GROW Groups
GROW groups are designed to help us follow Jesus by strengthening our commitment to three things:
- God and His Word (the Bible),
- Worshipping regularly with the body of Christ, and
- Authentic, Christ-focused relationships.
We do this by meeting in our homes throughout the week to discuss the Sunday sermon. Our groups are varied. Some are focused on a season of life, some offer childcare, some are purposefully mixed in ages but all GROW groups have the purpose of making disciples through long-term, Christ-focused relationships.
What’s behind the name “GROW group”?
What do GROW groups do?
When do GROW groups meet?
How do I join a GROW group?
Why should I join a GROW group?
How long does a GROW group meet?
What is my commitment to the GROW group?
What will we study?
What about child care?
How do I find a GROW group?
The New Testament defines a follower of Jesus in amazing detail. At Bethel, we as a staff took the over 800 descriptions of a Jesus follower in the New Testament and summarized it in the word “GROW”: a Jesus-follower is a God-Lover, Relationship-Builder, Obedient-Follower, and World-Influencer. Download the GROW bookmark with fuller descriptions of these four points.
GROW groups are usually 10-12 people who gather weekly in homes. There’s usually a time for food, a time for Bible study, a time for prayer, and in some groups a time for singing. For the Bible study time, most GROW groups discuss the week’s sermon using the discussion questions printed on the back of the sermon outline. Occasionally, classes are offered at the church building that an entire GROW group may attend with other GROW groups. Most groups participate in service projects and social gatherings together throughout the year.
GROW Groups meet on various days of the week (typically Sunday-Thursday) in homes throughout the Tri-Cities. The times vary but usually average two hours in length.
There are two ways to join a GROW group:
- Search for a group online - you can search based on meeting day and area of town.
- Contact Kelli Templeton. Kelli directs Bethel’s GROW group ministry and is happy to help you find a group.
GROW Groups are the heart of Bethel Church. It is the place where God, the Bible, and Christ-focused relationships intersect as we follow Jesus together. In fact, GROW group participation is a commitment in Bethel’s Membership Covenant.
Each GROW Group quarter lasts ~10 weeks. We have Fall, Winter & Spring quarters. At the end of each quarter, you will have the choice of staying in the same group, trying a new group or taking a class as a group. Most groups stay together throughout the entire school year. Most GROW Groups do not meet mid-June through August.
Joining a GROW Group requires a 10 week commitment to attend weekly meetings and do the homework ahead of time. Obviously, allowances are made for sickness, vacation, work conflicts and other special events, but not much more. This commitment is the key to a strong GROW Group.
Most of the studies are based on the previous weekend’s message. These “sermon-based” GROW Groups require you to attend the weekend service or listen to the sermon on-line, complete the sermon preparation questions available on the sermon outline, and be ready to discuss your answers with the group.
Some groups offer Core Discipleship Curriculum, marriage studies, parenting, or finances for a short season as a study option in lieu of the sermon.
Childcare availability is dependent on the GROW group. Groups designate whether or not children are welcome in their group descriptions. Some groups offer childcare while others do not. Bethel Church has a list of approved childcare workers for GROW groups – contact Karen Phillips for a current list.
Selecting a group is dependent on your needs and schedule. We provide quarterly updates online and in hard-copy brochures of open groups based on day of the week, location, season of life, and whether children are welcome or not. Find a group.
If you have any questions (especially if you are new to Bethel), please don’t hesitate to call Kelli Templeton at 628.0150. Keep in mind that it might take visiting two or three groups before you find an adequate fit.
GROW Group Team:
Kelli Templeton | 509 628-0150
Director, GROW Groups
Kelli has been “raised” at Bethel since the mid-1990s. On Friday nights, Kelli cheers on her husband’s high school football team while sipping a 32-oz diet pepsi.
Karen Phillips | 509 628-0150
Admin Support, GROW Groups
Amber Bruce
GROW Group Curriculum
Jonathan Shradar 509 628-0150
Director, Young Adult Ministry
