December 7th Small Group

Hello 20somethings!

We're looking forward to seeing you tonight at small group! This week is our last small group Bible study for 2010, because next week we'll have our Christmas Cookie & Caroling party (see details below), so you don't want to miss it. We are continuing in our series on Faith Lessons from the Bible, as we watch & discuss lessons by Ray Vander Laan. See you Tuesday night, 7:30pm, at the Shelleys' house (2125 N Summit in Wheaton).

Next Tuesday, remember to bring 2 dozen homemade cookies/treats with you! We'll go caroling around the Shelleys' neighborhood, then head back to their house to warm up and enjoy some hot chocolate (and any leftover treats, if we have enough, so bring your cookies!). That will be our last official 20somethings meeting in 2010, although we'll resume in January.

November 30th: Potluck

I hope you had a great Thanksgiving, filled with lots of food & family! We certainly have a lot to be thankful for, don't we? Well we're going to celebrate together this Tuesday (Nov 30th) with a potluck. We'll be back at the Shelleys' house, and we'll dig in around 7pm. Bring some food to share - it doesn't have to be traditional thanksgiving fare. See you then!

Upcoming Events
December 7th, 7:30: Small Group @ Shelleys' house
December 14th, 7:30: Christmas Caroling / Party - bring at least 2 dozen homemade goodies!

November 23rd Small Group

Hi 20somethings,

Even though it's Thanksgiving week, we're still meeting for small group! So if you're in town tomorrow night, join us at Jill & Heather's house on Tuesday night at 7:30pm for fellowship, study, and prayer. The address is 460 Sunnybrook Lane in Wheaton.

If you're gone or busy cooking, we'll look forward to seeing you back at the Shelleys' house for potluck on November 30th.

Other Upcoming Events
December 7: Small Group at the Shelleys'
December 14: Christmas Party at the Shelleys' (bring 2 dozen homemade cookies and come dressed to go caroling -- we're going to thank the Shelleys' neighbors for putting up with us!)

November 16th Small Group: New Location

We're looking forward to seeing you Tuesday night at small group! We'll be continuing our video series on Faith Lessons from the Bible, as Ray Vander Laan leads us through the Holy Lands & the events that unfolded there. We've been having some great discussions through this series, so you won't want to miss this week's lesson!

Please be aware that we are meeting at a DIFFERENT LOCATION this week and next week: We'll be meeting at TOM'S HOUSE for the next two weeks, which is 2 houses east of Parkview Church (on St. Charles). Park in the church parking lot and walk through the backyard to his house. Call Tom if you have questions: (630) 212-8171.

With the holiday season gearing up, I know your schedule will be filling up. Save the following dates on your calendar...

20somethings Tuesday Night Schedule

• November 23rd: Small group at Tom's house
• November 30th: Potluck at the Shelleys' house
• December 7th: Small group at the Shelleys' house
• December 14th: Christmas Party! Bring 2 dozen HOMEMADE goodies, and we'll thank the Shelleys' neighbors (who let us park in front of their houses all year) with cookies and Christmas carols. Afterward we'll enjoy hot cider and any leftover Christmas cookies by the fire!
• December 21 & 28: No official small group (those who are in town may plan get-togethers)
  
• January 4th: Small group Kick Off 2011
  

--Jill

November 9th Small Group

Hello 20somethings,

We're looking forward to seeing you Tuesday night at our weekly gathering for prayer & study. We'll be continuing our series with Ray VanderLaan leading us through the history of Biblical stories and settings, and discussing how the faith lessons we can draw from those stories apply to our lives today. Come and join our encouraging and supportive community as we do life together. We meet at 7:30pm each Tuesday at the Shelleys' house, 2125 N Summit in Wheaton.

November 2nd Small Group

I hope you'll join us Tuesday night (November 2nd) at 7:30pm, as we continue studying Faith Lessons from Biblical stories with Ray Vander Laan. Last week we looked at the confrontation between Elijah and the prophets of Baal. What will this week hold? You'll have to join us to find out!

As usual, we're meeting at the Shelleys' house (2125 N Summit in Wheaton). Contact us at pcc20somethings@gmail.com if you have any questions.

October 26th Potluck

If you like food or games (you don't have to like both), join us this Tuesday at potluck. We'll meet at the Shelleys' (2125 N Summit, Wheaton) at 7pm. If you're new, if you've been gone for awhile, or if you have friends you want to invite, this is a great time to come!

Bring something delicious to share, and we'll see you there!

October 19th Update

We're looking forward to seeing you TONIGHT at 7:30pm at the Shelleys' house (2125 N Summit, Wheaton) for our weekly small group! This week we're continuing in our study of the cultural/historical contexts and faith applications for events of the Bible. We'll also get to catch up on the events of the week and spend some time in prayer together.

And this FRIDAY night at 6pm, we're having a fall party at Sharon's house! If you're new to the group, this would be a great chance to get to know people. We'll provide the hot dogs, buns, and bonfire -- you can bring a pumpkin to carve (if you want to), a carving knife (if you have one), any games you might want to play, and one of the following items:

• soda
• chips
• sweets/candy
• snacks or side dishes (veggies?)
• graham crackers
• chocolate bars
• marshmallows

Please RSVP to pcc20somethings@gmail.com, letting us know what you're planning to bring food-wise, by THURSDAY so we know how many hot dogs to buy (and can make sure we don't end up with, for example, chocolate-less s'mores - blech)! If you need the address / directions, just ask for them in your RSVP email.

