Acts 2:42
What is the FOLDS Ministry ?
Folds are places of safety and caring for sheep. The FOLDS (Small Groups) Ministry at St. Michael seeks to aid in discipling individuals in their walk with Christ. The acronym “FOLDS” stands for Fellowship, One-another caring, Learning, Doing, and Supplication.
Fellowship--meeting together with other Christians and with those who are seeking answers to life’s questions in an atmosphere that accepts each of us just as we are
One-another caring—living out Jesus’ definition of “love” as we seek to serve others in our small-group family
Learning—Studying and discussing the Bible AND learning how to apply the truths found therein to our lives
Doing—Performing ministry/mission--acts of caring and of service--outside the small group…in our congregation, in our community, and in our world
Supplication—Praying for each other, our families, our friends, and our church, our world
Why do we need the FOLDS Ministry?
We at St. Michael acknowledge Jesus Christ as our “Good Shepherd,” who says in John 10:14 and 15 that He knows His sheep and His sheep know Him. He further states that He is the One who lays down His life for His sheep. We further acknowledge that, in the words of Isaiah 53:6, “we all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way.” So we all have sinned (“gone astray” and “turned to his own way”) and are in need of a Good Shepherd who will care for and lead us. Since “folds” are safe places for sheep to rest and to be fed, away from the cares of the world (and we ALL need a “safe place” where we can come together to rest and rejuvenate spiritually), we have implemented the FOLDS Ministry here at St. Michael.
What is the basis of the FOLDS Ministry?
Last words are seen as very important, and Jesus’ last words to His disciples as recorded in Matthew 28:19, are in the form of a command: “…go and make disciples of all nations…teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” We are to be in the “disciple-making business!” (“Disciples” are learners, imitators,and followers.)
The FOLDS Ministry also seeks to support the congregation’s mission statement…
Growing Disciples to
Proclaim the Gospel and to
Serve the Community
We seek support St. Michael’s mission statement by incorporating seven of the ten Marks of Discipleship into small-group life. These seven marks are:
- Bible Study
- Loving One Another
- Prayer
- Ministry
- Servanthood
- Sharing the Faith
- Discipling Someone Else
Why are small groups so important?
Jesus Himself chose to teach His own disciples in a small group of twelve men who followed Him and learned from Him as He conducted His three-year public ministry. After Jesus ascended into Heaven, believers met together in homes as well as in the temple courts. In Acts 2:42-47, we are told that the believers “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, and to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” …”Every day they continued to meet together” and they “broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people…”
Today, as a member of one of St. Michael’s small group “FOLDS,” led by a trained and experienced “Shepherd,” you can expect to find the fellowship, caring, learning, doing, and prayer that Jesus modeled with His disciples—and that His Church originally experienced. Among eight or ten or twelve others, you can have a “safe place” to ask questions, to be cared for and to care for others, to study the Bible and learn to apply the Truths of Scripture to your life, to find a ministry or mission that will use the spiritual gifts that God the Holy Spirit gives to each believer, and to pray for your needs and for the needs of others.
How do I become a FOLDS Member?
You can become a member of a small group by contacting any of the small-group leaders/shepherds (or you can call Karen Kuehnert, Small Groups Director, 260-432-2033). Any of us will be happy to answer your questions. We presently have the following small groups listed in the following brochure:
Click to open the Small Group's list brochure
If you don’t see a group listed that meets your needs, call Karen Kuehnert, Small Groups Ministry Director. Also, if you are interested in becoming a Shepherd (small-group facilitator), please see Pastor Bob, or Karen. We are very excited about the FOLDS Ministry at St. Michael, and we hope that you will be willing to “check it out” for yourself. Come—learn and grow along with us! |