Four Rhythms of a Healthy Discipleship Group
We would suggest four rhythms or movements to incorporate into your discipleship group gatherings. You may not be able to get to all of these every time you gather, but making sure that each rhythm occurs regularly in the life of your group is a way of improving and maintaining the health of your d-group. The four rhythms are: 1) Scripture, 2) Sharing, 3) Spread of the Gospel, and 4) Supplication and Spirit. Learn more about these four rhythmes by downloading the Discipleship Group Cheat Sheet. In the cheat sheet you will also learn about the single most important thing you can do inside of your discipleship group as well as the single most important thing you can do outside of your discipleship group. Download the Discipleship Group Cheat Sheet.
The Discipleship Group Handbook
For more information, we encourage you to read the Discipleship Group Handbook. It contains many resources in the appendices, but the actual content of the handbook is only 30 pages in length, and can be read quickly and easily. The handbook covers many frequently asked questions like: how to form a group, how frequently to meet, what is a good size for a group, how to help someone stuck in a chronic sin pattern, etc. Download the Discipleship Group Handbook.
Starting a Discipleship Group
Since commonality and connection tend to proceed mutual commitment, discipleship groups (d-groups) are traditionally formed inside of community groups at Bridgeway. However, d-groups can also just as easily be formed outside of a community group. For d-groups formed inside of a community group, the structure of pastoral care is relatively clear (e.g. the d-group facilitator is being supported by the community group leader, the community group leader by a coach, and the coach by the elders). For groups formed outside of a community group, the simple rule of thumb is to strive to place yourselves under loving, biblical authority. In other words, it is helpful if at least the facilitator of the group is connected in a community group here at Bridgeway, so they can receive pastoral care from their community group leader, who in turn is receiving pastoral care from their coach and the pastors and elders.
But all that being said, it should be obvious that no one at Bridgeway needs to seek permission from the pastors and elders to begin meeting to share and pray with other Christians! For those meeting organically in this way, it is simply our hope to serve you by resourcing and equipping you with simple tools like the cheat sheet and the handbook. We hope you find them helpful as we all seek to “exhort one another daily… that none of [us] may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin” (Heb 3:13).