Church at the Grove

Community Group Leader Guide

The guide outlines the purpose, values, leadership roles, responsibilities, resources, and practical practices for running effective Community Groups at Church at the Grove.

What is a Community Group?

A Community Group is a small group of 8-20 people that engage relationally to practice the way of Jesus together.

Vision of Community Groups

The goal for community groups is two-fold:

  • Family Relationships - As group members gather together to eat, pray, encourage one another, and serve others, they will grow into a family with deep life-giving relationships.
  • Practice the Way of Jesus Together - Out of the deep relationships that are formed the group will challenge and provide accountability for group members. This includes praying with and for each other, confessing sin to each other, providing accountability, and living on mission together.

Who can belong to a Community Group?

Community Groups are the DNA of Church at the Grove. Community Groups are communities that people can belong to before they believe. This means that Community Groups reflect our entire church and are composed of mature Christians, new Christians, and non-Christians. Simply put, we want everyone to be in a Community Group because that is where both community and mission take place.

Core Values of a Community Group

Community Groups play an important role in helping people take their next steps on their faith journey. The Christian life was never meant to be done alone, but rather in the context of community. Because groups play an integral role in our spiritual development all Church at the Grove Community Groups should seek to help people:

  • BELIEVE in Jesus and his plans for their lives.
  • BELONG to real community.
  • BECOME all that God created them to be.
  • BUILD the local and global Church.

All four of these values are equally important and should be prioritized within the life of each group.

Believe in Jesus and his plans for their lives

In a Community Group, people will pursue God and grow in their love for Jesus. This may sound simple, but in our fallen world people seek to become their own gods. We often seek to live apart from God, preferring our independence over a relationship with our Creator. But through the Gospel, Jesus transforms our hearts and moves us to a place where we recognize God as King, Father, and Savior! It becomes our joy to know, serve, and worship Him. (Ephesians 2:1-3; 2 Cor 5:17). This pursuit is seen when people take the initial step of faith and experience salvation, but it can also be seen when group members deepen their faith in the Lord and trust him in their lives.

How can you practice this in your group?

  • Reading and applying the Bible during, and outside group meeting times.(2 Timothy 3:16-17, Joshua 1:8).
  • Making regular time to reflect, pray, and praise God for His work. (Psalm 95:1-2)
  • Worshiping God in creative ways (songs, communion, etc.) (Psalm 105:1-2)
  • Spending dedicated time praying for physical and spiritual needs, especially for friends, neighbors, and family members that have yet to put their faith in Jesus.

How is your group doing?

1 - Never/Terrible // 10 - Always/Fantastic

During our gatherings our group makes a practice of opening scripture and reading it together12345678910
Beyond saying a blessing at dinner, our group has a dedicated time of prayer for people inside and outside our group.12345678910
Group members are growing in their relationship with the Lord, which is demonstrated by the fruit their life produces.12345678910

What are some practical things you could do as the group leader to help your group members BELIEVE in a deeper way?

Belong to real community

In a Community Group, people learn to love one another. This means sharing each other’s burdens, praying for each other, and forgiving each other as Christ forgave us. It is impossible to live out the truths of scripture when we are not connected in a real biblical community. Community Groups are not just a place where like-minded friends gather together but rather a place for everyone to belong despite different backgrounds and personalities. Community Groups should seek to be inclusive by inviting new people into their fellowship and strive to make sure no one is left out. Community Groups are also the primary place for shepherding and care to happen among group members, when an individual in the group has a need the group seeks to meet the need together. When one person is hurting the group gathers together for prayer and encouragement. When one group member goes astray the other group member strives to pull that person back into the fellowship. (Acts 2:42- 47, 1 Thessalonians 5:11)

How can you practice this in your group?

