Life Group Leader Updates: Feb 7

Hey Life Group Leaders!

Just a few important reminders and a look ahead as we close out the Forward series. Please take a moment to read through the notes below, especially the first section as you prepare to walk your group through our final Forward session and prepare for Commitment Sunday tomorrow.

Also, next Sunday we begin a new series called SEEN: Encountering Jesus Where You Really Are. This 8-week journey walks through real encounters Jesus has with real people—people marked by fear, shame, pride, longing, and doubt. Jesus doesn’t meet them where they pretend to be. He meets them where they actually are. He sees beneath the surface, exposes what’s broken, and invites them into grace-filled transformation. This series creates space for honest reflection and gospel renewal not self-improvement, but heart change that only Jesus can bring.

To help with pacing and preparation, the SEEN curriculum will be split into two 4-week parts. Part 1 (Sessions 1–4) leader guides will be in your classrooms tomorrow, ready for you to swap into your 3-ring binders after this week. More details will follow, but I wanted you to be aware as you plan ahead.

Life in the Groups

Sunday, February 8

This Sunday we come to the final session of the Forward journey with Session 5: Forward Steps, and the focus narrows to something both simple and challenging: obedience. In Joshua 1:1-9, God doesn’t give Joshua a detailed roadmap for everything ahead. He gives him something better—His presence, His promises, and His Word—and then calls him to take the next step.

That’s the invitation for your group this week. Not to figure out the whole future. Not to feel fearless. But to trust that obedience means continuing to move in the direction God is leading, even when the path feels uncertain. As you lead, aim to help people name the places where they’ve been hesitating and gently remind them that courage doesn’t come from confidence in themselves, but from confidence in a God who goes with them.

This is a fitting word as we prepare for Commitment Sunday tomorrow. Forward movement in God’s people has always been shaped more by surrendered obedience than by perfect clarity.

RESOURCES

Sermon Series & Curriculum Outlook

  • February 15-April 5:

    • Sermon Series: SEEN: Encountering Jesus Where You Really Are

    • Curriculum: A-Series Custom (Leaders Guide available February 8; Participant's Personal Study Guides available by Feb. 15) 

  • April 12-May 10:

    • Sermon Series: CLEAR: A Biblical Look at the Gospel & Mental Health

    • Curriculum: C-Series Complementary based on "Tame Your Thoughts" by Max Lucado

  • May 17-July 26:

    • Sermon Series: UNASHAMED: A Series from the Book of Romans (Part 1)

    • Curriculum: B-Series Baseline - Explore the Bible (Joshua/Judges/Ruth)

    • Independent Study Option: This is the timeframe where you may choose a 4-6 week independent study for your group upon approval. 

You can view the full 2026 sermon/curriculum flow chart below:

Download 2026 Curriculum Flow ›

Event & Ministry Opportunities

Help us keep your groups informed with all the events and ministry opportunities coming up.
 

Midweek Intensives

Women: Created to Commune: A Study on the Spiritual Disciplines led by Kristi Warden and Jordan Whitlock. (Fireside Room) › Sign up →

Men: BetterMan Defined: A Real Man Betters God's World led by Keith Warden and others. (Worship Suite) › Sign up →

Younique: Discovering Your Personal Calling led by Dave Wright. (Conference Room - 2nd Floor) › Sign up →

 

God Writes My Story Mens & Womens Events

Women's Dinner: Sunday, March 8 at 5:30pm. Cost is $15 › Sign up →

Men's Breakfast: Saturday, March 14 at 8:00am. Cost is $15. Sign up →

 

Baptism Sunday: February 22 & March 15

If you’re ready to publicly declare your new life in Christ through baptism or want to learn more about taking this step, visit › Sign up →

Sharpen Your Soul

Before you gather, slow down and ask the Lord:

  • Where have I delayed obedience because fear or comfort felt safer?

  • What is one clear next step God has already put in front of me?

You don’t have to lead people where you’ve already arrived, but you do need to lead from a place of honest dependence. Courage grows when obedience is anchored in God’s presence, not personal resolve.

Kingdom Investor Focus: Deploy

This week invites movement. Not dramatic gestures, but faithful steps. Encourage your group to identify one concrete act of obedience—confession, reconciliation, generosity, serving, or trust—and to take that step believing God will meet them there. God’s mission always moves forward through obedient people who trust Him enough to act.

Thanks for your faithfulness in leading well and helping your group stay connected as we move from Forward into what’s next.