08/25/2025
Life Transforming Small Groups Signup Time for the Fall: Groups begin the weeks of Sep 8 and 15. Here is what I had to say Sunday August 24 during our Service:
"Good morning church family and friends. My name is Frank Termine. I am a former pastor of our church and I now serve YOU as one of the four shepherding elders.
I am here this morning to encourage every adult that calls Calvary Church their home to participate in a Life Transforming Small Group this Fall. It is our goal to have 100%+ participation – that’s every adult in our church and anyone else who would like to participate. Small groups are our engine to grow disciples.
Small groups are a group of people who gather weekly to:
• study the Bible and apply it to their lives,
• then pray for each other,
• and all the while grow in close fellowship with everyone else in the group. Everyone learning from each other how to apply God’s word to their lives. This is exactly the way Jesus did it with His 12 disciples - Jesus' small group.
Saints, Jesus uses His word and the fellowship of other believers in small groups to transform lives. I have seen it happen to others and I have personally experienced it myself.
• My first small group experience was relatively soon after Karen, my wife, and I became believers. One Monday night, we attended a group that only had two other couples. The evening was nice, but we talked about maybe trying another group. I suggested we give it 3 meetings before we decide. Well, we attended that group for years. Those two couples and the others who came later taught us a lot about the Bible and more importantly, showed us through their lives, how to apply God’s Word to our lives. The love of God and the commitment to follow Jesus I have today was nurtured and grew in that small group.
• Years later one of my daughters was struggling mightily and we thought we might lose her. Life was so hard then that I didn’t want to get out of bed in the morning. But I had a Wednesday morning men’s small group, with brothers who loved me, that ministered to me each and every week – and in between meetings, too. My brothers in Christ gave me the fellowship love and caring that I needed at a time that I had nothing to give.
• I have been in small groups where I have seen people pray to receive Jesus as their Lord/Savior.
• In small groups, I have seen parents out of answers with their kids be instructed in godly parenting from God’s word and see their hope restored.
• In small groups, I have witnessed marriages improved and some even saved.
Saints, God uses the Bible and the fellowship of other believers in small groups to transform lives. And if you make the commitment to be in a small group this Fall, I absolutely guarantee that you too will be transformed. How do I know that? Because God Himself promises it:
Isaiah 55:10-11 As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
When you entered church this morning, all adults should have got a listing of all our small group offerings for the Fall. If we missed you, please raise your hand and one of our men will bring you a sheet. If you are online, please go to our weekly email for a copy. Please remember that you don’t have to go to our church to be in one of our small groups.
You will notice on the sheet that you have a choice of days/times and interesting studies. If you are dropping your kid off for Youth Group on Wednesday night or Awana Kids Club on Friday night, you can stay here and attend a small group. On Friday night, we even offer FREE childcare for those under 2 yrs old.
You don’t have to wait till sign-up Sunday on Sep 7 to choose a group. Look over the offerings. Call small group leaders with questions. Make your choice and tell the small group leader you are in.
After service I will be at the Welcome Desk to answer any questions you have. If small groups are a new concept for you, I have a sheet with answers to FAQ’s.
Saint, Jesus said in John 10:10, “I have come that they might have life, life to the full.” Take hold of life to the full that Jesus promises by sharing life with your brothers and sisters in a small group this Fall.
Let’s pray.
