Groups
Spiritual Growth
It signifies development, maturation, and progress. At Fellowship Bible Church Arapaho, we believe growth begins with a developing intimate relationship with God. We believe that God helps us mature spiritually through our relationships with others. We have various groups to aid in this process. Among those are: The Pursuit, Classroom Community, Minichurch and Men’s groups.
What type of group are you looking for?
Click on each picture above to find out more information about each type of small group.
Looking for ways to serve?
Consider serving together with your small group. Click on picture to see volunteer opportunities within the church for either individuals or groups.
Classroom Community
Adult Group Bible Study
Pan Dulce and the Bible
Sundays at 9:00am in the Fellowship Cafe
For over ten years, this class has been meeting together to study the Bible. We take a methodical verse by verse approach. We’re not on a specific schedule, so we take as much time as we need on a verse, chapter or book of the Bible. Last year we studied the books of I and II Kings, and the era of the Divided Kingdom. This year we’re studying the Book of Isaiah. The class format is a moderated discussion format by Bill Holston, a longtime member of the church. This is a great group of people. We share pastries from a small Panaderia located in Bill’s east Dallas neighborhood.
Classroom Community is designed with you and your family in mind so we steer around most major holidays to allow for flexibility in the schedule.
Join us in this discussion oriented class as we take our time studying the Bible together. Everyone, no matter what your background, has something to contribute.
This class, led by Bill Holston, will meet Sundays at 9:00am in the Fellowship Café.
Women's Bible Study
Luke’s Continuation of Jesus’ Work
2nd, 4th and 5th Wednesdays starting September 14, 2011 9:30-11:30am in the Fellowship Cafe led by Julie Bell. Join us! We’ll be studying the book of Acts. If you’ve never studied the Bible before or you’re a veteran (or anywhere in between) please join our small group and learm how to study the Bible for yourself so that you can develop your relationship with God as you hear Him speak to you through His written word. This is a "sharing" study - you will have a section to study and when we get together on Wednesdays, you will have a chance to discuss what God has been showing you during the week. Please let me know if you are coming so I can have enough materials ready - send an email to juliebell@fbcarapaho.com.
See you September 14th!
This Classroom Community meets during the 2011-2012 School Year, see link to schedule below.
Student Study
Check Us Out!
Students (grades 7 - 12) - Sundays from 10:30 am until 12 noon in the Student Center.
Our Student Ministry exists to help students "Find and Follow Jesus." Here you will find a student-friendly environment that is committed to challenging students to become fully-devoted followers of Christ.
5th - 6th Grade Study
Club56
- 5th-6th grade is located in the Student Center where this age group hangs out at Club56. This age group meets in the worship center with their parents for adult worship from 10-10:30am. Once dismissed, they transition to their age specific class to grapple with God’s truth.
Tackles tough questions preteens are asking.
Captivates their attention by digging into real-life issues they are dealing with the most.
Engages their participation through attention-grabbing lessons, thought-provoking videos, fun games, deep life-changing Bible lessons.
Inspires kids to connect throughout the week.
Encourages faith practice.
1st - 4th Grade Study
Faith Station & Creation Station
- located in the Student Center this age group visits both the Creation Station and Faith Station. This age group meets in the worship center with their parents for adult worship from 10-10:30am. Once dismissed, they transition to the Kids’ Center with their teacher for their own age specific program.
10:45-11:00am Plug In Small Groups are designed to introduce children to the day’s topic in a setting that gives them individualized attention from a leader and plenty of interaction with their peers.
11:00-11:30am Power Up Large Group (all ages 1st-4th) is designed to engage children in worship in a large group setting. Music, prayer, and an innovative approach to the Bible story are always a part of this interactive time.
11:30-12:00pm Catch On Small Groups are designed to help kids understand how the day’s topic applies to them. They’ll discuss real-life experiences, interact with a group of peers, and participate in a variety of activities that appeal to different learning styles. Life-application and memory-verse activities, as well as prayer, are always a part of this hands-on time.