  • Practice hospitality and care for one another in practical ways (prayer, meals, service) (Mark 12:30-31, 1 Thessalonians 2:8)
  • Encourage each other and build fellowship by sharing testimonies (Psalm 22:22, 1 John 1:1-3).
  • Write encouraging notes to other group members throughout the week.
  • Invite disconnected people into your group so they can experience the power of biblical community.
  • Get together with other group members outside of the regular scheduled gathering times. Have fun together - go see a movie, watch a ballgame, go shopping, or play golf. Deep relationships are formed when people are a part of your normal everyday life.
  • Follow up with people that haven’t been to your group or that you haven’t seen at church in recent weeks.
  • Engaging in discipleship Huddles (2 Timothy 2:2, Hebrews 10:24-25)

How is your group doing?

1 - Never/Terrible // 10 - Always/Fantastic

My group has been proactive in recruiting new people to join our group in the past six months.12345678910
My group has met the practical needs of other group members by delivering meals, praying for one another, and/or meeting other needs.12345678910
My group is genuinely growing in their love for one another, which is seen in the amount of time they spend together outside of group gatherings.12345678910
The members in my group are consistent in attending our group gatherings and when people do miss they know that they were missed.12345678910

What are some practical things you could do as the group leader to help your group members BELONG in a deeper way?

Become all that God created them to be

Community Groups are not just a place where friendships are developed but your group is one of the primary tools that God uses for spiritual formation. In our culture we are bombarded with the abundance of information but often we fail to act on the information that we have received. Spiritual maturity is not determined by that amount of information you know, but rather, by how well we live in obedience to what we know. Your group is a place where people can confess sin, be challenged, and find accountability to live out the truths of God’s word. When we understand that God wants to use your group in this way we move past surface level Christianity and develop deep roots in our faith. (Ephesians 4:11-32)

How can you practice this in your group?

  • During group gatherings don’t settle for surface level answers, but challenge group members to be vulnerable. In order for group members to be vulnerable the group leaders must set an example of healthy vulnerability.
  • At the end of each group ask your group members what they are going to “do” to put the truth discussed into action. Write these action steps down and at the next meeting ask how each group member is doing with putting their faith into action. (James 2:14-26)
  • Challenge your group members to practice spiritual disciplines (scripture reading, prayer, fasting, silence, solitude, journaling, etc.) together. Practicing these disciplines will transform your life and the life of your group members.
  • Challenge your group to be generous with the time, treasures, and talents.
  • Engaging in discipleship Huddles to go deeper in your relationship with the Lord. (2 Timothy 2:2, Hebrews 10:24-25)

How is your group doing?

1 - Never/Terrible // 10 - Always/Fantastic

My group has a healthy level of vulnerability. People feel safe to share about the struggles and difficulties they are facing.12345678910
My group strives to put truth into action and we hold one another accountable for the things the Lord has spoken to us.12345678910
My group strives to practice spiritual disciplines together in an effort to kill sinful tendencies and pursue a holy life.12345678910
There are a number of people in my group that have developed more intentional “huddle” relationships for more accountability and confession of sin.12345678910

What are some practical things you could do as the group leader to help your group members BECOME all that God wants them to be?

Build the local and global Church

A Community Group has a defined and shared mission. In other words, we are a family on God’s mission together. Our shared mission is made up of a neighborhood or a network of people. For example: neighbors who live on your block or in your school district, young families with kids, single parents, coaches, college students, or recovering addicts. This mission is a blessing to be a part of, as we get to participate in God’s redemptive work in people’s lives. (Matthew 28:18-20; 2 Corinthians 5:20) How can you practice this in your group?

  • Praying for people by name that don’t have a relationship with Jesus.
  • Challenge your group members to share their faith by asking about how many spiritual conversations your members have had the previous week.
  • Have different roles that people can fill within the group, this allows for everyone to use their gifts to build up the group and make sure people are cared for.
  • Invite new people to your Community Group. Allowing the Gospel to be seen and heard in community is powerful and can help people see the joy of worshiping Jesus (John 13:35)
  • Care for your neighbors in practical ways. Plan and organize service projects or events that meet a need in your community. (i.e. Organize a truck-or-treat, meal train for a family, or playground pick up) (Mark 12:30-31, 1 Thessalonians 2:8)
  • Serve together at least once a semester outside of your regular group meeting for the benefit of the local or global community.
  • Meet new people by participating in existing community events that have been organized by neighborhood groups, non-profits, or businesses (i.e. Jazz on the Green). Jesus regularly attended community events (i.e. John 10:22-30)

How is your group doing?

