Frequently Asked Questions
Experiencing God Today FAQs

Q: Why have a spiritual growth campaign?

A: MeadowBrook has experienced significant growth during spiritual growth campaigns.  A major component of the “success” of these campaigns is the alignment of worship emphases, daily congregational devotional readings and Sunday School lessons.  There is a significant positive impact on the church moving together through biblical principles. 

Rick Warren notes that spiritual growth campaigns have five transformational components.  By experience we know these to be true.

1. Unified in prayer – We will prepare for Experiencing God with a time of 40 Days of Prayer and Fasting (August 1 – September 9)
    

2. Concentrate the focus – Rather than being scattered physically and in biblical learning and application, the entire church will move together spiritually with great momentum to Experiencing God.
    

3. Multiple reinforcements to promote growth – “Campaigns are built around four habits everyone needs to grow: weekly worship attendance, a daily quiet time, a weekly small group Bible study and a weekly Scripture memory verse.  These habits keep people growing long after the campaign is finished.” (2006 Purpose Driven Church Conference)
    

4. Behavioral teaching – The church is led to apply the teachings immediately through organized events that reinforce biblical behavior learned.
    

5. Exponential thinking – The church is led to think “God-sized” rather than limiting itself through programs and projects that are carried out in man’s strength by man’s vision.

Q: What is the Experiencing God Spiritual Growth Campaign?

A:  The campaign will include four major components: 1) A workbook for every participant that includes five daily interactive Bible studies for each week of the campaign, 2)Thematic worship services introducing the biblical principle to be studied for the week, and 3) Small Group Sunday School classes to expound upon the Bible truths and 4) Study groups meeting throughout the community to reach out to others while digging deeper and growing in application of the truths learned.

The campaign will take place September 10 – December 10.

Q: Is MeadowBrook changing its strategy and moving to study groups long term?

A:  No. We believe that MeadowBrook will continue to grow throughout the years through Small Group Sunday School.  Our Experiencing God Study Groups will help us connect with people in our community during the spiritual growth campaign. 

Q: Am I to choose between participating in Small Group Sunday School and a Study Group?

A: Our preference is to have the entire MeadowBrook family attend Small Group Sunday School each Sunday and to host a Study Group or participate.  The concentrated effort of both dynamics for the short duration of the spiritual growth campaign will be a great asset for our church.

Q: What will our Small Group Sunday School class time be like?

A: Your class will operate as it does currently except that your class literature will be the Experiencing God Workbook.  Your teacher may choose one or more elements of the weekly Bible study, or recap each day’s teaching.  A leader guide will be provided for each teacher.  For those currently using LifeWay’s Master Works curriculum there will be little difference in the class time.

Q: How will I include another event in my already busy life?

A: During the Experiencing God Growth Campaign we will not have our regular Wednesday evening activities.  Although our mid-week worship time is very important to us, we will suspend our Wednesday night activities during the campaign so our families can host and participate in Study Groups.  (Activities and events for children and students will take place on Wednesday evenings.  See pages 4 and 5 for more information)

For your benefit Wednesday evening dinners will be available throughout the campaign between 4:30 – 5:30 PM.  Continuing this aspect of our Wednesday evening schedule will allow families an opportunity to eat together and host a Study Group on Wednesday evenings if they so desire.

Q: What are the Study Groups and how do they fit in with the campaign?

A: Study Groups are a way for MeadowBrook to connect with our community.  The Study Group element will be a major evangelistic and spiritual growth opportunity for our community.  We are praying for 200 Study Groups in every area of our community.  To have 200 Study Groups means that the majority of the MeadowBrook family will need to host a weekly study group.  The intent is to allow our community to Experiencing God.  Etowah County and the surrounding areas need to Experience God.

The impact of Experiencing God in our community is dependent on each person of MeadowBrook being willing to open their home and invite people to the study.  Your Small Group Sunday School should use Study Groups as an opportunity to connect with others and not think about dividing up the class to meet in a small number of homes.  For example, if a Small Group Sunday School class has 20 regular attendees, 8 couples and 4 unmarried members, then our goal is to have 12 Study Groups from that class—one Study Group for each family represented.  Each Study Group will be made up of people invited by the host/hostess such as family, friends, neighbors, co-workers and other acquaintances.  This will enable a larger impact on the community.  The purpose of the Study Groups is to reach into our community. 

The optimum number in a Study Group is 10-12 people.

Q: Can a Study Group be formed with my co-workers at work?

