adam, Abraham, Moses, and the great King David with companions, family, and other leaders. Jesus, especially, worked in a group. He selected twelve men (and many other men and women) to be his followers – and then he chose three (Peter, James, and John) to join his inner circle. These people became the leadership team of the early church. And the Apostle Paul traveled in groups for his missionary journeys and appointed elders to oversee churches he planted. It’s clear that God does big things through small groups.
Our small Discipleship Groups at KUMC are an important part of helping individuals grow together in Christlikeness through friendship, study, and accountability. Life is better when it’s lived together:
We work better together. A group can accomplish far more than an individual can accomplish on their own. As your group meets, you’ll go and grow further, faster.
We learn better together. When we seek to understand scripture or what God intends for our lives, there are others there to help us discern. And when we stumble or question, we can rely upon each other’s accountability, support, and prayers.
We help each other. In a small Discipleship Group, you will experience the warmth of community that comes from knowing others and being known by them. You will form a bond of friendship that will last for years to come.
We strengthen each other. It is easy to get caught up in busy-ness, discouragement, and the distraction of worldly things. As you meet and you all seek to become more like Jesus, you will find it easier to stay and grow stronger together.
Our small Discipleship Groups are launching again in September, and we want you to be included! Check out the active groups below – and if you are interested but are looking for a group that meets on a different day or time, contact Terry Bolender at tbolender@kentmethodist.com:
Check out the active groups below:
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Apostles in Training: This group meets on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of each month from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. in the Youth Room. They are beginning the Advent study of Christmas Is Not Your Birthday by Mike Slaughter.
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Bolender D-Group: This group meets weekly on Wednesdays from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon in Room 21. They are reading Half Truths by Adam Hamilton, and in late November will begin the Advent study of Christmas Is Not Your Birthday by Mike Slaughter. New people are welcome at any time!
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Disciples in Training: This group meets on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. in Room 21. They are beginning a study of Faithful: Christmas Through the Eyes of Joseph by Adam Hamilton. We would love to have you join us! Contact
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Parent/Family D-Group: This D-Group helps to connect and support parents. We hope this group can be a place where everyone experiences growth in their faith through Bible study and prayer, and that it will be a comfortable space where we can share the highs and lows of parenting alongside one another. Please join us!
Young Adult Small Group
Pastor Jim and Sandra host a Young Adult Small Group on Sunday evenings at their home. This is a post-high-school discipleship small group for anyone who would like to meet other Christians, learn about following Jesus, and share good food at the table. This group is open to everyone. Come join us. Bring your friends.
November Schedule
November 2 Bible Study and Dessert at Pastor Jim’s 6:30-8 p.m.
November 9 Bible Study and Dessert at Pastor Jim’s 6:30-8 p.m.
November 16 NO Young Adult Small Group
November 23 Bible Study and Dessert at Pastor Jim’s 6:30-8 PM
November 30 Bible Study and Dessert at Pastor Jim’s 6:30-8 PM
Let Us Help You Find the Right Small Discipleship Group
Beginning the small group journey with a group can be a powerful experience, and we recommend you give that a shot. However, we know your time, schedule, and preferences don’t always align with our current groups—we’re here to help! Click on this link and fill out the form to let us know a little bit more about you, and we will do our best to pair you with a group.
More Information
Call the church office at (253) 852-3900 or email us below to find the group that's right for you!