Leader: Rich Liden
Hosts: Jeff and Lauri
Wednesday 6:30 PM to 8 PM
(207) 850-9097
Leader: Jan Bergeron
Hosts: Janice Whitten
Wednesday, 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
(207) 793-2439
What to Expect
During our Grace Groups we will likely begin with snacks, coffee/drinks being available, catch up with each other in the first ten to fifteen minutes and chat, then probably an opening prayer and right to the subject of discussion and/or Bible study, which will vary from week to week. Then likely a time to finish up discussion and perhaps a time for prayer requests from the group.
Each Grace Group will last approximately 90 minutes.
Grace Group Forms
Grace Group Guide (For Leaders and Hosts only.) Word | PDF
Grace Group Evaluation Form (For Members Only) Please turn in to your Grace Group Leader. Word | PDF
Grace Group Leader & Host Evaluation Form (Leaders and Hosts Only) Please turn in to Church Health Team . Word | PDF
Grace Group Self Evaluation Form (Not To Be Turned In) Word | PDF
What are our Grace Group Values?
CHRIST-CENTERED: Grace Groups are expected to be Christ-centered and guided by the Holy Spirit.
LOVING RELATIONSHIPS: Grace Groups are marked by acceptance, inclusiveness and are a place of true fellowship.
TRUST: Grace Groups will provide a platform for building trust and confidence with one another.
SPIRITUAL GROWTH: Grace Groups will provide an atmosphere for fostering accountability and discipleship for spiritual growth.
Why Grace Groups
God did not intend Christian living to consist only of you, Him and your Bible. The Bible clearly teaches that we need each other in our walk with Christ Jesus as well. Jesus did not meet with His twelve disciples only on an individual basis, but they often stayed together, prayed together and ate together. The church model itself demands a gathering of believers in God and His word.
“The Fellowship of the Believers
42 They devoted themselves to the apostles� teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”
“42 Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.”
“20 You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house.”
According to the people at Natural Church Development International, the most important of the 'Eight Qualities of a Healthy Church' is 'Holistic Small Groups'.
Grace Groups and other forms of small group ministries are quickly growing in popularity throughout the world and not only in the United States. Grace Groups provide a unique opportunity for the church body to get to know each other better and add a new dimension to our Christian life and walk. Often while in the worship service on Sunday morning we tend to see each other differently than we really are. Meeting in these small Grace Groups during the week has many advantages.
Advantages of joining our various Grace Groups
People talk and open up more in these groups. Whether or not these are home-based groups or groups that meet in church mid-week, we are more likely to participate in discussions in a small group of believers. Since there are much fewer people in these groups than in worship service, there is more opportunity to talk and share with each other.
When we meet in these small groups, we tend to recognize that friends that we see each week in the worship service have very similar problems, struggles and difficulties, that you likely would not notice at all otherwise. It can be both a relief and an encouragement to find that someone you once thought was an immensely strong Christian powerhouse, deals with the same battles that you do each and every day.
Meeting in Grace Groups allows us to share our talents, gifts, experiences and strengths with each other. God does not expect all of the ministering, caring, praying and teaching to be done through pastors, assistant pastors, deacon board members and teachers. Every one of us has unique experiences, strengths and abilities that we can use to encourage, teach and challenge each other.
“23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
Grace Group participants encourage each other in their faith. When people see faith being exercised as faith in action, it can be inspiring and encouraging!
Many dedicated followers of Christ have a small circle of friends with whom they can confide in, share their life experiences, struggles and successes with during the week. When people get together in these small groups, friendships can be formed that can last for a lifetime. Opportunities to build meaningful lifelong relationships don't often happen with only attending worship services once a week.