October 12th Small Group

We will be meeting for study, prayer, and fellowship on Tuesday October 12th at 7:30pm. Join us at the Shelleys' house, 2125 N Summit in Wheaton, as we continue in our video series, "That the World May Know", in which we're studying the historical and cultural context for stories of the Bible. Last week we saw and discussed the significance of the Jordan River, and we saw and learned that the "pillars" that the ancient Israelites erected were much bigger than we had realized! Who knows what this week will hold! You definitely don't want to miss out!

And due to a shortage of apples, this weekend's trip to the apple orchard has been replaced with a movie night at Sharon's house at 7pm on Saturday. Her address is 1 S 436 Fairview, in Lombard. Feel free to bring fall-themed snacks (or other munchies) if you want to. Apple cider will be provided! Please send an email to pcc20somethings@gmail.com for more details if you are planning to come!

October 5th Update

Well October has gotten off to a nippy start, and we're planning to transition to a new study series in this new month to go along with the transition in season. We've finished our study on the Spiritual Disciplines, and we're planning to switch it up for a little bit and enjoy segments from a video series called "That the World May Know". We'll get to see, hear about, and discuss the historical and cultural context for stories of the Bible, hopefully providing you with insights into the meaning and significance of the Scriptures for you as a believer today.

Our first night of this study will happen tomorrow, Tuesday October 5th, at 7:30pm, at the Shelleys' house (2125 N Summit, Wheaton). Not only will we get to dig into the stories of the Bible, but we'll also spend some time praying for one another and catching up on life. I hope to see you there!

Also, some of us are planning to see Derek Webb & Sandra McCracken ($12) in Naperville on Friday night, and Andrew Peterson ($5) in downtown Chicago on Saturday night. If you haven't heard of these artists, you need to come and experience them live. Email pcc20somethings@gmail.com if you're interested in going.

Finally, we're thinking about going apple picking on Saturday October 16th. If you're interested, please send an email to pcc20somethings@gmail.com.

Oh, and keep your evening free on Friday October 22nd, because we'll be pumpkin carving, having a bonfire, enjoying other seasonal activities at Sharon's house that evening...more details to come.

And just one more thing ... if you can't make our Tuesday night group, you should consider trying out our new Sunday afternoon group. Do you want to know how to better explain your faith to those who are not Christians? Do you want to better understand the logical reasons and theological framework behind Christianity? Then this Sunday study is for you! It meets from 3-5pm on Sundays in the Junior High room at Parkview. You can email pcc200somethings@gmail.com for more information.

September 28th: Potluck

Hi 20somethings,

Sorry for the lack of updates here in the last couple of weeks. Here's the update for this week...

Since it's the last week of September we'll be having a potluck this week instead of our usual Bible Study. Come at 7pm, arrive hungry, and bring something edible to share with everybody - it can be anything from a leg of lamb to green bean casserole to ice cream sandwiches or whatever else you want to bring!

Also, maybe you're starting to get depressed because the weather is turning cold, or maybe you're loving the cool fall weather. In either case, we've got lots of great things planned in October to enjoy the best parts of this season together. Mark these dates on your calendar (they're also listed in the calendar below). Details will be provided later.

• 10/2 - Art Day @ Parkview Community Church. 8am-8pm (come when you're able). Express your creative side! A huge canvas, spray paint, and other art supplies will be provided!
  
• 10/2 - Jill Philips concert, 6pm, Shabbona IL, $10. Talk to Sarah or Jill if you're planning to go.
  
• 10/8 - Derek Webb concert, 6:30pm, Naperville, $12. Talk to Sarah or Jill.
  
• 10/9 - Andrew Peterson concert, 5pm, Chicago, $5 suggested. Talk to Sarah or Jill.
  
• 10/16 - Apple Picking, during the day
• 10/17 - Jars of Clay & Brandon Heath concert, 6pm, Elmhurst, $20. Make sure to buy a ticket online ahead of time - it might sell out!
  
• 10/23 - Pumpkin Carving/Bonfire, evening

September 14th: Worship & Confession

Hi 20somethings,

Wow, have we got an exciting small group planned for this week! We're continuing in our study of the spiritual disciplines, and this week we'll be covering two disciplines: worship and confession. Now I know that I always say we start at 7:30pm, but then we generally spend the first half hour socializing as people come in and don't really get started until 8pm. But this week is different - since there's so much good stuff to talk about with these two disciplines, we are going to dive right into our study this week. So please plan to arrive by 7:30pm so that you don't miss out on all the awesomeness.

I will see you Tuesday, at 7:30pm, at the Shelleys' house! (If you need the address, click on the event in the calendar below.)

--Jill

September 7th: Worship

Hi 20somethings,

I hope you had a great Labor Day & were able to rest & relax a little if you had a long weekend. Long weekends always throw me off a little, so don't forget that the first day of work this week is a TUESDAY and we are still meeting for small group tonight. We'll gather at 7:30pm at the Shelleys' house (click on "Bible Study" on the calendar below if you need the address) to pray & study the spiritual discipline of worship. Also, it's been a couple of weeks since our last study, which was on submission. Our challenge for that was to meditate on the first part of Philippians 2 and to prayerfully consider what areas of our life we need to grow in submission. If you have thoughts related to that challenge you'll have a chance to share them tonight.

I hope to see you tonight at 7:30pm!