1 - Never/Terrible // 10 - Always/Fantastic

My group has a list of people that we pray for regularly that need to surrender their life to Jesus.12345678910
My group is consistently sharing stories of how we have been used by the Lord to expand his Kingdom.12345678910
My group regularly serves together in ministry opportunities outside of the church.12345678910
My group is outward focused and it is very common for new people to attend our group.12345678910
In my group we have new people that are taking leadership roles inside and outside the group to build the local and global church.12345678910
My group has an apprentice leader that is being trained to launch a new group in the near future.12345678910

What are some practical things you could do as the group leader to help your group members BUILD the local and global Church?

LEADERSHIP TEAMS

Community Groups are the primary context in which we hope to make disciples, build those individuals into maturing leaders, and experience a Gospel-centered community. Because of the different giftings needed to maximize the impact of a Community Group, we believe in shared leadership. Strive to have people within your group to be serving in roles that are suitable for the spiritual gifts that they possess. These roles can stay consistent over the entire semester or you can switch roles weekly to allow more people to be involved in leadership.

But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, yet one body.

(1 Corinthians 12:18-20)

Group Facilitator

Read the discussion questions to the group and keep the conversation going. The facilitator should work to get “pinball” (conversation hits every group member) rather than “ping-pong” conversation (ball always returns to the leader). Demonstrate how to both contribute and listen in a helpful way.

Host

Opens up their home to provide a place where the group can meet together and experience hospitality. The host should ensure that everyone in the group feels welcomed and that new group members feel included in the group.

Apprentice

Assists the facilitator or host in leading the group. The apprentice should lead the group in the absence of the facilitator and/or host. The apprentice should get experience leading so that they can lead a new group in the future. Groups should always be looking for ways to multiply and send out new leaders.

Time Keeper

Monitor how long your group spends on each discussion question and encourage them to move on when reasonable (unless life changing things are being shared). The time keeper is making sure that the group honors each other’s time and ensures they make time at the end for action steps and prayer.

Prayer Person

Keep track of all the prayer requests that are mentioned within the group (and throughout the week) and share them with all group members. The prayer person should also ensure that the group is spending time praying for one another during the group meetings.

Connector

Have people share contact information as the weeks go by to stay in touch throughout the week. The connector should setup group messaging using text messaging of the Church at the Grove app. The connector should also make sure that group members that are missing are followed up with.

Serve Coordinator

Helps organize the group to serve in the community together. The serve coordinator should look for opportunities and organize the details so the group can serve together outside their normal gathering. There should be at least one opportunity for the group to serve together each semester.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF ALL COMMUNITY GROUPS

  • Develop future CG leaders by regularly delegating responsibility, evaluating results and investing in their character.
  • Oversee and facilitate childcare for the group.
  • Take attendance for your group gatherings and enter it into Planning Center in a timely manner.
  • Regular communication (phone, email, meeting) with a Community Group Pastor.
  • Coordinate and communicate Community Group gatherings and events.
  • Participate in church-wide Community Group leader or membership meetings.
  • Participate in regular coaching meetings.
  • Cast vision for church-wide events and/or needs (retreats, service projects, etc.).
  • Monitor the spiritual health of your group and prayerfully consider changes that can be made to help your group grow individually and collectively.

Keeping in Touch

Periodically you will receive an email asking for you to report on how your group is going. These reports are to better help us assist you in leading your group and make us aware of any issues that your group might have. We will ask you to report on the following areas:

  • Notes - Give a quick summary of what happens during group time.
  • What is going well - Let us know what you are praising God for or how we can celebrate with you!
  • What is difficult - Tell us about any challenges you are experiencing. Maybe you have an overtalker, or people are consistently late, child care issues, etc. Keep us in the loop so we can support and resource you well as a leader
  • Prayer Requests - Share how we can specifically pray for you as the leader and for your group.

