Small Groups
Small Groups - Our Vision
We believe that Small Groups are at the very heart of what we do as a church.
The ORCHARD groups are designed to explore questions and experience spiritual growth. Small Groups generally consist of scripture study, discussion and prayer.
Many people find that involvement in a small group is often the most fulfilling and rewarding aspect of church.
2025 Bible Study Opportunities
New Bible Study Opportunities ~ Both in Person and on Zoom
“The Power of God’s Names” by Tony Evans~ Kevin Smiley Leading
Start Date: March 12th ~ 6 Week Study, Wednesday Evenings at 6:30 PM Meeting at the church Any Questions please contact Kevin Smiley
“Be Amazed” (Minor Prophets): Restoring an Attitude of Wonder and Worship
Sunday Evening 7:00 PM Meeting at the church beginning March 23rd Any Questions please contact Pastor Mike
*Please see the signup sheets at the Resource Center.
2024 Past Bible Study and Sunday School
New Fall Bible Study and Women Sunday School Opportunities
Men's and Women's Sunday School Class will be starting 9/15/2024. We will meet each Sunday morning from 8:30 - 9:15 AM before service. Our study will be LifeWay's Exploring the Bible Series - The book of Acts. Please join us!
New Bible Study ~ In Person and on Zoom
“Living Beyond Yourself – Exploring the Fruit of the Spirit” by Beth Moore
Start Date: September 11th – December 11th ~ 11 Week Study
Wednesday Evenings at 6:30 PM Meeting at the church. All are welcome to attend.
New Bible Study ~ In Person Only
“Not the Way it’s Supposed to Be: A Breviary of Sin” By Cornelius Plantinga ~ Pastor Mike Leading
Start Date: September 15th – November 24th ~ 11 Week Study
Sunday Evening 7:00 PM Meeting at the church
If you would like more information on any of the above studies, please feel free to contact the church [email protected] or 231-263-8267. Thank you.
“The Power of God’s Names” by Tony Evans~ Kevin Smiley Leading
Start Date: March 12th ~ 6 Week Study, Wednesday Evenings at 6:30 PM Meeting at the church Any Questions please contact Kevin Smiley
“Be Amazed” (Minor Prophets): Restoring an Attitude of Wonder and Worship
Sunday Evening 7:00 PM Meeting at the church beginning March 23rd Any Questions please contact Pastor Mike
*Please see the signup sheets at the Resource Center.
2024 Past Bible Study and Sunday School
New Fall Bible Study and Women Sunday School Opportunities
Men's and Women's Sunday School Class will be starting 9/15/2024. We will meet each Sunday morning from 8:30 - 9:15 AM before service. Our study will be LifeWay's Exploring the Bible Series - The book of Acts. Please join us!
New Bible Study ~ In Person and on Zoom
“Living Beyond Yourself – Exploring the Fruit of the Spirit” by Beth Moore
Start Date: September 11th – December 11th ~ 11 Week Study
Wednesday Evenings at 6:30 PM Meeting at the church. All are welcome to attend.
New Bible Study ~ In Person Only
“Not the Way it’s Supposed to Be: A Breviary of Sin” By Cornelius Plantinga ~ Pastor Mike Leading
Start Date: September 15th – November 24th ~ 11 Week Study
Sunday Evening 7:00 PM Meeting at the church
If you would like more information on any of the above studies, please feel free to contact the church [email protected] or 231-263-8267. Thank you.
Past 2024 Bible Studies:
In Person and on Zoom ~
“Stories Jesus Told; Exploring the Heart of the Parables”
by Daniel Fusco ~ Kevin Smiley Leading April 14th – May 19th ~ 6 Week Study
Sunday Evening 6:30 – 7:30 PM Meeting at the church or via zoom
Everyone loves a good story. Whether it’s a novel, film, or song, we are products of the narratives that have formed us—for good or bad. If you need fresh inspiration or are stuck living under the weight of a story you can’t shake off, consider this study of the parables of Jesus.
Through six sessions, you’ll hear directly from Jesus through the Word. His parables not only form (or reform) who we are, they reveal more about God than we ever thought possible. They provide the hope we’re looking for, speaking above all the other noise we may be experiencing.
Women’s Bible Study
“Step by Step through the Old Testament” ~ Sharon Greer
Start Date: October 1st – 13 Week Study
Sunday’s approx. 20 minutes after Service. Meeting in the Sanctuary
Step by Step Through the Old Testament - Member Guide by Waylon Bailey and Tom Hudson provides a framework for understanding and interpreting the Old Testament and teaches biblical background material. Member book includes a 13-session discipleship study for groups and individuals. Separate Leader Guide available.
