How do you read your Bible? Do you find yourself conservative, liberal, or somewhere in between? What methods do you use? We'll look at a way of reading the Bible for a new generation---setting aside traditional labels and reading the Bible as "story" while living out a radical gospel message.

A discussion group for those interested in exploring authentic Christianity but who are not yet committed Christians. Your doubts and questions are most welcome (believers may attend only if they are supporting a skeptical friend who is attending).

This tender treatment is a beautiful dialogue between Senter and God - exploring some of the most deceptive mistaken notions about how God loves that Satan has cleverly infused into Western thinking. Satan knows that by disabling us with poor self-concept and self-image, we are rendered timid and powerless to represent Christ and serve His Kingdom. Regaining the magnificence of who God has created you to be is central to Kingdom effectiveness. Come, and perhaps for the first time, learn to love yourself.

If you are seeking to know more about a relationship with Christ or have just committed your life to Christ, this group provides a caring and safe environment where you can learn about the Bible and take the next step in your spiritual journey.  Make friends, ask questions and learn along with others who are also just beginning to grow in this most important relationship.

Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. To be spiritually mature is to show the fruit of the Spirit of Christ in our lives. The New and Old Testament passages you will study highlighting each quality will help allow the Spirit’s fruit to ripen. This LifeGuide Bible Study features additional questions for starting group discussions and for meeting God in personal ways.

One of the greatest environments for spiritual development is a Christ-centered small group. Group leaders are critical to this important process. But how do you lead the kind of groups that help people realize their full life-giving potential? Whether a current leader, one on hiatus, or just wondering if you could be one, join Pastor Craig to sharpen your skills and strengthen your impact.

Have you ever wondered if adoption is what God wants for your family? If so, this nine-week small group study will help you discern if it is the right choice for you. Written by two couples with adopted children, Considering Adoption transparently addresses your concerns and questions about a subject close to God’s heart.

Who was Joshua? We know about the walls at Jericho, but what else did he do? Come learn about the triumphs and trials of Joshua, the man who took over after Moses and led Israel from the wilderness into nationhood. Apply the truths from this great leader’s life to your own.

Drs. Cloud and Townsend introduce eight persuasive principles that demonstrate how God enters both the heart-breaking situation and the life looking for more. These principles are applied to readers’ lives so that their relationships will be better, they’ll have more control over their lives, and their spiritual hunger will be satisfied.

Is life change really possible? If we’re honest most of us would answer, ‘No.’ You’ve tried numerous programs that promise big changes, but in reality, deliver very little results. You long for transformation, but don’t know where to begin. There’s good news for you. There is hope! Life change is possible

A counterpart to Skeptics, this is a place for believers to feel safe with their questions. We’ll be talking through “What do Christians believe about” the Bible, Jesus, God, other religions, in a safe environment. If you’re new to the faith then this is a good start; but we’ll also spend a significant time answering questions of all sorts. So if you’re a Christian of any age with doubts or questions then this group is for you.

This group will explore how we can have a real conversation with God; how can we hear what God is saying back to us; and how we can experience God’s presence in everyday life.

What would you do if you only had one month to live? This great study will help you live life to its fullest. To live passionately. Love completely. Learn humbly. Leave boldly. Take the challenge and live the next 9 weeks as if it’s all the time you have.

This study deals with the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual factors relating to weight loss and life-long health and well-being.

From one of the best communicators in the world, Nooma features brief and to the point DVD teachings which bring fresh and interesting perspectives to topics such as forgiveness, discipleship, unconditional love, and making biblical truths relevant for today’s society. Today’s generation demands a new format for getting Christian perspectives. Nooma is the new format. Don’t miss out!

It may seem easier to pray for your spouse, your children, your friends, and your extended family, but God wants to hear your requests for your life too. He loves it when you come to Him for the things you need and ask Him to help you become the woman you have always longed to be. The Power of a Praying Woman has led countless women into deeper, more fulfilling prayer lives.

