What is a LIFE GROUP?
We believe that 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 Ceres campus. To see Modesto questions, click here.
PASSAGES: James 1:22-27; 2:1-13; 3:14-16
REAL PEOPLE: James
April 27, 2025
1. What does it mean when someone says, “That person is real”?
2. Would you define yourself as a “real person?”
3. When you read the stories in the Bible, what do you think about those characters? Do you ever wonder about their lives?
4. Read Acts 4:13 ESV
Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.
5. Ben posed the statement, “Jesus makes us ‘genuine!’ He makes us real!” What do you think of that statement?
6. How does the resurrection change your life? Does it? How did it change the life of James?
7. Read Mark 6:3 ESV
“Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?”
And they took offense at him.
8. Read John 7:1-5 (ESV)
After this Jesus went about in Galilee. He would not go about in Judea, because the Jews were seeking to kill him. 2 Now the Jews’ Feast of Booths was at hand. 3 So his brothers said to him, “Leave here and go to Judea, that your disciples also may see the works you are doing. 4 For no one works in secret if he seeks to be known openly. If you do these things, show yourself to the world.” 5 For not even his brothers believed in him.
9. Read Mark 3:21 ESV
And when his family heard it, they went out to seize him, for they were saying, “He is out of his mind.”
10. What do you think James experienced growing up? What may have been different or similar to your family dynamics?
11. Read 1 Corinthians 15:1-8 ESV
Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, 2 and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. 3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.
12. Why does Paul specifically say Jesus appeared to James? Is there a reason?
Ben said from the book and life of James, we can learn to be real in two ways. Of course, these are not the only ways, but he only focused on two but due to time
13. In who/what we worship
Time, talents, and treasures
a. What do you worship?
b. How would you define worship?
c. Who or what would others close to you say you worship?
d. Read James 2:1-13, 3:14-16 (ESV)
What do you think when you read these verses?
e. Pastor Ben said these all hover around the sin of idolatry.
Do you agree/disagree?
14. How we live/love!
God/People
a. How does what we worship affect how we live and love?
b. Read Matthew 22:37-40 ESV
And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40 On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”
Read James 1:22 ESV
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
Why might we have you read these two verses right after another?
c. Who do you have a hard time loving? Why? Is it them/is it you?
d. Read James 1:26-27 ESV
If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless. 27 Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.
Read Matthew 25:34-36 ESV
“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’”
e. Who are the “least of these” in your life that you need to love?
f. Lastly, what needs to happen in your life to be genuine, to be who God says you are?
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.
Past Message Series
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
PASSAGES: 2 Timothy 2:1-2
PASS IT ON | Week #1
1. When you look at a person, do you see the potential for multiple generations of Jesus disciples?
2. How have you been strengthened by God’s grace?
3. In what environments are you hearing the Word of God shared?
4. In what environments are you personally sharing the Word of God?
5. Who has been an example to you of faithfully following Jesus?
PASSAGES: Ephesians 5:18-33
PASS IT ON | Week #2
1. Do you consider singing to be the key to worshiping together? Which is more important to you, singing from the heart or singing well? Explain your answer.
2. What are some practical ways you could submit to other Christians?
3. Why is it important to think about the role of the Spirit when discussing marriage?
4. What does it mean to be “filled with the Spirit”? What are the effects of this?
5. Why do some react negatively to Paul’s instruction to wives? How would you answer their objections to the concept of “submitting”?
6. How does the illustration of marriage as a picture of Christ and the church give purpose and hope for marriage?
7. How is a husband called to love his wife?
8. How might a husband display “sacrificial love” practically?
9. How might a husband display “sanctifying love” practically?
10. Stop and pray for your own marriage or for the marriage of others.
PASSAGES: Luke 10:25-37
PASS IT ON | Week #3
1. Have you ever passed up an opportunity to show someone mercy?
2. When you see someone in need, do you ever have a hard time empathizing with them?
3. What are the ways you can practically help someone who is in need in our community?
4. What resources can you have readily available to help others?
5. Do you find it difficult to humbly serve others who are different from you?
6. What would it look like for you to befriend someone who needs Jesus but is totally different from you when it comes to their beliefs, lifestyle, and values?
7. Is there anyone in your life right now that you need to show mercy to?
8. What would it look like for you to go above and beyond in showing care to someone else?
9. Is there anyone you’ve shown mercy to that you need to reengage now and check on?
10. If being a neighbor to someone else opens the door for you to share about Jesus, are you prepared and equipped to do that?