Resources for February 2012 attached below: Extra Memory Verse Sheet, Monthly Parent Cue Card, Weekly GodTime Cards
PreK-Kindergarten Exploration
Imagination Station
- located in the Student Center this age group visits the Imagination Station. PreK & Kinders meet in the worship center with their parents for adult worhsip from 10-10:30am. Once dismissed, they transition to the Kids’ Center with their teacher for their own age specific program from 10:45am-12:00pm. Preschoolers also enjoy the back playground for active play during their meeting time. 
Teach less for more - Repeats one key truth (Bottom Line) all month long.
- Engage the five senses - Helps master the concept through creative activities.
- Teach with the end in mind - Helps a child by age five, to believe:
1. God Made Me
2. God Loves Me
3. Jesus Wants to be My Friend Forever
- Experience worship - Encourages children to talk to God any time, any place.
- Connect at home - Provides parents with ideas for conversation with their child at home.
Minichurch
The single most important way to become — and remain — a vitally-connected, growing part of our church is to join a mini church. These small groups of 8-18 adults are designed to help individuals develop a deeper relationship with Jesus and other believers, to grow in an understanding of the Bible, and to impact others for Christ.
Mini churches generally meet in members’ homes or in some other relaxed setting where group members study the Bible, pray together, care for one another, and help each other navigate the ups and downs of life. Each group has the freedom to determine its members needs, so each group looks a little different in terms of meeting dates and times, study topics, and meeting style. All groups, however, maintain a mutual commitment to authentic community. Truly knowing others — while allowing others to truly know us — is the single best way to grow to be the people God desires for us to be. Learning to embrace, love, forgive, and relate to other imperfect Christians equips us to do the same things in our lives outside of the church.
Here are some specific things a mini church can do for you:
- Keep you plugged in to the heartbeat of the church
- Develop relationships that support and encourage your spiritual growth
- Create a growing sense of community
- Help you explore God’s truth and how it applies to your life
- Discover your gifts and how to implement them through serving our church body
- Develop your leadership abilities with the possibility of growing into a future group leader
- Offer prayer support for group members, the church family, and the body of Christ
Does this sound like something in which you would like to take part? To learn more about mini churches or to register to join a group, please contact our church office.
Anderson Minichurch
This group is led by: Gary and Karin Anderson
Our group is currently open to new members.
We meet every week as scheduled - Every other week on Friday or Saturday evening in members homes in Richardson. Weeks in between we have Sunday lunch after church.
"I would say the core motivation of our group is emotional support and encouragement of one another. I’ve made it a point to make building interpersonal relationships among us our top priority, which, I hope, manifests itself in prayer, service and support. We do focus on study as well, which, in the past has been some type of book or video study session. Currently we are following the pattern of discussing what was taught from the pulpit on the previous Sunday mornings. We are light on service projects (though there’s been talk of doing more). We do, however, devote an entire meeting to a service-oriented project at Christmas rather than throw ourselves a Christmas party." - Gary Anderson
"The only thing I would add to our "when" is that we do try to meet every week. One ‘meeting’ is the typical 2.5-3 hour gathering that usually involves breaking bread together, some life sharing, a lot of prayer and some type of study. Our off-week ‘meeting’ is lunch after church on Sunday." - Gary Anderson
Contact info: select Gary or Karin Anderson from the catagory drop down menu on the contact list page.
Gerner Minichurch
This group is led by: Mark and Debbie Gerner
This group is currently open to new members.
We meet the 2nd and 4th Saturdays on each month here at the church from 6:30-8:30pm in the Fellowship Cafe.
