Robert and Julie Campbell brought something from their previous church that has helped shape our weekday women’s Bible Study. The women at Northpoint had a desire to be taken seriously. They wanted real teaching and they asked their pastors to do something about that. Robert and other Northpoint pastors wrote a series of Bible studies for women that are challenging and inspirational. The women at Santa Margarita Community Church are working through these studies – we started with Hebrews last spring, finished it in the fall and then moved on to a study of Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and Song of Solomon. Robert and Julie are a great team – Robert teaches from the word for the first half of our time together and then leaves, and Julie leads us through a time of applying truth to our own lives, sharing prayer requests and bonding! We meet Thursdays at 10 a.m. during the school year in the Campbell’s home. For more information, email Carrie Knight.

During the Sunday Morning Service, children 6th grade and younger have the opportunity to attend a primary or junior Children’s Church class, taught by members of SMCC using a new curriculum called “Generations of Grace.” Check it out at http://www.generationsofgrace.com/. “Generations of Grace” is a biblically based and God-centered curriculum designed for children three years old through the sixth grade. Over a three-year period, this curriculum covers the Old Testament historical books, the life of Christ, and lessons from Acts and Revelation. Every week, children in each age range learn from the same passage of Scripture in a way that is appropriate for their respective age levels. We call this a 'unified curriculum.' A unified curriculum enables families to discuss one passage together each week, reinforcing the lesson that children have learned in Sunday School.

At SMCC, we value our multi-generational-ness! Our children can learn so much from the older generations in our church body. To make sure these interactions are taking place, we established “Opening Exercises” – a time for all ages to be together, sing fun songs, celebrate birthdays and recite memory verses. During the summer, this time lasts for about 30 minutes (before the morning service in the sanctuary, starting at 9:45 a.m.) and includes an object lesson taught by different participants each week. Throughout the school year, we meet together for 15 minutes (at 9 a.m.) before children and adults are dismissed for Sunday School classes.

SMCC currently has five Home Fellowship Groups meeting throughout the week and county. Because there are church members living as far as Paso Robles and San Luis Obispo, we have groups meeting in Templeton, North Atascadero, West Atascadero, South Atascadero and Santa Margarita. Groups meet in the evenings on Wednesdays and Thursdays and work through four questions regarding the previous Sunday’s sermon. The questions (What’s the story? What’s the point? What’s the problem? What’s the difference?) help us dig deeper into the word as we make tighter connections with our brothers and sisters in Christ.  HFGs take a break during the summer so stay in touch with your neighbors by attending group socials.