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Our normal Growth Group programme finishes early so we can make the most of the last 5 weeks engaging with different topics that affect the Christian life in the form of book studies, discussion groups, and training courses. We’ll have the opportunity to spend time with people across church life.
Summer Connect groups run for five weeks from the week beginning 13th November.
Dinner for Tuesday and Wednesday night groups: As a slight change from previous years, rather than a potluck, dinner at Summer Connect will be provided. Come at 6.15 to enjoy food and fellowship before our groups.
You have the option of paying $5 per dinner on the EFTPOS machine at the office, or paying $20 upfront for all 5 weeks. If you would like to pay upfront, please transfer $20 to 01-0819-0447847-00, with the reference Summer Connect.
Tuesday Evening Groups
Tuesday nights, starting 14th November. Runs for 5 weeks.
Dinner at 6.15 — Groups 7.15-8.30.
at 12a Ilam Rd unless otherwise stated
Book Study: Deeper (by Dane Ortlund)
Jose and Caitlin Billington
How do Christians grow? Dane Ortlund points believers to Christ, making the case that sanctification does not happen by doing more or becoming better, but by going deeper into the gospel truths that fix our gaze on Jesus in the battle against sin, casting themselves upon his grace and living out their invincible identity in Christ.
Cost: $24.50
Training Course: Growth Groups
Dale Wang
This is a practical, ‘hands-on’ training manual, essential for training to lead Cornerstone’s Growth Groups.
Cost: $25
Video Series: Press On
Kristie Duke with Judith Taylor
Every person experiences challenges throughout their life which impact their mental health. This course is designed to assist ordinary Christian believers in maintaining their mental wellbeing so they can continue faithfully in Christ’s service. To use the language of Paul we are encouraged to ‘press on’ in our walk with Christ (Phil 3:12-14).
Cost: $25
Training Course: Disciple Making 101
John Oliver
Do you feel confident to help another Christian grow in faith? To help someone understand the gospel for the first time? To help a Christian battling sin in their lives? If you’d like confidence growing the faith of others, then this course is just for you.
Meeting in Avonhead, Dinner Provided
Discussion Group: Men and Women in Ministry
Emma Williams and Nick Duke
We easily absorb ideas from culture or traditions in churches without serious evaluation. A framework for understanding God’s good design for men and women in ministry needs us working hard with the Bible open. This group will help you form biblical convictions and wrestle with the big questions.
Required reading: Embracing Complementarianism by Graham Beynon and Jane Tooher ($23.50)
Book Study: Gentle & Lowly (by Dane Ortlund)
Elena Blair & Jack Morgan
Location: Rolleston
See the depths of Christ's very heart — a heart of tender love drawn to sinners and sufferers.
Cost: $23.50
Wednesday Evening Groups
Wednesday nights, starting 15th November. Runs for 5 weeks.
Dinner at 6.15 — Groups 7.15-8.30.
Church Office, 12a Ilam Rd
Training Course: Stepping up
Ben Burnell
This is a 101 course on team leadership for any leaders (and future leaders) at Cornerstone. Over five weeks, we focus on: key biblical principles; leadership wisdom; skills for developing healthy teams; and our Cornerstone DNA. It’s designed to give confidence to people willing to step up in church life at any level — all are encouraged to come.
No cost
Book Study: You Are Not Your Own (by Alan Noble)
Emma Williams & tbc
The fundamental assumption of modern life is that we are our own. If this is true, it’s up to us to make our lives significant. The initial promise of a free and fulfilled life leaves us burned-out, depressed, and alone. Contrastingly, the Heidelberg Catechism says, "I am not my own, but belong with body and soul, both in life and in death, to my faithful Saviour Jesus Christ." Noble explores how this reframes the way we understand ourselves, our families, our society, and God.
Cost: $32.99
Book Study: Prayer (by Timothy Keller)
Jordan Peterson
Prayer is an invitation for Christians to speak with the living God, and yet few receive guidance on making the most of this privilege. Keller offers biblical guidance and prayers for specific situations, such as dealing with grief, love, and forgiveness. He discusses ways to make prayers more personal and powerful, and how to establish a practice of prayer that works for each reader.
Cost: $23.50
Finding the Theme: Hebrews
Emlyn Hoyt
“Context, context, context!” is the cry of the Bible teacher. God has not given us a textbook but 66 books, each written for a unique purpose. Together, we will construct a central theme, or purpose, for Hebrews, teaching us to faithfully unpack any Bible passage by employing its interplay with the book’s central theme.
Daytime Groups
Tuesday Morning Fields Church and
Thursday Morning Women
Both groups will be going through the same book study, led by Anna Peterson.
Book Study: None Like Him (by Jen Wilkin)
God is self-existent, self-sufficient, eternal, immutable, omnipresent, omniscient, omnipotent and sovereign. By God’s design, we’re not, and that's a good thing. But it’s our rebellious desire to possess attributes that belong to God alone. Jen Wilkin invites us to embrace our limits to glorify God, and celebrate the freedom that comes when we rest in letting God be God.
Cost: $20
Cornerstone is a church with a vision to see lives transformed through Jesus Christ for the glory of God on our university campuses, in our city, and throughout the broader Christchurch area.
PO Box 31204, Christchurch 8444, New Zealand