In John 13:35, Jesus says, “By this all people will know you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” When we genuinely love and care for one another, and allow that love to be seen and experienced by those who don’t yet believe, we are acting as vessels for Christ in a powerful way.
​
That’s why Grace Groups are at the heart of our church’s strategy for sharing the love of Christ. Our Grace Groups are welcoming communities that not only meet regularly. They do life alongside each other. When you become part of a Grace Group, you are not joining a Bible Study. You are committing to share your life with other Christ-followers or people exploring the claims of Christ. You will meet together for Christ-centered discussion and prayer, but you’ll also find yourself sharing meals together, caring for one another in times of need, and developing genuine friendships with the members of your group.
GRACE GROUPS IN ACTION
But that care and concern is not only shared with other Christians. These groups are Christians communities on a mission to foster a passion for Christ in our area. Grace Groups will at times volunteer in various venues around our region to meet and show love toward those who don’t yet believe. By serving our surrounding neighborhoods and city, they will wrap their groups around hurting people who don’t yet know Christ. Grace Groups operate in obedience to the Great Commission: bringing the message of Jesus to our region in word and deed.
Frequently Asked Questions
​
At Grace Road we understand that their are natural hesitations and questions you may have before attending a Grace Group. We hope the information below answers some of the questions you may have regarding our Grace Groups and help relieve your fears.
-
Bank Issues CheckYou can always send a check to: Grace Road Church 440 East Ave Rochester, NY 14607
-
DTC TransferThis is a convenient way to transfer your securities. Simply instruct your broker to electronically transfer your securities out of your account into Grace Road's TD Ameritrade account. Your broker will need the following information: Brokerage firm: TD Ameritrade Account name: Grace Road Church Account number: 943681182 DTC number: 0188 Federal Tax ID number: 26-4747656 The donor’s name for stock transfers is NOT given to Grace Road through a DTC transfer. Please contact Grace Road at info@graceroadchurch.org, to let us know that you have made a stock transfer. We would like the opportunity to thank you, and to issue you a receipt for your records.
-
Mobile Device on our AppDownload our app for: Apple:https://itunes.apple.com/grace-road-church/ Android:https://play.google.com/grace-road/
-
Can I bring my children?Childcare is managed by each individual group. Some groups rotate childcare responsibility among group members, some hire a sitter, and some work out childcare needs according to individual family needs.
-
When and where do Grace Groups meet?Groups gather typically once per week for a few hours at a church members home.
-
What is a Grace Group?A Grace Group consist of 8 to 16 welcoming people that gather for friendship, gospel-centered dialogue, and prayer. They are for all ages and stages of spiritual maturity. No matter how new you are to the Christian faith, you will enjoy a Grace Group.
-
What happens during a Grace Group gathering?Though each group differs in format, group meetings endeavor to help members know one another, to be able to care for one another, to then be able to pray for one another - all this under the banner of the gospel.
-
Can I visit a group before committing to one?Of course! Before making a commitment you are more than welcome to visit any Grace Group you wish.
-
What is a Grow Group?Grow Groups are curriculum-driven, gender-specific groups that meet in 6-week cycles. Groups meet to memorize scripture, study books and the Bible, pray for one another in one-on-one settings, and work out what they’re learning through practical applications. Grow Groups ask for six week commitments before joining a group.
-
Can I bring my children?There is no childcare for Grow Groups. It is recommended that no children are present during the Grow Group session. Some groups allow kids under a certain age (under 2). Some groups have considered finding childcare for the two hours so that members can attend with their children.
-
How long do groups stay together?Groups meet year round in six week cycles. The groups begin in January and take a couple weeks off in December.
-
Can I visit a group before committing to one?We don’t offer any options to visit a Grow Group before joining. If you decide you don’t want to be in a Grow Group after joining or if it no longer is a good option for you, you can step out of the group after the six week cycle ends.
-
What happens during a Grow group gathering?Each Grow Group follows the same format. Members recite a scripture that the entire group is memorizing, they break off into one-on-one prayer time with an assigned prayer partner, watch a weekly video, discuss practical applications, and spend time discussing what they’re studying in that session. The group is two hours long.
-
When and where do the groups meet?Grow Groups meet on different days and times of the week in group leaders’ homes.
