Countdown to Neon Faith
Neon Faith is our new church-wide series complete with a devotional and Small Group study. It’s all about discovering the power of God moving in your daily life, and renewing your passion for Him. It is about shining God’s light brightly in a hurting world. Experience the adventure God has for you today through faith’s transforming power. The adventure begins Sunday, October 18 at 5:00 pm with a LAUNCH PARTY for all of our Small Group leaders and Host. The actual Kick-Off Weekend will be the weekend of October 23 and 24th. Be sure to buy the Neon Faith kit that includes the daily devotional, a DVD of the weekly Small Group teachings, and an awesome t-shirt!Looking for Something FUN to Do With Your Small Group?
GO TO TAPING OF….Let’s Make a Deal 
DATE: October 3rd or 4th
TIME: (9:00 am-12:30 pm) or (11:30 am-6:30 pm)
LOCATION: Tropicana Hotel & Casino
DETAILS: 18+
Let’s Make a Deal is an iconic game show where audience members dress in outlandish costumes to win cash and prizes by making deals with host Wayne Brady. The contestants are selected from the studio audience for a chance to win (and be on national television)! You’ll have to be savvy, as the prizes are always disguised and you can never be sure whether you’re looking at an empty box or a container for a gold necklace, or which of three envelopes might contain $1,000. The decision-making is exciting and suspenseful and the audience is part of the fun. Each contestant has a 1 in 18 chance of getting chosen to play – those are some of the best odds in town.
Important information, Please read!
The doors will open at 8:00AM and close at 9:00AM *No one will be allowed in the theater after the doors have closed.
DUE TO THE CONTESTANT PROCESS, YOU WILL BE AT THIS TAPING FOR APPROXIMATELY 4-5 HOURS. On arrival you will receive a name tag and paperwork to fill out. Prior to entering the studio, there may be brief interview by the production staff with you and that’s how the contestants are selected. You must be present at the studio for the entire processing. We suggest that all members of your party arrive earlier than the listed processing times. Contestants will be selected from the audience throughout the show so be ready to Make A Deal with Wayne at any time!
Dress Code: We encourage all contestants to dress up in costume!! The more original and homemade the costume the more you’ll catch Wayne’s attention!
If you chose not to dress up in costume we ask you to dress in nice, casual attire as you will be on camera.
If you would like to go as a Group of 10 or more, please call 1.818.295.2700 and speak to Howard ASAP! If you attend the taping, please take pictures of your Small Group dressed up in their costumes and send me a copy. I would love to post them on our Small Group website! You guys ROCK!!!!
Small Group Connection Event
Heads up open and new group leaders!
If you are a current Small Group Leader and searching for new members to join your Group, please make sure you have someone present at the Connection Event and that your Small Group is listed at www.centralsmallgroups.com.
If you have any questions about how to list your group, click here for more information or call Marvin at (702) 735-4004.
Remember, God doesn’t want us to “do life” alone – it’s so much better together! In Small Group, we go through the ups and downs of life with others. Together, we learn to live as a Christ-follower with people on the same journey. Small Groups are all about doing life together, meeting new people, having fun, and growing in your faith. Check it out!
Doing the journey together!
Tell Your Story…
 Here at Central, we define a Small Group as…a group of people (2-20) who gather on a regular basis in homes, at a church campus, a coffee shop, park or online for the purpose of growing in relationship with God and each other. Small Groups are all about doing life together, meeting new people, having fun, serving together and growing in your faith.Many of you have been part of a Central Small Group for years and others maybe just for a few months, but no matter how long you have been involved in your Small Group, we know that many of you have some amazing stories of how God has used YOUR SMALL GROUP in your personal life! WE WANT TO HEAR YOUR STORY! Take just a few moments and write down how God has used your Small Group to make a big difference in your life! Once you have it written, please email it to tracey.smith@centralchristian.com |
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| Not part of a Small Group? Thinking of trying out a Small Group? To get connected into a Small Group, or to learn more about Small Groups, visit centralsmallgroups.com. If you have any other questions, call 702-735-4004 to talk with a Small Groups Coordinator. | |
Summer…Summer…Summertime!
Summer… Summer… Summertime! Time to sit back, relax, and unwind! I still love summer because it allows us to break from the norm with the kids out of School and everyone at least thinking about some way to take a break. This same kind of mentality effects most of our summer weekly routines including Small Group. Our routines become hectic with vacation, the kids at home, camps, activities, or whatever comes your way. Here are some ideas what you and your Small Group can do this summer:
- Have a Bar B Q with your Small Group or another Small Group in your area
- Invite another Small Group in your area to join you for a one night study
- Do a service project together in the community or in your church
- Plan a Day Trip together, a hike, a ballgame, or host a block party together
- Rotate houses and have group with whoever shows up
- Have a Game Night or a Pool Party
If you have some ideas that have worked for your Small Group or you would like to share your story, please join the discussion and maybe even post some of your pictures at www.centralsmallgroups.com.