CURRICULUM

At Church at the Grove, we believe that what is taught in our community groups matters deeply. Scripture calls us to “hold on to the pattern of sound teaching” (2 Timothy 1:13), and we take that responsibility seriously. As group leaders, you are not just facilitating discussion—you are helping shape hearts, minds, and lives around God’s truth.

That’s why we place a high value on biblical, Christ-centered, and doctrinally sound curriculum. We want every conversation in our groups to be rooted in Scripture and aligned with the beliefs and mission of our church.

We have provide a list of recommended curriculum (see below)* that has been reviewed and approved by our leadership. These resources are designed to equip you to lead with confidence, knowing you are pointing people toward truth.

We also welcome fresh ideas. If you have other curriculum or study suggestions that you believe would benefit your group, please bring them to one of our elders for review and approval before introducing them to your group. This ensures that we stay unified in teaching and faithful to the gospel.

Our goal is not just to fill time in group meetings, but to form disciples who know, love, and live God’s Word.

Curriculum Guides

We have created a catalog of approved curriculum that follows our believe, belong, become, and build framework. This list is obviously not exhaustive but is a good start in getting your group moving in the right direction. When picking a curriculum please consider the needs of your group and the season the members of your group are currently in.

Believe

Belong

  • Practicing the Way - John Mark Comer LINK RIGHTNOW MEDIA
  • When the Church Becomes a Family - Joseph Hellerman LINK
  • Life Together - Dietrich Bonhoeffer LINK
  • Emotionally Healthy Relationships - Pete Scazzero LINK
  • Find Your People - Jennie Allen (V, RN) LINK RIGHTNOW MEDIA
  • Made for People - Justin Whitmel Earley LINK
  • Books of the Bible
    • Acts
    • Galatians
    • Ephesians
    • Colossians
    • Philippians
    • 1 John

Become

  • Practicing the Way - John Mark Comer LINK RIGHTNOW MEDIA
  • Beholding - Strahan Coleman LINK
  • Beautiful Resistance - Jon Tyson LINK
  • Celebration of the Disciplines - Richard Foster LINK
  • Emotionally Healthy Spirituality - Pete Scazzero LINK
  • The Common Rule - Justin Whitmel Earley LINK
  • Victory over the Darkness - Neil T. Anderson LINK
  • Bondage Breakers - Neil T. Anderson LINK
  • Deeply Formed Life - Rich Villodas LINK
  • The Armor of God - Pricilla Shirer LINK
  • Spiritual Disciples:
    • Prayer
      • Circle Maker - Mark Batterson LINK
      • Pray like Monks, Live like Fools - Tyler Staton LINK
      • Hearing God - Dallas Willard LINK
      • A Praying Life - Paul Miller LINK
      • Practicing the Way: Prayer Practice - John Mark Comer LINK
      • Praying with Jesus - Adriel Sanchez LINK
    • Scripture
    • Sabbath/Solitude
      • Sabbath as Resistance - Walter Brueggemann LINK
      • The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry - John Mark Comer (V, RN) LINK RIGHTNOW MEDIA
      • Breathe - Pricilla Shirer (V) LINK
      • Practicing the Way: Sabbath or Solitude Practice - John Mark Comer LINK
    • Generosity and Finance
      • Financial Peace University - Dave Ramsey LINK
      • Crown Biblical Financial Study - Crown Financial LINK
      • The Treasure Principal - Randy Alcorn (V, RN) LINK RIGHTNOW MEDIA
      • Practicing the Way: Generosity - John Mark Comer LINK RIGHTNOW MEDIA
    • Fasting
  • Books of the Bible
    • Romans
    • 1 & 2 Corinthians
    • 1 & 2 Timothy
    • Hebrews
    • 1 & 2 Peter

Build

  • The Gospel Comes with a Housekey - Rosaria Butterfield LINK RIGHTNOW MEDIA
  • Strengthening the Soul of Leadership - Ruth Haley Barton LINK
  • Miracle Work - Jordan Seng LINK
  • Live Like a Missionary - Jeff Iorg LINK
  • BLESS - Dave Ferguson LINK
  • Radical - David Platt LINK
  • The Overcomer - Matt Chandler LINK RIGHTNOW MEDIA
  • Bible Studies
    • Acts
    • Nehemiah
    • Jonah
    • Micah
    • James
    • Revelation