--Jill

August 31st: POTLUCK

Hey 20somethings,

Well can you believe that it's already the end of August? It's been crazy adjusting to school schedules again (for you teachers & students) and dealing with ever-shorter days and cooler weather. The end of August also means that it's time for another potluck! We'll gather at the Shelleys' house at 7pm tomorrow night (Tuesday) to share dinner together and possibly play some games. The address for the Shelleys' is on in the blog calendar (below), in case you don't know their address. Bring a dish to share - it could be meat, salad, potatoes, casserole, dessert, or whatever you're in the mood for. See ya then!

Oh, and keep working on our challenge from last week: we're meditating on Philippians 2:1-11 (correct me if I'm wrong) and asking God to show us how we could have a healthier spirit of submission in every aspect of our lives. We'll talk about it next week, when we also talk about the spiritual discipline of worship.

--Jill

August 24th Small Group: Submission

Hi 20somethings,

We'll be meeting tonight at 7:30pm at the Shelleys' house (address in the calendar below) for our weekly Bible Study. We will discuss last week's challenge in the discipline of simplicity, which involved meditating on Philippians 4:11-13 and prayerfully considering how you can grow in simplicity in every aspect of life: your words, your actions, your belongings, and your relationships. If you haven't had a chance to do so yet, try to take a minute to read the passage & pray about this before group tonight. And Steph Buck will lead our discussion of the discipline of submission. I'd love to see you tonight for this discussion, prayer, and community!

For those of you that signed up for the camping trip, remember that it is THIS WEEKEND! We will talk about details after tonight's small group. And if you didn't sign up, you are welcome to meet up with us on Saturday at Illinois State Beach - we can give you directions this evening.

Oh, and in case you are the plan-ahead type, next Tuesday is our monthly potluck!

August 17th: Simplicity

This Tuesday, we're meeting at the Shelleys' house at 7:30pm. We'll discuss our challenge from last week, which was to seek times of solitude by ruthlessly eliminating hurry from our lives. Cara and Heather will also lead us in a discussion on Simplicity. I look forward to seeing you there!

August 3rd: Potluck!

This Week's Challenge:
If you missed group last week (or have forgotten), our challenge for the week involves (1) praying the Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:9–13) each day, (2) meditating on the scriptures on fasting that Sarah & Mark provided, and (3) fasting on Tuesday, through breakfast and lunch, and spending that time in prayer & meditation.

Tuesday's Potluck
We'll be breaking our fast together on Tuesday evening, as we have a barbecue-style potluck at the Shelleys' house. Even if you're not fasting, we still want you to come! Bring a side dish, salad, chips, dessert, or soda to share; meat (hot dogs & hamburgers) will be provided. After we eat, we may play some games. Be at the Shelleys' house (2125 N Summit St, Wheaton) at 7pm on Tuesday!

Cougars Game
Also, make sure to put it on your calendar - Saturday August 14th we'll be heading out to Geneva for a picnic dinner, to watch the Kane County Cougars (baseball) game and fireworks! Details about when & where to meet will be provided later.

July 27th Small Group: Fasting

On Tuesday, July 27th, we'll be continuing in our study of the spiritual disciplines. This week, we'll debrief on our prayer & meditation challenge from last week (described below), be led in a discussion on fasting by Sarah and Mark, and spend some time praying for one another.

If you missed last week (or have lost the handy handout Ross gave for last week's challenge), pick one or two of the following passages involving prayer, and set aside some time to pray and meditate on them this week: 2 Chronicles 30:18, John 17:1, 1 Kings 8:22, Ephesians 3:14, 2 Kinds 20:2, and Habakkuk 3:1. (For each passage, the verse listed is just the start of the prayer...keep reading to the end of the prayer)

As for our new topic, fasting is mentioned many times in the scriptures, but doesn't seem to be widely practiced in evangelical churches today. Are we missing the boat? - Is it something we should be doing? If so, how should we go about fasting, and for what purposes?

I hope to see you at Jill & Heather's house, 460 Sunnybrook Lane in Wheaton at 7:30pm on Tuesday!

July 20th Small Group: Prayer & Meditation

Hey 20somethings,

This week we're diving into the study of our first spiritual disciplines. Stephanie G. and Ross will be leading our discussion on prayer & meditation this week. We'll also be discussing our challenge from last week: to read Galatians 5:16-26, and to reflect on whether those traits (both virtues and vices) are evident in your life right now. Take a minute before our meeting to pray that good fruit will grow in our lives, individually and corporately, as we study and practice these disciplines. Pray that we won't fall into the extremes of legalism or laziness.

See you at 7:30pm tomorrow, Tuesday July 20th, at Heather & Jill's house, 460 Sunnybrook Lane in Wheaton!

July 13th Small Group: Spiritual Disciplines

It's time to kick off our new study series! This Tuesday, July 13th, we will begin our study of the spiritual disciplines, based loosely on the classic book "Celebration of Discipline" by Richard Foster. Sarah will provide us with an overview of what spiritual disciplines are, why they're important, etc. Of course we'll also have time for prayer & catching up on what's happening in your life. Hope to see you at Jill & Heather's place, 460 Sunnybrook Lane in Wheaton, at 7:30pm on Tuesday!

July 6th Small Group

This Tuesday, July 6th, small group will again meet at Jill & Heather's place (460 Sunnybrook Lane in Wheaton). Jenna will be sharing what God's been laying on her heart and doing in her life recently. It's exciting to have her back with us and to have a chance to hear about her recent experiences in Australia and China with YWAM! We'll see you at 7:30pm to catch up on what's going on in your life, hear from Jenna, and spend some time praying together.

Independence Weekend Plans

Okay 20somethings, here's the weekend update...

