"D-Group" = Discipleship Group. It's like a Bible study, but more intense. Through trial and error, this is how we've found things work best for us.
COMMITMENT:
We meet weekly. You're expected to do the work (either a book/study we're doing or a sermon series we are listening to) on your own time and show up weekly to discuss it. You should make this a primary commitment on the night of the week that you're attending. We expect that you'll show up prepared, and we promise that you'll leave challenged and encouraged. :)
You'll be expected to honor this commitment throughout the duration of the study (usually 6-10 weeks). We believe that every person in your life will benefit from your commitment to know God more fully, so we ask you to respect your commitment not only to God and to the group, but to everyone in your life, and attend weekly. If you're sick or out of town, we understand. But if you're just tired or make other plans, that's not cool.
We close the group during the course of each study, so new members have to join during Interim Week (explained below). We cap the group at 12 people. Anything bigger is too large for the intimacy we desire, and usually takes more time than the schedule allows. It's also a good excuse to branch off into another group and train new leadership so we can further our discipleship influence.
SCHEDULE:
D-Group lasts 2 hours, and here's what the general format looks like. In this example, D-Group starts at 7pm, although the groups vary in start time (see below).
6:55pm - Arrive, say hello, etc.
7pm - Turn off your phone, grab a seat. It's go time.
- Opening prayer
- Individually say memory verses from previous week; we memorize a verse each week
7:15pm - Break off into prayer partners. We keep the same prayer partners throughout the duration of each study.
- Confess / Accountability
- Praise
- Prayer Requests
- No gossip or slander. You will be shut down immediately.
- Each person prays aloud for their partner.
7:45pm - Discussion time
- Gather into main meeting area again.
- Discuss the study or sermon series.
- Please contribute whatever insights, questions, or highlights you encountered. We encourage everyone to contribute.
8:35pm - Weekly Challenge
- Share the results of the previous week's challenge. Any interesting stories?
- Then I will share (via video, unless you're in one of the groups I lead) a practical challenge for us to grow deeper.
8:55pm - Closing Prayer
9pm - Group ends
INTERIM WEEK:
Interim Week is the week between studies / semesters / sessions (we use these words interchangeably). During this week, we usually have a potluck dinner party, go out to dinner, go bowling, etc. This is our chance to celebrate what God has done during the past study while welcoming new members for the upcoming study! If you're interested in joining D-Group, Interim Week will be the first thing you attend. Then, your personal study (at home) will begin the next day, and the following week we will discuss Week 1 of the study.
RELATIONSHIPS:
Sometimes we hang out during the week... that's up to each individual group. Feel free to plan something for your group! This is how we really come to bond as a group over time. It also helps us to be involved with each other to the degree that we don't waste prayer time "catching up", because we're already caught up. We want this to be a true community. It doesn't mean you'll be best friends with everyone right off the bat, but if you put in the time, pray for the people in your group, and show up... it will naturally evolve into more meaningful relationships.
REQUIREMENTS:
There are only three requirements for joining a D-Group. You must be:
1. Christian
2. Committed
3. Teachable
We have D-Groups for women only, men only, and coed married couples. If you're interested in joining one of our groups, contact me: tlc [at] taraleighcobble [dot] com
I really hope you'll join us!
Grace & Peace,
Tara-Leigh
Grace & Peace,
Tara-Leigh