Groups
You were not created to go through life on your own. God designed us with a need for community. A need for other people. One way to connect with other people is to join a group. We have Groups on the following days: Wednesday nights, Thursday nights and Sunday morning. Pick the day and time that works best for you and join a Group! See below for information on our Group leaders.
**Childcare is provided for Wednesday groups**
Sunday
That The World May Know | Led by Jan Ripley
Current Study: That the World May Know- Ray Vander Lann
Group Info: Meets at 10:30AM in Room A101
Focus on understanding the Bible in light of the historical and cultural context in which God placed it. This perspective on the Bible highlights God’s call for His people to be a transforming influence on their culture. Ray Vander Laan uses research of the top scholars in the fields of archaeology, history, and Biblical study as tools to explore the Biblical text ever more deeply. This winter/spring, we will be studying ‘Death and Resurrection of the Messiah’ as we continue in the ‘That the World May Know’ series.
Contact office@theriverabilene.com for more information
Sunday
College Group(18-23) | Led by the Hairrells and Kirles
Current Study: Young Adults
Group Info: Meets every other Sunday after 2nd Service. Check details below.
This group is for college students ages 18–23 and is a space to connect over lunch, have fun, pray together, and dive into real-life conversations as we unpack and apply that week’s sermon topic.
Contact office@theriverabilene.com with your phone number so that we can add you and keep you in the loop!
Or click the button below to join our Groupme!
Sunday
Young Professionals | Led by the Skinners
Current Study: Young Professionals
Group Info: 2X Monthly Sundays after 2nd Service – Location varies
Join us starting February 8th at 5:00 PM for a Super Bowl Party at the Skinners’ home as we launch a new small group for young professionals who are working, out of school, and eager to grow in faith and community. Our hope is to create a welcoming space to study the Bible, pursue Christ together, and build authentic relationships along the way.
For location and details contact office@theriverabilene.com with your phone number so that we can add you and Keep you in the loop!
Or click the button below to be added to our groupme!
Monday
Acts | Led by Ruthie Butler and Arleen land
Current Study: Acts.
Group Info: Mondays at 6:30PM in Room A205.
In this Monday night study we will be looking at God’s active Spirit through His servants, as well as the spreading of the gospel and foundation of the early church, as we follow along with Max Lucado’s Life Lessons from Acts Bible Study.
Monday
Caregivers Group | Led by Jan Ripley
Current Study: Who Cares for you?
Group Info: Meets at 1:00PM on Mondays. Beginning on Feb. 9
For those of us who are caregivers. We will be using the study Who Cares for You? A Bible Study for Caregivers by Marissa Bondurant. More details for this group coming soon.
Contact office@theriverabilene.com for more information
Tuesday
Oaks and Acorns | Led by Chelsa Istre
Current Study: Oaks and Acorns
Group Info: Tuesdays at 9am-10:15am, in Rm A104. Leader Chelsa Istre
An invitation to all the widows and those who want to learn from them. This gathering is specifically geared toward widows to be a place to build connections, encourage each other and give purpose to women within the Kingdom of God at The River of Life church. We will focus on healing hearts, praying and following the guidance of the Holy Spirit. If you would like to glean some wisdom you are welcome to come, even if you are not a widow.
Contact office@theriverabilene.com for more information
Tuesday
Women's Group | Various
Current Study: Various
Group Info: Tuesdays 10:30am-12:00pm. Rm A101
Our Tuesday Ladies work through different Biblical studies throughout the year and can be joined at any time. Each week we will be connecting with one another as we examine scripture together to grow in our wisdom, understanding and knowledge of God.
Contact office@theriverabilene.com for more information
Tuesday
Men's Group | Led by Glen Gibbs
Current Study: the Bible
Group Info: Tuesdays 6:00am-7:00am. Rm A101
Our Men’s group meets on Tuesday mornings at 6AM and is a time for fellowship and walking through The Word of God together. Each week we discuss a different passage of scripture, as we progressively read through each book of the bible together through the course of the year. This group meets in room A101 and all men are invited regardless of your level of knowledge of the scripture.
Contact office@theriverabilene.com for more information
Wednesday
Sermon Study Group| Led by The Fains & Doug Snitker
Current Study: Current Sermon Series
Group Info: Meets in the Main Building at 6:30PM
We would like to invite you to a study on Wednesdays at 6:30PM in the main building. This will be a special time where we take a deeper look into the sermon highlights and scriptures from Pastor David’s sermon from the previous Sunday.
