The Need for Newness -- Cultivating Fruitfulness - Day 18

First, I love the story in today's devotion! I think that this could be a model for Intentional Faith Development at Pomme de Terre UMC. Actually, I shouldn't say at Pomme de Terre because today's devotion describes a series of home-based Bible studies.

I know that we are spread out across Hickory County, and sometimes I think people enjoy getting out and gathering in one centralized location. I have no problem with that, but I wonder if we are missing people who would rather stay closer to home.

What would it look like if at Pomme de Terre we had a network of home-based Bible study groups so that no matter where you lived, you never had to travel far to meet with your group?

1. This might help some people get involved whereas they might otherwise not attend an small group study.
2. This might allow people to develop deeper bonds with folk who live in the area.
3. It might be easier to invite friends and neighbors to a small, local gathering.

Pomme de Terre UMC does a lot of things well. I think that we are on the right tracks with our radical hospitality and passionate worship initiatives. I think that our ministries of intentional faith development need some love and attention.

I know that we have three adult Sunday School classes, but on average fewer than 30 people participate in Sunday School. We have Disciple Bible Study, but this has involved fewer than 12 people over the last six months. I have coordinated a short-term Bible study that attracted about a dozen people.

The pattern I see is that mostly the same people are participating in these ministries of faith development.

If each of us responded to the challenge for today to participate in one small group, class, or study in the next six months, where would that group meet? when? and what would you do or study?