Our world is full of fractured relationships. Friendships come and go. Work relationships struggle to find harmony. Even within families, relationships deteriorate and cause deep heartbreak. 

But Jesus came with a vision to create a new spiritual family in His name. He came to help us live in peace with one another. Listen to just a few of the scriptures that call us to peace and unity in the family of God:

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God” (Matthew 5:9).

“If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all” (Romans 12:18).

“Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14). 

“For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility…His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near” (Ephesians 2:14-17).

The way of learning His peace is discipleship. His model of ministry involved bringing people together to learn how to follow Him and fulfill the commission of making disciples. 

The way that we find peace with one another is by investing in deep and lasting relationships. Great relationships don’t just happen by accident. You have to really work on them. On their own, without intentionality and effort, relationships are just average. To have great relationships, you have to invest in them.

First Baptist has two types of groups to nurture deep discipleship. 

First, there are Sunday School Classes that meet from 9:45am to 10:45am each Sunday. To learn more about joining one of these, click here. (Brandon, I will get that info to you.)

Second, Small Groups help disciples go deeper than what a Sunday morning class can offer. These groups have three “launch” points each year where new people are invited to join: early January, post-Easter, and early Fall. To learn more about joining one of these, click here.

Small groups click info

Our small groups offer loving relationships, formation in the way of Jesus, and preparation for living out the mission of God in places where we live, work, and play. 

New groups being formed in August 2023 and January 2024 will meet either weekly or bi-weekly and reflect rhythms and activities that could be captured in the acronym PEACE.

P – Prayer

E- Eat

A – Apprenticeship in the way of Jesus (Bible study) 

C- Care

E- Evangelism

If you want to learn more or sign up to join a small group, contact Pastor Brent McDougal at [email protected].