-
Person and Work of the Holy SpiritWe believe that the Holy Spirit is God. He is a person who convicts the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment; He is the Supernatural Agent in regeneration, baptizing all believers into the body of Christ, indwelling and sealing them unto the day of redemption (John 16:8-11; 2 Corinthians 3:6; 1 Corinthians 12:12-14; Romans 8:9; Ephesians 5:18).
-
Total Depravity of ManWe believe that man was created in the image and likeness of God, but that through Adam’s sin the race fell, inherited a sinful nature, and became alienated from God; man is totally depraved and of himself utterly unable to remedy his lost condition (Genesis 1:26, 27; Romans 3:22, 23; 5:12; Ephesians 2:1-3, 12).
-
Eternal Security and Assurance of BelieversWe believe that all the redeemed, once saved, are kept by God’s power and are thus secure in Christ forever (John 6:37-40; 10:27-30; Romans 8:1, 38, 39; 1 Corinthians 1:4-8; 1 Peter 1:5). We believe that it is the privilege of believers to rejoice in the assurance of their salvation through the testimony of God’s Word, which clearly forbids the use of Christian liberty as an occasion for the flesh (Romans 13:13, 14; Galatians 5:13; Titus 2:11-15).
-
ScripturesWe believe the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be the verbally inspired word of God, the final authority for faith and life, inerrant in the original writings, infallible, and God-breathed (2 Timothy 3:16, 17;2 Peter 1:20, 21; Matthew 5:18; John 16:12, 13).
-
GodheadWe believe in one Triune God, eternally existing in three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, co-eternal in being, co-eternal in nature, co-equal in power and glory, having the same attributes and perfections (Deuteronomy 6:4; 2 Corinthians 13:14).
-
Ministry and Spiritual GiftsWe believe that God is sovereign in the bestowing of spiritual gifts. It is, however, the believer’s responsibility to attempt to develop their sovereignly given spiritual gift(s). The baptism of the Holy Spirit occurs at conversion and is the placing of the believer into the Body of Christ. We also believe that particular spiritual gift(s) are neither essential, nor prove the presence of the Holy Spirit, nor are an indication of deep spiritual experience (1 Corinthians 12:7, 11, 13; Ephesians 4:7-8). We believe that God does hear and answer the prayer of faith, in accordance with His own will, for the sick and afflicted (John 15:7; 1 John 5:14, 15). We believe that it is the privilege and responsibility of every believer to minister according to the gift(s) and grace of God that is given to him (Romans 12:1-8; 1 Corinthians 13; 1 Peter 4:10-11).
-
ChurchWe believe that the church, which is the body and espoused bride of Christ, is a spiritual organism made up of all born-again persons (Ephesians 1:22, 23; 5:25-27; 1 Corinthians 12:12-14; 2 Corinthians 11:2). We believe that the establishment and continuance of local churches is clearly taught and defined in the New Testament Scriptures (Acts 14:27; 18:22; 20:17; 1 Timothy 3:1-3; Titus 1:5-11). We believe in the autonomy of the local churches, free of any external authority and control (Acts 13:1-4; 15:19-31; 20:28; Romans 16:1,4; 1 Corinthians 3:9, 16; 1 Corinthians 5:4-7, 13; 1 Peter 5:1-4). We recognize believer’s baptism and the Lord’s supper as the scriptural ordinances of the church (Matthew 28:19, 20; Acts 2:41, 42; Acts 18:8; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26).
-
Person and Work of ChristWe believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, became man without ceasing to be God, having been conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary in order that He might reveal God and redeem sinful man (John 1:1-2, 14; Luke 1:35). We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ accomplished our redemption through His death on the cross as a representative, vicarious, substitutionary sacrifice, and that our justification is made sure by His literal, physical resurrection from the dead (Romans 3:24; 1 Peter 2:24; Ephesians 1:7; 1 Peter 1:3-5). We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ ascended into heaven and is now exalted at the right hand of God where, as our High Priest, He fulfills the ministry as Representative, Intercessor, and Advocate (Acts 1:9, 10; Hebrews 7:25; Hebrews 9:24; Romans 8:34; 1 John 2:1-2). We believe Jesus is coming again to judge the living and the dead (1 Peter 4:5; Romans 14:9; 2 Timothy 4:1).
-
SalvationWe believe that salvation is the gift of God brought to man by grace and received by personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, whose precious blood was shed on Calvary for the forgiveness of our sins (Ephesians 2:8-10; John 1:12; Ephesians 1:7; 1 Peter 1:18-19).
Have more questions? Please contact our Community Director.