Grace Group Guide
Growing in Grace and Watching Over One Another in Love · McPherson First United Methodist Church · July 5, 2026
This week in worship. Our church is in a worship series called The Gospel on Stage and Screen. Come join us this Sunday, July 5, though your group works great on its own. Worship is at 8:30 and 10:15 AM, or online at mcphersonfirst.org.
What Is a Grace Group?
A Grace Group is six to eight people who meet about an hour each week to grow in faith and care for one another. There is no homework and nothing to prepare. We talk honestly, ask a few questions, and pray. You only need to show up and be honest, and everyone is welcome.
A Methodist Way of Making Disciples
Grace Groups recover one of the oldest Methodist practices. Almost three hundred years ago, John Wesley gathered Methodists into small weekly groups that asked one another, “How is it with your soul?” and watched over one another in love. A Grace Group is that same way of making disciples, brought back for today.
Want to read more about this way of making disciples? The Class Meeting by Kevin Watson, and Calling on Fire by Ashley Boggan and Chris Heckert.
The Five Promises
Our five membership promises are also a simple way to talk about our faith journey:
Prayers: connecting with God through prayer, scripture, and listening
Presence: showing up for worship and the life of the church
Gifts: giving to support the church’s mission
Service: finding where you are called to serve
Witness: sharing your faith in word and action
Your Hour Together
Everything for your hour together. The times are a guide, not a rule.
Our Covenant 0 min
Each time we meet, we say yes to these together.
Show up. Come each week. The group needs you.
Be honest. This is a place to be real, not to put on a show.
Keep it private. What is said here stays here. That makes honesty safe.
Give everyone space. Don’t take all the time. Let everyone share.
We Begin 2 min
We’ll begin with a moment of quiet, and then we’ll pray together.
Seeking God, you search for each of us and call us by name, and we are precious to you. Quiet our hearts, open our ears, and free us to be honest with one another. By your Spirit, meet us in this hour as we watch over one another in love. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Getting to Know One Another 5 min
We’ll go around the circle. Share your name, then pick one of these to answer.
What is your go-to comfort food?
What is a hidden talent or odd skill you have?
The Three Questions
These three questions are the heart of our time. We’ll move through them in order, and everyone gets a turn. The smaller questions underneath are just to help, and there are no wrong answers.
Soul Tending. How is your faith journey going? 10 min
When did you last feel close to God?
What is harder to believe than it used to be, or easier?
Now we’ll notice where God has been showing up.
God Sightings. Where do you see God at work in your life? 25 min
Where have you seen God in someone else’s life?
What everyday moment felt holy?
Now we’ll name what we want to hand to God.
Growing in Grace. What challenge are you giving to God? 40 min
What fear or worry needs God’s help?
What do you want to be different a month from now?
Connect Back (optional, only if time allows): anyone may briefly name something they heard today that stayed with them. Keep it short, for connection, not advice.
We Close 55 min
We’ll keep a few moments of quiet now, space to allow what you shared and heard, and how God has been speaking, to settle in your soul, so you can carry it into the days ahead.
. . . a few moments of silence . . .
Faithful God, thank you for this time and for the people around this circle. Hold what we have shared, and help us trust that we are found and treasured by you in the days ahead. We trust that your love goes ahead of us. By your Spirit, shape us more into the likeness of Christ. Amen.
McPherson First United Methodist Church · mcphersonfirst.org/gracegroups