Better together.
At Sunrise Ministries relationships are essential to our mission, and the best way to foster and grow in relationship is to be a church that gathers around tables. At Sunrise, groups are not simply programs we encourage in addition to "church". They are church. They are places where we gather in small batches and around various types of tables for the purpose of knowing God and each other better. Check out our different groups and opportunities to be the church around tables and in smaller settings.
Small Groups
God intended for us to live in community together
We read in scripture that the early church met in the Temple Courts, but also in houses. Large group worship is essential for our spiritual growth, but small groups are where we can connect with each other on a more relational level.
In a small group, we study the Bible, eat together, care and pray for each other, and share our time and stories. Participating in a small group is the best way for adults (college-age and older) to connect with others in the church and live out our mission and vision.
In a small group, we study the Bible, eat together, care and pray for each other, and share our time and stories. Participating in a small group is the best way for adults (college-age and older) to connect with others in the church and live out our mission and vision.
What do small groups look like?
Who: Couples, singles, families, young adult
What: Groups study scripture, eat together, care and pray for each other, and play together!
Where: Groups typically meet in a home, some meet at the church
When: Groups typically meet two times a month, 1st Semester is Oct 1-Dec 15, 2nd Semester is Feb 1-May 1
What: Groups study scripture, eat together, care and pray for each other, and play together!
Where: Groups typically meet in a home, some meet at the church
When: Groups typically meet two times a month, 1st Semester is Oct 1-Dec 15, 2nd Semester is Feb 1-May 1
Small Group Guides Based On Sunday Sermons
January 11: Questions Everyone Asks
Small Group Guide based on the January 11, 2026, sermon.
Small Group Guide: Big Questions
Sermon Series: Big Questions About Faith and Life
Opening Prayer (2-3 minutes)
Begin by inviting the Holy Spirit to guide your discussion. Pray for openness to wrestle with difficult questions and grace to engage with different perspectives.
Icebreaker (5-10 minutes)
Question: What's one question about faith or life that you've been afraid to ask out loud in church?
(Create a safe space by having the leader share first)
Key Takeaways from the Sermon
Discussion Questions
Part 1: Creating Safe Space (10-15 minutes)
1. The pastor mentioned that a young man had his faith "wrecked" by discovering there are two creation accounts in Genesis. Have you ever had a moment where something in Scripture confused or challenged you? How did you handle it?
2. Why do you think it's so hard for people to ask honest questions in church settings? What would make it easier?
3. On a scale of 1-10, how comfortable are you saying "I don't know" when it comes to matters of faith? Why?
Part 2: The Big Questions (20-30 minutes)
Choose 2-3 of these question sets based on your group's interest:
Origins
4. How do you personally navigate the tension between what the Bible says about creation and what modern science teaches? Does it have to be either/or?
5. The pastor said the Bible "has a lot more to say than we thought it did, and a lot less to say than I was brought up believing that it did." What do you think he meant by this?
Morality
6. Do you believe objective good and evil exist? How do you know when something is truly good or truly evil?
7. Jesus summed up all the commandments as loving God and loving neighbor. How does this simplify moral decision-making? How does it complicate it?
Meaning
8. Have you ever seriously asked yourself, "Do I matter?" What circumstances led to that question?
9. Who is your "neighbor" according to Jesus? Who are your enemies? How does this challenge you?
Destiny
10. The story about Bob praying for his father's healing is powerful. How do you hold onto hope when prayers seem unanswered?
11. What difference does belief in ultimate justice and restoration make in how you face suffering today?
Identity
12. What does it mean to be made "in the image of God"? How should this shape how we see ourselves and others?
13. The pastor shared about walking with a friend through gender transition—remaining the only ministry person still in contact. What does it look like to love people well when you disagree with or don’t understand their decisions, feelings, or actions on fundamental issues?
Part 3: Personal Application (10-15 minutes)
14. The pastor said he finds peace "in the simplicity that exists on the other side of complexity." What simple truths about God bring you peace when everything else feels confusing?
15. Looking at the list below, which of these core truths is hardest for you to rest in right now?
Practical Applications
This Week's Challenge (Choose One):
Read together:
"The journey is precious. We don't have to have everything figured out. Jesus doesn't call us to have all the right answers. Jesus calls us to follow Him."
Closing Question: What would it look like for you to take one step toward Jesus this week, even without having all the answers?
