WINTER/SPRING 2020 GROWTH GROUPS
Growth Groups will start the week of January 8th/12th and will end the week of May 6th.
For 2020 our theme as a church is "Life in Jesus." Our goal is to Grow in Grace by discovering, embracing and living according to Jesus' instruction and example.
Please check out this list of groups being offered. Then Register Here.
* Indicates childcare is available
If you have questions, please call the church office (605-692-6671), email the community life team, or check "Request Assistance" on the registration form.
For 2020 our theme as a church is "Life in Jesus." Our goal is to Grow in Grace by discovering, embracing and living according to Jesus' instruction and example.
Please check out this list of groups being offered. Then Register Here.
* Indicates childcare is available
If you have questions, please call the church office (605-692-6671), email the community life team, or check "Request Assistance" on the registration form.
SUNDAYS at 8:45AM
PRAYER: FINDING THE HEART'S TRUE HOME by Richard Foster* - led by Orv Smidt and David Sheppard - ROOM 200
Coming to prayer is like coming home, says Richard Foster. "Nothing feels more right, more like what we are created to be and to do. Yet at the same time we are confronted with great mysteries. Who hasn't struggled with the puzzle of unanswered prayer? Who hasn't wondered how a finite person can commune with the infinite Creator of the universe? Who hasn't questioned whether prayer isn't merely psychological manipulation after all? We do our best, of course, to answer these knotty questions but when all is said and done, there is a sense in which these mysteries remain unanswered and unanswerable . . . At such times we must learn to become comfortable with the mystery."
Orv is a 34-year veteran of the U.S. Army and loves the Jackrabbits. David has farmed for 40 years. He loves spending time with his 11 grandchildren and playing pickleball. Orv and Dave have been leading together for over 6 years. They love engaging the class with ice breakers so that everyone gets a chance to know each other.
MEN’S LEADERSHIP GROUP* - led by Bruce Burckhardt - ROOM 210
Drawing on the wisdom of strong accomplished leaders, this group will help make men stronger Christian leaders in their homes, workplaces, church and environment. Be prepared to be challenged once you join this group.
Bruce loves God, good food, grandkids and, of course, his beautiful wife. He is a business owner and is always pushing himself to learn more about leadership.
ANOINTED, TRANSFORMED, REDEEMED: A Study of David (women’s group)* - led by Cynthia Sheppard - ROOM 220
Explore the life of David in this Bible study. Each lesson focuses on the life of David at a different stage: as a young man, as a middle-aged man, and as a man facing the final third of his life. You’ll laugh, cry, and learn to love God with this group.
Cynthia Sheppard is a former teacher who loves meeting weekly with other women. She is a sports enthusiast who loves following the activities of her 11 grandchildren.
SUNDAYS at 10AM
BIBLE IN A YEAR* - led by Gregg Carlson - ROOM 210
One in five Americans, LifeWay Research found, has read through the Bible at least once. The two main reasons that are often given for not reading the Bible are that it is too hard to understand and that there just is not enough time in the day, we are too busy. This group will help. Spending 1 hour together each Sunday morning or Wednesday night for a year, you will be guided through every page of the Bible. After a time of reading the Bible together, and receiving some basic tools and resources, you should be well on your way to being a Bible student and daily Bible reader.
This is the 15th year that Gregg has led “Through the Bible in a Year” at GracePoint. He began attending GracePoint and leading groups in 1969. In his spare time he studies Scripture, runs a sawmill and does CNC woodworking.
BIBLE STUDY* - led by Tom Delaney - ROOM 120
This group starts off with a challenging question, thought, or quote, then studies different verses of the Bible each week.
Married for almost 39 years, Tom & his wife, Deb, have 7 children. Tom is a certified teacher, loves reading, and writing poetry. He has attended GracePoint for 17 years.
BIBLE STUDY (MEN'S GROUP)* - led by Todd Intermill - ROOM 150
Todd has attended GracePoint since the late 1960s, and has been leading men’s classes for the last decade. He grain farms with his wife, Wendy, in the Colman area. They have 2 daughters and 3 foster daughters, all adults now. Todd is enthusiastic about understanding Scripture, learning how to read it, and using it in your daily life.
TUESDAYS
9:00AM – GOD OF COVENANT by Jen Wilkin (women’s group)* - led by Lisa Boulais - Room 220
There are no minor characters in the story of God. Beginning with Genesis 12, walk alongside the fathers of our faith—Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph—to discern Jesus in the stories of His people. Over 10 sessions, discover how God orchestrates everything for His glory and the good of His people, and see how the God of creation and covenant is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
Lisa lives on a lake and loves spending time there with her friends and family, including 2 grandchildren. She has attended GracePoint for 21 years.
7:00PM – SEAMLESS by Angie Smith (women’s group) - led by Nicole Gertken - Home Group (east side of Brookings)
Seamless covers the people, places, and promises of the Bible, showing group members how the entire Bible - from Genesis through Revelation - connects as one beautiful, seamless thread. Each week of study features key information that ties all of Scripture together into the seamless truth of the gospel message.
We are a group of ladies in all stages of life, looking to deepen our relationship with Christ and each other. Nicole works as a First-Year Academic Advisor at SDSU.
WEDNESDAYS at 6:30PM
JOB* - led by Joe and Patty Tschetter - ROOM 200
Job explores the difficult question of God's relationship to human suffering, and invites us to trust God's wisdom and character. Set in Uz, an obscure land far from Israel, during an unknown time period, the book of Job focuses on questions about God's justice and why good people suffer. At the same time, it also asks the question we rarely think to ask, why do good people prosper?
Joe & Patty have been married for 32 years and have two adult children. They have been at GracePoint for 35 years.
