The Menu Teacher Program links Bethany's Group Life ministry with Bethany's Adult Christian Education ministry (GLACE). The Menu (see sidebar) allows small groups to select and invite a wise and experienced teacher for a visit around a subject of mutual interest. The outcome for a small group is likely to be future conversations of meaning and a deeper integration of belief in Jesus Christ with the busyness of everyday life. The Menu Teacher Program supports small groups by bringing good, Biblical Godly content right to your door.

Last year, the first year of the Menu Teachers, between February and May, 25% of our small groups invited one or more teachers to visit. Because it was a new program, many home groups didn't realize the opportunity existed. Others knew but didn't get organized in time, but for those small groups who did make an invitation to have a Menu Teacher visit, the experience was a rewarding one.

"Mike Purdy was great," was a comment from one of those home groups. Mike's topic was "The Significance of Work: Exploring God's Call on Your Life." Mike Purdy is among our Menu Teachers offered again this 2006 Fall developing the topic "Grace in the Wilderness, Discovering God's Calling in Your Work."

"We enjoyed Lynne McMahan's leading on the Holy Spirit," said another home group. Lynne's topic was: What are the Spirit's Gifts?" This Fall 2006 the topic of the Holy Spirit is back on the Menu with John Chase's, “The Holy Spirit: God’s Empowering Presence.”

An enthusiastic home group reported having two Menu teachers visit, "We used Steve and Laura Lympus on Discernment and Lynne McMahan on the Holy Spirit. We are looking forward to using more presenters in the future."

One home group expressed feeling in a rut. Last year one home group reported, "Having a guest generated excitement and gave us a new focus." And another said, "It was great to have a change for our home group. It has given us much to think about, and we have continued to discuss the issues raised."

Most of the Menu Teachers this Fall are different from the ones last Spring, so act soon to call John Chase and get a Menu Teacher scheduled for a visit sometime between October '06 and January '07. Not acting results in missing a good chance, as one home group reported, "We were hoping to have Laura and Steve Lympus come talk about discernment, but we realize that won't happen now, with their departure."

The GLACE Team hopes that a Menu Teacher's visit will encourage the spiritual maturity and deepen the sense of community in your home group. To get started, give our new Discipleship Ministry Coordinator, John Chase, a call (284-2222, ext. 18).

Fine Dining for Spiritual Growth

Art for Prayer and Response
led by Anne Baumgartner
A step into creative prayer and visual expression as a response to scripture texts or topics of discussion. Children are welcome.

Starting Conversations about Stewardship
led by Bob Kunde
This presentation enables you to realize that money is an emotional topic and to recognize the hidden impacts of money.

Grace in the Wilderness:
Discovering God’s Calling in Your Work
led by Mike Purdy
In this class, we’ll think through issues of God’s calling in work: describing and discerning our calling, struggling with our calling, and sustaining our calling.

Holy Spirit: God’s Empowering Presence
led by John Chase
The Holy Spirit restores and revives dull and weary hearts by encountering us in worship, prayer, in our weakness, and through the Charismatic gifts such as tongues, prophecy and healing. In each session we will discuss—and seek to encounter—the Holy Spirit as God’s loving and empowering presence in our lives.

Living Faithfully in a Greedy Culture
led by Margie & Jeff Van Duzer
The Bible has much to say about money and materialism that challenges the assumptions made by our materialistic culture. Learn some strategies that can be helpful as we seek to be faithful to Jesus in the midst of US culture.

Open Heart, Open Home
led by Bev Carlson
Catch a vision of how wonderful it is to welcome others into your home and let them know you’re glad they are there. Bev stresses how important it is to be authentic. She will also share with you practical ideas and hints from many years of sharing meals around her table.

Powerful Praying: Spiritual, Intercessory & Cooperative
led by Anne Van Roden
This presentation will provide tools to enrich your group’s time when praying together, and also to enrich your individual time when praying at home.