NEW SMALL GROUPS BEING FORMED
For information contact the office at timberview.office@gmail.com OR call (509) 468-4363.

Christian growth happens best in an atmosphere of grace. In fact, grace plus response equals growth.

Grace is God's loving, unconditional acceptance of you and me (and all of us). Not "Just as we are when . . . I lose 10 pounds, you quit smoking, he stops using bad language . . . or whatever," but just as we are, right now.

Through grace we know we are accepted into God's family. Through grace we understand that we are persons God made and God loves.  And what He wants is to free each of us so we can grow to be more like Jesus.

But how can we respond to God's grace so this growth will take place?

Meet the conditions in which Christlikeness can develop:

• Open up, be real. Keep open to God's truth and to other Christians
• Interact with other believers (growth in Christ does not flourish in isolation)
• Persevere in spite of feelings, ups and downs, trials, difficulties, even doubts

Don't expect a "quick fix" - Christian growth is a lifelong process.

What are we to "stick with"?

• Prayer - both alone and with others
• Digging into the Bible - God speaks to us through its truth
• Congregational worship - when Christians gather together
• Christian fellowship - being involved in a network of mutual support, encouragement and accountability
• Physical disciplines - exercise, fasting and healthy patterns of living.

Christian growth is being freed to move from being the persons we once were to the persons God wants us to be.

Prayer

What is prayer?

Prayer is conversation with the Heavenly Father that changes us.

What can we pray about?

Everything

Even before we become Christians, we can pray to God - for wisdom, for knowledge and understanding of who He is, and who Christ is. We can pray to accept the Bible as God's Word, to have meaningful discussions with believers, to experience worship that is blessed by the Holy Spirit. We can also pray to have a closer relationship with Him, to know what it means to be a "Christian" - and to recognize the next step on our journey toward Him.

And then there is a special prayer - the prayer accepting God's ultimate expression of love for each of us.

After that, prayer can become an exploration of how to become even closer with God, "walking the talk" and learning how to pray on others' behalf.

No matter what else we might choose to address with God, we can always use prayer as an occasion to give to God the love, affection, and appreciation we have for Him and His actions, the worship, honor and reverence He deserves, our repentance for our mistakes, and our gratitude for His love. 

Bible Study groups are where many of us learn what it really means to follow Christ - and everyone is encouraged to participate. People meet in these groups regularly with the intention of encouraging each other,  studying a portion of the Bible, discussing its application, and praying together. Part of the meeting is also devoted to fellowship, building personal relationships with each other as members of the same spiritual family.

Each small group is different - and each may have a different area of focus, so there probably is one that would "fit" for you. Some focus on Christian basics, others on deeply delving into a particular book of the Bible, still others on particular areas of Bible application. The list below (with contact information) is a basic outline of several types of groups that are available at Timberview:

If someone has a particular need that might go unmet in our existing small groups, a new one may be formed. Contact Brian Templin with any questions regarding Small Groups.