“Plugging into a smaller community in a larger church”

What is an Adult Bible Fellowship (ABF)? 

These spiritual communities meet each Sunday morning at 9:15 a.m. at the church for connecting, growing and serving. Adult Bible Fellowships are the smaller communities in the larger church context where authentic community takes place. It is the place where people can make real connections, find encouragement and get plugged into ministry opportunities. Adult Bible Fellowships encourage everyone to get involved and use their gifts through a team approach to ministry.

Adult Bible Fellowships are generally grouped by life stage or common interest. There are a variety of ABF classes to choose from. Feel free to visit a couple to see where you fit best.

SOUTHGATE UNIVERSITY

Room 224
Are you a High School grad looking for a way to fit into a church of more than 1,000 people?  This A.B.F. is for college-age persons who have a strong desire to study God’s word, pursue godly growth, and find a close-knit community within the Southgate body!


PHOENIX

Room 122
This is a new ABF for Single Adults and Younger Married Couples. The goal of this class is to reflect the unity of the body in bringing single adults and married adults (some with kids and some without) together for growth and ministry.  We desire to be a community characterized by fellowship based on a common love for Jesus Christ and His Word.  We are looking for ways to be intentional about serving our church & community.


BECOMING ONE

Room 221
An intergenerational ABF, this class combines different life-stations (new parents, young married and engaged couples and empty nest couples) to facilitate a  mentoring environment and utilizing the advantage of experience to wrestle with marriage issues and biblical living as couples. Classes vary between open forum times with the couples to interactive biblical and topical studies.


HOMEBUILDERS

Room 223

This ABF for established families (ages 25-40, many having young children) is characterized by strong   teaching, care, compassion, and outreach. Homebuilders is an enthusiastic group of people with a strong desire to minister within and outside of the church.  This class is a great place to begin or deepen your connections at Southgate.


PRAYER FORCE

Room 222
An ABF initiative that is aimed at parents of teenagers, this class emphasizes prayer and practical teaching as well as a ministry integrally connected with the Youth program. Parents of teens will find this ABF to be a place of support, encouragement and wisdom for life.


FAITHBUILDERS

Fellowship Hall
This close-knit group consists of a diversity of family types—older singles, divorced mothers, parents of teens, parents of college students, and empty nesters who are starting to care for their aging parents.  Bible and book studies are taught in a group discussion    setting.  Quarterly class socials and Urban Light ministry help to encourage loving connections.


DISCOVERY

Choir Room
Most of the members of this class fit into the 50-75 age range. Strong biblical teaching and genuine care for one another epitomizes this class that also meets during the week in home groups in Springfield and Cedarville.  We also are committed to outreach ministry at Shepherds Nursing Home Facility the first Sunday of each month.

ABUNDANT LIFE

Library
A smaller ABF that is both warm and welcoming, the station in life for the majority of the members is age 65 and up. Good discussion time and a place where you will definitely be prayed for, this ABF is a great home within the big church community.


WOMEN OF FAITH

Room 103
This ABF is exclusively for women. If you are  looking for an ABF but find that you often come alone to church, whether through the effects of divorce,  widowhood, a spouse that is a           non-attender, or you are a single woman (college age & above) you will find a place of support, care and prayer.


FOUNDATIONS

Old Kitchen (Room 220)
Want a firmer grounding in the Christian foundations? This class is more of a transitional station for those who would like to be better grounded in the major teachings of the Bible, the disciplines of the faith and the basic “storyline” of the Bible. Divided into three sections to  allow for people to come in at any time and to transition out to an ABF at any time, the Foundations Sessions are as follows: 101 -  Foundational Doctrines; 201 - Disciplines of the Christian Life and 301 - From Genesis to Revelation — Understanding the Bible as one book.