PASSAGES: Ephesians 4:1-16
PASS IT ON | Week #4
1. Why is unity important in a local church? Describe a typical church that models unity and one that demonstrates division.
2. What do all believers share in common? What should all believers pursue?
3. How can you grow in Christ-like character?
4. How are believers different? Is this good or bad?
5. Explain the relationship ascension of Jesus and the distribution of gifts to the church.
6. Explain the relationship between leaders in a local church and the members of a local church.
7. What responsibilities do you have as a member of a local church?
8. Which of the marks of spiritual maturity in Ephesians 4:13-16 impacted you the most?
9. Explain the importance of doctrine for growing in spiritual maturity.
10.How would you describe the health of your local church? Take time right now to pray for your local church.
PASSAGES: Matthew 21:23-22:14; Mark 8:31-38
Sermon: THE CALLING | The Crowd
January 11-12, 2025
Questions for Groups
1. How has Jesus initiated a personal relationship with you?
2. What has been your relationship to authority?
3. How have you made a false promise to God?
4. How have you “changed your mind” and obeyed God?
5. In your life, how have you actively rejected God?
6. How does God act justly when He judges people?
7. How has a relationship with Jesus changed your life?
8. How has repenting of sin brought freedom into your life?
9. What does this Scripture mean?
“If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” Mark 8:34 ESV
10. How is Jesus calling you to follow Him today?
• To request His forgiveness from sin.
• To receive His invitation to salvation.
• To recognize His call to sacrifice.
• To reach those who are willing to be saved.
GROUP QUESTIONS
PASSAGES: Luke 13:10-17; Luke 4:16-21
SERMON: THE CALLING | Individuals
January 18/19, 2025
In this series The Calling, we are teaching in such a way to answer
this question, “How can we as a church make progress in our God-sized
goal of exponential discipleship?” As a starting place, we are observing
how Jesus called four various groups of people, and how it applies to us.
The Calling Teaching Series
Week 1: The Disciples
Week 2: The Crowd
Week 3: Individuals
Week 4: You
This week’s emphasis is a focus on how Jesus called individuals. Consider
how special it is that the God of the Universe, the Creator of all things,
had time to interact with and give attention to a specific individual. This
communicates the loving heart of the Father for each person.
QUESTIONS FOR GROUPS
1. What from Luke 13:10-17; 4:16-21 is speaking to you as an individual?
2. How has God provided freedom in your life?
3. Describe a moment where you had an encounter with God?
4. What work of victory has God performed in your life?
5. What have you been angry about, but later realized you were wrong?
6. How have you experienced spiritual warfare?
7. What does this Scripture mean for you as an individual?
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created
him; male and female he created them. Genesis 1:27 ESV
8. What would it look like to live in the freedom of Jesus Christ?
9. How is Jesus calling you to follow Him today?
10. Who are you calling to be RECONCILED to God?
Name of Individual:
11. How is Jesus calling you to follow Him today?
• Receive the good news of salvation in Jesus
• Experience freedom from bondage to sin
• See the Truth of God’s Word
• Walk in the light of relationship with God
• Worship Jesus Christ as Lord
GROUP QUESTIONS
PASSAGES: Revelation 3:15-22
SERMON: THE CALLING | Jesus is Calling You
January 25/26, 2025
PUT IT DOWN!
Immediately they left their nets and followed him. Matthew 4:20 ESV
1. What are things that you left behind to follow Jesus?
2. Is there anything you still need to leave behind that you’ve been clinging to?
3. How have you learned to depend more on Jesus and less on yourself?
PICK IT UP!
“Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.” Luke 14:27 ESV
4. What have been some of the challenges you have faced as you’ve followed Jesus?
5. What are some hardships you’ve had to bear because of your faith?
6. What blessings have you experienced because you follow Jesus?
PUT IT ON!
And to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4:24 ESV
7. How are you trying to become more like Jesus to those around you?
8. What’s one step you can take to become more like Christ?
9. What is the calling that Jesus is inviting you to today?
PASS IT ON!
10. Jesus has called you and He has called others. Who will you share this with today?
Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.
Revelation 3:20 ESV
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 Ceres
- Meeting: 2701 4th St, Ceres, CA 95307
- Mail: 4040 Tully Rd, Modesto, CA 95356
- 209-577-1604
- Contact