SMALL GROUPS
SMALL GROUP BIBLE STUDIES
We believe that there is great value - for Christians and skeptics alike - in studying and discussing the Word of God together in small groups. RUF at NC State is offering several opportunities this semester to study the Scriptures in such a setting, and we would like to invite you to consider joining us for one of these. If you have any questions about these small groups, feel free to contact us.
Visit this page again in late August to see the studies we will offer this fall.
FELLOWSHIP GROUPS
What is a “fellowship group?”
Fellowship Groups can function as a powerful illustration of what Christian communities ought to look like. For RUF, the creation of Christ-centered relationships is at the center of our approach to ministry. It is not enough to simply know facts about God, but those truths have to lived out in the context of meaningful community. A fellowship group, therefore, is a means by which RUF seeks to establish those communities centered around applied Christianity.
What is “applied Christianity?”
By
this, I simply mean that in order for Christian truth to take hold in
the life of a believer, that truth must be incarnated in the life of
another member of the Body of Christ. Christianity was never intended
to be lived in isolation. Do I really deeply grasp God’s love for me
until I see that love demonstrated by one of his people? Do I really
know myself to be forgiven if I don’t experience that forgiveness from
another person?
What does a fellowship group look like?
A
fellowship group is any 6-8 people who are interested in getting
together on a regular basis for the express purpose of encouraging one
another.
What does a fellowship group do?
A fellowship group consists of three primary elements:
Confession- James 5:16, “Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed.”
We
are convicted that there is a special relationship between the soul of
a person and their words. Words have power over us, even as we speak
them. Therefore, by “confession” we do not mean “telling all your sins;” rather, we mean the mere verbalization of what is going on inside of you.
Encouragement- Ephesians
4:29, “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as
is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace
to those who hear.”
We
are convicted that the practice of Christian encouragement is woefully
neglected on our campus. Therefore, we recognize the power in taking up
words and giving them to someone else for no other reason than that
they might be encouraged by them.
Prayer- Acts 1:14, “All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer…”
We
are convicted that we do not pray for each other, but rather are bored
with our prayers because they are dominated by concerns for ourselves.
We pray for one another as an expression of love for each other and our
own spiritual health.
A
fellowship group seeks to nurture all of these means of grace in their
meetings in an informal atmosphere of openness and community.
Are you interested in leading a fellowship group for RUF NCSU? Jeff is looking for as many folks as are interested (in as many groups as can conceivably get started) to start and maintain these groups. What would be expected of you?
- Find a Co Leader(s)- These things never works if there's only one person leading it. It takes a couple people, working together to keep everyone encouraged to make this a priority.
- Provide a Meeting Place- This can be a dorm, a coffee shop, someone's living room in town, wherever your group feels comfortable meeting.
- Maintain the Direction of the Group- The primary task of a fellowship group leader is to keep the group focused on the three elements listed above so that the time doesn't devolve into a pure social event (folks have plenty of that already).
- Give Feedback to Jeff - This is a new area of our ministry here and we are working hard to tweak it properly. Therefore, the leader needs to communicate with Jeff at least twice a semester (mid way through and at the end) about who is coming, what problems are occurring, and how they have made it work.