"They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor." Isaiah 61:3

Growth Groups

  A Growth Group will help you grow as a disciple of Jesus Christ through...

Learning to apply God's Word through interactive group discussion

Praying for one another as we share our personal praises and requests

Caring for one another as we deepen our relationships in Christ's family

FAQs:

What is a Growth Group?

What is the purpose of a Growth Group?

What will we study?

Why Sermon-Based studies?

Are all Growth Groups Sermon-Based?

How important are Growth Groups at VCL?

How do I join a Growth Group?

See group descriptions below. Click here for weekly Growth Group Study Guides.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Jared and Tammy Smith

and Adam and Ann Gustine

SERMON-BASED GROWTH GROUP (MIXED GROUP)

TIME: Thursday evenings, 7:00-9:00 PM

LOCATION: Deerfield area

Adam and Ann are students at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. Adam is the Assistant Chaplain Director for Trinity College. Ann is a 6th grade teacher at Westlake Christian Academy in Grayslake. They have been attending VCL for 3 ½ years. Jared and Tammy have been at VCL for 5 years, where Jared currently serves at the Associate Pastor. Tammy is the Social Service Director at Glenview Terrace Nursing Home in Glenview.This group is open to singles and married couples of all ages.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Warren Anderson (pictured) and Don Arnold

SPECIAL INTEREST GROWTH GROUP (MEN'S GROUP)

TIME: Wednesday afternoons, 12:00-1:30 PM

LOCATION: Village Church of Lincolnshire

Don's "Powerhouse" group has been meeting in the area for nearly nine years and they are looking for new members. The group is composed of men from a variety of church affiliations. Their weekly format is to spend time in personal sharing and accountability (not a formal Bible study). Each meeting begins with "check-in" questions concerning the three most important components of a man's life—his walk with the Lord, his relationship with his wife and family, and his work.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Jean Soderberg and

Ruth Ann VanDixhorn

SPECIAL INTEREST GROWTH GROUP (WOMEN'S GROUP)

TIME: Thursday mornings, 9:15-11:15 AM

LOCATION: Village Church of Lincolnshire

This women's group studies a section of the Bible together each week. There is also plenty of time devoted to sharing, prayer, and fellowship. This group is open to women of all ages, shapes, and hair colors. Childcare is available.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Carl and Sharon Johnson

SPECIAL INTEREST GROWTH GROUP (MIXED GROUP)

TIME: Sunday evenings (every other), 7:00 PM

LOCATION: Gurnee area

Carl and Sharon moved to Gurnee about four years ago from Ames, IA. Carl worked for 35 years for Sauer-Sundstrand, a manufacturer of hydrostatic transmissions, and then had his own consulting business for four years. He currently works for Trinity International University in the Development Department and is an elder at VCL. Carl and Sharon have four children and six grandchildren. They have had experience leading a small group in the past and look forward to continuing to do so. They are "empty-nesters" but enjoy leading a group of mixed ages.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Brian and Jennifer Dean

SPECIAL INTEREST GROWTH GROUP (MIXED GROUP)

TIME: Every other Friday evening

LOCATION: Highland Park area

Brian and Jennifer met at Trinity and now live in Highland Park with their two children, Isabelle and Anselm. Jennifer is a counselor with OMNI Youth Services and Brian is finishing a Ph.D. in philosophy at the University of Illinois (Chicago).  This group is open to married and single adults of all ages.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Ed and Elaine Nekarda

SERMON BASED GROWTH GROUP (MIXED GROUP)

TIME: 1st and 3rd Thursday evening

LOCATION: Lincolnshire/Lake Forest area

Ed has been a member at VCL since 1999. He is a graduate of Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and currently directs his own counseling practice in the area. He has served faithfully on the Building and Grounds Ministry Team for many years and currently serves on the Elder board. This group is open to married and single adults of all ages.
 

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Jim and Evy Stamoolis

SPECIAL INTEREST GROWTH GROUP (MIXED GROUP)

TIME: 1st and 3rd Thursday evening, 7:00-9:00 p.m.

LOCATION: Kildeer/Long Grove area

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Sam and Michelle Buster

SPECIAL INTEREST GROWTH GROUP (MIXED GROUP)

TIME: Every other Thursday evening, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

LOCATION: Lincolnshire area

What is a Growth Group?

A Growth Group is a home fellowship made up of 8-12 adults who meet weekly/bi-weekly to learn, share, and support one another in their Christian walk. There are a number of groups to choose from. There are groups for young adults (singles and married), families with children, and a combination of life stages and ages. An average meeting lasts for an hour-and-a-half followed by light refreshments.

What is the purpose of a Growth Group?

The purpose of a Growth Group is to help bring God's people to maturity in Christ. It is not enough to have "small groups." We desire Growth Groups!

What will we study?

Most Growth Groups use a sermon-based format. Sermon-based Growth Groups are built on what we call a "lecture-lab" model. If you imagine the Sunday sermon as a lecture on Christian living, then the Growth Group is a lab where you get to roll up your sleeves and discuss how Sunday's sermon works out in real life.

Why Sermon-Based studies?

There are many reasons. Sermon-based Growth Groups increase the impact of the sermons each week, helping us to better apply God's Word to our lives. Because the group is already familiar with the passage, sermon-based Growth Groups spend less time on background information and more time on application.

Are all Growth Groups Sermon-Based?

Many Growth groups are sermon-based. However, some "special interest" groups choose their own material and topics. At each sign-up period we publish a booklet describing each Growth Group and what they will study.

How important are Growth Groups at VCL?

The mission statement for VCL is "to be and make disciples of Jesus Christ." Growth Groups are very important in achieving this goal. It is in Christian community that we are encouraged and challenged to live as disciples, spurred on to greater maturity.

How do I join a Growth Group?

There are sign-ups in September and January each year. You can also join at any time by contacting Pastor Jared or the leader of the Growth Group you are interested in joining.