Are you dreaming of summer yet? I know I’m ready for sunshine, warmer temperatures, getting in the garden, and morning coffee on the deck. What are you looking forward to as summer gets closer?

For many small groups, summer can be a tricky time to stick to a regular schedule. I get it! Vacations cause conflicts, plans get in the way, and it’s just hard to coordinate everyone’s busy schedules. Many small groups end up taking the summer off, and I understand if that’s the preference of your members. However, I’d like to ask that, before you make the call to cancel those twelve weeks, you rethink your summer small group plans. 

Summer can be a great time to really dig into your spiritual growth. Unhurried mornings create extra time for reading the Bible and completing book studies. Summer might be the perfect occasion to take a deep dive in your faith with your friends. You might want to consider going through a book study together, participating in a Bible reading plan together, or using the sermon series small group materials. Another idea is to use your time together to share personal testimonies rather than doing a formal study.

If your group isn’t able to meet regularly as you do throughout the rest of the year, you might consider trying a biweekly or monthly summer schedule. Try planning some social events for your small group. It’s kind of fun to get creative with your meeting spots as you make space for your group to come together whenever you can.

Looking for ideas? Try some of these!

• Picnic on the beach: Meet at Big Creek or Saylorville, and enjoy a meal on the shore
• Outdoor Patio Meeting: Study the Bible at a local restaurant or coffee shop
• Meet in someone’s home: Take turns hosting Bible study 
• Coffee Shop Hop: Try out a different local coffee shop each week
• Backyard BBQ: Stay connected as you rotate homes each week
• Progressive Dinner: Move between different homes or restaurants for each course of a meal
• Bonfire Night with S’mores: Relax around the fire pit with fellowship and prayer
• Movie Night: Host an outdoor movie in your backyard - don't forget the popcorn!
• Hiking or Biking Together: Explore the High Trestle, Neal Smith, or Gay Lea Wilson Trails
• Hit the Ballpark: Cheer on the Iowa Cubs together at Principal Park 
• Respond together: Clean up a local park, mow yards of the elderly, or hand out cold drinks along the bike trail
• Serve a Meal: Help out at a homeless shelter or the Monday/Thursday Community Meals
• Get Outside: Meet at a neighborhood park or outside the church
• Ice Cream Social: Everyone brings a different topping

It’s ok if attendance varies during summer months. If attendance is lighter, invite more friends to join you! The key is to make a plan early, and communicate it with your group often. Encourage members to add the small group dates to their calendars and plan vacations and other summer events accordingly. Keep in touch via the church app’s chat feature, group texts, or email. 

If it turns out you can’t meet in person during the summer, consider doing a Bible study plan together and talking about it via text throughout the week. You could select a plan from the YouVersion Bible app, and choose to make it visible to friends so that you can talk about it together.

Here’s what we'll be covering in Ankeny First sermon series this summer:

May 31-Jun 28: Sermon Series focused on who we are as Members of the Ankeny First Church Body. We’ll consider how we give our prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness for the glory of God. At the culmination of the series, we’ll receive new members! (Is there anyone in your group who would like to take the next step of membership at Ankeny First?) Sermon Series curriculum to accompany this series.

Jul 5 - Aug 2: The “Vision 2028” sermon series will outline attributes of where we see God leading us as a church. We will continue to abide in God’s wisdom and love, trusting Him to guide our steps as we move into 2028.

Aug 9: 150th Worship Celebration - You won’t want to miss this church-wide service which will take place at both sites @ 9:30am. We will give God thanks as we honor the past, engage in the present, and prepare for the future!

THANK YOU for your diligence as you participate in your small group. God has placed a specific and unique passion in your heart for your group. God gave you that passion for His purpose, and you can trust Him to do what only He can do in the lives of your members.