Closing Prayer
Pray for:
Encourage group members to:
Remember: "You are more important than your answers." - Pastor Dennis
Small Group Guide: Big Questions
Sermon Series: Big Questions About Faith and Life
Opening Prayer (2-3 minutes)
Begin by inviting the Holy Spirit to guide your discussion. Pray for openness to wrestle with difficult questions and grace to engage with different perspectives.
Icebreaker (5-10 minutes)
Question: What's one question about faith or life that you've been afraid to ask out loud in church?
(Create a safe space by having the leader share first)
Key Takeaways from the Sermon
- Questions are welcome - Doubt and questions are not the opposite of faith
- Nobody has it all figured out - Even mature believers wrestle with uncertainty
- The journey is precious - We don't need all the answers to follow Jesus
- Peace exists in simplicity - Beyond complexity, we find peace in core truths about God's love
- Five big question buckets:
- Origins (Where did this come from?)
- Morality (What is right and wrong?)
- Meaning (Do I matter?)
- Destiny (Where is this going?)
- Identity (Who am I and who are we?)
Discussion Questions
Part 1: Creating Safe Space (10-15 minutes)
1. The pastor mentioned that a young man had his faith "wrecked" by discovering there are two creation accounts in Genesis. Have you ever had a moment where something in Scripture confused or challenged you? How did you handle it?
2. Why do you think it's so hard for people to ask honest questions in church settings? What would make it easier?
3. On a scale of 1-10, how comfortable are you saying "I don't know" when it comes to matters of faith? Why?
Part 2: The Big Questions (20-30 minutes)
Choose 2-3 of these question sets based on your group's interest:
Origins
4. How do you personally navigate the tension between what the Bible says about creation and what modern science teaches? Does it have to be either/or?
5. The pastor said the Bible "has a lot more to say than we thought it did, and a lot less to say than I was brought up believing that it did." What do you think he meant by this?
Morality
6. Do you believe objective good and evil exist? How do you know when something is truly good or truly evil?
7. Jesus summed up all the commandments as loving God and loving neighbor. How does this simplify moral decision-making? How does it complicate it?
Meaning
8. Have you ever seriously asked yourself, "Do I matter?" What circumstances led to that question?
9. Who is your "neighbor" according to Jesus? Who are your enemies? How does this challenge you?
Destiny
10. The story about Bob praying for his father's healing is powerful. How do you hold onto hope when prayers seem unanswered?
11. What difference does belief in ultimate justice and restoration make in how you face suffering today?
Identity
12. What does it mean to be made "in the image of God"? How should this shape how we see ourselves and others?
13. The pastor shared about walking with a friend through gender transition—remaining the only ministry person still in contact. What does it look like to love people well when you disagree with or don’t understand their decisions, feelings, or actions on fundamental issues?
Part 3: Personal Application (10-15 minutes)
14. The pastor said he finds peace "in the simplicity that exists on the other side of complexity." What simple truths about God bring you peace when everything else feels confusing?
15. Looking at the list below, which of these core truths is hardest for you to rest in right now?
- God created everything out of love
- Humans matter to God
- God keeps pursuing us even when we walk away
- Jesus came to reconcile us to God
- God will restore all things and bring perfect justice
- We are loved and have a mission
Practical Applications
This Week's Challenge (Choose One):
- Ask the Question - Share one honest question you have about faith with a trusted friend or mentor. Don't worry about having the answer—just practice being honest.
- Love Your "Enemy" - Identify someone you avoid or disagree with strongly. Pray for them daily this week and look for one practical way to show them kindness.
- Image Bearer Exercise - Each day this week, intentionally remind yourself that every person you encounter is made in God's image. Notice how this changes your interactions.
- Simplicity Journal - When you feel overwhelmed by complexity or questions, write down one simple truth about God's love that brings you peace.
- Create Safe Space - If you're a parent, mentor, or leader, have a conversation with a younger person letting them know their questions are welcomed and important.
Read together:
"The journey is precious. We don't have to have everything figured out. Jesus doesn't call us to have all the right answers. Jesus calls us to follow Him."
Closing Question: What would it look like for you to take one step toward Jesus this week, even without having all the answers?