1) Saturday July 3rd: Taste of Chicago
We are going downtown on Saturday to enjoy the good food & the crowds at the Taste of Chicago. Meet at the Wheaton station for the 10:54am train or the Glen Ellyn station for the 11am train. Bring $7 (preferably cash, though I think you can do credit card now) for a weekend Metra pass and money for food tickets at the festival (it's $12 for 8 tickets). If we come back in time and still have energy, we can head to the Wheaton fairgrounds for fireworks that evening.

2) Sunday July 4th: Glen Ellyn Fireworks
We will meet at Tom's house at 7pm and walk over to Lake Ellyn together. (park in the southeast corner of the Parkview parking lot - 764 St. Charles Road in Glen Ellyn, walk through the backyard to the house that is 2 houses east of the church on St. Charles road) Fireworks start at dusk, so we'll want to get there & stake out a good spot. Bring bug spray and a blanket or a camping chair if you'd like. Afterward we'll head back to Tom's house for a bonfire.

June 29th: Potluck!

This week we're meeting at Heather & Jill's place (460 Sunnybrook in Wheaton) for a potluck! We will start at 7pm! Bring a dish to share - main dish, side dish, dessert dish, summery dish, my-mom-made-this-for-me dish, Jewel-made-this-for-me dish - whatever floats your boat! We'll eat together, catch up with one another, and then probably play some games.

Also, this weekend we've got some exciting events planned! On Saturday, we're going to brave the crowds and head downtown to Taste of Chicago (via Metra). Then on Sunday evening, we'll meet at Heather & Jill's place and walk over to the Wheaton fairgrounds to watch fireworks. Details about times & meeting places will be up shortly -- watch the blog for more info!

Sand Volleyball Details

Hopefully you stayed safe & dry through the tornadoes & thunderstorms we've had this week! The good news is that it's supposed to dry out by Friday, so we're still on for Sand Volleyball! Let's meet at the courts at the corner of Roosevelt & Main (in Wheaton) at 7pm. If you're up for more sports afterward, we can head to the Bashores' house for some World Cup action!

Also, remember potluck is coming up on Tuesday, and we're pushing the time to 7pm (that's a change from last month). Pick up something good next time you're at the grocery store so you can make or bring something yummy to share with us on Tuesday!

June 22nd Small Group: The Prophets

Soooo last week we got wrapped up in our discussion of the Law, and ran out of time to talk about the Prophets. They're pretty important, so we'll plan to discuss them this week as we wrap up our study on "How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth" with Sarah leading the discussion. There was no "homework" this week, so just bring your Bible and show up at Heather & Jill's place (460 Sunnybrook Lane, Wheaton) at 7:30pm this Tuesday, June 22nd!

Also, we're planning an evening of "beach" (sand) volleyball this Friday, June 25th. We'll talk about details at group on Tuesday and update this site with the info.

June 15th Small Group: The Prophets

Small Group

• Meet at Jill & Heather's house (460 Sunnybrook Lane, in Wheaton) at 7:30pm on Tuesday, June 15th.
• New Topic: The Prophets
• Challenge: Read Psalm 119 and reflect on how the law is a good thing. What stands out to you? Then, read Leviticus 19 to get a taste for what is included in the law. Try to identify what in Leviticus 19 is ritual law, what is civil law, and what is moral law.
  

Starved Rock Trip

• We're going hiking, at Matthiessen State Park and Starved Rock State Park!
• Meet in the church parking lot at 9:30am on Saturday June 19th. We'll carpool for the 2 hour drive to Starved Rock.
• Wear comfy shoes & weather-appropriate clothes.
• Bring a sack lunch, any snacks you want.
• RSVP by replying to this email by Thursday. Let us know if you'd like to drive. Also, let us know if you need to be back by a certain time.
• If it rains (and you're the rugged type), put on your waterproof gear & meet at the church. If enough people are interested, we'll still go.
  

June 8th Small Group: The Law

This Tuesday (June 8th), we'll be meeting at Heather & Jill's house (460 Sunnybrook Lane, Wheaton IL 60187) at 7:30pm for our weekly small group. Sarah will be leading us as we discuss the Law in the Old Testament. Maybe you've tried to read through the Bible and all of those crazy rules in Leviticus derailed you. Why are all of those details even included in the Bible? What did the Law mean to the Israelites, and what does it mean for us as Christians? We'll be discussing this and other issues & questions related to the Law on Tuesday.

On Tuesday, we'll also discuss our challenge from last week: Psalms & Proverbs. Take a minute today or tomorrow to apply what we talked about last week. Here's the details:

• Read Psalms 104, 62, and 3
• What type of Psalm is it?

Lament (individual and corporate)

Thanksgiving

Hymns of Praise

Salvation/History

Celebration/Affirmation

Wisdom

Songs of Trust

• What is the purpose of the Psalm?
• How does each Psalm help you relate to God or help in guiding you to worship?

• Read chapters 1 and 2 in Proverbs
• What are some basic instructions on wisdom?

Finally, on Saturday (June 12th) we're going mini-golfing! We'll meet at Clocktower Commons in Wheaton at 4:30pm, play a round, and then perhaps grab some food afterwards. The price is $4 for Wheaton residents and $5 for non-residents. The address is 100 N Naperville Road, Wheaton IL 60187.

June 1st Small Group: Wisdom Literature

Happy Memorial Day, 20somethings!

Hopefully the rain we got this morning hasn't ruined your plans for the day. Take a minute today to thank any members of the armed services and veterans that you know, and to pray for those currently serving our country and for the families of those who have lost loved ones.

