Discipleship

Grace Discipleship focuses on personal spiritual renewal, biblical and theological foundations and practical instruction to experience what it means to live a life of renewal and spiritual vitality. Our desire is for everyone to grow deeper in their gospel understanding.

Join Andrew Kerhoulas, Pastor of Discipleship, over on our new GMR Discipleship group on Facebook. We simply want to provide a space for online interaction about following Jesus together as a church. 

GMR Online Discipleship Facebook Group

Not on Facebook? No problem! Contact Us and let us know how we can best connect with you.


2024 winter/Spring Discipleship Groups

Co-Ed - Studies, Gatherings & Opportunities

New Class! The 96th Annual Academy Awards & the Gospel

  • Description: Do you enjoy watching and discussing films (like a book club for movies)?
    How about looking for gospel connections in his year's Oscar nominated films?
  • When: Join us for 3 consecutive weeks on Wednesdays (February 21, 28, 6) 6:30pm at the Lotz house in Mills River OR Sundays (February 25, 3, 10), 9am at GMR as we watch one film each week beforehand (homework) and then meet for discussion. The first week's homework is to watch the film Barbie.
  • Register: Each class limited to first 10 people. Registration opens February 7. Register by February 18.
    https://gracemillsriver.churchcenter.com/groups/discipleship
  • Questions:  For more info contact Craig at 231-2700 or  

Connect Groups - Andrew Kerhoulas -

  • Description: Connecting with God and others through dinner, discussion, and prayer. Connecting regularly with other believers is integral to the way of Jesus. But these experiences are rare unless we are intentional. We desire to provide more weekly and bi-weekly opportunities to connect with God and others in our church family over a meal and intentional times of spiritual discussion and prayer.
  • When: Our connect groups meet at various times. Either weekly or bi-weekly depending on the group.
  • Where: Specific address will be shared in response to RSVPs.
  • Register: *Three groups are currently open to new members.
    Arden - Hosted by Ben & Angie Blackmar / 20 max (including kids) / Sundays - 12:30-2:30pm (lunch, right after church)
    Grace Mills River - Hosted by Britt & Arlana Peterson, Alan & Leigh Verm / Sundays - 9:00AM - 10:00AM
    Hendersonville - Hosted by Adam and Shea Knechtel / Wednesdays - 5:30-7:30PM **This group is now full.
  • Register Now

FULL/WAITLIST Monthly Dinner Group - Glen McCandless - & Cindy McCandless -

  • Description: Do you want to build community with more folks at Grace? What about over dinner? Beginning in February, we’re offering a community group where folks of all ages and life-stages can share life, pray, and enjoy a meal together on a monthly basis.
  • When: 4th Thursday of each month beginning Thursday, February 22 @ 6:30pm (RSVP each month to confirm there are no changes in the gathering dates and times)
  • Where: Biltmore Park *Specific Address will be shared in response to RSVPs.
  • Register: Space is limited, so please RSVP at GraceMillsRiver.churchcenter.com/groups/discipleship 
    *Currently full, email Glen to be added to the wait list as space becomes available.

[Sunday]

Encountering God’s Word Together - Ken Downer -

  • Description: Come join us as we dive into the scripture passage the sermon will be based on that day. No preparation is necessary. Sit and listen or join the discussion. This is a great way to grow closer to each other as we enjoy the scriptures together. We end our time together just before the prayer gathering which makes for a great Sunday morning! 
  • When: Sunday mornings from 9AM - 9:40AM
  • Where: Education Building - Room 305
  • Register: GraceMillsRiver.churchcenter.com/groups/discipleship

What’s the Bible About? - Barbara Hebert

  • Description: This 9-week course will take you on an introductory tour of the whole story of the Bible. The Bible is more than a random collection of stories and ancient history.  It is God’s story – His plan, His purpose, and His extravagant and wonderful promises to humanity.  In each session, we’ll get a snapshot that sums up a period of time in Biblical history.  We’ll see what God promised to His people and how all of His promises are fulfilled in Jesus.  We’ll better understand how the Gospel message traveled throughout history and we’ll deepen our trust in our promise-keeping God. Class begins January 21.
  • When: Sunday Mornings, 9-10:15am
  • Where: Education Buildting, Room 302
  • Register: GraceMillsRiver.churchcenter.com/groups/discipleship

Grace Book Club - Matt Ballance -  

  • Description: God uses all manner of means to speak into our hearts and our souls, with the arts being no exception. Across the span of time believers have found connection to the Lord through visual arts, music, dance, drama…and literature. That’s where Grace Book Club comes in! Join us monthly as we come together as a church family to discuss books and how they connect us to the gospel! The first book we will read together is On Reading Well by Karen Swallow Prior.
  • When: Fourth Sunday of each month from 4 - 5PM, beginning March 24
  • Where: Offsite
  • Register: GraceMillsRiver.churchcenter.com/groups/discipleship

[Monday]

