What is a LIFE GROUP?
We believe the Christian life is best lived in the context of community. In a Life Group, you will find a place to connect with other Christians, study God’s Word, and encourage one another as you pray, care and share life together.
Groups generally meet weekly or biweekly for 1.5 to 2 hours on different days and at different times.
Home Life Groups are located throughout the greater Modesto area, including Ceres, Manteca, Ripon, and Riverbank.
Most groups have a regular time of fellowship, Bible study and prayer with occasional opportunities for community service or just having fun together.
Joining a LIFE GROUP
We would love to help you find community!
Please complete this short INTEREST FORM, and a member of our team will call and help you get connected with a group.
Become a LEADER
Interested in becoming a LIFE GROUP leader?
Please complete this short INTEREST FORM, and a member of our team will contact you soon.
RESOURCES
Current Message Series
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
*These questions are specific to Modesto campus. To see Ceres questions, click here.
PASSAGES: Philippians 3:1-9
REAL PEOPLE: Paul
April 26/27, 2025
1. Paul left a lot of footprints for us to follow. Name 2 or 3 other early Christian “giants” that left similar footprints. Why do you consider them to be Christian “giants” in history?
2. Paul spent over 20 years on his missionary journey, covered over 10,500 miles, and walked over 155,000,000 steps. How many miles have you covered in your “Journey for the Lord?” Where are some areas that it has taken you to? (If you live to be eighty, you will have taken over 216,000,000 footsteps.)
3. Have you ever struggled with thinking that you had something “great to offer” for your salvation?
4. Besides baptism and communion, name 5–10 other great commandments the Lord has given us to do and follow. For a start, go to Romans chapter 12.
5. How would you share the Gospel with a very “religious person”— someone who believes that how they are living and what they are doing will land them into heaven someday? What scriptures would you share with them?
6. We are “sincere” about many things in our lives. Where have you been sincere about something only to find out later that you were “sincerely wrong?”
7. When Paul was converted, he LOST his RELGION! Explain what that phrase means.
8. Name some ways that GOOD FOOTPRINTS left in life can INSPIRE a person.
9. Name some ways that BAD FOOTPRINTS left in life will DISCOURAGE a person.
10. How can an individual know they are “walking worthy” of the Lord?
PASSAGES: Genesis 4
REAL PEOPLE: Cain
May 3/4, 2025
Read Genesis chapter 4 out loud together as a group.
1. How has God provided help to you in your life? v.1
2. How have you offered something to God in worship? v.3-5
3. What has been the greatest expression of anger in your life? v.5-6
4. In what ways have you felt the desire to be accepted? v.7
5. How has sin caught you by surprise? v.7
6. Describe a moment when anger influenced your actions. v.8-9
7. How does the “image of God” inform your relationships? v.10
8. What consequences have you experienced from sin? v.11-14
9. What revenge do you need to release to God? v.15
10. How has God shown you mercy? v.16
11. What generational sins have impacted your family? v.17-24
12. What ways have you experienced restoration? v.25
13. How do you personally call upon the Lord? v.26
PASSAGES: Matthew 15:21-28
REAL PEOPLE: The Canaanite Woman
May 10/11, 2025
Read Matthew 15:21-28 out loud together as a group.
1. What words and/or phrases stand out to you in this passage?
2. If you were the Canaanite woman, how would you have acted similarly?
Differently? And why?
3. What is your reaction to Jesus’ response(s)? The disciples?
4. Why do you think Jesus tested her faith in this way? What does
her persistence teach us?
5. Jesus commends her faith in the end. What makes her faith so
remarkable?
6. Have you ever felt like God was silent or distant in response to your
prayers? How does this story encourage you?
7. How can we demonstrate the same kind of humble, yet bold, faith in
our own lives?
8. Are there any “barriers” today that keep you from approaching Jesus?
If so, what are they?
9. What can we learn about praying for others from the Canaanite
woman’s pleas for her daughter?
10. What is one thing that we would like others in the group to be praying
for on our behalf?
PASSAGES: Genesis 12:1-4
REAL PEOPLE: Abraham & Sarah
May 17/18, 2025
Read Genesis chapter 12:1-4; 15 out loud together as a group.
