BUILD Groups
Leading Every Person One Step Closer to Jesus
Following Jesus Together
Following Jesus is a lifelong journey of growing toward maturity in Christ. Our BUILD Pathway helps people at every stage take their next faithful step—growing in God’s Word, praying together, building meaningful relationships, serving others, and learning to help others follow Jesus. With different on-ramps and landing points along the way, there’s a place to begin whether you’re exploring Maranatha, new to the faith, or have followed Christ for many years.
THE BUILD PATHWAY
Find Your Next Step
First Steps
Find your starting place
Connect Groups
Meet and begin growing
Growth Groups
Study and apply God’s Word
Life Groups
Share life in deeper community
Training Groups
Become equipped to help others
The pathway is directional, not rigid. Everyone’s story is different, and people may begin in different places.
First Steps
01
A welcoming place to begin
Whether you are exploring Christianity, new to Maranatha, or ready to become more connected, First Steps will help you learn what we believe, meet some of our leaders, and discover a clear next step.
Includes: Pizza with the Pastors - Welcome to Maranatha
02
Connect Groups
Connect Groups are short-term Sunday morning groups that combine guided Bible discussion, prayer, and conversation. They provide an easy way to meet others while developing a clearer understanding of God’s Word and how it applies to everyday life.
Meet people. Explore God’s Word. Begin building relationships
WHAT TO EXPECT
03
Growth Groups
Keep growing through Scripture and shared application
Growth Groups help people study the Bible more deeply and apply its truth alongside others. These may include ongoing Bible studies, men’s and women’s studies, sermon-based groups, and other opportunities organized around a particular subject or season of life.
WHAT TO EXPECT
04
Life Groups
Our long-term small groups
Life Groups are long-term groups where people share life through meals, prayer, encouragement, and regular time together. These relationships create space to care for one another, practice the “one another” commands of Scripture, and continue growing as followers of Jesus.
Know others and be known
WHAT TO EXPECT
05
Training Groups
Training Groups provide focused opportunities to deepen biblical understanding and prepare for leadership, service, and disciple-making. These groups require greater preparation and participation and are designed for those ready to grow through more intensive study and practice.
Grow deeper and become equipped to help others
WHAT TO EXPECT
Two Ways to Build Meaningful Relationships
Connect Groups and Life Groups offer complementary ways to learn, connect, and grow with others
Connect Groups
A short-term place to connect and grow
- Sunday mornings at 9:00
- About six weeks at a time
- Centered around God’s Word and prayer
- A great place to meet others
Life Groups
Long-term community for sharing life
- Meet regularly throughout the year
- Usually gather in homes
- Share meals, pray, and encourage one another
- A place to build deeper relationships
These are not competing choices.
We encourage everyone to do both.
What Shapes Every Step
Jesus at the Center of Every Step
Growing in our knowledge,
love, and trust of Christ
God’s Word Over Opinion
Learning to understand and
live by Scripture
Relationships Over Programs
Knowing, encouraging, and
caring for one another
Grace Over Performance
Depending upon God as He
patiently changes us
Unity Amidst Diversity
Growing alongside people of
different ages and backgrounds
These commitments guide every environment in the Build Pathway
What is Your Next Step?
You do not need to have everything figured out before you begin. We would be glad to learn more about you and help you find a meaningful next step.