Life Groups
What are Life Groups?
The Grove desires to love God, grow together and serve the world. Life Groups are our primary vehicle for helping people grow together. Spiritual growth/discipleship looks different biblically than how we sometimes picture it. A disciple means, “learner or student”. The learners or students of Jesus required learning his words and message of good news...the Gospel. We often picture a classroom as the primary way of learning. But this learning required more than a classroom or a meeting for that learning to occur. This learning involves a way of life that requires a relationship. Jesus intentionally called His disciples into relationship with Himself and with each other in community. Hence we see Jesus’ disciples “hanging out with Him” in relationship: learning, doing, growing...becoming disciples of Jesus. As the disciples grew together they soon discovered this discipleship was not just for them. The Gospel wasn’t just for them. Their community wasn’t just for them. The Gospel of Jesus was a Gospel on the move. They had centered themselves around the gospel, together in community and were living out the very mission of God. This mission wasn’t a separate area for them. The mission wasn’t an add-on, a one-more-thing, or something for the spiritually mature. It was part of the very core & fabric of their being. Their lives had come together as disciples of Jesus and they were living out what Jesus had called them to...a gospel community on mission together...or as we call them: Life Groups.
What Should I Expect When I Participate?
When you become part of a Life Group, you can expect a very welcoming and loving community. You will be enfolded as part of the group without expectations put on you. Our desire is to build a relationship with you by accepting you and allowing you to belong to the Life Group.
You can also expect a caring shepherd who is over the group offering direction, support and oversight. The shepherd has been trained to lead and love in a way that supports the vision and mission of the Grove.
You can expect a diverse group of people. The church is a body with many different parts. This diverse group of people is made up of mixed genders and in all different stages of life. We believe when diverse people come together in a gospel community on mission, something extraordinary happens. In a diverse group, learning and relationships take place on various levels. “Outsiders” looking in see a people with a cause greater than their differences.
Life Groups have informal and formal gatherings. Life Groups meet formally (a few times a month) typically in a home to eat, pray, study Scripture, share highs and lows, worship together, serve/bless, laugh, etc. But they also meet casually or informally. Informal gatherings can involve the whole group or maybe just a segment. Living life together means coming together for the ordinary things of life, outside the planned, formal meeting times.
You can also expect an inward (gospel community) and outward (gospel mission) focus. Life groups are designed to see spiritual transformation happen with the group participating through a variety of ways. But they are also designed to live out the Gospel in dark places for the glory of God and transformation of the city.
For more information about Life Groups, or if you would like to get plugged into a Life Group, contact Scott Swanson at
