Discipleship
Disciples are people in community who – empowered by the Holy Spirit – are growing to love, follow, and lead others to the God who looks like Jesus.
INTEREST MEETING: SMALL GROUPS & INTENTIONAL DISCIPLESHIP GROUPS
SUNDAY, JAN 18 @ 12PM | C8-12
We talk a lot at Grantham about “working the spaces” of public, social, personal, and intimate relationships. Small Groups (SGs) and Intentional Discipleship Groups (IDGs) are two opportunities we offer at Grantham Church to engage with God and others in the personal and intimate spaces. Join for lunch after the worship service on January 18 to hear about the difference between the two types of groups, listen to testimonies from those involved, and learn next steps for how to engage. This time will help you discern if God is calling you into one of these spaces as you consider going deeper in your faith with others in this season.
COUPLES ENNEAGRAM DATE NIGHT
FRI, FEB 20 @ 5:30-7:30PM (RSVP BY FEB 5) | FELLOWSHIP HALL
The Enneagram has ancient roots and has been used in its modern form for decades to facilitate personal growth, strengthen relationships, and even help guide spiritual practices. Married couples young and old are invited to get out for a date night to spend meaningful time together and strengthen your marriage by learning your Enneagram dynamics. Special Guest, Kerry Hoke, will guide couples in understanding and learning how to better relate to one another’s type. Kerry is a licensed BIC pastor, spiritual director, and founder of Integritas Development.
Couples must register by February 5 to participate and will be asked to complete a short Enneagram assessment online before the event. A suggested participation fee of $20 per couple will help offset the assessment cost. Dinner and childcare will be provided.
Adult Learning Communities
(Sundays @ 9AM)
As followers of Jesus we are always learning. In fact, the word “disciple” means “learner.” But learning isn’t simply gaining head knowledge. It involves holistic growth of intellect, emotions, and will. As we gain knowledge, we want to apply it to our everyday lives. At Grantham Church, we offer several Learning Communities on Sunday mornings that help us to engage with Scripture and various topics alongside others who are on a journey with Jesus.
Interested in, or questions about Learning Communities, contact Pastor Melissa Lowther.
Small Groups
Our small groups are communities of about 8-12 people who go beyond the Sunday morning worship experience to apply the Scriptures to life, care for one another, and spur each other on in living on mission with Jesus. Groups meet at various times and locations throughout the week, most meeting twice/month.
Many of our small groups are sermon-based, meaning they discuss the previous week’s sermon when they are together. In addition to being a safe place for honest sharing and mutual accountability, sermon-based groups create space for questions and applying the truth of the Bible to life. We provide questions that help groups to process the focus of the message and consider how to live in response to it. It’s also a great way for our church to grow corporately in the areas we are focusing on each week.
To get connected to a group, contact Pastor Melissa.
Pam's Story
Intentional Discipleship Groups
Intentional Discipleship Groups (IDGs) are leader-initiated, 3-4 person, same-gendered groups that meet weekly for one year with the intent to multiply. The heart behind IDGs is to grow in obedience to Jesus in the context of an open and honest community, resulting in greater love for the people around us. Read a fuller overview of IDGs here.
If you are interested in exploring being part of an IDG, contact Pastor Melissa
Derek's Story
Katie's Story
Other Groups
GRANDMOTHERS IN PRAYER
4th THURSDAYS @ 9:30-11AM | C8-12
All Grandmothers are invited for a time of fellowship and prayer for our beloved grandchildren. During the time together we will be using Kay Swatkowski's book, A Grandmother's Prayers, as the basis for our discussions led by various members of the group. In August, we have a sharing and prayer time, then from September-April, we will discuss a chapter from Swatkowski's book and have a prayer time at each meeting. Instead of the regular 4th Thursday morning meetings in November & December, there will be a Christmas brunch on Thursday, December 4. And on May 28 there will be a luncheon at Messiah Lifeways.
Leader: Velma Yoder
MEN'S BIBLE STUDY
FRIDAYS @ 6:45-7:45AM | Coffee Shop
All men are welcome to join a weekly Bible study as we study 2 Samuel, with much discussion and a focus on practical application of biblical truth. We always end promptly at 7:45am to allow time to get to work or other engagements.
Leaders: Rich Stuebing, John Yeatts
GRIEFWORK SUPPORT GROUP
Begins WED, JAN 14 @ 6:30PM | C9
GriefWork is an 8-week support group for those who have lost a loved one. The GriefWork group offers emotional, intellectual, and spiritual support, as well as a connection with others who have recently experienced loss. The group will focus on learning self-care and coping strategies, exploring opportunities for developing resilience, and sharing grief stories when appropriate. Facilitated by MJ Fair and Dr. Geoff James, GriefWork will meet on Wednesdays, 6:30pm-8pm, January 14 through March 4 in room C9.
If you or someone you know is interested in joining the group, please register here by Thursday, January 8. Hard copies of registration forms can also be found at the Information Centers.
Discipleship Resources
Prayer is an integral part of our ministry and mission as Christians and spiritual renewal in our region will not come without prayer. Use this 30-day local prayer guide to pray for your neighbors and friends and allow the Spirit to show you how you can join his work in our community.
As a companion to our Broken Signposts sermon series, we created this guide in 2023 with weekly spiritual exercises to do at home during the season of Lent.
In October-November 2023, we invited our congregation to take a short Disciple Survey to help us reflect on our development as disciples, celebrate progress, and identify areas of growth. Take a look at some of the results of that survey.
Parent & Family Resources
Check out several resources that help parents and children connect their faith with everyday life issues.