From one of the best communicators in the world, Nooma features brief and to the point DVD teachings which bring fresh and interesting perspectives to topics such as forgiveness, discipleship, unconditional love, and making biblical truths relevant for today’s society. Today’s generation demands a new format for getting Christian perspectives. Nooma is the new format. Don’t miss out!

Patrick Lencioni is a voice shaping the role of male and female leaders everywhere. His simple and thoughtful approach to leading others is marking the industry with its clarion call to godliness. Mr. Lencioni refrains from using the language of the church, but his book is deeply guided by Biblical principles and serves to call every leader to a deeper understanding of the craft.

Of all the assignments God will give you during your time on earth, none may be more sacred than the task of raising your children. The Parental Guidance Required Study Guide is designed to give you the counsel you need to help prepare your children for the future. This group study will encourage you to look at the relationships in your children’s lives and ask the important questions. Asking the right questions is the key to helping you assess your family’s needs and ensure that the influence you have is one that will last a lifetime.

Does the Bible sometimes seem like a confusing jumble of books, authors, and stories? Roberts’s excellent overview takes a wide-angle view of Scripture, showing how the various parts of the Bible consolidate into one united theme, the kingdom of God. With this encouraging tool guiding you, you’ll be reading God’s Word with new confidence and understanding.

It seems like anyone you talk to these days desires change. They wish they looked different, had a different job, or were better at this thing or that thing. What you've probably discovered is that you can change your appearance, your habits, your friends, your jobs but you can't change your character. At least, not on your own.In this study, Erwin teaches us that there's one thing you can't change about yourself and that's your character. Only Christ can transform us from the inside. In each of the six sessions, Erwin provides Biblical and practical teaching that will challenge your group to allow God to transform their character to be more like His.

This group will be studying James in parallel with Encounter's new teaching series. The previous Saturday night's teaching will be discussed.

If you are seeking to know more about a relationship with Christ or have just committed your life to Christ, this group provides a caring and safe environment where you can learn about the Bible and take the next step in your spiritual journey.  Make friends, ask questions and learn along with others who are also just beginning to grow in this most important relationship.

Disciplines for the Inner Life is a trustworthy guide for those who want to live faithfully and fully as Christian disciples. It speaks to the head and the heart - stretching both mind and faith providing structure and insight that will help develop a creative, productive and faithful spiritual life.

If you are seeking to know more about a relationship with Christ or have just committed your life to Christ, this group provides a caring and safe environment where you can learn about the Bible and take the next step in your spiritual journey. Make friends, ask questions and learn along with others who are also just beginning to grow in this most important relationship.

Burton White has rightly said, “There is a great difference between a healthy 3 year old and an enjoyable one”. Through Gracious Parenting, we help our children to not only grow and develop as responsible children, but also as enjoyable children. I think every parent hopes that their children will be enjoyed by others. And hey, let’s be honest, it wouldn’t hurt if we became a bit more gracious along the way, right?

When God calls us to lay down the place, ministry or even the person we love most on the sacrificial altar, how will we respond? When her only son committed murder Carol Kent was forced to lay the person she valued most, or her “Isaac,” in the hands of God. Fortunately, like Abraham before her, in the midst of her terrible sacrifice Carol encountered the God who loves her more than she loves her Isaac and she learned, little by little, to trust her Isaac to His caring hands. If you or someone you love is in the process of laying down an “Isaac,” you will find Carol’s heart-wrenching story and godly guidance absolutely indispensable.

The Insight Group is for people who need help to stay free from life-controlling problems. A life-controlling problem is anything that masters a person’s life. Develop self-awareness and apply Biblical qualities from 2 Peter to your life as you seek to deal with or avoid any life-controlling problem.

From one of the best communicators in the world, Nooma features brief and to the point DVD teachings which bring fresh and interesting perspectives to topics such as forgiveness, discipleship, unconditional love, and making biblical truths relevant for today’s society. Today’s generation demands a new format for getting Christian perspectives. Nooma is the new format. Don’t miss out!

