Ministries

LIFE Groups

What are LIFE Groups, and why do they matter?
Gathering each week for corporate worship is wonderful, but it does not always result in the development of meaningful relationships among those in our congregation. It can be easy for people, hurting or otherwise, to unintentionally “fall through the cracks.” God, however, is intensely devoted to our mutual encouragement and growth. Therefore, we have established several LIFE Groups in which folks in the DBC family can meet and build relationships. The acronym LIFE stands for Love, Instruction, Fellowship, and Encouragement.
What happens at a LIFE Group meeting?
The makeups of the groups and the formats of their meetings vary. Some groups include families with children still at home while others focus on adults with grown children. Most groups include a snack and a time for casual conversation, but some frequently feature a potluck meal. All groups have a time of Bible study; for example, some groups review that week’s sermon and its applications. And every group emphasizes the importance of prayer and spends time praying for the concerns brought by its members.
When and where do your LIFE Groups meet? How can I get connected?
LIFE Groups usually meet on the second and fourth weeks of each month. Most groups meet on Sunday afternoons or evenings, but a few meet on other days. Most groups meet within the city limits of Delaware, but a few meet in other parts of Delaware County and in Union County. Information about our current LIFE Groups is available at our Welcome Center, or you can contact the Church Office for information.

Counseling Ministry

What is Biblical Counseling?
Biblical counseling is the process of dealing with personal problems by examining thoughts and behaviors through the sufficiency of Scripture. Our counseling ministry is rooted in the Nouthetic Counseling Model, where counselors come alongside hurting people, hear their needs, and use God’s Word to help them grow and change. Counselors meet with counselees once a week to allow adequate time to complete projects for growth between sessions. On average, a counselor will meet with a counselee for eight to ten sessions of approximately one hour each. Appointments are scheduled for Tuesday evenings at either 6:00 or 7:15.
What are the qualifications of our counselors?
Delaware Bible Counseling and Discipleship Ministries, LLC was formed in 2009. All counselors have a minimum of 80 hours of classroom training approved by the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors (ACBC). They are supervised by the Delaware Bible Counseling and Discipleship Ministry Board.
What is expected of the counselee?
  • Sign the Counseling Waiver/Confidentiality Statement provided with the initial forms.
  • Arrive on time for appointments or call at least 24 hours ahead to reschedule if necessary.
  • Pay (in cash) a $25 cancellation fee at the first counseling session. (This fee will be forfeited if a meeting is canceled less that 24 hours before the appointment time and will need to be paid again before counseling can continue. If there are no cancellations, this fee will be refunded.)
  • Pay for materials (such as books or CDs) that have a cost.
  • Complete all assigned projects for growth.
  • Agree to the possible presence of counselors in training during sessions.

If you would like more information about this ministry, call 740.916.1212.

Youth & Family

On Sundays

Children are welcome at any time during the morning or evening services.

Nursery
The Nursery (birth to 24 months) offers the youngest in our church family a safe, clean, and fun environment where they can rest, play, and stretch their growing bodies. In addition to a space for play, we also offer a room off of the main Nursery for any mom looking for a quiet space to feed, snuggle, or calm her child.
2s & 3s
The 2s & 3s(ages 2 through 3) class is offered at both morning services, from 9:15 to 10:15 and from 11:00 to 12:00. It not only offers childcare, but includes a Bible story, an age-appropriate memory verse, song time, and plenty of games and activities.
Sunday School
Classes for children from age 4 through high school meet during the first service, from 9:15 to 10:15. These classes use the Truth:78 curriculum (see https://truth78.org), which was developed by the organization known as Desiring God.
Children’s Church
Children’s Church (ages 4 through 5) meets during the second service, from 11:00 to 12:00. The children who attend Children’s Church are dismissed from the Auditorium following our worship time prior to the sermon. We offer this optional program to assist parents in their own worship and learning, while helping children grow in their understanding of who God is.

  • During Children’s Church, we emphasize learning the truths of God’s Word. Each week we present a Bible story, along with various games, activities, crafts, and songs.
  • We use the Truth:78 curriculum (see above) here, as well, so it coordinates with what is taught in Sunday school for the older children. The continuity of curriculum allows parents to discuss the same Bible lesson with children of different ages throughout the following week.
Junior Church
Junior Church (Grades 1–3) also meets during the second service, from 11:00 to 12:00. We offer this option for parents who prefer to focus on the sermon portion of the worship service without the potential distraction of keeping their children occupied.

We desire to nurture children’s spiritual growth by training them to think biblically, apply biblical teaching to their lives, and exercise self-control.

To accomplish these goals, we again use the Truth:78 curriculum (see above) as we prepare the children to actively participate in our corporate worship service once they reach Grade 4. We incorporate elements used in the teaching portion of the corporate worship service, including close reading of the Bible and completing fill-in-the-blank notes for the lesson.

On Wednesdays

AWANA (Age 4–Grade 6) from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

The acronym Awana comes from 2 Timothy 2:15, which reads, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.” As one of the fastest-growing youth organizations, Awana provides a local church-sponsored program for children from age 4 (if they are potty trained) through Grade 6.

Our hope is that all club members will develop faith in Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and build on this foundation to become steadfast, obedient servants of God.
Awana meets weekly during the school year.

