During starting Point we'll explore several essential themes such as...

Oct 6/7 - #1 What's the Point? - We were created for a relationship with God that brings meaning and purpose to our lives.

God's Plan for Relationship - Ephesians 1:3-14 - We were chosen by God. We were created for his purpose and his pleasure. We were adopted into his family. He delights in us. The meaning of redemption. We are sealed through the Holy Spirit, who is also a deposit guaranteeing our final redemption.

God Designed Us for Relationship - Genesis 1:26 - We are created in his image and in his likeness and therefore have a kind of "relational DNA" that enables us to relate in a profound way with God.

Your Response - Remove anything that hinders your relationship. Receive Jesus as Savior.

Oct 13/14 - #2 What is God Really Like? - The importance of a biblical view of God: He is bigger and better and closer than I can imagine.

The Importance of a True Knowledge of God - A. W. Tozer, "We tend by a secret law of the soul to move toward our mental image of God." "The essence of Idolatry is the entertainment of thoughts about God that are unworthy of him." It started with Satan's temptation of Eve and continues through today's culture. We have created an almost endless variety of "gods." We take a look at seven gods. We respond to each with a look at the true God of the Bible.

Oct 20/21 - #3 What is God's Big Plan? - Our world is not the way it's supposed to be: God's original plan restored through Christ.

In The Beginning - We look at God's original plan for man in the Garden of Eden. Adam lived in perfect harmony with God and with Eve. We list ten characteristics of the Garden.

Not the Way it's Suppose to Be! - The corruption that entered the world through Adam and Eve's sin was a tragic reversal of God's original plan. We examine the consequences of sin.

God Acts to Redeem Us - We look at the meaning of the atonement. We also describe the pain that Jesus endured as he hung on the cross.

Oct 27/28 - #4 Can People Really Change? - We share in the richness of Christ's life as we develop our relationship with Him.

The "Exchanged " Life - Our journey to spiritual maturity includes putting off our old sinful ways and putting on Christlike ways of living.

Catalysts for Change - God uses three general catalysts to help us become more like Christ: people, circumstances, and spiritual disciplines.

A Strategy for Transformation - This section is based on Romans 12:1&2. We surrender our lives to God, resist the world's influence, and are transformed by grace through the renewing of our minds. We list 24 Christian character traits and challenge participants to identify one area where God wants them to experience growth and change.

Nov 3/4 - #5 Who is the Alliance? - How God is at work through the Christian & Missionary Alliance around the world and at home. This session will be an introduction to the Christian and Missionary Alliance. Our district superintendent, Kelvin Gardner, will bring a relevant message about the work of the C&MA along with a moving report about our work in China based on a recent trip he made there. A DVD containing two short video segments will be sent to Life Group Leaders. The first, We Are the C&MA: Our Heritage is an inspiring 12 minute video about the life of A.B. Simpson, founder of the C&MA and one of the most influential Christian leaders of his day. The second video, Big Things Happen: the Philippines, is a six minute video about the beginning of C&MA missionary work in the Philippines. The study guide will explain how SPCC is building on that foundation of ministry today though our high school and young adult summer mission teams.

Nov 10/11 - #6 What's the Purpose of the Church? - How the Bible describes the Church and defines its mission.

What is the Church? - We look at the biblical meaning of church, and identify seven word pictures from the Word that each describe and important aspect of the church.

What are the Purposes of the Church? - We look at three purposes: Ministry to God - Worship, Ministry to Believers - Nurture, and Ministry to the World - Evangelism and Mercy.

Nov 17/18 - #7 What's the Purpose of Our Church? - A look at SPCC's purpose, values, and new ministry plan. This session will feature a 20 minute DVD presentation of Pastor Jim who will share SPCC's Vision, Ministry Plan and Values. The study guide provides a brief overview of these areas along with some questions for discussion following the DVD. We have also included a brief history of SPCC and a statement of our doctrinal beliefs.

Dec 1/2 - #8 Why do I Need Other People? - Belonging to a small group is an indispensable part of God's design for your spiritual growth.

You Were Created for Community - "Community finds its essence and definition deep within the being of God." We were created in God's image and likeness and therefore have an inner need for community.

Barriers to Experiencing Community - We identify three barriers to community: individualism, isolation, and consumerism.

Jesus Calls Us Back to Community - The fall in the Garden tore the fabric of our communion with God and with each other. We look at the biblical basis for community life.

Spiritual Growth and the Benefits of Being in a Small Group - We identify some of the benefits of being in a small group and invite participants to evaluate how they can improve their participation in the small group.

Dec 8/9 - #9 What is My Mission? - We are uniquely shaped by God to serve in ways no one else can.

We Are Called to Serve - Jesus and the New Testament writers call us into service motivated by God's love.

We Are Created to Serve - We are each uniquely shaped by God to serve his purposes. We unpack the acronym SHAPE: S=Spiritual Gifts, H=Heart (passion), A=Abilities, P=Personality, and E=Experiences. We include three inventories to help assess these, plus several online sources.

Learn more about getting plugged in to Starting Point.