And hopefully you'll be able to join us tomorrow, as we meet together to study the Bible, pray for one another, and enjoy each others' company. This week Tom will be leading us as we look at Psalms, Proverbs, and Wisdom literature in the Bible. For the month of June, we'll be meeting at Jill & Heather's house, 460 Sunnybrook Lane, Wheaton IL 60187. You can park on the street. See you at 7:30pm on Tuesday, June 1st!

We will also be discussing our Narrative Challenge. Remember, we're reading the Joseph narrative (Genesis 37-50), paying attention to the following:

• Plot
• Setting
• Point of View
• Characterization
• Dialogue
• Structure

Remember that narrative is primarily about GOD. He is the main protagonist, not us. As we read through the Joseph narrative, we also need to strive to see how this "third level" narrative fits into the "second level" (story of Israel) as well as the "first level" (overarching story of salvation).

Some final things to keep in mind as we read this and any other biblical narrative (taken directly from "How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth"):
An Old Testament narrative usually does not directly teach a doctrine.

1. An Old Testament narrative usually illustrates a doctrine or doctrines taught propositionally elsewhere.
2. Narratives record what happened - not necessarily what should have happened or what ought to happen every time. Therefore, not every narrative has an individual identifiable moral application.
3. What people do in narratives is not necessarily a good example for us. Frequently, it's just the opposite.
4. Most of the characters in the Old Testament narratives are far from perfect - as are their actions as well.
5. We are not always told at the end of the narrative whether what happened was good or bad. We are expected to be able to judge this on the basis of what God has taught us directly and categorically elsewhere in Scripture.
6. All narratives are selective and incomplete. Not all the relevant details are given (cf. John 21:25). What does appear in the narrative is everything that the inspired author thought important for us to know.
7. Narratives are not written to answer all our theological questions. They have particular, specific, limited purposes and deal with certain issues, leaving others to be dealt with elsewhere in other ways.
8. Narratives may teach either explicitly (by clearly stating something) or implicitly (by clearly implying something without actually stating it).
   
9. In the final analysis, God is the hero of all biblical narratives.

May 25th Potluck!

Hey 20Somethings,

Tomorrow (May 25th) is potluck! Bring something edible to share with everyone, and look forward to spending the evening eating, talking, and playing games with friends. Meet at the Shelleys' house at 6:30pm.

Also, here's a reminder from Sarah in case you missed (or have forgotten) last week's challenge. This is a 2 week challenge that we're working on until the next small group (June 1st). Our challenge is to read through the Joseph narrative (Genesis 37-50). Make sure to pay attention to the following:

• Plot
• Setting
• Point of View
• Characterization
• Dialogue
• Structure

Also, we need to remember that narrative is primarily about GOD. He is the main protagonist, not us. As we read through the Joseph narrative, we also need to strive to see how this "third level" narrative fits into the "second level" (story of Israel) as well as the "first level" (overarching story of salvation).

Some final things to keep in mind as we read this and any other biblical narrative (taken directly from "How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth"):
An Old Testament narrative usually does not directly teach a doctrine.

1. An Old Testament narrative usually illustrates a doctrine or doctrines taught propositionally elsewhere.
2. Narratives record what happened - not necessarily what should have happened or what ought to happen every time. Therefore, not every narrative has an individual identifiable moral application.
3. What people do in narratives is not necessarily a good example for us. Frequently, it's just the opposite.
4. Most of the characters in the Old Testament narratives are far from perfect - as are their actions as well.
5. We are not always told at the end of the narrative whether what happened was good or bad. We are expected to be able to judge this on the basis of what God has taught us directly and categorically elsewhere in Scripture.
6. All narratives are selective and incomplete. Not all the relevant details are given (cf. John 21:25). What does appear in the narrative is everything that the inspired author thought important for us to know.
7. Narratives are not written to answer all our theological questions. They have particular, specific, limited purposes and deal with certain issues, leaving others to be dealt with elsewhere in other ways.
8. Narratives may teach either explicitly (by clearly stating something) or implicitly (by clearly implying something without actually stating it).
   
9. In the final analysis, God is the hero of all biblical narratives.

And if you've made it this far, you deserve a preview of upcoming events! For the month of June, our small group will be meeting at a new location: Heather & Jill's house! Also, check out the calendar below for upcoming events, including minigolf, a trip to Starved Rock, and sand volleyball! We've certainly got an exciting summer ahead!

May 18th Small Group: Narrative

Hey 20somethings,

Tomorrow is Tuesday - and that means it's time for small group! We'll be meeting at the Shelleys' house at 7:30pm for fellowship, study, and prayer. I jumped the gun a little bit last week, but this week we really WILL be studying the genre of narrative (represented by much of the Old Testament & the book of Acts). Sarah will be leading us in our discussion, and we'll also be discussing our Challenge of the Week. If you missed last week (or have forgotten what we talked about), here's the info on our Parable/Gospel challenge.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Passage of the Week: Luke 15:1-32

1. What is the historical context?

2. Who is the audience?

3. What literary device(s) are used?

4. Compare the Luke passage to Matthew 18:12-14. What is unique to Luke's account? What things do both passages share?

5. What is the point of the passage?

6. What was the response that Jesus' hearers would have had?

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

See ya soon!

--Jill

Challenge of the Week: Luke

Here's a reminder about our Challenge of the Week:

In light of our discussion of the Gospels on Tuesday, we are studying Luke 15:1-32 on our own this week. You may also want to compare it to a similar passage -- Matthew 18:12-14. We'll share our observations & reflections at group on Tuesday. As you read these three parables, try to answer the following questions.