Praying the Scriptures Together - Kathie Sorenson -

  • Description: Jesus said, "My sheep know my voice." Praying with scripture open is the way we learn to hear God's voice. Join us for a simple time of praying with the scriptures, also known as Lectio Divina ("divine reading").
  • When: Mondays at 7PM, February 5 - March 25
  • Where: Zoom *A zoom link will be provided after registration.
  • Register: GraceMillsRiver.churchcenter.com/groups/discipleship 

[Wednesday]

Renewal Nights - Andrew Kerhoulas -

  • Description: Spiritual renewal and prayer have always gone hand in hand. We seek to host a monthly space to seek God through prayer, simple singing, and scripture reading. It is our desire that these gatherings would serve to usher in the power and presence for personal, corporate, and cultural renewal. We invite you to join us and to make this pursuit a part of your monthly discipleship rhythms. 
  • When: 2nd Wednesday of each month from 7:00PM - 8:15PM.
    • January 20, February 14, March 3, April 10, May 8
  • Where: GMR Auditorium
  • Register: No RSVP needed. Just show up. 

The Skinny on Faith and Practice - Patrick Lafferty -

  • Description: What are the most basic convictions of our “Reformed” theological tradition? What do we believe Scripture mainly to be teaching as it pertains to life and doctrine? And how does that look in practice as it relates to the life and order of the church? Join us for a whirlwind tour through The Westminster Confession of Faith–the summary statement of our church’s and our denomination’s understanding of the core doctrines. Also, you’ll have an opportunity to get a brief overview of the document summarizing our way of church governance–our “polity”--from our Book of Church Order. No prior familiarity with either document expected. Readings to be completed beforehand each week with discussion held during the gatherings. All questions, concerns, disagreements welcomed!  [Copies of the WCF will be provided free of charge and reading assignments may be found here.]
  • When: Wednesday evenings for five weeks, beginning January 24th, from 6:15-7:15pm
  • Where: GMR - Education Building - Room 305
  • Register: GraceMillsRiver.churchcenter.com/groups/discipleship

Women Only Studies

[Monday]

Ladies Bible Read - Elenore Beach -

  • Description: Join a group of gospel-loving women who love to read through Scripture together. We meet together the first and third Monday mornings of the month to discuss the questions and insights we are gleaning from our readings. Currently, we read through portions of the old and new testaments and engage in laid back but profound discussion. 
  • When: 1st & 3rd Mondays from 10:30AM - 12PM
  • Where: Online via Zoom
  • Who: New ladies are always welcome.
  • Register: Email Elenore Beach.
  • Who: New ladies are always welcome

[Tuesday]

Women’s Tuesday Evening Bible Study - Lee Anne Canter -

  • Description: Join us as we study chapters 9 - 16 of Luke using the At His Feet Bible Study, Luke: Part Two. Let's slow down and lean in toward what Jesus might have for us as we take time to dive deep into His word together. We will take 14 weeks to study, discuss, encourage, and pray with one another. My hope and prayer is that we would be strengthened by the Spirit and know the love of Christ anew! *Please purchase study prior to starting. Newcomers welcome!
  • When: Tuesday evenings, 6:30PM - 8:30PM, beginning January 30 - April 30
  • Where: Lee Anne’s House, Mills River *Directions will be emailed to those that sign up
  • Register:*Space is Limited to 14. 
    GraceMillsRiver.churchcenter.com/groups/discipleship

[Thursday]

Women’s Thursday Morning Bible Study - Leigh Verm - & Cindy Stashenko -

  • Description: Women of all ages are invited to study God’s word, pray together, and encourage one another. We will be studying the book of Isaiah. Childcare is available, but an RSVP is necessary to secure a spot. It’s never too late to join!
  • When: Thursdays from 9 - 11AM, January 18 - March 28
  • Where: Education Building - Room 305
  • Register: GraceMillsRiver.churchcenter.com/groups/discipleship

Men Only Studies

Saturday Morning Breakfast Gathering - Dave Bokmiller -

  • Description: The Men's Breakfast Group meets for a time of fellowship, Bible-based study, discussion & prayer.
  • When: 1st & 3rd Saturdays of the month, 8AM - 9:30AM *watch the website for any schedule changes 
  • Where: GMR Cafe
  • Questions: Email Dave Bokmiller.

Wednesday Night Bible Study - Jim Pearce -

  • Description: A book study and a time for fellowship and mutual encouragement.
  • When: Wednesday evenings at 6:00PM
  • Where: GMR - Education Building - Room 304
  • Questions: Email Jim Pearce.

Prayer

Sunday Morning Prayer Gathering - Dave Bokmiller -

  • Description: Everyone is invited to join the prayer team to pray for our world, nation, community, church and one another. Each week prayer requests from the church family are shared and prayed for. You may come to be prayed over as well.
  • When: Sunday mornings from 9:45AM - 10:15AM
  • Where:  GMR - Education Building - Room 304
  • Questions: Email Dave Bokmiller to receive the prayer list.