2023 Past Bible Study ~ In Person and on Zoom
“Marks of a Disciple: Six Measurements for Growth”
by Dean Inserra ~ Kevin Smiley
Start Date: October 1st – 6 Week video Study
Sunday’s approx. 20 minutes after Service. Meeting in the Children’s Classroom
Every Christian—regardless of age, demographic, or background—is designed by God to grow in faith. But many of us don’t know what growth looks like. How do we even know we’re growing? In Marks of a Disciple, pastor Dean Inserra examines six measurements to help us see whether or not we’re developing spiritually. This is not a checklist or a punch card, but rather a group of traits distilled from Scripture that should be evident in the life of a follower of Jesus. As we pursue these markers, our faith can flourish the way God intended.
In Person and on Zoom ~
“Stories Jesus Told; Exploring the Heart of the Parables”
by Daniel Fusco ~ Kevin Smiley Leading April 14th – May 19th ~ 6 Week Study
Sunday Evening 6:30 – 7:30 PM Meeting at the church or via zoom
Everyone loves a good story. Whether it’s a novel, film, or song, we are products of the narratives that have formed us—for good or bad. If you need fresh inspiration or are stuck living under the weight of a story you can’t shake off, consider this study of the parables of Jesus.
Through six sessions, you’ll hear directly from Jesus through the Word. His parables not only form (or reform) who we are, they reveal more about God than we ever thought possible. They provide the hope we’re looking for, speaking above all the other noise we may be experiencing.
Women’s Bible Study
“Step by Step through the Old Testament” ~ Sharon Greer
Start Date: October 1st – 13 Week Study
Sunday’s approx. 20 minutes after Service. Meeting in the Sanctuary
Step by Step Through the Old Testament - Member Guide by Waylon Bailey and Tom Hudson provides a framework for understanding and interpreting the Old Testament and teaches biblical background material. Member book includes a 13-session discipleship study for groups and individuals. Separate Leader Guide available.
2023 Past Bible Study ~ In Person and on Zoom
“Marks of a Disciple: Six Measurements for Growth”
by Dean Inserra ~ Kevin Smiley
Start Date: October 1st – 6 Week video Study
Sunday’s approx. 20 minutes after Service. Meeting in the Children’s Classroom
Every Christian—regardless of age, demographic, or background—is designed by God to grow in faith. But many of us don’t know what growth looks like. How do we even know we’re growing? In Marks of a Disciple, pastor Dean Inserra examines six measurements to help us see whether or not we’re developing spiritually. This is not a checklist or a punch card, but rather a group of traits distilled from Scripture that should be evident in the life of a follower of Jesus. As we pursue these markers, our faith can flourish the way God intended.
Join us for a Wednesday Night Bible Study.
Parables, The Greatest Stories Ever Told, by John White
Wednesdays at 6:30pm.
A Zoom Invitation will be sent out after sign-up.
Sign Up Here
Parables, The Greatest Stories Ever Told, by John White
Wednesdays at 6:30pm.
A Zoom Invitation will be sent out after sign-up.
Sign Up Here
Disciples Making Disciples
(On Pause for Now)
Every Christian needs to be discipled, and make disciples. Sign up to join an intentional disciple-making group.
Core DMD Materials:
The Ways of the Alongsider -
Growing Disciples Life to Life
by Bill Mowry
This is a 10-week group study to help us grow into disciples making disciples.
For more information about this study:
https://www.alongsider.com/
Past Orchard Small Group Studies:
September 2016: The Art of Marriage
A 6-week small group study with DVD presentations
developed by Family Life Today
(Click here to learn more about The Art of Marriage Small Group Series)
Fall 2015: Counter Culture by David Platt
We learned The Bible is clear on a number of issues:
Who God is—the holy, just, and gracious Creator of the universe
Who we are—men and women created in the image of God
for our good and for God's glory
Who Christ is and what He has done—His life, death, and resurrection
What it means to follow Christ—to die to ourselves and to live in Him
Why this matters for eternity--
heaven and hell are at stake in our response to the gospel
So how do these truths affect how we respond to the social issues of our day--
realities such as poverty, slavery, abortion, sexual immorality, the degradation of marriage, the neglect of orphans and widows, racism, and persecution?
We learned The Bible is clear on a number of issues:
Who God is—the holy, just, and gracious Creator of the universe
Who we are—men and women created in the image of God
for our good and for God's glory
Who Christ is and what He has done—His life, death, and resurrection
What it means to follow Christ—to die to ourselves and to live in Him
Why this matters for eternity--
heaven and hell are at stake in our response to the gospel
So how do these truths affect how we respond to the social issues of our day--
realities such as poverty, slavery, abortion, sexual immorality, the degradation of marriage, the neglect of orphans and widows, racism, and persecution?