A: Yes. Although we are calling the studies “Study Groups” you may have a “Work Group,” “School Group,” “Team Group,” or any other associated gathering in any location.  We certainly believe it is in the best interest of the community to have groups meet an hour before or after work (if permissible).  We strongly encourage employers to offer and/or lead a voluntary Experiencing God Group at their place of business.  Teachers and/or students may have a “School Group” meet before or after school.  Please seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance on the formation of your group and the best time and place to meet. 

Q: What will I need to provide as a Study Group host?

A: You will need to provide a TV and DVD player.  We prefer refreshments not be served.  The teaching will be video driven by Henry Blackaby, the co-author of Experiencing God.  MeadowBrook will provide each host a DVD and a list of discussion questions that will help move your group to dig deeper into the application of Bible truths.

Q: Will you provide training for me as a host?

A: Yes. Training will be provided on Wednesday night, August 16 at 6:00 PM during our evening worship hour.  Alternate training will be provided for those unable to attend on the 16^th.

Q: I am not a teacher, how can I lead a Study Group?

A: The teaching is provided through video.  As a leader of a Study Group you will simply facilitate the discussion based on the materials that we will provide for you.  If you can share your learning experiences for the week, then you’ll be able to lead your Study Group. 

Q: Who will I ask to participate in my Study Group?

A: Think about your neighbors, your friends, people from sports teams, people in your child’s school, people you associate with in community projects or civic organizations, people you’re associated with at work, or others.  Ask the Holy Spirit to lead you to people.

Q: When will the Study Groups meet?

A: Your Study Group will meet whenever your group chooses.  We will not dictate your meeting time or place.  However, participants with children or students may prefer Wednesday night since there are activities planned for them on those nights, and schools often help protect Wednesday evening from activities.

Q: What will I do with my children and the children of those attending my Study Group?

A: Many groups will want to have their children close by in the home where the group will meet.  That is perfectly fine and encouraged.  Having the children in the same home will reduce the amount of time the family will be out for the evening.  However, MeadowBrook’s children’s ministry is planning special theme nights throughout the campaign on each Wednesday between 5:45 – 7:45 PM.  Study Groups who meet on Wednesday may want to take advantage of this opportunity.

Study Group participants with kindergarteners and/or preschoolers may choose to have a sitter care for their children in the host home since some will not want to be in a separate location from their young children.  As a second option, MeadowBrook may provide childcare for participants who pre-register for the care.  You may contact Vickey Weeks (Vickey@MeadowBrookbaptist.com) or Leigh Ozmint (Leigh@MeadowBrookbaptist.com) to register you child(ren) for childcare.  Registration should be made before September 8^th. 

Q: Will there be activities for the children on Wednesday night?

A: Yes, special events and Bible studies will take place for the children (1^st - 5^th grades) each Wednesday evening from 5:45 – 7:45.

Q: Will my children be involved in the Experiencing God study?

A: No. The children’s Small Group Sunday School material will not change during the Experiencing God Spiritual Growth Campaign. 

Q: What is the schedule for the student’s ministries?

A: Community is very important to every age group of our church; students are no different.  We want the students to have the opportunity to reach out through Study Groups, but also want them to have a time of community.  The schedule for our students is more regulated to provide for these needs. 

Student Wednesday Evening Schedule (starting the week of September 10^th):

Q: Is there a cost involved to participate in the Experiencing God Spiritual Growth Campaign?

A: Your only cost will be $17.00 for the Experiencing God Workbook.

Q: What promotional resources will MeadowBrook provide?

A: We will provide posters and invitation cards for your individual/group use.  MeadowBrook will promote the Spiritual Growth Campaign through radio advertising, billboards throughout the community, print ads and community mailers.

Q: Thanksgiving occurs during the Spiritual Growth Campaign.  Will we modify the Experiencing God schedule?

A: Yes.  Although our daily reading will continue throughout the week, there will be no Wednesday night activities taking place at the church Thanksgiving week.  Children and students will not meet Wednesday night, November 22.  Study Groups may choose to continue their weekly meeting, however many will probably elect not to meet Thanksgiving week.  Study Groups may choose to “double up” their discussion the following week.

Our Annual Thanksgiving Meal will take place on Sunday evening at 6:00 PM, November 19^th at Gadsden’s Convention Hall.    

Q: When will the Celebration Choir rehearse?

A: The schedule for the worship ministry is as follows during the Experiencing God campaign:

Sundays…

For more information on Henry Blackaby and Claude King, please visit www.lifeway.com