If you have been meeting informally, or had been meeting as a care group or cell group, if most of you have decided to become disciples of Jesus Christ, it is suggested that you transform your group into a discipleship group.
The reason is, many care groups or cell groups have no direction. They meet weekly to care for each other and study the Bible together. But after several years, it is almost the same people meeting every week. The members are not obeying our Lord’s command to “go and make disciples” <p><b><i>(Matthew 28:19- "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost").</i></b></p>
<p>Now, if your group becomes a discipleship group, there is a clear intent that:</p>
1. As you go through the rest of the lessons, you will let our Lord transform your character, as you learn to become His disciples.
2. By the end of this series (around seven months later) you will become a disciple-maker, helping other new believers grow. Perhaps by that time, two of you can start a new discipleship group. This way, we can fulfill our Lord’s Great Commission together.
Since we are serious about letting God transform our character, we need to be transparent and honest about out struggles as we share them in the discipleship group (called Dgroup for short). And we the group make following covenant.
Discipleship Covenant Confidentially (Proverbs 11:13- "A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.") -I will not gossip about fellow members, and will ensure that what is shared in the Dgroup stays in the Dgroup.
Honest (Proverbs 12:22- "Lying lips are abomination to the Lord: but they that deal truly are his delight.") –I will be open and honest with my Dgroup leader and fellow members.
Respect (Philippians 2:4, Hebrews 13:17) –I will respect those in my Dgroup by attending meetings regularly and punctually, and by honoring the authority of my leader and area pastor.
Intercession Ephesians 6:18- "Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;") –I will pray regularly for my Dgroup leader and fellow members.
Spiritual Growth (Hebrews 10:24-25- "And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.") –Because I am joining this group to grow spiritually and to help others do the same, I will refrain from conducting business, borrowing money, or using the Dgroup for purposing other than spiritual growth.
Timothies (II Timothy 2:2- "And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.") -I will have it as my goal to eventually build my own Dgroup.
An essential part of being a disciple is discipline. For us to acquire discipline, we need to make ourselves accountable, not only to God, but to others as well. So it is crucial that every time the Dgroup meets, everyone goes through the following accountability questions:
Dgroup (Discipleship Group) Accountability Questions:
1. Have you been faithful in your quit time, reading of God’s word and pray?
2. How is your relationship with your spouse/someone and children, friends, or parents and siblings?
3. When was the last time you shared the Gospel? Are you discipling or taking steps to disciple other men/ women?
4. Have you been struggling with impure thoughts? Have you looked at questionable materials [movies, TV, books, internet, magazines, etc.], which would bring shame to the Lord?
5. Are you struggling with substance abuse such as drugs, alcohol, cigarettes?
6. Have you been alone with a man/woman in any kind of situation where your feelings or actions became inappropriate or where others could have suspected that something inappropriate was going on?
7. Are there any problems, challenges or stress in your personal life or ministry? Are you joyful in spite of these?
8. How is your financial situation? Any debts? Have you been faithful in giving your tithes of the Lord?