In these hard economic times, many people are looking for peace in their financial situations. What would you do if you could learn how to put your financial house in order from one of the best? You can! BranchCreek is offering Dave Ramsey’s “Financial Peace University” during the winter and spring small group semesters this year. Ramsey is a personal finance expert, best-selling author, nationally syndicated radio show host, and Fox Business personality. If you want to stop working for money and start having money work for you, we’d love to have you join us. Please Note: Financial Peace University is a 13-week program that will span both the winter and spring small group semesters. Due to the nature of the topic and the length, we will run on a slightly modified schedule beginning February 11 through June 10. A few weeks’ break will be included in the middle of the program. Please sign up for this small group only if you can commit to attending both semesters. Cost: $99 for materials. A small number of partial scholarships are available; please contact Rick Martin, Pastor of Finance, if you need assistance with the cost. Want to check it out before you decide? Join us for a preview: Saturday, January 24 - right after the Encounter service in rooms 405/406 Sunday, January 25 - during the 2nd service or right after the 3rd service in rooms 405/406

A group for those recently laid off looking for support and fellowship.  A study of Philippians will help to give a Biblical perspective on having joy in hard situations.

Have you ever scrapbooked? Would you like to get started? Have a great time preserving memories and making connections with others. Bring your projects or learn new techniques and settle in. Don’t miss the fun.

What would you do if you only had one month to live? This great study will help you live life to its fullest. To live passionately. Love completely. Learn humbly. Leave boldly. Take the challenge and live the next 9 weeks as if it’s all the time you have.

True discipleship is not another Bible study.  Far from it! Nor is it a “weekly meeting” with a Bible in the middle of the table.  “Loving another man to Jesus until he’s ready to love another man to Jesus.”  Becoming a Paul to find a Timothy and turning that Timothy into a Paul to find a Timothy.

Love zipping through the snow? Come share stories and talk about the latest gear and hottest trails. Make new friends this winter.

Explore the book of young Queen Esther and learn how God can use you in whatever circumstances life hands you.

Mack Philips took his three children on a family camping trip while his wife visited her sister. Just as they were about to leave the campsite, the two older kids decided to take a last canoe ride before heading home. As their canoe overturned, and Mack went to help them, his back was turned and the unspeakable happened. Mack’s youngest daughter, Missy, was abducted by a known child predator. After a massive search, evidence of Missy showed up at an abandoned cabin. Although they never found her body, everyone knew the worst had happened. For the next four years “a great sadness” fell over Mack and his family, until a note from God showed up in his mailbox. What happens next will move you to a greater understanding of God’s unfailing love for us all.

If you are seeking fellowship and connection with Christian art and artists then join Engage to engage in group projects, learn techniques and experience contemporary Christian art. There will be prayer, study and design together while working on projects both in the surrounding community and at Branch Creek. Be a part of showing God’s love and creative gifts, join Engage!

The Bible holds many examples of adult singles-including Paul, John the Baptist, and Anna-who lived godly, biblical lives. Through their examples, author David Hoffeditz leads the way in uncovering the power and freedom in their singleness. In this thorough examination of singleness in Scripture, singles will discover, as the author did, spiritual freedom in the midst of living single.

From one of the best communicators in the world, Nooma features brief and to the point DVD teachings which bring fresh and interesting perspectives to topics such as forgiveness, discipleship, unconditional love, and making biblical truths relevant for today’s society. Today’s generation demands a new format for getting Christian perspectives. Nooma is the new format. Don’t miss out!

Continuing his spiritual theology series, Peterson considers the path Jesus preached compared to the road the American church has practiced. His extensive study of Old Testament characters reveals how the focus of current Christianity---consumerism, celebrity, and charisma---obliterates what’s unique in New Testament faith. A stunning analysis of a personal Christ vs. an impersonal church.

From one of the best communicators in the world, Nooma features brief and to the point DVD teachings which bring fresh and interesting perspectives to topics such as forgiveness, discipleship, unconditional love, and making biblical truths relevant for today’s society. Today’s generation demands a new format for getting Christian perspectives. Nooma is the new format. Don’t miss out!

Have you ever scrapbooked? Would you like to get started? Have a great time preserving memories and making connections with others. Bring your projects or learn new techniques and settle in. Don’t miss the fun.