Closing Prayer
Pray for:
- Courage to ask honest questions
- Grace to live with uncertainty while following Jesus
- Wisdom to love others well, especially when we disagree
- Peace in the simple truths of God's love
- Open hearts for the remainder of this sermon series
Encourage group members to:
- Attend the next sermon in the series
- Journal about questions that arise
- Bring one question they'd like the group to explore together
Remember: "You are more important than your answers." - Pastor Dennis
Sign up for a small group
We'd love to get you connected to a small group. Fill out the form below to get started.
Small groups help people grow in their faith and build community. Our groups take place throughout the week, so use this form to find a group that's right for you. We'd love to have you join us!
Coffee Conversations:
Does the Bible Really Say That?
What: a gathering of men and women for the purpose of connection, encouragement, and engagement with Big Questions about Life, Faith, and the Bible.
When: September 16th, October 21st, November 18th, and December 16th @ 6:30 AM
Where: Sunrise Ministries
Who: Leader Dennis Moles
When: September 16th, October 21st, November 18th, and December 16th @ 6:30 AM
Where: Sunrise Ministries
Who: Leader Dennis Moles
Women
She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.
Proverbs 31:25
Women's ministry at Sunrise exists to help women transform the world through God's grace and love. We do that through Bible studies, prayer and intentional conversations with one another.
Women's Bible Study
Leader: Carol VanHaitsma
Where: Sunrise Ministries
When: 1st meeting – Wednesday, September 24, 7:00 p.m. at church (7
sessions)
Where: Sunrise Ministries
When: 1st meeting – Wednesday, September 24, 7:00 p.m. at church (7
sessions)
THE GOSPEL ON THE GROUND – The Grit and Glory of the Early Church of Acts
By Kristi McLelland
In this 7-week study, Kristi McClelland will help us look at the life of the early church in the book of Acts. The “gospel on the ground” is the story of how this Jesus centered, world transformation happened, beginning in Judea and Samaria, and how it is still happening as it spreads to the ends of the earth
today.
As C.S. Lewis says, “Christianity is the story of how the rightful king has landed, you might say landed in disguise, and is calling us all to take part in a great campaign of sabotage.”
The kingdom of God is still coming down to the ground. And we, God’s people, are called to bring His story to a weary world. We are being drafted
into the “great company of sabotage” to spread the way and the wisdom of the reign of the rightful and benevolent King.
Will you let Him use you in this chapter of the church’s story?
By Kristi McLelland
In this 7-week study, Kristi McClelland will help us look at the life of the early church in the book of Acts. The “gospel on the ground” is the story of how this Jesus centered, world transformation happened, beginning in Judea and Samaria, and how it is still happening as it spreads to the ends of the earth
today.
As C.S. Lewis says, “Christianity is the story of how the rightful king has landed, you might say landed in disguise, and is calling us all to take part in a great campaign of sabotage.”
The kingdom of God is still coming down to the ground. And we, God’s people, are called to bring His story to a weary world. We are being drafted
into the “great company of sabotage” to spread the way and the wisdom of the reign of the rightful and benevolent King.
Will you let Him use you in this chapter of the church’s story?
A Circle of Friends
We are a group of women who gather to listen to one another and try to notice what Jesus is doing in our lives. Each week, we meditate on a short scripture and consider a question to help guide our conversation. The goal here is more towards encouragement and friendship: it’s not necessarily an intellectual conversation.
It is held at Grandville Russ' on Chicago Avenue on the second Tuesday at 6:30 pm of each month, including summer. Emailing Pam Rozema ahead is helpful so she can look for you, but it is not required.
It is held at Grandville Russ' on Chicago Avenue on the second Tuesday at 6:30 pm of each month, including summer. Emailing Pam Rozema ahead is helpful so she can look for you, but it is not required.
Men
Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.
1 Corinthians 16:13
Sunrise is committed to helping men build strong faith in God and strong bonds with our brothers in Christ as men who will transform the world through God's grace and love. Let's walk together as we discover our uniqueness as husbands, fathers, businessmen and leaders.
Pub Theology
White Flame Brewing Co. @ 6:30pm
With time and the right ingredients... good things happen. The format is simple: beer, conversation,
and God. Join with guys of varying opinions to enjoy drinks and learn from each other.
All men are welcome. Join us on the first Tuesday of the month at White Flame Brewing Co.
and God. Join with guys of varying opinions to enjoy drinks and learn from each other.
All men are welcome. Join us on the first Tuesday of the month at White Flame Brewing Co.