1. What is the historical context?

2. Who is the audience?

3. What literary device(s) are used?

4. Compare the Luke passage to Matthew 18:12-14. What is unique to Luke's account? What things do both passages share?

5. What is the point of the passage?

6. What was the response that Jesus' hearers would have had?

Also, a few events updates/reminders:

• Cara has invited us to join her & CareNet in the Walk for Life on June 19th. Check out this link for more info: http://www.ministrysync.com/event/website/?m=403488
• Kristi is possibly looking for people to help her sister & brother-in-law paint & move next Saturday (May 22nd). Contact Kristi for more information.
• If you are interested helping out the Woodridge family (not sure that's spelled correctly) in their time of need by babysitting for their two incredibly adorable boys, contact Susan.
  
• Set aside your Wednesday evenings, starting in June, for Agape Cafe. More details will be forthcoming, or contact Michael.

May 11th Small Group: Narrative

How are you doing on this week's challenge? We're reading Philippians again, this time keeping an eye open for examples of messages that are culturally bound (i.e. only for the Christians reading the letter back when it was written) and examples of timeless messages that are directly applicable to us as Christians in the 21st century.

At group on Tuesday, we'll move into a new genre: Narrative! (I think that means the Old Testament books and maybe Acts, but you'll have to come on Tuesday to find out for sure.) Tom will be leading us in a discussion of books in this genre - why they were written, what they meant to the initial readers, and how to read, interpret, and apply those messages to our lives today. You don't wanna miss it!

Also, summer is almost here! (16 school days left for me & my high school students!) We're excited to see those of you who were away at school this year & will be home for the summer. We have lots of fun events planned to keep even those of us who have to work over the summer in a jovial mood. Stay tuned for details!

--Jill

May 4th: The Epistles, Part II

Hey Friends,

I hope to see you tomorrow night (Tuesday May 4th, 7:30pm) at the Shelleys' house for small group. Sarah will continue leading our discussion on how to study the Epistles, and we'll also be sharing what we learned from our Challenge in Philippians. Hopefully you've had a chance over the past two weeks to dive into Philippians, meditate on it, & try to understand it. If not, don't worry, you can still get in on the challenge. Sit down right now and read through the four short chapters, and try to answer the following questions:

1. Does the book itself state its author?
2. Does the book itself state when it was written?
3. Does the book contain/refer to any historical events?
4. Does the book contain geographical information?
5. What does it say about the recipients?
6. What is the relationship between the author and the recipients?
7. What hints of social customs/manner of life are contained?
8. Does the book appear to give an overall purpose for its having been written? Generally? Specific mention?
9. Are there any special concerns? A recurring word or theme?
10. Can you discern an outline?
11. Are there any other questions or observations you have not covered by the previous questions?

See you soon!

April 27th: Potluck!

We're meeting at the Shelleys' house tonight at 6:30pm for potluck. Bring something to eat, and look forward to some time to talk, encourage each other, grow deeper in community, and maybe play a game (if you like that kind of thing).

Also, are you working through Philippians? We'll be discussing this challenge a week from today, so keep reading & thinking about the following questions:

1. Does the book itself state its author?

2. Does the book itself state when it was written?

3. Does the book contain/refer to any historical events?

4. Does the book contain geographical information?

5. What does it say about the recipients?

6. What is the relationship between the author and the recipients?

7. What hints of social customs/manner of life are contained?

8. Does the book appear to give an overall purpose for its having been written? Generally? Specific mention?

9. Are there any special concerns? A recurring word or theme?

10. Can you discern an outline?

11. Are there any other questions or observations you have not covered by the previous questions?

See you there tonight!

Two Week Challenge: Philippians

Here's our new challenge! Since we are having potluck next Tuesday, we have two weeks to complete this challenge, which is probably a good thing because this isn't just a 5-minute task! But I think as you dig into the text, you'll find it meaningful and worthwhile.

Over the next two weeks, take a close look at the book of Philippians. The goal is to read through the book seven times, at least one of those times reading all the way through in just one sitting. (Don't worry, Philippians is one of the shorter Epistles, only 4 chapters long!)

As you read, try to answer the following questions in your notebook:

1. Does the book itself state its author?

2. Does the book itself state when it was written?

3. Does the book contain/refer to any historical events?

4. Does the book contain geographical information?
5. What does it say about the recipients?

6. What is the relationship between the author and the recipients?

7. What hints of social customs/manner of life are contained?

8. Does the book appear to give an overall purpose for its having been written? Generally? Specific mention?
9. Are there any special concerns? A recurring word or theme?
10. Can you discern an outline?
11. Are there any other questions or observations you have not covered by the previous questions?

I can't wait to hear what you've learned from this process when we discuss the challenge and continue discussing the Epistles on May 4th!

Also, remember Potluck is at 6:30pm this Tuesday -- start thinking about what you'd like to bring!

April 20th: The Epistles

This Tuesday at small group we'll be continuing our study on how to read & interpret the Bible. Sarah will lead us as we discuss the Epistles, the letters written to the early church (Romans through Jude in the Bible). Also, remember to look at 1 Peter 1:3 in a few different translations and record your observations. If you have time & interest, go ahead and look at the whole passage (1 Peter 1:3-8). We'll be discussing our observations, the differences we saw between the translations, and our overall impressions of which translations seemed most clear to us.

I look forward to seeing you & hearing your thoughts when we meet at the Shelleys' house tomorrow, Tuesday April 20th, at 7:30pm!

