Groups of 2-3

KINGDOM FRIENDSHIPS

This is where our primary discipleship to Jesus happens – in the context of authentic, heart-level friendship – growing as wholehearted disciples and helping others do the same.

Purpose & Vision

This is where our primary discipleship to Jesus happens – in the context of authentic, heart-level friendship. As a Group, we commit to meeting regularly for mutual encouragement, accountability and prayer. As we each grow as wholehearted disciples, we are equipped to help others do the same.

Our Vision for Groups of 2-3: We are growing as wholehearted disciples and helping others do the same.

Our Role: Keep it Jesus-Centered and Keep it Easily Reproducible

Our Values: Belonging + Identity + Purpose

First Steps

1) Discern what type of a group you are needing.

New Disciples need teaching. If you’re a new believer, find someone who is a little further along and see if they will guide you into a more wholehearted discipleship to Jesus.

Maturing Disciples need strengthening. If you’re a maturing disciple, find a few people who can walk alongside you for encouragement, accountability and prayer.

Mature Disciples need mentoring. If you’re a mature disciple, prayerfully discern what season you are in and what you are needing for ongoing growth and wholeness.

*If you are a maturing or mature disciple, a main marker of being a disciple is helping others grow as a disciple. Be attentive to any new or younger believers whose journey God may want to include you in.

Marks of Maturity

2) Form a group and clarify the content that fits the main needs of the group.

Groups can be formed out of existing relationships within a House Church or with people from similar life seasons in our broader community. If you are a maturing disciple, being attentive to any new believers around you to walk alongside is a great practice and an important mark of discipleship to Jesus.

Taking stock of the needs of the group will inform the specific Scripture or resource to ground the group. For example, if the group desires to lean into the rhythm of Becoming Whole, the Freedom Prayer workbook may be a good option. If the group desires to go deeper into what it means to walk alongside others well, the Pastoral Epistles may be where the group should anchor itself.

3) Decide on the length of commitment and meeting consistency based on each person’s capacity.

We recommend committing to a Group for a semester or a season. After that, it’s a great opportunity to invite others into a new Group of 2-3. If there is a desire for the group to continue, then decide on new time frame.

The frequency of meetings depends on the needs and capacity of the Group. We recommend at least 1-2 in-person meetings per month with some additional check-ins organically via text/phone. Groups can meet in homes, coffee shops, or restaurants. Just remember to keep the needs of the Group in mind (privacy, sharing past wounds) and be willing to shift location if necessary.

Getting Started

Groups of 2–3 are where Kingdom Friendships take shape. We are made to walk in close relationships with one another! The New Testament church was serious about prioritizing this and becoming disciples who make disciples. These Groups are typically made up of two or three people from the same gender who commit to meeting consistently, growing in vulnerability, and grounding their time in Scripture or a Scripture-based resource. It is a time of spurring each other on to enjoy and follow Jesus and navigate the practical implications of how to help others in your life do the same.

Meeting #1

Talk through group details and meeting flow (see here for How the Guide Works) to understand framework for future meetings
Take time for each person to share their life story/testimony and encourage each other with how you see God moving in their life
End with praying for the needs of each group member

Meeting #2

Connect: Belonging – How would you describe your relationship with God currently? Are there any ways you desire this to look differently like moving forward?
Content: Read John 15:1-8 NLT. What words or phrases stood out to us as we read? How could we personally apply this to our lives?
Commit: Pray for the specific needs of each group member.

Meeting #3

Connect: Identity – Are there any areas of your life where you feel stuck? Pray for what comes up.
Content: Read Psalm 139. What does this say about God? People?
Commit: How can I personally obey God’s word to me this week? Pray for each other to do this and any other specific needs of each group member.

Meeting #4

Connect: Purpose – Who in my life can I be praying for and demonstrating the Kingdom to?
Content: Read Matthew 28:18-19 NLT. What does this say about God? People? How could we personally apply this to our lives?
Commit: Is there anyone I can encourage with this truth? Pray for humility and increased hunger for the Holy Spirit for yourself and for those in your life.

Group Guide

Connect (1/3 of your time)

Personal Check-Ins

This should be very relational but still purposeful. In addition to a general life update, we recommend checking in around 3 main areas. As you go, pause to pray for any urgent needs that come up. (It may be best only covering one or two of these areas each time you meet)

Belonging: How are you growing in experiencing daily union and connection with God? What's working? What feels hard?

Practices Include:

1. Alone Time in Prayer + Scripcture 2. Abiding throughout the day

Additional Belonging Questions:

How do you experience belonging with God?
Is there a part of the Trinity you connect with more?
What has daily union looked like for you in past seasons?
What does daily union with God look like for you in your current season?
What do you desire for daily union with God to look like?
Do you feel like the way you’re approaching daily union with God is deepening your connection with Him?
What prevents you from communing with or coming close to God?

Identity: How are you finding a greater sense of freedom and wholeness? Are there any areas you feel stuck?

Practices Include:

Sabbath / Slowing Down Physical / Mental Health Freedom Prayer Tools

Additional Identity Questions:

Where or in what have you previously found your identity?
What does it mean to have your identity rooted in Jesus?
Are there any areas of your life where you feel stuck?
Am I a mature disciple? What is keeping me from moving forward in becoming a person who constantly lives from a place of being known and loved by God?
Practically, what would it look like to lean into a greater sense of freedom and wholeness this season?

Purpose: How are you partnering with God in your personal witness to those around you? Where are the places and people God may be 'including you?'

Practices Include:

Oikos Map Prayer / Care / Share

Additional Purpose Questions:

What has personal witness and discipleship making looked like for you in the past?
What does it look like for you in your present season?
Who in my life can I be praying for and demonstrating the Kingdom to?
Which areas of my time require re-evaluation to make space to walk alongside another in faith?

CONTENT (1/3 of your time)

1. Discovery Bible Study (DBS)

DBS Guide + Suggested Scriptures

While DBS is the most simple and reproducible way to structure your content, there are seasons where studying Scripture in different ways or introducing other books/media can be really helpful.

Lectio Divina Guide
Additional Recommended Resources

2. Practice Experiencing Jesus: Choose one of these 3 ways to experience the presence and voice of Jesus together.

Talk to Jesus:
Think / Declare / Ask

Listen to Jesus:
Know / Do

Be With Jesus:
Centering Prayer

COMMIT (1/3 of your time)

Based off God’s written and spoken Word to each of us personally: How can I personally obey God’s word to me this week? Is there anyone I can encourage with this truth?
Pray for any urgent needs and pray a blessing over each other for the week ahead.