CAST (Caring and Sharing Together) Small Groups
CAST groups are gatherings of 5-10 people who meet on a regular basis for prayer, study, fellowship and service.
How nice that some people are involved but I’ll stick to my routine and think nice thoughts about them. What? You say I’m missing something? My life is so full now I can’t think of what I’d be missing. You think you can convince me in a couple of minutes? Try it!
Benefits of CAST Groups
- Being cared for
- Knowing others are praying for you
- Studying God’s word regularly with others
- Connecting with other members of the church
- Helping others
- The peace of mind knowing that what you share will stay within your group
- And if that’s not enough, there is camaraderie, refreshments, laughter, just to name a few more
Hmmmm, sounds convincing to me, but I am not sure how I join a CAST group.
First, check out the bulletin board in the Narthex. This will list all current CAST groups. Feel free to contact a leader if a group sounds interesting. If you still need some guidance, or would like to start your own CAST group - please contact one of the CAST Ministry Team Leaders – Jan Burleigh or Diane Saupe.
Refreshing! -- Pretzel Treats
- 1 bag of small twisted or square pretzels
- 1 bag of M & M’s
- 1 bag of candy melts (purchased from one of the craft stores)
Heat oven to 200 degrees. Place pretzels on cookie sheet. Put a candy melt on top of each pretzel. Place in oven until candy has melted. Remove cookie tray and place 2-3 M&M’s on top of each melted candy. Cool for an hour. Place in closed container. Note: Use different colors of M&M’s and candy melts for each season.
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Study Ideas
Are you in a CAST group and looking for something new to study? Are you thinking of starting a CAST group and need some ideas for study materials? Here are some suggestions for getting started:
- Check out the CAST library located in the education wing — it is on the left as you enter the doors closest to the playground area. Here you will find material that CAST groups have used and placed in the library to share. There are also many sets of study materials designed especially for small groups. Take a peek!
- Ask other CAST group facilitators and members. A bulletin board is located in the narthex currently promoting existing CAST groups. Great place to connect a name with a face and to inquire what their CAST group is studying.
- Take a field trip to a Christian book store (e.g. Lifeways) and as a group select your study material. Think outside the box — it doesn’t always have to be a book. Don’t forget about CD’s, DVD’s and daily devotions — just to name a few.
- Beginning the first of the year, we will highlight study ideas in the monthly newsletter. If you are a member of a CAST group we would appreciate a brief synopsis of a recent study that your group used. Think of it as an Lord of Life CAST study review that might rival The New York Times.
Fellowship, study, service, relationship building — whatever your reason please prayerfully consider joining or starting a CAST group.
Example: Choosing a Topic to Study
Each CAST group selects their own Scripture study. This past year one of the CAST groups started their study with Ephesians and read/discussed the chapters in conjunction with the sermons for that month. They never did pick the exact theme as Pastor’s but enjoyed the challenge of trying – and then discussing the sermons.
Their current study is a book by Philip Yancey, The Bible Jesus Read. This book takes a close look at selected Old Testament books — Job, Deuteronomy, Psalms, Ecclesiastes and the Prophets. With Yancey’s help the group is discovering how the Old Testament deals with the issues that seem to trouble New Testament people the most. After all these stories are the bedtime stories of Jesus, the songs are ones He sang, and the poems are the ones He recited and the Prophets are the ones He quoted. |