April 13th: Interpreting Scripture

First, a quick re-cap of last week's small group (in case you missed it or have forgotten). We talked about the difficulties & benefits of reading the Bible, along with the common pitfalls of reading & interpreting scripture. We also agreed to help each other form good habits of studying the Bible through this series. To that end, on our own this week, we're reading 1st Peter 1:3-9 and writing down all of the observations -- just observations, not inferences -- we can make in that passage. So, come to group on Tuesday prepared to share what you observed. If you were at group last week, make sure to bring your notebook this week! (and if you missed group, we'll have a notebook for you on Tuesday!)

This Tuesday, Sarah will be picking up where she left off, leading us in a discussion about how to interpret scripture rightly and what the differences are among the various Bible translations out there. This kinda goes along with "How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth" Chapters 1 & 2, if you're interested in following along in that book. See you at the Shelleys' house at 7:30pm on Tuesday April 13th!

April 6th: Kick-Off!

Get excited! This Tuesday at small group, we're starting our new spring study! We'll be discussing how to dig into the scriptures, really understand them, and apply them to our lives. This week Sarah will be leading us as we get the big picture of why & how to study the Bible faithfully. As we go through this study, the leaders will be using the book "How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth" by Fee & Stuart (see the description at Amazon.com) as a reference. You certainly don't need the book to participate in the discussion, but you may find it to be helpful in your own study of the Bible. Do make sure to bring your Bible each week! As usual, we'll also have time for conversation & prayer on Tuesday.

We'll meet at the Shelleys' house (2125 N Summit, Wheaton) at 7:30pm on Tuesday April 6th. I hope to see you there!

Also, keep this Friday night open for some bowling! Details to follow...

March 30th Potluck

This Tuesday is our monthly potluck! Meet at Tom's house at 6:30, and bring a dish of some sort to share.

If you've never been to Tom's house: He lives right by Parkview, on St. Charles Road, two houses east of the church. Park in the church lot and walk through the backyard to his house. If you're coming from the church parking lot, it's the house on the left (not the house with all the elaborate gardening in the backyard).

Also, remember to let Elyse know if you're planning to go to her house for lunch after church on Easter.

If you can't make it to potluck this week, you can still get excited about next Tuesday's small group, when we'll kick off our new study topic! For the next two months or so we'll be taking a look at different types (or genres) of books in the Bible and how to dig into each of them, understand them, and apply them to our lives. It should be a GREAT study!

March 23rd Small Group

Please be aware that there was a misprint in the church bulletin today -- we are not having potluck until next week (March 30th, at Tom's house).

This Tuesday (at 7:30pm) we will be meeting at the Shelleys' house (2125 N Summit St, Wheaton) for community, prayer, and to finish our series on the book of Acts. Our teaching team will lead us as we tie up some loose ends and talk about the big ideas that we can take away from this study. If you have any lingering questions about Acts, or insights that you've learned through this study, this might be a good time to share them. Hope to see you there!

If you don't have plans for Easter dinner yet, don't worry, 20somethings have got you covered -- John & Elyse have invited us over. Also, we'll be starting a great new topical study on Tuesday nights in April. You won't want to miss it. Stay tuned for more details!

Small Group: March 16th

TODAY at 6:30pm we're playing volleyball at the church gym. Bring $3 for pizza. You're welcome to come even if you're not a volleyball player!

This Tuesday (3/16) we'll be meeting for community & Bible study at 7:30pm at the Shelley's. Continuing our study of the book of Acts, JC will be leading us in a discussion of the Enduring Legacy of the apostles. What is our role in continuing the work that the disciples began in the early church? This discussion will tie into last week's discussion on evangelism.

Also, we've got our spring-kick off Luau Party at Jill Heaton's coming up this Saturday (3/20) at 7:00pm. Although it's quite summery outside yet, we'll have the heat on inside so bust out your warmer-weather wear. Also, we'll do this potluck-style, so bring a tropical-themed dish to share (or just something you like to eat). If you are adventurous and want to try out a real Hawaiian recipe, contact Jill for some ideas. Bring your friends & any games you'd like to play. The address is in the calendar below. Hope to see you there!

March 9th Small Group

We've got a special treat for you this Tuesday. In our study of the book of Acts, we've been studying the growth and spread of the early church, and we've also been talking a little bit about evangelism. This week, we'll be joined by a guest speaker who has lots of experience planting churches and reaching out to people our age. Joe Testa will be leading our discussion and sharing about his ministry working with college students and starting churches near major universities (ISU, UIUC, and University of Michigan). I'm excited to hear what he has to say about the unique challenges of sharing our faith with people in our generation, especially in light of our upcoming outreach at College of DuPage.

I hope to see you at the Shelley's at 7:30 this Tuesday, March 9th for this great discussion!

March 2nd: Miracles

This week we're continuing our study of the book of Acts, specifically looking at the power of God as it was displayed through miracles performed by the disciples. Cara is leading the discussion, and she's asking that we all make sure to bring our Bibles. Miracles are EVERYWHERE in the book of Acts, and you'll want to be able to read the stories for yourself as we discuss them. I hope to see you at the Shelley's at 7:30pm this Tuesday, March 2nd!

Also, we've got a couple of events coming up. Save the date of Saturday March 20th, because we're going to turn the "Heat On" at Jill Heaton's place & celebrate the beginning of spring with a little Luau. So find your slippers (the Hawaiians' term for flip flops) and summer gear and start thinking about a tropical food you'd like to share. And there's rumors of a volleyball rematch sometime this month. Stay tuned for details on both events!

