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Home Groups
Take us for a test drive. Galatians Groups.
Home Adult Bible Fellowships—HABF
Home Groups (HABFs) are similar to our on-campus groups. They are growing groups of people who learn, care, and serve together.
The relationships built in these groups are crucial to the group and to the church. The groups meet evenings every other week and are a mix of all ages, couples and singles.
Jesus told the disciples to love one another. Paul instructed the Romans to be devoted to one another, honor one another, be united with one another, accept one another, admonish one another, and greet one another. He told the Galatians to serve one another and bear burdens for one another, and the Ephesians were instructed to forgive and submit to one another. As Christians, we are to pray for one another, encourage one another, and confess sins to one another. Whew! That's pretty intense. But very inviting, too!
About once a month after each service, you can get a 15-minute introduction to these groups called The NextStep. You will learn the what-when-where-how. Contact Stephanie Huffman for more information about NextStep.
Sign up to get connected to an ABF on campus or in a home.
Contacts
| Dane Allphin | ABF/HABF Pastor |
330.315.5910 |
| Jeff Martell | ABF/HABF Pastor & Trinity Seminary Extension | 330.315.5910 |
| Stephanie Huffman | ABF/HABF Administrative Assistant | 330.315.5910 |
Frequent Questions
Great First Year for HABF
The Ecks and the Sullivans switched from an ABF to a Home ABF this year and were completely surprised how it turned out. They thought it was time for a change in their Young Marrieds ABF. When they started meeting at the Ecks on Sunday evenings, a great crew of new couples joined them. Check out this video to hear more about this fun new community group.
Ecks HABF Interview from The Chapel on Vimeo.
Home Groups
Barberton: every other Thursday—6:30 pm
Mostly made up of couples, we are a fairly laid back group who truly care about each other, and love to welcome new members! We serve by supporting adopted missionaries, as well as other local ministries including crocheting prayer shawls.
Bath: 1st & 3rd Tuesdays—7 pm
New this year, we’ve had a great start, and teach based on The Chapel’s Sunday sermons. We like to serve by helping child evangelism. We serve with CEF and international dinners.
Canton: every other Thursday—7 pm
A friendly group - single, married, men, women, and an occasional cat or dog visitor who meet for Bible Study, fun, fellowship, and of course, food! We also have adopted missionaries. We’d love to have you visit us!
Cuyahoga Falls 1: 2nd & 4th Saturdays—7 pm
A newly formed group of singles and married couples, our studies are Bible-centered and prepared with questions that encourage conversation from everyone in the group!
Cuyahoga Falls 2: 2nd & 4th Wednesdays—7 pm
We are a brand new group that is starting in September ’09!
Fairlawn (Young Marrieds): Sundays—6 pm
We’re a growing community of engaged and married couples in their 20’s and 30’s who connect with other couples, and talk authentically about the joy and challenges of living out faith in light of the scriptures. We enjoy serving at Camp Carl. Children are welcome and baby-sitting is provided.
Green 1: every other Thursday—6:30 pm
We have been a close-knit group from the beginning with good, solid teaching and fun, discussion-based sessions. We serve with the Canton Homeless Shelter as our group ministry.
Green 2: 2nd & 4th Thursdays—6:30 pm
We are a newer group who studies God’s Word and love to serve by thinking about and praying for missionaries.
Green 3: 1st & 3rd Mondays—6:30 pm
We started our HABF in 2009, and currently have three couples. We meet at our homes in Green and Portage Lakes. One couple is new to the faith, and so we're digging into Scripture with a lot of good discussion. We can add a few couples from 40s-50s.
Hartville: 1st & 3rd Saturdays—6:30 pm
With an age range from 30s to 40s, we are a fun, discussion based group who pray for each other while trying to find ways we can work together to serve others, including local ministries such as the Refuge of Hope.
Highland Square: 1st & 3rd Sundays—7 pm
We are a casual, diverse, discussion-based group who prays for strong service connection throughout the Highland Square area.
Medina: 1st & 3rd Fridays—7 pm
We are a group who loves to dig deep into scripture and seriously study it. We also implement other study materials into our sessions for support, and really enjoy learning and growing together.
North Canton: 2nd & 4th Tuesdays—7 pm
We are mostly married 50s & 60s, but welcome any age group or marital status! Our sessions revolve around a video and discussion format, with fellowship and joy as we share God’s word together. We serve by supporting orphans in Russia.