EVERYTHING YOU NEED by David Jeremiah* - led by Paul and Leila Muzzey - ROOM 210
Explore 2 Peter 1:5–10 to highlight seven critical tools God provides each of His people: virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love. When we use the equipment God provides, we can live confidently in the knowledge that we will never stumble.
Grandpa Paul moved to Brookings about seven years ago to be near his son and grandkids. He met his wife, Leila, at GracePoint, and they have been married five years.
MARRIAGE GROUP* - led by Randy and Stacey Hanson - ROOM 220
Starts January 29 and will continue the conversation begun in the Intentional Marriage Seminar for the remainder of the semester.
Married for 27 years, Randy & Stacey have two adult sons. They have been attending GracePoint for 18 years. They live on an acreage near Aurora and love to ride their horses together.
PRAYER: FINDING THE HEART'S TRUE HOME by Richard Foster* - led by Jim Merritt - ROOM 115
This group will dive into different types of prayer. The nice thing is, we will actually read the book together in class. No reading ahead, so there's no falling behind. It's a low key way to work your way through a book you might not pick up otherwise, but that, afterward, you'll be so glad you read. Going through it together with a group gives you a chance to talk through what you are learning and listen to others as they grow.
Jim and his wife, Cindy, have four kids.
BIBLE IN A YEAR* - led by Gregg Carlson - ROOM 130
One in five Americans, LifeWay Research found, has read through the Bible at least once. The two main reasons that are often given for not reading the Bible are that it is too hard to understand and that there just is not enough time in the day, we are too busy. This group will help. Spending 1 hour together each Sunday morning or Wednesday night for a year, you will be guided through every page of the Bible. After a time of reading the Bible together, and receiving some basic tools and resources, you should be well on your way to being a Bible student and daily Bible reader.
This is the 15th year that Gregg has led “Through the Bible in a Year” at GracePoint. He began attending GracePoint and leading groups in 1969. In his spare time he studies Scripture, runs a sawmill and does CNC woodworking.
SERMON FOLLOW UP (21 to 40)* - led by Andrew Waterman - ROOM 140
21-2-40 group is for anyone, post-college to early adulthood, trying to live life to the full. All are welcome who are on this same journey. We will intentionally connect outside of group to serve and have fun.
Andrew grew up on a farm on the South Dakota-Iowa border but now, after graduating from SDSU and accepting a work position as an engineer at 3M, calls the Brookings area home. He enjoys working, learning new things, traveling, cooking, and connecting with people. He is also recently engaged to be married.
LAUGH YOUR WAY TO A BETTER MARRIAGE* - led by Adam and Kathryn Wiese, and Jim and Aleycia Gerlach - Chapel - Starting January 29
With a unique blend of humor and tell-it-like-it-is honesty, this group will help couples get along and have fun. We will explore a variety of subjects, including: the myth of a “soul mate”, the different ways men and women think, conflicting levels of libido, and the necessity of forgiveness. The key to marital bliss is not romance or destiny—it’s work and skill. This group will make it easy for couples to bring their relationship to the next level.
Kathryn and Adam have been married for 14 years and farm north of Flandreau. They are parents to five kids that keep them busy year round. In addition to family time, they enjoy the outdoors, fitness, reading and love building relationships.
GATHER AND GROW (women’s group)* - led by Kate Bergstrom, Jen Diedrich, Jessica Hardt, and Sandy Sheppard.
- Great Room - Starting January 29
What if you gathered in fellowship with a small group of women, navigating life together? Here is an opportunity to join a table of women within a large group setting. This semester we will be journeying through the book of Ruth, presented by Bianca Olthoff, which will be followed by IF: Gathering videos. There are two options: either sign up and be placed at a table, or invite 2-5 women to join you to create a table
Kate has been married to Brian for 16 years and they have been blessed with 3 kids (Krayton, Beckett, and Berkley). Kate is the director of GracePoint Preschool.
WEDNESDAY EVENING HOME GROUPS
6:30PM – BIBLE STUDY - led by Jim Gilkerson - Home Group (east of Brookings)
This group will be studying through the Bible each week while balancing time getting to know everyone. It’s a fun group to be part of and all are welcomed.
Jim and Kysa Gilkerson live on their family farm located just east of Brookings. The farm has been in the Gilkerson family for more than 70 years.
OASIS COLLEGE MINISTRY GROUPS:
Oasis will host groups each night of the week for men and women seeking to grow in their faith, along with others. Groups typically work around the college schedule starting between 7PM and 9PM. If you check this option we'll get back to you with more info.
GRACEPOINT STUDENT MINISTRY (6TH-12TH GRADE):
GSM will be following the orange curriculum again this fall and will be meeting each Sunday morning during 1st and 2nd hour. Participants will be grouped by age and gender. Please sign up for the time that works best for you.
CARE GROUPS (Registration is welcome, but not required to attend a care group.)
THURSDAYS AT 6:30PM - Celebrate Recovery Brookings - led by Serenity Miller, Steve & Tamie Dvorak, and a host of co-leaders - GREAT ROOM (potluck-style food/social beforehand starting at 5:30)
The purpose of Celebrate Recovery Brookings is to celebrate God's healing power through the Christ-centered 12 Steps and 8 Biblical Principles of spiritual recovery. We break the bondage of the past by sharing our experience, strength, and hope with each other, finding healing in Jesus Christ and CELEBRATING freedom from the hurts, hang-ups, and habits that have controlled us! General meeting nights start with a time of big group worship through song, followed by a teaching/testimony, then break into men’s & women’s small groups for personal sharing, before we come together again for a time of fellowship at the end of the evening. CR meetings are a CONFIDENTIAL environment where you are safe to share your journey with a community of others who are journeying, too.
