D-Stands for Discipleship

A disciple of Jesus is someone learning to apply the bible absolutely every part of life. Essentially, everything we do together in community is a part of discipleship. However, discipling one another will involve:

1. We remind each other of our new Identity in Jesus Christ.
2. We admonish and teach one another through discussion to obey Jesus’ commands.
3. We train each other to serve in tangible ways.

   We identify a mission opportunity and plan to address how we will help.

   On the last two weeks of the 10 week D-Group commitment, we serve the mission of God by helping with the mission opportunity.

1. We sincerely care for one another
2. We get to know one another through our stories.
   Are you just beginning your spiritual journey? Seeking? Questioning?
   When did you begin your relationship with God?
   How is God at work in your life right now?
3. We listen closely to each other and to the Holy Spirit so we can carefully and empathetically affirm or direct one another to truth.
   We refuse to talk when one of us is telling our story.
   We also refuse to dominate the time with our story.
4. We are concerned about one another so we give one another permission to ask questions:
   How are you doing?
   Are you loving well (your friends, your family, your neighbors, your coworkers)?
   Are you struggling?
   What are you struggling through?
   What can we celebrate with you?
5. We pray with and for each other.

1. We encourage each other to live out what we believe through making goals and helping each other fulfill them.
2. We gently speak the truth in love since/if we have earned the right to address issues of concern.
3. We give permission to kindly correct one another when necessary.
4. We contact one another if we are absent from the group.
5. We honor one another with confidentiality.

While anyone can give permission for their info to be shared at any time, the general rule of thumb is to honor the confidentiality of the group as you learn more about each other. What you learn about others, however, is private information. The exception to this is if an issue arises that requires a more trained perspective (dangerous or harmful behaviors, addiction issues, abuse, etc.). In that case, please confide in the church staff or the Ministry Leadership Team for more assistance.

Transformation

1. We understand that positive change happens best in community. So we invest our time and our energy in the D-Group for at least 10 weeks.
2. We participate in the discussion. The weeks of discussions will lead us back to the character and work of God over and over again. That’s because faith in the work of God on our behalf in and through Jesus is the only thing that will ultimately bring redemption and lasting change. 

Multiplication

1. We know the mission, “”We exist to make disciples who make disciples.”” (Matthew 28:18-20). Followers of Jesus, His disciples, do not live merely for their own spiritual growth and eternal destination. Disciples seek to make disciples who make disciples.
2. We know there is an expectation of multiplication. The hope for every D- group is that each participant would one day launch another D-Group. The timeline will vary from group to group, but  D-Groups are patterned after the New Testament example and must clearly keep this goal in mind. Begin praying even now about who God might have you lead in the future.

How do I get started?

1. Join a D-Group that invites you to participate with them. If that hasn’t happened,
2. Express your interest by filling out a D-Group interest form on-line at www.newbeginningschurch.info and ask them to help you find or start a D- group.
3. Find friends who wants to form a D- group, and run that by your church staff or Ministry Leadership Team.

Each week when you meet, the leader of the group will walk you through the discussion. There is some variation, but roughly the same elements are involved each week:

1. PRE-MEETING SETUP. Here are a few things you could do in advance to be ready for the meeting.
   1. LOCATION - Be wise about your D-Group meeting place. A coffee shop can work for some groups, but it may not give you the privacy you’ll need for honest conversation. Meeting in a home or the quiet corner of a larger public space may be better options. If you meet in homes, agree to share the hosting responsibility.
   2. COMMUNICATION –- Send an email, or a text message, or make a phone call, or do all 3 to remind the D-Group of the details of the meeting.
   3. STUDY - A daily blog which previews the next sermon will be provided for each D-Group member to read at www.philsallee.info  . Although reading the blog will be helpful, it is not necessary 
   4. WHAT TO BRING - You’re going to be taking notes throughout this process. You can use your own journal or write in the margins of your bible. Make sure you have a Bible with you, too.§ You’ll be scheduling additional times together, so bring some sort of calendar to each meeting (smart phone, laptop, paper, a pen for writing on your hand, etc.).
   5. EATING - Many groups like to share table fellowship by eating together. Please remember that this can be a detriment to the D-Group if not handled with wisdom. If you choose to eat together, consider something simple: just dessert, or a snack. A full meal requires a significant amount of time, cost, and planning. Also, share the responsibility. PLEASE do not expect the same person to host the group in their home, provide the food/snack/dessert, and lead the discussion. Share the hosting responsibilities.
2. MEETING. Each D-Group meeting should develop a pattern so that the key features of a successful meeting are accomplished each week.
   1. TIME – - Time is precious. Each D-Group participant must have confidence that the D-Group will not run over time. The recommended maximum time for each meeting is 1.5 hours. It is wise to enlist a time keeper to remind the group it is time to move to the next feature. This will include each of the essential D-Group Features:
      • Icebreaker/Snack - 15 Minutes
      • Group Goals - 5 Minutes
      • Summary –- 10 Minutes
      • Discussion –- 25 Minutes
      • Prayer - 5 Minutes (Some may excuse themselves after the prayer time if they cannot participate in the D-Group mission Project)
      • Missional Discussion - 30 Minutes
   2. ICE BREAKER – - Each meeting something should be done to break the ice.” One of the following will be provided for leaders and participants each Sunday at www.philsallee.info   
      • Food/snack/dessert,
      • Interesting question,
      • 2 Truths and a Lie,
      • Fun topic for discussion,
      • Humorous story,
      • Would you rather scenarios,
      • Etc.
   3. REMINDER OF THE D-GROUP GOALS (in the Participation Guide)
   4. SERMON BASED SUMMARY - There are many advantages to having a sermon based discussion:
      • The entire church is on the same page for focus and synergy.
      • The leader may not have time to prepare or the gifting to deliver an effective teaching.
      • The sermon is online - both video and audio podcast www.newbeginningschurch.info/members1/services/<http://www.newbeginningschurch.info/members1/services/>  - if a D-Group member misses that particular Sunday (bad weather, sleeping in, sick kids, ball games, hunting season, etc.)
      • Each week a SUMMARY must be done so that each participant has the same frame of reference for discussion. The D-Group leader should (or enlist someone to lead the group in the SERMON BASED SUMMARY discussion)
   5. SERMON BASED DISCUSSION –- Effective sermon summary and discussion is going to occur if the conversation accentuates the listeners story. Remember to ask questions.
      • We get to know one another through our stories. 
      • Are you just beginning your spiritual journey? 
      • How is God at work in your life right now? 
      • What specific action will I take as a result of this new insight? 
      • Listen closely to each other and to the Holy Spirit so we can carefully and empathetically affirm or direct one another to truth.
      • Ensure that discipleship gets lived out day to day, you’ll leave with something think about or do before your next meeting. 
      • Refuse to talk when one of us is telling our story. 
      • Decline to dominate the time with our story. We are concerned about one another so we give one another permission to ask questions. 
      • The following discussion topics are to be avoided:
      • Sermon/service evaluation: too long, too boring, too simple, too loud, etc.
      • Gossip: Refrain mentioning names of people not at the meeting, others questionable behaviors, societal scourges, cultural fears, political affiliation and opinions, etc
   6. PRAYER – D-groups should always be praying together, but occasionally this element will appear calling you to a specific prayer focus. A variety of types of prayers should be prayed:
      • Prayers of Praise and Adoration
      • Prayers of Confession
      • Prayers of Thanksgiving
      • Prayers of Supplication
      • Prayers of Intersession
   7. MISSIONAL DISCUSSION - Identify a mission opportunity and plan to address how the D-Group will help. On the last two weeks of the 10 week D-Group commitment, the D-Group must plan serve the mission of God by helping with the mission opportunity. Wait to decide until the opportunity has captured to heart of the D-Group. Every mission opportunity must have a gospel feature. Sharing the gospel. Teaching/preaching the gospel. The following ideas could be discussed as potential mission opportunities:
      • Plan and conduct a block party for the neighborhood.
        • Make invitations and pass them out
        • Plan games for the kids (rent inflatable toy?),
        • Cook hot dogs/burgers for your neighbors
        • Plan for good music to be played.
        • Take photographs and videos
        • Brief explanation at the peak of the block party!
      • Helping a D-Group member with an issue that emerged during the 8 weeks of meetings.
      • Painting/repairing a widows home.
      • Painting/repairing a local small struggling church.
      • Visiting a nursing home and conducting a worship service.
      • Volunteering at a local ministry as a D Group:
        • Bixby Community Outreach Center
        • Dayspring Villa Center for Abused Women
        • Buying, preparing, and serving breakfast at the John 3:16 Mission for homeless men.
      • Reading to the blind and elderly.
      • Setting up a Skype family visit for the elderly.
      • Conducting a gospel service opportunity at an unexpected venue:
        • Football game/tail party
        • Youth baseball tournament
        • Local festival/community event  
      • Brainstorm your own ideas.

Janet Mallow - 918-691-7020

Educates women about missions, evangelism, and service; and makes women aware of opportunities to actively participate in each.