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Galatians Groups
What It's About
Galatians Groups (GG) are short-term, Home ABF-style, community groups that will give you the chance to get acquainted with a few others and an opportunity to dig a bit deeper into the sermon. You might call it: “try community before you buy.” For six weeks you can join a group that meets in someone’s home, and see what they’re like. At the end of this term, your commitment is done.
Cindy's Freedom Story
I began attending The Chapel in May ‘06, almost a year after I lost my husband to cancer. I’ve been in and out of church my whole life, more out than in. I’ve walked with God and without God, more without than with. So many people, such a big church. After several months I got connected to the Ladies ABF. They took me in, they loved me unconditionally. I really needed that. Oh, and 14 months before I lost my husband, I lost my Mom to cancer. These women were and are extraordinary to me, week after week.
I have always wondered about a HABF, curious as to how it really works in a home setting during the week; but didn’t know which one to join, not comfortable going to one already established. Can you hear the excuses? Then the ads for Galatians Groups started. OK, here’s my chance I 
said, they are ALL new groups. I was ready to meet even more new people, felt a tug at my heart, and signed up online. You know, after you click “send," there’s not a lot of wiggle room for turning back; for me there wasn’t.
I’m so glad I joined. It’s interesting to hear what other people walked away from the sermon with, and also people in my group attend both campuses, so we hear the analogies that all the pastors use, that’s neat. It’s really a continuation of the sermon, in a small group rather than the million people you see in the sanctuary. Our leader has a list of questions that we try to answer, usually thought provoking questions about certain verses. We start with prayer, and we end with a time of prayer, praying for each other and the current needs in our lives. The people in your group know your name :). I’m the oldest person in my group, and they haven’t kicked me out, yet!!! Seriously, the first couple of weeks we did some icebreaker exercises to get to know each other. Fun. It’s not all serious all the time. Freedom.
It’s a nice break during the work week, brings my focus back to freedom, back to Christ. I’m getting to know these new people in my group, in my life, people who have freedom like I do, people who struggle like I do.
Galatians Groups has helped my walk with God. It is sweet. It is freedom.
Good Stuff
Gary Roadruck, GG leader in Green, gives this report:
Something “clicked” for the Rapids Way Galatians Group right from the beginning at the Galatians Group launch. We have gathered at 7:00 every Thursday evening since then. The only problem we are having is “getting a word in edgewise.” Everyone contributes! Everyone shares! Everyone cares! We use the curriculum to shape our conversation, but we also color it with our own experience. We don’t pretend to have all of the answers, but we take every question seriously and try to help each other reach a deeper level of understanding. If you are looking for a place to follow the sermons by digging into God’s Word while making friends and sharing concerns, join a Galatians Group, where everyone knows your name! (Of course, we wear name tags!)
January 12 Recap
And they're off! By the feel of it January 12, the Galatians Groups are sure to be a major success. Things ran smoothly and there was a strong sense of eagerness in the air. Out of the 230 people who've signed up to be a part, 160 attended the launch. For the next six weeks, 26 groups will meet in homes to study the book of Galatians to follow along with the "Freedom" sermon series.
A few quotes about the impact the evening:
The Galatians Groups kickoff broke the ice and let everyone get to know each other a little better. It was unifying and gave us a solid start to have Paul doing our first lesson with us. It's good to be in a group of like-minded people who want to study God's Word in community. -Julie Hufstetler
Our group has a combination of old friends and new friends … and I mean that after last night. We had a good time getting to know each other, laughing about our “worst vacation experience,” and listening to Paul Sartarelli talk about his passion for the book of Galatians. I can’t wait until we meet for the first time at our house this weekend.
-Guy Hufstetler
Contact Stephanie at 330.315.5910.
Get the curriculum here.
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