"We are a group that focuses on study, sharing and praying. The group selects each study series, and we split the meeting time between studying and sharing. We have a social event about once a month. They tend to be low key and focused on hanging out together." - Mark Gerner
Some other things you might like to know about this group. "We meet for dinner at 6:00pm if you like; everyone bring their own food. We also all pay in as a group to cover childcare costs as a group." - Mark Gerner
Contact info: Mark’s cell 214.205.0247, Debbie’s cell 214.676.6393 or via email select Mark or Debbie Gerner from the catagory drop down menu on the contact list page.
Hudson Minichurch
This group is led by: Scott and Jimmie Hudson
Contact info:
Keep Minichurch
This group is led by: Gary and Betsy Keep
Contact info:
Layton/Thames Minichurch
This group is co-led by: Doug & Susan Layton and Marc & Angelia Thames
This group is currently open to new people.
This group meets weekly as scheduled by the group - We normally meet in the Thames’ home (in far north dallas close to the church) on Friday evenings from 7-10pm for regular meetings. We often get together for lunch on Sundays and outside regular meetings as life allows. (Note: "This semester, we are scheduling as much as we can through December due to family requirements in both the Layton and Thames schedules." - Angelia Thames
"We do life together. We fellowship together usually sharing a meal, we discuss the Bible, we choose studies as a group, we serve together, we support one another and we share and pray together. Our goal is to help one another grow to be more like Jesus and offer love and grace to each other when we fail." - Angelia Thames
Something else you should know - "We currently can handle babies or kids who are to be supervised by a parent." - Angelia Thames
Contact info: select Doug or Susan Layton, Marc or Angelia Thames from the catagory drop down menu on the contact list page.
Nicholson Minichurch
This group is led by: David and Cindy Nicholson
Contact info:
Shackelford Minichurch
This group is led by: John and Lalla Shackelford
This group is currently open to new people.
We meet on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of each month in members homes in Richardson from 6-8:30pm.
"The core focus of our group is to support the Christian spiritual journey through fellowship, sharing, prayer and discussion of sermon series." - Lalla Shackelford
Contact info: John’s cell 972.979.1929, Lalla’s cell 214.929.4784 or via email select John or Lalla Shackelford from the catagory drop down menu on the contact list page.
Spencer Minichurch
This group is led by: Joe and Pegi Sue Spencer
This group is currently open to new members and would specifically like to add a male member or a couple to the group.
We meet twice a month as scheduled by the group typically on Friday or Saturday evenings around 7pm in members homes in Richardson.
"Our current study m.o. has been sermon review questions although we have done other studies in the past." - Joe Spencer
Contact info: select Joe or Pegi Sue Spencer from the catagory drop down menu on the contact list page or call 972.918.0217 home
Thomas Minichurch
This group is led by: Mark and Kathy Thomas
This group is currently open to new people.
We meet every other Saturday typically at the Thomas’ home in Richardson.
"We are currently studying: gospelinlife - Grace Changes Everything by Timothy Keller." - Kathy Thomas
Other information you’d like to know - "We currently have no kids in this group." - Kathy Thomas
Contact info: Mark or Kathy Thomas 972.690.0820 home
Volunteer Opportunities
Thanks for your interest in serving at Fellowship Bible Church Arapaho. Below is a list of opportunities to serve. The most urgent needs are listed at the top. If you have a specific way you’d like to get involved that’s not on the list, please contact us to let us know!
Urgent Needs
Other Needs
| Opportunity | Detail | Contact |
| Landscape duties |
Mowing, edging. |
|
| Vacation Bible School coordinator |
Help plan our annual Vacation Bible School program. | |
| Visitor follow-up |
Help all visitors to FBCA feel welcomed, and lead them to more information about our church. |
Coffee Cleanup
Volunteers needed for Coffee Service Cleanup
I know all of us who love coffee appreciate the coffee service on Sunday mornings at FBCA. Who could help with cleanup after the service? It doesn’t take long and it helps us continue to offer a hot cup of joe every Sunday. Please see John Simms to help out once a month or more…he’ll set you up with all you need to know.