Our Story – Adult Education
New Life has a long history of supporting adults on their faith journey. Our commitment to growing in faith and connecting with one another through established groups started in 1970 and continues to this day.
November 1970 – First bible study is formed – SCOPE. It dealt with topics relating to church and women. Usually 10-15 women were in attendance and true to New Life style, there was generally food/snacks shared.
1972 – Wednesday morning bible study was added – BLOOMERS (still in existence today!)
November 1973 – Bethel Series. This used big binders for an intensive study of the whole Bible.
1980 & 1981 – Clinical Ministries Education course. Members traveled to Lutheran General for this two-year intensive course to learn listening and counseling skills in order to help our hurting members through difficult times.
August 1983 – Befrienders. Group meets for 16 weeks of training in listening skills to help us minister to our hurting brothers and sisters and help New Life develop into a caring family. Vern Hilgoe was head coordinator.
February 1992 – Walk Thru the Bible. This seminar was designed to teach the major people, places and events of the New Testament in chronological order.
July 1993 – Marriage Encounter starts at New Life, although we were participating in Joliet Marriage Encounter back in the early 1970s. Also Uplift Small Group Ministry allows people to come every week to share their stories, to listen, to care, to love and to grow in faith. It was a great stewardship of our church building.
August 1994 – Women in Spirituality class led by Intern Mary Sgarioto from LSTC.
July 1998 – Stephen Ministry begins at New Life with Diane Byers, Carolyn Yost, Sylvia Galvicuis and Sharon Huffmire. This lay care giving ministry supplements pastoral care. The program teaches laypersons to provide one-on-one care for individuals who request support.
November 1998 – First Kingdom Weekend held in Plano. Renewal retreat led by lay members of New Life to lead participants through talks and small group discussions as well as offering an opportunity to reflect on one’s values and priorities, to consider ways to draw closer to Christ, to sing and worship together.
2011 – Sunday morning Adult Education – Led by John Beaugard this ongoing class dives deep into a wide range of topics related to the history of Christianity and world we live in.
There are other small groups that met or are continuing to meet throughout the past 50 years of New Life’s history. These groups serve as a way to live out the bible verse from Psalm 32:8 “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.”
If you have any stories to share about your adult small group; either past or present; please send to Susan Brown at susan@newlifebolingbrook.org