Discipleship groups are small groups that meet regularly to encourage members in their discipleship living. They are groups that walk together along the journey of discipleship, helping each other find God’s path.
Today's Bible Reading for Groups
What are Discipleship Groups?
Discipleship groups are simply a way to help every Christian learn discipleship and be the best disciple of Jesus Christ possible.
Disciple is a church word borrowed from Latin that means "student" or "follower". In Christianity, it is following Jesus Christ and his teachings. In discipleship we strive to live our lives following Jesus. Discipleship groups are one tool we use to help each other be faithful disciples.
Discipleship Covenants
Each discipleship group develops their own covenant. This covenant is an agreement about how the group will hold each other accountable. The covenant is composed of individual clauses about what the group members will try to do in their lives. The covenant helps guide the meetings of the discipleship group and also shapes the spiritual life of the individual.
Discipleship group meetings
The regular meeting of Discipleship Groups is guided by that group's covenant, but follows a suggested format. The time, duration, and freqency of meetings should be agreed upon by the group. Following that, each meeting follows a basic format. One group member should be selected to lead the meeting and assure that it remains on topic and schedule. That responsibility may be rotated from meeting to meeting.
A Guide for Facilitating Groups
Leading a Discipleship group is not difficult, but it does require attention and thoughtful words. The purpose of this guide is to help you lead your group carefully and respectfully.
The basic structure of an hour meeting is as follows:
- 5 minutes for Scripture and opening prayer
- 45 minutes for examines
- 10 minutes for closing prayer