Northhampton: Wednesdays—7 pm
We are serious students of God’s word who like to go deep and have a nice variety of new and older believers!
Norton: 1st & 3rd Thursdays—6:30 pm
A mix of ages from young marrieds and families to seniors, we love discussion on applying the Bible to our 21st century lives and seeking to grow as individuals and friends. We serve together at a local mobile home park.
Richfield: Thursdays—7 pm
Rotating our meetings in three different homes, we are a group with much spiritual growth, great contributions and strong friendships.
Stow: 2nd & 4th Sundays—6:30 pm
Our group is mostly empty nesters who get together to learn about various topics in a discussion-based atmosphere. Our leaders are long time student ministry workers who have brought their fun yet seriousness into leadership of our group.
Stow 2 (Young Marrieds): every other Wednesday—7 pm
We are a group about helping young marrieds meet others in their same stage of life, and developing Godly marriages through discussing questions and topics related to being married.
Tallmadge 1: every other Saturday—6:30 pm
We are a compassionate group, interested in helping others, and enjoying time in prayer as well as in the Word. Our group is tight knit as we support one another. We minister by adopting missionaries.
Tallmadge 2: 2nd & 4th Mondays—6:30 pm
Made of couples, singles, widows, young families and college-aged, we look at Scripture and discuss Christ as we get to know, care for, and love one another. We love to serve at Camp Carl and First Glance. Regardless of where you are in your walk with Christ, you are welcome!
Tallmadge 3: every other Thursday—7 pm
We are a newer group of Empty Nesters, who discuss the books of the Bible and various topics in a great learning atmosphere. We also love to reach out by serving with International Dinners, missionaries, and others. We welcome visitors to come and grow with us!
West Akron: 2nd & 4th Wednesdays—7 pm
We’re an all-ages group who focuses on discussing the meaning of Scripture, and how it relates to other Scripture. We commit to fellowship, praying for various needs, including adopted missionaries, and praising God.
West Akron/Copley: 1st & 3rd Wednesdays—6:30 pm
We’re a brand new group who meets in different homes in the West Akron area, with very thoughtful and prepared teaching. We love to serve with International Students. Come visit us to find out more!
FAQs About Visiting
Why should I go to an ABF or HABF?
There are lots of great reasons. A few are: to find friends in a huge church, to interact with people who are different than you, and to be a part of a more intimate community where people can share lives and grow together.
What should I wear?
For an ABF, wear whatever you would normally wear to a church service. So for a 9:00am ABF, wear clothes that you would wear to the 10:40am service and vice versa. HABFs, on the other hand, are much more informal.
What's going to happen?
Most ABFs and HABFs follow a similar format: social time, opening announcements and prayer, Bible lesson.
Do I need to be a Bible expert?
Absolutely not! Even if you've never opened a Bible, we still think an ABF or HABF is the right place for you!
How long should I attend services before I try an ABF or HABF?
One week. Seriously. The sooner you get into a smaller group, the better.
If I visit an ABF or HABF, does that mean I have to join?
Not at all. In fact, we encourage you to try multiple ABFs or HABFs! Many times it takes four or five tries before people find a group that fits with their personality.
Can I just show up?
Whatever is more comfortable for you. Some people prefer to contact the group leader first and other just want to show up!
Am I only allowed to try ABFs or HABFs that fit my affinity group (such as mid-marrieds or young singles)?
No. Feel free to try any ABF or HABF you think you might like. Usually people end up in groups that match their life stage, but there are plenty of people who break the mold! Go wherever you feel most comfortable.
Okay, I’m in. Who should I contact?
Contact Stephanie Huffman, 330.315.5910.
FAQs About Leading
For how long am I committing to this?
One year. Don’t feel badly if you try it and find out it’s not for you!
Do I need to be a Chapel member?
Yes.
Do I need to be a part of a Chapel ABF or HABF before I lead one?
Ideally yes, but there are always exceptions!
What skills does a leader need to have?
You only need to be able to do two things: love people and help people live out God’s Word.
How much formal training do I need to have?
None! We’ll provide all the training you need! We’re not looking for people with extensive training, but people who are growing in their faith.
How much support can I expect from The Chapel’s community department?
As much as you need. On a regular basis, we provide Teacher Training, small leader groups that meet around the breakfast table, and one-on-one meetings with pastors. You can use as many or few of these resources as you find helpful.
Okay, I’m in. Who should I contact?
Contact Stephanie Huffman, 330.315.5910.
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