DISCIPLESHIP GROUPS

Discipleship Groups FAQs

Who is a disciple?

A disciple is a person who FOLLOWS Jesus, being CHANGED by Jesus and COMMITTED to the mission of Jesus. (Mark 1:16-20)

What is a discipleship group?

A Discipleship Group (D-GROUP) is a group of people committed to studying the word of God and growing in obedience to God as disciple makers. (Acts 2:42-47)

Where does a discipleship group meet?

Discipleship Groups meet all over the Columbia Metro area. Groups can meet in homes, at the church building, local parks and even within the work place. We believe D-Groups happen wherever God leads. (Acts 2:44)

When a discipleship group meets, they…

< LOOK BACK: Care, Accountability & Worship

Talk about life, share transparently with one another, all while we worship God together.

^ LOOK UP: Prayer, Scripture Reading & Memorization

Read and discuss the Bible, talk about how it points us to God and applies to our lives, pray together.

> LOOK AHEAD: Serving one another & our city. Training

Share and pray for people in our lives & community. Practice sharing the Gospel with one another, setting evangelism goals, then we GO!

What are the WINS of a discipleship group?

With the help of the Holy Spirit and one another, we would:

• GROW DEEPER in love and obedience to God, becoming more like the one we follow - Jesus.

• MULTIPLY D-GROUPS by making disciples and starting new D-Groups with new followers of Jesus.

• BE KNOWN in the places and with the people God has intentionally put around us, taking next steps of obedience towards sharing the Gospel and making disciples.

How do I join a group?

Look through the available D-Groups above and find one that fits your life and click the “JOIN“ button. You will be quickly emailed more information regarding that particular D-Group.

I need help finding a group?

It would be an honor to help you find an Awaken D-Group where you can be discipled. Please E-mail Pastor Gregg if you you need help finding a group.

How to lead a group?

We would love to train you how to lead an Awaken D-Group. We have developed a training plan that we would love to lead your through and equip you to lead a group. E-mail Pastor Gregg if you are interested.

How does a discipleship group get started?

1. Pray, asking God for Discernment & Wisdom.

2. Meet regularly with the Discipleship Pastor for mentoring and leadership development.

2. Determine a time when your desired group can regularly meet together.

3. Pick a start and end date for your D-Group, giving a time period for everyone to commit to.

4. Meet together for the first time, getting to know everyone. Share your God stories and how you came to faith in Christ. Determine what you’re going to focus on in the Bible going forward.

How long does a discipleship group last?

There is no set length of time. Each group could look a little different. However we suggest setting a specific time period, and then reassessing with what is best for everyone and to always include new believers at the table of a D-Group. If the D-Group wants to keep going, or take a break and then pick back up, that is great. We always want to remember we are meant to make disciples and multiply, so starting a new group for and with new followers of Jesus should always be on the table and something we are working towards.

How do we multiply discipleship groups?

1. Have multiplication as a goal from the beginning. Let everyone know up front that our aim is always to make disciples and start new D-Groups with new followers of Jesus, which may, and probably will, mean multiplying new D-Groups at some point to include new disciples of Jesus.

2. When you lead someone to faith in Jesus, invite them to your D-Group. It’s important to walk with a new follower of Jesus, as you mutually grow as disciples.

3. Share with your D-Group, the people, places, and next steps of obedience for yourself so you can all hold each other accountable along the way.

4. Take the initiative to invite new partners at Awaken Church into a D-Group with you.

5. Let other D-Group leaders know if you have space in your D-Group or are looking to start a new one.

Why do we believe being in a discipleship group s important?

Fully trusting Jesus and following Him in obedience does not just casually happen. There will be times when it is easy to love God and to do what He says. But there will also be many times, perhaps even more, when trusting God and following Him in obedience is tough. We cannot do this alone. Which is why we need a group of people who have access to our lives, who we are honest with, who will commit to helping us, to building us up, to walking with us in this relationship as a disciple of Jesus. 

We believe a Discipleship Group offers the best environment for this to happen. We believe it offers the needed depth, intimacy, and accountability to help us press on as a disciple of Jesus. We believe when a group of people are centered around God’s Word and committed to building one another up to trust and obey Jesus, then growth as a disciple will follow!

We also believe Discipleship Groups are instrumental in fulfilling the Great Commission. Jesus tells us to make disciples who make disciples. As we invest in one another, and send each other out to do the same with others, the Kingdom of God will expand to all people in all places!