A Tend group is a simple, 10-week experience where people gather around meals, scripture, and shared practices to live out their faith together in everyday life. Groups combine dinner and discussion nights with hands-on Earthcare Activities that help people connect with God, their neighbors, and the place they live. Tend groups are designed to be low-pressure, easy to lead, and open to people of all ages and stages.
Why are people asking “What is a Tend group?”
Most people ask “What is a Tend group?” for a simple reason: Tend does not fit neatly into the categories people already know.
If you have been around church, you likely have a frame of reference. You understand what a Sunday service is. You may have been part of a small group or a Bible study. You might have taken a discipleship class or gone on a mission trip. Those are familiar and helpful ways churches have encouraged people to grow.
So when you hear about a Tend group, the natural question is, “Is this one of those?”
The honest answer is no. It is not exactly a small group. It is not just a Bible study. It is not a class. It is not a service project.
A Tend group brings pieces of all of those together into something simpler and more integrated.
It is a space where you read scripture, but also practice it. Where you build relationships, but not only with people you already know. Where you serve, but in a way that is woven into your everyday life, not added on as a separate event.
These distinctives matter because many people feel the gap between what they believe and how they live. Church can be meaningful, but it can also feel disconnected from the rest of the week. Small groups can be helpful, but they often stay focused on discussion. Service projects can be impactful, but they are usually occasional.
A Tend group is a simple way to bring those pieces back together.
Instead of adding something new to your schedule, it helps you integrate your faith in the places you already are, with the people already around you.
How does a Tend group actually work?
A Tend group follows a simple and repeatable rhythm over 10 weeks. The structure is designed to fit into real life without adding pressure.
Each week alternates between two types of gatherings:
1. Dinner and Discussion
These are slower, relational times. You share a meal together, read Scripture out loud, reflect using simple questions, and pray for one another. There is no pressure to have the right answers. The goal is to express gratitude, engage curiosity, and listen to Jesus together.
2. Earthcare Activities
On the alternating weeks, the group participates in a hands-on creation care activity. These activities are simple and welcoming, making it easy to invite neighbors to join. But they are also a powerful way to partner with our Creator in restoring brokenness in our communities.
Over time, this alternating rhythm creates something meaningful. People begin to see connections between scripture, their relationships, and the place they live.
What happens during a typical dinner and discussion night?
When you start your Tend group, you can choose from the studies that Tend offers. Each study focuses on the creation-wide gospel: God’s plan to heal and restore all of creation through Jesus, and our role as Christians in partnering with Jesus in that work. Each study comes with everything you need to lead Dinner & Discussion gatherings for your group.
Dinner & Discussion gatherings are built around a few simple elements that create space for connection and growth.
First, the group shares a meal. This is not about wowing guests. It is about slowing down and being present with each other. Meals are potluck-style, which means the weight isn’t all on the host. Everyone participates.
Next, the group reads Scripture out loud. Hearing different voices and perspectives brings the text to life in new ways. No one is expected to teach or lead a formal lesson.
After reading, the group reflects together using guided questions. These are often open-ended and invite curiosity rather than correct answers. People share what stands out, what they notice, and what they are wondering.
Finally, there is space for prayer. This can be simple and personal, centered on the needs of the group and the neighborhood.
What are Earthcare Activities and why do they matter?
Earthcare Activities are a key part of what makes a Tend group unique. They are simple, hands-on practices that help people care for the place they live while building relationships.
Examples include things like:
- A neighborhood cleanup
- A guided nature walk
- Helping a local garden or farm
- Composting together
These activities are not complicated. Each Earthcare Activity comes with detailed instructions and checklists to make it easy. They are designed to be accessible and welcoming for anyone, including people who may not feel comfortable joining a Bible study.
Something meaningful often happens in these moments. When people work side by side, conversations open up naturally. Faith becomes visible, not forced. Relationships grow in a way that feels honest and unpressured.
Who is a Tend group for?
A Tend group is for anyone who wants to live their faith in a more grounded and relational way.
It is especially helpful for:
- People who feel disconnected or isolated
- Churches looking for simple ways to engage their neighborhoods
- Families who want to practice faith together
- Individuals who want to grow but do not want another program
A Tend group might feel different from other church programs that you’ve experienced. Many of the gatherings meet in a home or outdoor setting. Children are welcome and incorporated into adult spaces where they can be nurtured. Friends are welcome. Neighbors are not projects to reach but partners to know. A Tend group works best when it reflects the real relationships and rhythms of everyday life.
