We are so excited for you to begin your Discipleship Group (Dgroup).
Are you ready for a Dgroup?
We encourage you begin by taking our Dgroup Introduction Course.
Once you click the link below, you will head to ServeHQ where you will register to take the course! Each video module will have questions for you to complete. If after the course you feel ready to continue in the Dgroup Training process then head to Step 1: Life Steps.
Step 1: Life Steps
Are you ready to start a Dgroup? YAY! Truly, we are ecstatic that you are taking this next step in the discipleship pathway. Before you begin we want to prepare you and equip you with all of the resources you may need along the journey.
Where are you on the pathway?
Discipleship is a lifelong journey of Meeting God, Discovering who you are in Christ, Becoming more like Jesus, and Leading others to do the same. Rather than a church program, this is disciple making with intentionality.
At illuminate church everyone starts at Life Step 1. Life Step 1 is a one time class that will walk you through what it means to follow Jesus. Life Step 1 prepares you for Life Step 2 which is a 6 week group experience where you get a clear picture of the discipleship pathway we are on together - MEET, DISCOVER, BECOME, LEAD. You will understand how the Bible, Community, and Time with God are foundational for our lifelong journey.
Life Step 1 and 2 will empower you to continue in a lifelong journey of finding Abundant Life in Jesus Christ. Because we believe this is such a critical part of exploring our faith, all Dgroup Leaders must complete Life Step 1 and Life Step 2. Once both Life Steps are completed please head to Step 2: Training.
Step 2: Training!
Dgroup Leader Training
Once you have completed Life Step 1 and Life Step 2, you are ready to take our Dgroup Leader Training Class. Once you click the link below, you will head to ServeHQ where you will register to take the course! Each video module will have questions for you to complete. Once completed please head to Step 3: Where do I begin?
Step 3: Where do I begin?
We recommend each group begins by reading the Replicate Book together. This is currently not a requirement however this book does carry the heart and vision of Discipleship Groups and will help each group member fully embrace the discipleship process with full knowledge of what is expected of them during the 12-18 month commitment as well as the replication process. This Book Study is typically a 4 week process and over the first four weeks of your group you will discuss the 4 parts of the book:
The Problem with Disciple-Making
The Practice of Disciple-Making
The Process of Disciple-Making
The Product of Disciple-Making
After the 4 weeks are completed, you will choose your reading plan, sign the Dgroup Covenant, and take the Spiritual Assessment.
Full Bible or New Testament?
Our Dgroups commit to read the Bible together using the F260 Bible Reading Plans. There are two options to choose from, the Full Bible or the New Testament.
Full Bible: This is an excellent Bible-reading plan designed for you to read through all 66 books of the Bible in one year, while still having the flexibility of reading only 5 days per week. Most days you will read 2 chapters of Scripture, a task I know all of us can easily accomplish!
New Testament: This Bible-reading plan will take you through the 27 divinely inspired books of the New Testament in one year, while still offering the flexibility of reading only five days each week with 1 chapter per day.
Journaling using The HEAR Method
While a great first step for many of us is simply to begin to read our Bibles, I want to encourage us all to go one step further. Let’s not just read the Bible together; let’s journal the Bible together!
Robby Gallaty, who developed the F260 Bible Reading plan also created the Replicate Journal. The point of the Replicate Journal is for us not to simply read the Bible to say we did it, but to read the Bible for transformation using the HEAR method. HEAR stands for Highlight, Explain, Apply, and Respond. The journal is recommended but not required. You can always decide to use your own journal.
Highlight – Highlight each verse that speaks to you by copying it under the letter “H” in your journal entry. Write down the name of the book, the chapter and verse(s), as well as a title to describe the passage.
Explain – Under the letter “E” in your journal entry, explain what is happening in the text. Hear a good study Bible can be a helpful tool as you answer questions like why was this written, to whom was it written, and how does this fit within the book?
Apply – Under the letter “A” in your journal entry, write down how you will apply this Scripture to your life.
Respond – Under the letter “R” in your journal entry, write down how you intend to use what you have heard from God to apply it to your Head, Heart, and Hands! You should be familiar with this concept from Life Step 2. You can use this section to focus on a specific area, for example:
Head: Do I need to change/renew my mind about something and know or align with God’s heart better?
Heart: Do I need to take a promise or principle from head knowledge to my heart? Write out a heartfelt prayer to the Lord.
Hands: What am I going to tangibly do because of what God spoke to me in this scripture?
Journaling is critical to the discipleship process! This is where we move from simply reading the Bible to actually ENGAGING with the Word of God. Use your journal to write down what you HEAR from God each day so you can discuss your HEAR journal entries with your Dgroup each week.
Scripture Memory
Each reading plan encourages Scripture Memory. You have the option to memorize the scripture recommended for each week from your reading plan or your group can choose their own! One idea is to focus on a chapter of the Bible (Example: Romans 8) over the entire 12-18 months.
Accountability
A big part of the Discipleship process is holding each other accountable. We do this by encouraging and sharpening one another. Accountability helps us grow and become a stronger disciple.
Proverbs 27:17 says, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another”. As the leader you are free to come up with your own accountability questions. In the training video you saw some sample questions to consider asking your group:
Starter Question: Did you complete all the readings and memory verse(s) this week? If not, why?
Big 3:
How have you loved or served your family/friends/neighbors this week?
What is eating your lunch? What is a sin struggle that keeps occurring in your life? (James 5:16)
How have you fed others this week? How are you intentionally sharing the gospel?
Action Step: Have each group member commit to one action step to be held accountable for each week.
Examples: I am going to reach out to a coworker that the Lord has placed on my heart. I am going to focus on being quick to hear and slow to speak with my spouse. I am going to commit to a sabbath this week.
Resources:
Step 4: Register your Dgroup!
Do you have a group? If not, start by praying! Choosing your group is truly a move of the Holy Spirit. We believe groups that form through organic relationship and genuine connection will thrive!
Please register your Dgroup once you have chosen your group members and have arranged a weekly meeting time.
After you register your Dgroup we will add you to our monthly e-mail that will continue to inspire and equip you throughout the discipleship journey. As a Dgroup Leader you will also be invited to quarterly gatherings with other leaders that are walking this same path! It is our desire to walk with you and encourage one another throughout the replication process. Please fill out the gender specific form below:
Step 5: Disciple!
Here is the fun part! Enjoy meeting with your group and digging into the Word together! Be prepared to HEAR from the Lord!
The Dgroup Covenant and the Spiritual Assessment provided below are tools for your Dgroup. This is not something that will need to be turning in to anyone outside of your Dgroup.
At the beginning of your Dgroup please have each member fill out a Dgroup Covenant.
We encourage you to fill out the Dgroup Spiritual Assessment at the beginning, middle, and end of your group.
Step 6: Replicate!
During the last 3 months of your Dgroup, you will begin to walk your group through the replication process. During that time you will ask each person to prayerfully bring a list of names that they are considering to invite to their next Dgroup (Leader included!). You will use these last few months to intentionally focus on building the group to step into leadership by designating times for each member to lead. Allow each member to step out of their comfort zone to practice during this season and allow them to build the confidence they need to replicate. Begin to share this Dgroup Leader Resources page with the group so they can navigate their next steps in the process.
Once your group has completed your 12-18 month Dgroup, please SHARE feedback by clicking the link below! We would love to meet with you and celebrate all that God has done and join you in prayer as we continue to see the replication process unfold. God is so good!