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT AWANA

Youth Group (Grades 7–12) from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

The Forge, the youth ministry at DBC, is designed to assist parents in the discipleship process of their children in Junior High and Senior High. Our goal is to equip students to engage the world for Christ. We seek to accomplish this goal in two ways. First and foremost, we establish an environment with a primary focus on the study of God’s Word. Secondly, we take advantage of regular opportunities to live out what we have learned in an effort to be doers of the Word and not just hearers only.

Forge Gatherings occur each Wednesday during the school year and switch to special meetings and activities throughout the summer.

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE FORGE

Men’s Ministries

We read in Hebrews 10:24–25, “Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, . . . encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” To that end, the Men’s Ministry at Delaware Bible Church works to help men, high school age and older, to develop encouraging relationships, to become equipped to counter the cultural trends of our day, and to learn the value of performing good deeds—in short, to grow in Christ and gain skill in exemplifying authentic manhood. The ways that we work toward those goals include the following:

  • Study of the Bible: This is the core component of this ministry. We make a priority of regular and routine Bible study, including studies of books of the Bible, character studies, and topical studies. These studies meet at various times and in various places. In all of them, however, through instruction and discussion, we seek to develop not only a deeper understanding of God’s Word but also meaningful friendships and mutual encouragement and accountability.
  • Monday Morning Prayer: Before the sun comes up on a new workweek, several of us gather to pray for one another in the week ahead.
  • Fireside Talks: We hold periodic meetings around a fire to discuss discipleship and the spiritual disciplines. Guided by the exhortation in I Timothy 4:7 to “train yourself for godliness,” we explore relevant issues men contend with in their daily lives.
  • Relaxation and Fellowship: Throughout the year we schedule activities, including an annual Men’s Retreat, that mix times of teaching with times of fun. Some of these activities include the sons of our adult members.
  • Serving the Church Family: We provide opportunities for our men to minister to others in the church by engaging in practical activities that build community while fulfilling the charge to serve one another.

To learn more about the DBC Men’s Ministry, contact PASTOR RUSS MARTIN.

Women’s Ministries

Our women’s ministry is about teaching, encouraging, and loving the women of Delaware Bible Church. Rooted in our faith in Christ and belief in the Scriptures, we aim to build friendships and support each other through life’s highs and lows. Activities such as the following help to create a Christ-centered community where each woman is empowered to grow in grace, reflect Jesus more effectively, and step boldly into her God-given purpose.

  • Small Group Women’s Bible Studies: We study a variety of topics and books of the Bible each semester. Multiple studies are offered at different times and locations. Strong friendships often begin here and grow as we study the Bible together and learn to apply it to our lives. Our studies usually run from September through November/December and then from January to May. Sometimes we also offer a short summer study and a Sunday morning study.
  • Large Group Learning Fellowships: We gather occasionally to focus on a certain theme or topic from God’s Word. We enjoy being challenged and encouraged by a guest speaker or a teacher from our women’s ministry and then sharing a meal, along with prayer and worship.
  • Just for Fun: Our Ladies’ Game Night offers a break from the busyness of life and an opportunity to make new friends in a casual setting. It’s a time of fun and friendly competition—a chance to unwind and simply enjoy being together.
  • Prayers for Prodigals: We meet every other month to pray for prodigals and encourage one another as we wait for the Lord to work. This sweet time has knitted our hearts together as we seek the Lord for our loved ones’ salvation or return to faith.
  • Mentoring: Women are given the opportunity to be matched with DBC ladies who have experience in various areas of struggle. Our mentors help women to become more like Christ by listening, teaching, encouraging, and offering guidance through the day-to-day challenges of being a Christ-follower.

To learn more about the DBC Women’s Ministry, contact TRACY TIEDE.

Worship

Why and How We Worship
Because of who God is, and because of what He has done in offering us a place in His family through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, He is worthy of our faithful devotion. When we express that devotion, we are worshiping. The idea of “worship” is often equated with music, but it really involves every aspect of a Christian’s life. As we read in 1 Corinthians 10:31, “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”

That being said, music is an important part of worship. At Delaware Bible Church, we enjoy a blended musical style as we worship. On most Sunday mornings, at both services, our Worship Team, accompanied by a variety of instruments, leads the congregation in singing songs that uplift the name and worth of God. Together, we sing a variety of hymns (both modern and traditional) and contemporary worship songs that are rich in doctrine. This worship time also features an anthem from our Choir as well as occasional special music. On Sunday evenings, we often sing from the Hymns of Grace hymnal.

Opportunities to Participate
Are you gifted at singing or at playing an instrument? Do you have a heart and interest in helping lead others in corporate worship? We’re always looking for new musicians to join our Choir or Worship Team or to participate musically in other ways. Contact JACQUIE STEVANUS for information about the Worship Team and ROBB HILDRETH for information about the Choir.

Delaware Christian School

Beginning in 1973 with only a kindergarten class, under the visionary leadership of Pastor Carl Witt and the founding school board, Delaware Christian School has grown into a recognized and respected educational institute in the Delaware County area. DCS has provided a college preparatory curriculum to more than 800 graduates since the first graduation class of six in 1983. Equally important, a basic foundation has been laid to prepare students for a lifetime of serving Christ. Our graduates are serving God literally around the world today.
DCS Website