Do you need to be a trained leader to start a Tend group?
No. You do not need special training or experience to start a Tend group. You don’t have to be an environmentalist or hold a seminary degree to lead a Tend group. You just have to be willing to show up, invite your friends and neighbors and watch faith take root.
One of the core ideas behind Tend is that leadership can be simple and shared. You are encouraged to invite a co-leader to join you, which helps distribute responsibility and makes the experience more enjoyable.
Everything you need is provided. There are step-by-step guides for each gathering, including:
- Discussion questions
- Scripture handouts
- Simple outlines for the evening
- Tips for hosting and sharing responsibility
Preparation for each gathering typically takes about 20 minutes. The goal is not to perform but to create space for people to gather and grow.
What makes a Tend group different from a typical small group?
At first glance, a Tend group might sound like a typical small group. But there are a few key differences.
It connects faith to everyday life
Instead of focusing only on discussion, it invites people to practice their faith in tangible ways.
It includes neighbors naturally
Earthcare Activities create a natural way to include people who may not usually attend church gatherings.
It is short term and repeatable
The structure is simple, which makes it easier to start and sustain. Each Tend group is designed to last 10 weeks at a time, with easy onboarding and offboarding seasons.
It reflects a bigger story
The studies explore the story of scripture from creation to new creation, helping people see how their lives fit into what God is doing to restore the cosmos.
What is the goal of a Tend Group?
The goal of a Tend group is not to complete a program. It is to help people grow as disciples in a way that feels natural and sustainable.
Over time, people begin to:
- Notice God’s presence in everyday moments
- Build deeper relationships with neighbors
- Experience scripture in a more personal way
- Make a tangible difference in the world around them
- Incorporate children into the center of discipleship
It is less about achieving something and more about becoming a certain kind of community. A community that lives its faith together in simple and meaningful ways.
How do you start a Tend group?
Starting a Tend group is straightforward. You do not need to have everything figured out before you begin.
Here is a simple path to get started:
1. Find a co-leader
Invite one or two people to lead alongside you.
2. Choose your study and activity
Select a scripture study and an Earthcare Activity that fits your context.
3. Set a start date
Pick a time that works for you and your co-leader.
4. Gather a core group
Invite a small group of people who are willing to commit to the 10 weeks.
From there, the group begins to invite neighbors into the Earthcare Activities, and the experience unfolds naturally.
Why does a Tend group focus on creation?
Caring for creation is not an add-on. It is a central pillar of the story of scripture.
From the beginning, humans are placed in a garden and invited to tend it, to extend the goodness of God into every corner of creation. This work is relational. It connects people to God, to each other, and to the world around them. Sin fractures those relationships and all of creation is groaning for redemption. But because God loves the cosmos, God sends Jesus to restore it. He does it by inviting people to join the mission to heal relationships between Christ, community, and creation.
A Tend group simply brings that invitation into everyday life. When people care for a shared place together, it creates opportunities for connection, reflection, and growth that feel both ancient and grounded in the present moment.
FAQ: What is a Tend group?
What is a Tend group in simple terms?
A Tend group is a 10-week experience where people gather for meals, read scripture, and care for their local environment together as a way of living out their faith.
How long does a Tend group last?
A Tend group typically lasts 10 weeks, with a clear and simple rhythm of weekly gatherings.
Can anyone join a Tend group?
Yes. Tend groups are open to people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds. Neighbors, friends, and families are all welcome.
Is a Tend group only for churches?
Tend is an initiative of Plant With Purpose that equips churches and communities, but the groups themselves often include people beyond the church. They are designed to be accessible and relational.
How much time does it take to lead a Tend group?
Preparation is simple and usually takes about 20 minutes per gathering. The structure is designed to be low effort and sustainable.
What kinds of activities do Tend groups do?
Groups choose from simple Earthcare Activities like cleanups, hikes, gardening, or other practices that care for the local environment.
Final thoughts: What is a Tend group really about?
At its core, a Tend group is about rediscovering a way of life with Jesus.
It is about gathering around a table, opening scripture, and stepping outside together. It is about noticing what God is already doing in your neighborhood and choosing to be part of it.
You do not need to have it all figured out. You only need a willingness to begin.If you are curious, you can create a free account, explore the materials, and see how it works. And when you are ready, you can start a group in a way that fits your life.
