• Plan to be at the 2025 Launch Meeting - Saturday 1 February
• Take the initiative to get your groups started
• Prepare for 2 Timothy studies in Term 1
• Respond to James regarding Overhall deputation
• Let James know an up-to-date group list
  
  

Currently, in my personal reading I'm reading Nehemiah. The book is an account of life in Jerusalem for those who had returned from exile in Babylon, and, in particular, the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem, led by (you guessed it) Nehemiah.   The other day, I read chapter 3, which feels like one of those boring and irrelevant lists of people. Verses 6-8 are a representative sample:

3:6 Joiada son of Paseah and Meshullam son of Besodeiah repaired the Old Gate. They built it with beams and installed its doors, bolts, and bars. 7 Next to them the repairs were done by Melatiah the Gibeonite, Jadon the Meronothite, and the men of Gibeon and Mizpah, who were under the authority of the governor of the region west of the Euphrates River. 8 After him Uzziel son of Harhaiah, the goldsmith, made repairs, and next to him Hananiah son of the perfumer made repairs. They restored Jerusalem as far as the Broad Wall.

As I read, it occured to me that God has seen fit to preserve in his Holy word, a record of these people - their names, and the specifics of the contribution. Why? I gather it's because Jerusalem was the place for God's name to dwell - amongst his chosen people. It was as close to a meeting place between heaven and earth as could be imagined. And God treasures and honours those who labour (even over tiny details look bolts and bars) to build up his kingdom and glorify his name.   I wonder if, in eternity, there will be lists recognizing God's servants and all the labour they have poured into building up the new Jerusalem (i.e the church: 1 Pet 2:5, Heb 12:22).  I'm speculating ofcourse. But what's clear is that God sees and honours his people who contribute to the advance of his kingdom. I trust this truth from Nehemiah will encourage as you 'pick up your tools' once again for a year of serving God.

Our launch meeting for 2025 is coming up very soon.   When: Saturday 1 February 9.00-12.00ish Where: Church   This morning will take place in conjunction with the leaders training day for children and youth leaders. This is always an encouraging time together, as we mix with many other people who serve in our church. During the morning there will be time of bible input and encouragement for all leaders, as well as a dedicated time specific to us - those leading growth groups.   Please this date in your diary and plan to attend. Your presence will be both important for yourself, and an encouragement to the other leaders.    Morning tea? If you are coming can you please bring some morning tea to share. Growth Group leaders have been allocated this responsibility (as other teams of leaders have been allocated lunch duty). Please let James know what you can bring to share.

Term 1, 2025 Our first teaching series for the year will be a 5-week series through 2 Timothy.

Key Links   Series webpage  Contains teaching schedule, members materials and some other resources.   Members material - Word Version   Members material - PDF Version   Leaders material - Word Version   Leaders material - PDF Version   Other 2 Timothy resources (for the keen)   Podcast Episode: Help Me Teach the Bible (2 Timothy)   Recommended Commentary: 1 & 2 Timothy For You (Phillip Jensen)   Study notes from St Helens Bishopsgate, London   Remainder of 2025 In Term 2, we will tackle the second half of Isaiah (chapters 40-66).   In Terms 3 and 4 we will have our annual doctrine for life series (topic tbc) and continue with Mark and Romans (details tbc).

Have our link mission partners visit your growth group... Chris and Stef Overhall, along with their children, Eli, Theo and Nate are back from Chile, where they serve with CMS. They will be spending a week with our church on official deputation. There are opportunities for Chris and/or Stef to visit your growth group during the week commencing Monday 17 February.   If you would like to arrange for the Overhalls to visit your group so you can hear more about their work in Chile, and pray for them, please contact James by replying to this email.  

As the year kicks off, I encourage you to take the initiative to contact your existing group members and get started as soon as is reasonable. As you do do so, please inform me of the up-to-date group list (for database and roll marking purposes) by completing this form.   Some other encouragements or important pieces of information at this time:   1. I will be liaising with people new to growth groups and leaders about prospective new group members - though by all means feel free to invite people to join your group and let me know.   2.  Jeannette has recently revised the key lockbox codes (best practice security reasons). If you regularly use the church or ministry centre for your group you should have received an email with the new codes. If you did not receive it and will need it please contact Jeannette.    3. This year we intend on working harder to connect people who aren't in growth groups into regular discipling relationships (e.g. reading 1-1 with someone, or forming a smaller group of 3-4). In your conversation with existing and prospective group members please encourage them to consider this alternative (in lieu of doing nothing). You can direct them to James for more information.

2025 Draft Teaching Schedule This is constantly evolving, but does represent a reliable guide of what's coming up! Use this if you are a keen planner and like to know well in advance what you will study throughout the year. Growth Group Leader Role Description Refresh your memory about the why, what and how of being a growth group leader. Growth Groups Reflective Planner: Excel  | PDF Use this to  reflect regularly on how the group is going Church Hub If you're encouraging someone to join a growth group and you are unsure what the next step is, send people to the Church Hub to fill out the 'Join a Growth Group' form.

Check out the resources for leaders on our leaders portal.    The password is "allforchristjesus2025"   Note: the password has changed (the "2024" has changed to "2025")