February 23rd: IHOP!

This Tuesday we'll be taking a break from our usual Bible Study schedule and instead sharing a meal at IHOP (see address info below) in Wheaton. Since we're having dinner, we'll meet at 6:30pm instead of our usual time. It just so happens that it's also National Pancake day, so if you are broke you can still come and enjoy a FREE short stack of pancakes! Now since they're giving away free food, IHOP may be a little crowded, but don't let that deter you from getting some great food and hanging out with some of the coolest people this side of heaven (I think maybe by saying that I just lost my cool card). Anyway, bring your friends, bring a hungry stomach, and I'll see you there.

Tuesday Feburary 23rd, 6:30pm - ??
IHOP

167 Danada Square East, Wheaton IL 60189

February 16th: Persecution

I hope you are having a great President's Day (or technically, Washington's-Birthday-celebrated-a-week-early day), remembering the great presidents of the USA. As a Springfield native, personally I'm partial to celebrating Lincoln's Birthday, but I'll take any day off of work that I can get! For you unlucky folks who didn't get the day off, you can follow this link to get some President's Day factoids to impress your co-workers with.

I think we all can be thankful to live in a country where the government has established and maintained the freedom of religion, where we enjoy the legal right to worship God freely and openly. Not all Christians get to enjoy that privilege. Persecution of Christians was prevalent in the early church and still is a daily worry for Christians in some countries today. And even in America, we as Christians sometimes experience ridicule from non-believers for our faith.

Persecution will be the topic of discussion for our next small group meeting on Tuesday February 16th at 7:30pm at the Shelleys' home (address is listed in the calendar below). As we continue our series on the book of Acts, JC will be leading in a discussion of persecution of the early church and of the modern church. We hope to see you there!

February 9th: Peter & Paul

Tomorrow is Tuesday, and you know what that means! Small group time! This week we'll be continuing our study of the book of Acts. Chris will be leading a discussion about the lives of two notorious apostles, Peter and Paul. So bust out your 4-wheel drive, brave the blizzard, and join us at the Shelley's house (2125 N Summit St, Wheaton) at 7:30pm for Bible study, prayer, and fellowship. (If the weather is so bad that we have to cancel, we'll let you know...but unless you hear otherwise we're on!)

Feb 2nd: Spreading the Gospel

Can you believe that January 2010 has already come and gone? If you missed it, our January potluck last week was great! Thanks for the delicious contributions. We'll have another one on February 23rd, so if you're the planning ahead type you've got some time to prepare.

Well in February the 20somethings will be continuing our study of the book of Acts. On Tuesday, we'll gather at the Shelley's house (2125 N Summit St. in Wheaton) at 7:30 for our weekly small group. Chris will be leading us in a discussion of how the Gospel spread in the early days of the church, and how that applies to us today as we share our faith with others. Hope to see you there!

January Potluck

This Tuesday, January 26th, we'll be gathering at the Shelley's for our monthly potluck! Don't forget that on potluck nights we meet earlier -- starting at 6:30. Due the holidays, it's been awhile since we've had a potluck, so let's review the guidelines:

1. Bring some sort of food to share with everyone.

That's basically it. Bring whatever you want...main dish, side dish, dessert, or other. We'll eat and talk and maybe play a game if you're a game sort of person. Bring a friend, too! I can't wait to see what & who you bring!

January 19th Small Group

We are looking forward to seeing each of you this week on Tuesday January 19th for our weekly small group. We'll be gathering at 7:30pm at the Shelley's and continuing our discussion of the book of Acts. The topic this week is unity in the church. Cara will be leading us as we talk about the importance of fellowshiping with other believers. And, bonus! -- you will actually get to fellowship with other believers! How's that for walking the talk! Hope to see you there!


Also, Cara wanted to pass on the following information about the March for Life... please check out the link below to support the pro-life cause.

For those of you who support the cause and can't go to Washington, check out the March for Life online. Sign up to be a virtual walker and take a stand together for reform.

March for Life... Even If You Can't Be There

www.VirtualMarchForLife.com

The Holy Spirit

I remember visiting my grandma's tiny, country, Methodist church as a child and singing the doxology after taking the offering: "Praise God from whom all blessings flow, praise him all creatures here below, praise him above ye heavenly hosts, praise Father, Son, & Holy Ghost." I always wondered why we were praising a ghost in church, when my mom wouldn't let me dress up like a ghost for Halloween because they were evil.

Well, if you still have questions about the Holy Ghost (more commonly called the Holy Spirit today), this week's Small Group is perfect for you. We're starting a new series on the book of Acts, and this week JC will be leading us in a discussion of the Holy Spirit. How did it impact the disciples? How does it affect our our lives today?

Join us at the Shelley's at 7:30pm on Tuesday, January 12th for this fascinating discussion, fellowship, and prayer.

Kicking off the New Decade!

If your holidays were anything like mine, you've probably just overdosed on food, sleeping in, and driving. All are good things in moderation, but here at 20Somethings we're going to try to kick off the new year with some balance and Biblical perspective.

One important change for the new year is that we will be meeting for Bible Study on TUESDAY nights from now on. That night should work better for most people. If you cannot make it on Tuesdays, hopefully you can join us for some of the other fun events we have planned.

This week we'll be meeting at the Shelley's house (address in the calendar below) at 7:30 on Tuesday January 5th. JC will be leading us as we look back at 2009 and discuss expectations for 2010. Hope to see you there!