Men

Women

  • Discerning God’s Voice - Pricilla Shirer LINK
  • Disciplines of a Godly Woman - Barbara Hughes LINK
  • Get Out of Your Head - Jennie Allen (V, RN) LINK RIGHTNOW MEDIA
  • Untangle Your Emotions - Jennie Allen (V, RN) LINK RIGHTNOW MEDIA
  • Women of the Word - Jen Wilkins LINK

Marriage

Sermon Application Guides

At Church at the Grove, we believe that what followers of Jesus need is not more information but rather to live out what has already been taught. We don’t have an information problem but an application problem. This is why our community groups do not exist to do more in-depth Bible studies but rather they exist to have people engage relationally to practice the way of Jesus together.

Each week our pastors and leaders will develop an application guide for your group to use. These guides are not meant to just recap the sermon but to process how you and your group members can apply the truths to your life.

The best way to use these guides is to think of them as a funnel. You start broad to connect with everyone in your group and help generate conversation. The connect and check-in questions are vital in your group, do not gloss over these questions. As the group progresses the questions will become more detail-oriented and application focused. The questions are a guide, not the rule; if you feel like the Lord is leading the conversation in a different direction, follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Be sure each group ends with concrete actions steps and spends time praying for one another.

These guides can be found in the Church at the Grove App. Go to the “Media” tab, click on the correct campus and then pick series and sermon that you will be discussing. You should see a link to the application guide there.

RightNow Media

We have a new resource that is available to all of our groups to utilize, Rightnow Media. Rightnow Media is the Netflix of Bible studies and is a great tool that can be used if your group would like to do a particular study. If your group chooses to use Rightnow Media in your group please let us know and we can make sure that all your group members have access to the Rightnow Media library. You can also create a free account by going to this link: https://churchatthegrove.com/rightnow

Other Resources

HOW TO SHARE YOUR TESTIMONY

Each of us has a story to tell how Jesus came into our lives, saved us from our sin, and called us to Himself. Sharing our story is important because it helps us move from strangers to family. All of our stories are different, but there is one enemy: Satan and the effects of sin; and one hero: JESUS. When we hear other testimonies, we see just how much we have in common in the saving work of Jesus Christ! We encourage our group leaders to share their stories towards the beginning of each semester and have other group members share throughout the course of the semester.

Use the 3 sections and questions below to help you write out your story.

1. Before I Accepted Christ (or gave Him complete control)

  • What was my life like that will relate most to the non-Christian?
  • What did my life revolve around the most? Where did I find my security and happiness? (The non-Christian is relying on something external to give him happiness)
  • How did those areas begin to let me down?

2. How I Received Christ (or gave Him complete control)

  • When was the first time I heard the gospel?
  • What were my initial reactions?
  • When did my attitude begin to turn around? Why?
  • What were the final struggles that went through my mind just before I accepted Christ?
  • Why did I go ahead and accept Christ?

3. After I Accepted Christ (or gave Him complete control)

  • Specific changes and examples of the changes Christ has made.
  • Why am I motivated differently?

Helpful Hint

  • Write the way you speak; make the testimony yours.
  • Practice this over and over until it becomes natural.
  • Keep it short – 2-3 minutes. At that length, it's easily something you can put into a conversation without it becoming a monologue.

HOW TO S.O.A.P

When you have your daily time with God, use SOAP to help you think through what you’re reading.

Scripture

Copy down the verse or verses that stuck out the most. When reading, ask: Who is the author? Who is in the passage? What happened before and after this passage? What things are repeated or emphasized? Then summarize the passage in your own words.

Observation

Write down what you noticed. How do you think the author wants his audience to respond? What does it reveal about mankind? What does it reveal about God? How does this point to Jesus and the Gospel? Write down thoughts, feelings, questions, or ideas that come to mind.