Contact office@theriverabilene.com for more information
Wednesday
Marriage Encouragement | Led by the McKees
Current Study: Marriage Encouragement
Group Info: Meets at 6:30PM in the Main Sanctuary
Come join us this semester as our scripture based study takes a deep dive into what a Christ-centered marriage looks like and how growth springs anew! A few of the topics include Communication & Grace, Guarding Against the Slow Fade, Serving One Another and A Marriage That Reflects Christ. We are looking forward to another semester with like-minded believers and sharing what God has placed on all of our hearts. Let’s blossom together
Contact office@theriverabilene.com for more information
Wednesday
The Life of Jesus | Led Creg Istre
Current Study: The Life of Jesus
Group Info: Meets at 6:30PM in Room A103
We will be using all 4 gospels to study the life & teachings of Jesus Christ. Everything He did & said was purposeful & as followers of His we will be looking at the meaning behind the events in His life. To be fruitful ministers of the gospel we need to be spiritually equipped & be ready, willing & able to equip others, with the help of the Holy Spirit. We want to Partner with The Lord & each other to bring Heaven to earth in God’s ways & in God’s timing. To do that effectively we need to know the life of Jesus.
Contact office@theriverabilene.com for more information
Wednesday
River Kids | Led by Megan Whittington
Current Study: River Kids
Group Info: Meets in the River Kids Building when the adults groups are in session
RiverKids is a fun and engaging time designed specifically for your children to learn and grow in their relationship with God. Our Riverkids staff and volunteers present the curriculum in a safe, age-specific environment that gives them a solid biblical foundation for their walk with the Lord. RiverKids meets at 6:30PM in Building B on Wednesday nights when Adult groups are in session.
Contact office@theriverabilene.com for more information
Wednesday
River Students | Led by Jr Duran and Ruthie Butler
Current Study: River Students
Group Info: Bible Study at 5:00pm. Ministry time at 6:30PM
River Students is a place for every junior high and senior high student to believe and belong. River Students is focused on helping teens develop relationships with other Christ-followers as well as growing spiritually. Wednesday services are filled with a time for bible study, worship, small-groups, and a message that will challenge and inspire teenagers to discover more about God. River Students (grades 6-12) meet on Wednesday nights beginning with an “Into the Deep” bible study time at 5 PM, a meal at 5:30 PM and regular meeting time from 6:30 pm to 7:45 pm in Building B.
Contact office@theriverabilene.com for more information
Thursday
Overcoming Spriritual Slump by Lenny Luchetti | Led by the Gibbs and Kennemers
Current Study: Overcoming Spiritual Slump
Group Info: Meets at 6:30 in A201
A spiritual slump can deepen not destroy us, if we grab onto the rope of God’s grace and hold on for dear life. It has been said, “the same sun that melts the wax also hardens the clay.” Exploring the life of the Bible’s King David, this book presents a process for overcoming the slump so we reach our potential for a faithful, fruitful, and fulfilled life in Christ.
Contact office@theriverabilene.com for more information
Thursday
Ladies Luncheon | Led by Marty Gregory
Current Study: Ladies Luncheon
Group Info: 1st Thursdays Only at 11:15AM. Led by Marty Gregory.
Friday
Heartflow | Led by Chelsa Istre
Current Study: HeartFlow
Group Info: Meets at 9AM to 11AM in Room A104
This highly interactive class for women is designed to help each other with the sanctification process so that we can overflow with Jesus’ love and grow in our relationship with God and others. This will be a safe community where we will be addressing the struggles we all face so we can process, in a healthy way, things that block the flow of God’s grace and love through us toward others; like, among others things, resentment, bitterness, unforgiveness, anger, insecurities and fear.
Saturday
Men of the Stronghold | Led by Gus Stuart & Micah Wamala
Current Study: Men of the Stronghold
Group Info: Meets at 8:30AM in the Sanctuary
Men of the Stronghold is a brotherhood of men committed to standing firm in Christ as our Rock, Fortress, and Deliverer (Psalm 18:2). We confront spiritual warfare with honesty and courage, helping men walk in freedom, live with integrity, and lead their families with strength and humility. This group is not meant to replace men’s ministry, but to complement it by focusing on the battles that quietly derail men from God’s plan and purpose. Our format is built for the working man: each man does the study on his own schedule, and our meetings provide accountability, encouragement, prayer, and brotherhood. We fight spiritually by studying how the enemy uses the seven deadly sins to weaken men, distort identity, and fracture families. Each man identifies his priority areas and pursues repentance, discipline, and transformation through Christ—becoming a better husband, father, and unshakable man of faith, side by side as Men of the Stronghold.
Contact Office@TheRiverAbilene.Com or ChaplainGusStuart@Gmail.Com for more information.
Saturday
River Runners | Led by Jr. Duran
Current Study: River Runners
Group Info: Saturdays at 7am. Redbud or ACU. Led by Jr. Duran.
River Runners is where we come together to physically challenge ourselves. We will alternate meetings at ACU and Redbud Park. You can run or walk at your own pace. We encourage one another to strengthen our temples God dwells in. Honor God with all we do & are. 1 Corinthians 3:16-17
Contact office@theriverabilene.com for more information
