Discipleship Group's

DISCIPLESHIP GROUPS

A Discipleship Group is made up of two or three people, all of the same gender, who meet weekly for 60-90 minutes for personal accountability for their spiritual growth and development. It is recommended the group not grow past three but rather multiply into two groups of two once the fourth participant has proven faithful to the process. This tool empowers the ordinary Christian to accomplish the extraordinary work of reproducing spiritual disciples who can in turn reproduce others.  There is no curriculum, workbook or training involved. There is no leader needed in the group. A Discipleship Group is the simplest form of spiritual community and provides ongoing accountability to learn, obey, and pass on spiritual truth.

FORMAT OF A DISCIPLESHIP GROUP

LOOK IN (45-60 minutes)

Go over the Accountability Questions with one another.

LOOK UP (5-10 minutes)

Your group should read 25-30 chapters of the Bible per week (e.g. read the book of 1 Samuel or read the book of Ephesians 5 times.) If someone doesn’t finish the reading in a given week then the entire group takes the same assignment for the following week.  Discuss then live out what the Lord impressed on you in the reading to apply it to your life and pass the truths on to others.

LOOK OUT (5-10 minutes)

We pray for those who need the Lord and reach out to them as we have opportunity. Close in a time of prayer. Pray for one another. Part of this time should be praying for the lost friends, family, and acquaintances for whom the group has been praying throughout the week. For suggestions on how to pray for the lost see: John 6:44; 1 Thes 2:13;Acts 17:27; 2 Cor 4:4; 2 Tim 2:25-26; John 16:7-14; Matt. 9:37-38; Col. 4:3-6; Acts 17:30-31; 1 Thess 1:9- 10; John 1:12; 5:24 Rom. 10:9-10; Col. 2:6-7; Luke 8:15; John 6:44; 1 Thes. 2:13; Acts 17:27; 2 Cor. 4:4; 2 Tim 2:25-26; John 16:7-14; Matt. 9:37-38; Col. 4:3-6; Acts 17:30-31; 1 Thes. 1:9-10; John 1:12; 5:24; Rom. 10:9-10; Col. 2:6-7; Luke 8:15.

ACCOUNTABILITY QUESTIONS

These questions are to be asked of one another in a weekly meeting of accountability (Proverbs 27:17). They are to stimulate conversations of character and confession of sin to God and one another in a safe environment which values honesty, vulnerability, confidentiality, and grace.

1.       How have your insights from last week’s reading shaped the way you think and live?

2.       Who did you pass your insights from last week on to and how was it received?

3.       How have you seen God at work?

4.       Have you been a testimony this week to the greatness of Jesus Christ with both your words and actions?

5.       Have you been exposed to sexually alluring material or allowed your mind to entertain inappropriate sexual thoughts?

6.       Have you acknowledged God’s ownership in your use of money?

7.       Have you coveted anything?

8.       Have you hurt someone’s reputation or feelings by your words?

9.       Have you been dishonest in word or action or exaggerated?

10.   Have you given in to an addictive (or lazy or undisciplined) behavior?

11.   Have you been a slave to clothing, friends, work, or possessions?

12.   Have you failed to forgive someone?

13.   What worries or anxieties are you facing?

14.   Have you complained or grumbled? Have you maintained a thankful heart?

15.   Have you been honoring, understanding and generous in your important relationships?

16.   What temptations in thought, word, or action have you faced and how did you respond?

17.   How have you taken opportunities to serve or bless others, especially believers?

18.   Have you seen specific answers to prayer?

19.   Did you complete the reading for the week?