Small Groups

Everyone has a desire to belong! At Gloria Dei, we believe in the power of community and the way it shapes and impacts the lives of disciples. Small groups are a unique way to experience biblical community on a regular basis, outside of worship. God has called us to live life together! 

Are you interested in joining or leading a Small Group? Fill out our Small Group interest form.

For more information and to start or join a small group, contact Stephanie Knea.

RightNow Media Library

Gloria Dei members have access to an online video library called RightNow Media with over 20,000 discipleship videos for kids, students and adults. This is a great resource for small groups, families, and anyone looking for a guided Bible study. To learn how to watch RightNow Media across any of your devices click here. To access our RightNow Media membership, email Stephanie Knea.

Take the Next Step

We're so excited you're interested in learning more about who we are and joining the family!

Get Baptized

At Gloria Dei, we believe that Baptism is a Sacrament— meaning, a sacred act. This is not something we do; it is something God does for us.

Join a Small Group

One great way to seek Christ first is to join a small group, meet regularly and pursue spiritual growth and friendship.

Serve with Us

Whether you're a first-time volunteer or a veteran, we have a place for you to serve that fits your gifts, passion, experiences and availability. 

Ruthless Elimination of Hurry via Discovery Bible Study

Ruthlessly Eliminate Hurry as an Individual, Family, Friends, or Small Group via Discovery Bible Study

The Discovery Process is the primary method of discipleship in movements around the world. Discovery Bible Studies are simple and reproducible groups that consist of spiritually interested people who read a Bible story together, discover what it says, and then are challenged to immediately live out what they learned and to share it with someone else. The beauty of DBS is that anyone can lead it! If you lead one, you are simply a faithful facilitator providing a structure people to hear the voice of Jesus and respond in obedience. We ask "What is Jesus teaching me? and What will I do about it?"

In your small group, with a few friends, as an individual, or as a family, use the DBS method (PDF Instructions below) using the scripture from the previous Sunday's sermon and the text.

January 8th Sermon - Week 1: Ecclesiastes 3:9-13 & John 15:5-11

“A Hurried Life Doesn’t Mean a Holy Life”

Key Concept: The Case for an Unhurried Life

Extra Resource: Chair Time E-Book
January 15th Sermon - Week 2: Romans 12:1-2 & Matthew 4:1-11

“Can we put down our phones?”

Key Concept: Silence & Solitude

January 22nd Sermon - Week 3: Genesis 2:1-3 & Mark 2:23-28

“Living 24/6”

Key Concept: Sabbath

Extra Resource: Burn out self-test https://www.mindtools.com/auhx7b3/burnout-self-test
January 29th Sermon - Week 4: Philippians 4:11-13 & Matthew 6:19-34

“Less Really is More”

Key Concept: Simplicity

February 5th Sermon - Week 5: Isaiah 40:28-31 & Luke 10:38-42

“Slowing Down and Showing Up”

Key Concept: Slowing our lives down

Download Discovery Bible Study Process PDF Questions? Email Jason Phelps

Ruthless Elimination of Hurry on RightNow Media

Ruthlessly Eliminate Hurry as an Individual, Family, Friends, or Small Group

Below are the key concepts for each week of our sermon series study. Take a look at each section for each week's goals and the transformation that awaits. Click the buttons below to access content on RightNow Media and to download the study guide. Using RightNow Media resources your group or family can watch a short video, and use the supplied study guide to dig deeper into the content on a weekly basis. This experience will supplement the Sunday sermon.

Session 1: The Case for an Unhurried Life
SESSION GOALS Every session has a point—what each participant should walk away from the discussion knowing, feeling, and doing.
  • Main Idea: We must re-assess the way we spend our time so that we can find a healthier, holier lifestyle.
  • Head Change: To know that hurry sabotages our ability to give and receive love with God and our neighbors.
  • Heart Change: To feel a desire to slow down, matching the rhythm of life Jesus modeled.
  • Life Change: To manage our daily activities in a way that makes space for loving God and loving others.
Session 2: Silence and Solitude

SESSION GOALS Every session has a point—what each participant should walk away from the discussion knowing, feeling, and doing.

  • Main Idea: Practicing silence and solitude—especially when we are busy—is essential to experiencing a healthy spiritual life.
  • Head Change: To know that the busier we are, the more we need to withdraw to be with God.
  • Heart Change: To feel a desire to spend uninterrupted quiet time with God, no matter how busy we are.
  • Life Change: To incorporate a practice of intentional withdrawal into your weekly routine.
Session 3: Sabbath

SESSION GOALS Every session has a point—what each participant should walk away from the discussion knowing, feeling, and doing.

  • Main Idea: Honoring the sabbath is a decree from God that allows us to rest and recharge without guilt.
  • Head Change: To know that sabbath is a divinely ordained rhythm we’re called to practice.
  • Heart Change: To feel peace rather than guilt when we decide to rest for a day.
  • Life Change: To worship God through keeping the sabbath on a regular basis.
Session 4: Simplicity

SESSION GOALS Every session has a point—what each participant should walk away from the discussion knowing, feeling, and doing.

  • Main Idea: Cultivating simplicity will give us the margin to receive the love of God and, in turn, give that love to the people around us.
  • Head Change: To know that a life of giving is happier than a life of getting.
  • Heart Change: To feel less inclined to accumulate new things and more inclined to practice generosity.
  • Life Change: To limit our possessions and obligations to the point that we are free to live freely and joyfully in the kingdom with Jesus.
Session 5: Slowing

SESSION GOALS Every session has a point—what each participant should walk away from the discussion knowing, feeling, and doing.

  • Main Idea: Physically slowing down trains our souls to resist hurry and increases our capacity to be present with God and others.
  • Head Change: To know that our bodies are essential to who we are and physical discipline can help us connect more deeply to Jesus.
  • Heart Change: To feel peace in waiting while learning how to slow down.
  • Life Change: To incorporate focal practices that help you be present with God and those around you.

Access on RightNow Media Download Study Guide

If you need to acquire free access to RightNow Media, please email Stephanie Knea.

Purchase and Read: The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer

Read Pastor John Mark Comer's Book: The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry

ruthless elimination of hurry book john mark comer

ECPA BESTSELLER • A compelling emotional and spiritual case against hurry and in favor of a slower, simpler way of life
 
“As someone all too familiar with ‘hurry sickness,’ I desperately needed this book.”—Scott Harrison, New York Times best-selling author of Thirst
 
“Who am I becoming?”
 
That was the question nagging pastor and author John Mark Comer. Outwardly, he appeared successful. But inwardly, things weren’t pretty. So he turned to a trusted mentor for guidance and heard these words:
 
“Ruthlessly eliminate hurry from your life. Hurry is the great enemy of the spiritual life.”
 
It wasn’t the response he expected, but it was—and continues to be—the answer he needs. Too often we treat the symptoms of toxicity in our modern world instead of trying to pinpoint the cause. A growing number of voices are pointing at hurry, or busyness, as a root of much evil.
 
Within the pages of this book, you’ll find a fascinating roadmap to staying emotionally healthy and spiritually alive in the chaos of the modern world.

Buy the Book Now