Life Groups

These discussion-based small groups are one of the best ways to form relationships at Woodlake and House of Prayer! Those who sign up for a Life Group will be placed in a small group with people of similar ages/stages of life! This Fall, our new Life Group Series will be "Civic Life and Faith" and will begin the week of September 22 and go until November 3rd.

Read more about the topic Below:

The ELCA has developed a Civic Life and Faith Study. It is six hour-long lessons:

How is God’s invitation to discipleship lived out in a democracy?
How do Christians address controversial civic issues?
What are Lutheran views on civic life?
What are the objectives of democracy in the United States?
What’s faith-based living got to do with civic life?
How do we go in peace to love and serve the Lord in civic life?

We will discuss and study how our faith and civic engagement are woven together. The ELCA recognizes that talking about politics can be difficult particularly in the politically polarized climate in which we live and practice our faith. To help with this, the participants are asked to commit to a covenant wherein they agree to speak honestly for themselves, respect and listen to others without interrupting, and to follow the Golden Rule.

Groups will be split up into 5-7 members. Each group has the flexibility to choose where and how they meet. At a member's home, at a church, at a coffee shop, over zoom etc. along with the day and time.

Material will be available at the beginning of the week for discussion and each group will have an initial leader who will be tasked with guiding the group through the questions.

Session Material

Core Materials

Leader’s Overview & Materials | VIEW PDF
Participant Guides for All Sessions | VIEW PDF
Sept 22:
Session 1: “How Is God’s Invitation to Discipleship Lived Out in a Democracy?” Leader’s Guide | VIEW PDF | WATCH VIDEO
Sept 29
Oct 6
Oct 13
Oct 20
Oct 27

Supplemental Materials

On-the-ground Case Studies | VIEW PDF
Conversation Covenant Poster | VIEW 4-PAGE PDF | VIEW FULL PDF | VIEW JPG
Glossary | VIEW PDF
All Videos | VIEW VIDEOS

Past Life Groups have included topics like: 'Service in the Church, World, & for the self; (2022 Fall), diverse pastoral perspectives on grace, Faith Like a Child (2022 Spring); learning about faith from kids, and reflecting on Emmanuel Acho's YouTube series "Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man" (2021).