1. How has God called you to leave a previous place of comfort? 12:1
2. Share an example of how God brought you into a new place. 12:1
3. What did you see, feel, and discover in a new place? 12:1
4. How has God brought transformation into your life? 12:2
5. How do you now have the capacity to bless other people? 12:2
6. Describe a time when others reacted negatively to your faith. 12:3
7. Explain a specific decision that you have made to obey God. 12:4
8. How have you experienced fear in following God’s plan? 15:1
9. What questions do you have about God’s plan for your life? 15:2
10. What obstacles are preventing you from trusting God? 15:3
PASSAGES: Psalm 139
REAL PEOPLE: David
May 24/25, 2025
Read Psalm 139 and Matthew 5:2-8 out loud together as a group.
1. What does a deep relationship with God look like?
2. Am I willing to confess to God the exact nature of my entire life?
Psalm 139:1-6; Matthew 5:3
3. Am I willing to confess to God the specific ways that I have avoided
Him? Psalm 139:7-10; Matthew 5:4
4. Am I willing to confess to God the ways that I have tried to control
myself and others? Psalm 139:11-12; Matthew 5:5
5. Am I willing to confess to God the various ways that I have denied
my God-given identity? Psalm 139:13-18; Matthew 5:6
6. Am I willing to confess to God the times that I have been judgmental
and condemning? Psalm 139:19-22; Matthew 5:7
7. Am I willing to confess to God all of my sin so that I can live free and
forgiven in Jesus Christ? Psalm 139:23-24; Matthew 5:8
8. What could you share about your relationship with God?
Past Message Series
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
PASSAGES: John 6:1-59
THE LIFE OF JESUS
1. Read John 6:9-14.
What was the purpose behind all of the miracles that Jesus performed?
2. Read John 6:25-29.
What kind of response did Jesus want from the people he ministered to?
3. Read John 14:8-11.
What did Jesus want people to see as they looked at his life?
4. Read Matthew 6:16-18.
How did Jesus’ teaching challenge the way people thought about their relationship with God?
5. The Jewish people expected that the Messiah would restore the land by taking the Kingdom of Israel back from the Romans, but instead he promised us a new land (Heaven). Read Luke 19:11. How did this parable change their perspective on the Kingdom of God?
6. The Jewish people expected that the Messiah would become a new high priest and restore the temple, but instead Jesus made our bodies the temple of the Holy Spirit. Read Mark 13:1-2. How do you think the disciples would have reacted to what Jesus said here?
7. The Jewish people expected that the Messiah would become the new King to rule over Israel, but instead Jesus was mocked as a “king” even though he is the King of Kings over every nation. Read John 12:12-13. How did people express their understanding of the Messiah in this passage?
8. Read John 6:66-69.
How did different people react to the teachings of Jesus?
9. Read John 4:39-42.
What impact did Jesus’ earthly ministry have on others?
10. Jesus said that he came to seek and save the lost. Ultimately Jesus saved us on the cross through his death and resurrection. Based on the passages you read in this study, how did the life and ministry of Jesus (before going to the cross) help to accomplish his mission?
PASSAGES: Matthew 9:35-38
THE GOOD SHEPHERD
1. What did Jesus see in the people that He came to save?
2. Grace is God giving you something that you did not deserve.
How have you experienced the grace of God in your life?
3. Mercy is God not giving you something that you did deserve.
How have you experienced the mercy of God in your life?
4. Describe the role of a Shepherd.
5. How has God operated like a Shepherd towards you?
6. How does the love of God the Father impact the role of Jesus
as the Good Shepherd?
7. Who are you praying will come to know Jesus this Easter?
8. Who are you inviting to come with you to church this Easter?
Happy Easter!
There are no sermon questions this weekend, but take time to share a little of your testimony and how Christ changed your life.
GROUPS & CLASSES
LOCATE & CHOOSE A LIFE GROUP
If you know which group you wish to join, or you want to join a group based on location or other criteria, start here. Click the “locate & choose” button below. Use the filters or just click on a blue group icon to find out more about each group. Complete the form for the group you wish to join. The leader will contact you within 5 business days. If you haven’t heard from the group leader within one week, please call the church office and ask to speak with the Life Groups ministry. We’re here to help!
HELP CHOOSING A GROUP
If you do not know which group you wish to join, let us help! Click the “register here” button below, and fill out the registration form. We will review your preferences, find the groups that fit your needs, and contact you within 72 hours. If you haven’t heard from us within 3 business days, please call the church office and ask to speak with the Life Groups ministry. We’re here to help!
Big Valley Grace
- 4040 Tully Rd. Modesto, CA 95356
- 209-577-1604
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