Make sure you stay connected this summer and take advantage of having some extra time to do life together!
Have fun!
Tips for Leading Small Group Discussions
Tips for Leading Small Group Discussions
It is Sunday night and our Small Group has just completed the DVD section in this week’s study. Now it is time to open our workbooks and have time for DISCUSSION. But instead of healthy stimulating discussion, there is silence for what seems like an eternity! So how does a Small Group Leader facilitate thought provoking discussions instead of having the dreaded time of silence?
Here are a few tips to help as you navigate your way through discussion time.
• Know Your Material
If you are leading a group discussion, it is important to make sure you’re prepared before the discussion begins. Make a list of potential questions that may come up from the material, be prepared to share from your own experiences, and do extra research to help anticipate more in-depth questions.
• Ask Great Questions
The best questions to ask are those that are open-ended. Closed ended questions are generally not helpful in group discussions. The reason why open-ended questions are more effective is because they do not require a specific answer. Because they don’t require a specific answer, they will not place any limits on the discussion.
• Listen Attentively
First, there is nothing wrong with being quiet. At the same time, you don’t want to be too quiet. However, speaking too much is not recommended. Listen attentively before you speak and it is okay to allow other members to answer or respond.
• Redirect the Discussion
Dominant members are usually a part of Small Groups and they will be outspoken. They will be quick to let the other members know what they think. The quiet members are just the opposite. They will think and form ideas within their minds, and will not be quick to voice those thoughts to the group because they may be shy. As the leader, your goal is to help quiet members present their thoughts to the rest of the group. There are a number of things you can do to include quiet members into the discussion. You can present a question to the group and ask each member to answer it out loud, or you can ask all the member of the group to give their responses to a particular topic or idea.
• Affirm Members
If you don’t show the members that you appreciate the contributions they are making to the discussion, that will make them feel like they are not a valuable part of the group, and this could cause problems. Affirm members by saying, “That is a wonderful idea” or “your viewpoint is always so helpful to the conversation.”
• Use the Acceptance Rule
No matter what is said…Be careful not to judge someone based on their opinions or their personal beliefs. Remember, the real teacher is the Holy Spirit and people are at different places on the spiritual journey. The acceptance rule is “I will accept anyone wherever they are on their spiritual journey.” It would be a great idea to ask your members to commit to the Acceptance Rule before the discussion begins.
What ways have you used to help facilitate discussion in your Small Group?
CityCenter Job Fair at Central Christian
Central Christian Church Henderson Campus
1001 New Beginnings Drive
Henderson, NV 89011
We all know that we’re living in tough times. With the unemployment rate in Nevada now at over 11 percent, there are many in the Central Family and possibly in your Small Group who is looking for employment. In an effort to help serve the needs of those, we are partnering with City Center by hosting a Job Fair at the Henderson campus on Saturday, July 11. If you or someone in your Small Group are interested in more details, please contact Central’s Care Office at 702-735-4004.
Summer Small Group Connection
This weekend, Central is hosting a Summer Small Group Connection. Jud is going to challenge all of us to use the summer as a time to get connected in a summer Small Group. The Connection will be held immediately after each service out on the patio – look for the white tents and orange balloons. If you are searching for new members to join your Small Group, please make sure you have your Small Group listed at www.centralsmallgroups.com. If you have any questions about how to list your group, click here for more information or call Marvin at (702) 735-4004.
Remember, God doesn’t want us to “do life” alone – it’s so much better together! In Small Group, we go through the ups and downs of life with others. Together, we learn to live as a Christ-follower with people on the same journey. Small Groups are all about doing life together, meeting new people, having fun, and growing in your faith. Check it out!
Let’s do the journey together!
Begin the journey of a lifetime…
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Welcome to the greatest adventure you will ever take – following Jesus Christ! Starting Point is Central’s introduction to this journey. Think of it as preparation for a lifetime of learning and growth.“I Apologize!”
“Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn others, or it will all come back against you. Forgive others, and you will be forgiven.”
I came across this verse in my reading this morning and it reminded me of this video JUDGED. Have you ever felt like someone was judging you and they really didn’t know anything about you? Did you have a Christian or a church push you away because you weren’t good enough or you were not like them? Did it make you bitter and you felt as if you deserved an apology for their behavior? Here it is: “I apologize!” Seriously, “I apologize on behalf of all of us who have looked down our noses in condemnation!” I want you to know that God loves you where you are and He accepts you! His love is unconditional…unlike many of us! Or maybe you are the one who is judging others or you just can’t seem to forgive that person who has hurt you…God wants us to live a free and full life…Go ahead…try living by the verse listed above and don’t be judgmental to others and experience a life of forgiveness.
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