Application

How can you apply what you learned? What thoughts or attitudes do you need to turn from? What truths about the Gospel do you need to believe? Getting practical with the Bible helps it come alive in your life.

Prayer

Write a prayer to God based on what you just learned and ask Him to help you apply this truth in your life.

EXAMPLE OF SOAP

Scripture: John 15:1-11

“I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). Jesus and His disciples are celebrating a final Passover Feast before Jesus is arrested and crucified. Jesus is teaching about abiding in Him and bearing fruit.

Observation: We don’t naturally abide in Jesus so He commands us to abide. Following this command is not burdensome, but actually for our benefit. Jesus is the true vine and if we abide in Him we will bear fruit. The fruit we bear is glorifying to God. Jesus says that He taught all of this so that His joy would be in us. The joy Jesus gives is full, complete, and better than any other joy.

Application: How am I abiding in Jesus? In this passage “abide” is such an intimate word; to always remain in Jesus. What are ways I can remain in Jesus? Jesus says I will abide in Him if I keep His commandments, but am I actually doing that? Abiding in Jesus allows me to experience the fullness of joy that Jesus has for me. I can continue to abide in Him through developing a deeper prayer life, and reading the Bible to actually connect with Jesus instead of doing it just to look smart in front of my friends.

Prayer: Jesus, thank You for saving me! Please always remind me of how amazing Your Gospel is. I confess that most of the time I would rather do my own thing than abide in You. I try to look good for others and that only steals more of my joy in You. Teach me more about what it means to abide in You and I pray that abiding in You would result in great fruit for Your glory!

HOW TO USE SOAP IN HUDDLES

Each member of your Huddle will SOAP throughout the week. Then have members share one or two things they heard from God. Ask and share with each other how you are going to obey what God spoke to you. Have members confess sin that may have surfaced and talk about what repentance would look like then pray as a group.

HUDDLES

WHAT ARE THEY?

Huddles are an extension of Sunday morning gatherings and Community Groups. They are a place where 2-3 people of the same gender gather on their own time to pursue Jesus together.

WHY ARE THEY IMPORTANT?

A Huddle is a place to be known by others in such a way that you can be completely honest with your joys and struggles, confess sin, speak the truth of the Gospel to one another, and point each other to Christ!

You will do four things every week:

HEAR & OBEY

Each person shares what they have been reading (SOAPing) in the Bible and what they have been hearing from God. Then share how you can obey God from what you learned from the Bible. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

ENCOURAGE & CELEBRATE

Take turns calling out the greatest in each other. This is a great way to celebrate how you’ve seen God work in each other’s lives and encourage each other how everyone is growing in Christ. (Hebrews 3:13)

REPENT & BELIEVE

We all sin and we all need to repent of that sin. Each person shares how you have sinned against God this past week (the accountability questions below can help with this) and then repent (turn) from your sin. But then spend time speaking out loud the good news of Jesus’ work for us! Hearing the Gospel spoken aloud to each other enables us to believe. (James 5:16)

PRAY

Share with each other your joys and struggles. Also talk about how your conversations are going with your non-believing friends. Plan how you can share Jesus with them and weave them into your community or Community Group. Then pray for them by name for God to save them. (1 Timothy 2:4)

ACCOUNTABILITY QUESTIONS FOR HUDDLES

Not every question has to be asked, but be as thorough as necessary. A Huddle is a safe, honest, vulnerable, and confidential space.

  • How has your anger or fear or anxiety or addiction shown up this week? How does that reveal what you’re trusting in besides God? What truth or promise of the Gospel do you need to hear and believe to trust in God again?
  • In light of God’s love toward you, do you need to reconcile with somebody? Are you subconsciously holding a grudge?
  • How has the Holy Spirit been growing you this week? Did you respond in faith or grumbling?
  • How have you felt yourself resisting to obey God this week: in your mission OUT to the lost? In your sacrificial love for community?
  • How have you battled sexual or intimacy temptation and how are you preparing to deal with it next week?
  • Is there anything (school, work, technology, etc.) isolating you from important relationships?
  • (your own personalized question)
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