Two, Then Five, Now Seven, and Counting – Multiplying Discipleship Groups

By Pastor Ben Miller

Did you know that at the end of our Discipleship Pathway sermon series (April-May), Oak Hill members had already started two discipleship groups, which grew to five by the start of summer, which has already multiplied to seven, and that number is climbing even between the time I write this blog and share it with you. It has been encouraging and exhilarating to see several people eagerly take on the responsibility to help others grow in their faith. 

A discipleship group is a closed group of 3-5 people who meet for a focused season of intentional spiritual growth with the intent to multiply at the end of that season. Discipleship Groups are less of a formal ministry or program at Oak Hill and more of a tool our members can use to help focus a discipleship relationship. In fact, they aren’t tied to one curriculum or study method – they can be used at any growth stage with any biblical content.  

This summer, the women of the Cheek Gospel Community created two discipleship groups: one has already multiplied, and the other is planning to do so soon, pulling in more women along the way and meeting them where they are in their growth stage. Another group of men began to deepen their practical application of theology. Still other discipleship groups formed to disciple the teens and older elementary kids who recently professed faith in Christ. Most of the discipleship groups include someone who has discipled others before (a spiritual parent), someone who is maturing but has not yet discipled someone (a spiritual adolescent), and another person who is even younger in the faith (a spiritual child). The discipleship group model could even be used evangelistically to study the Bible with someone who does not yet know Jesus (spiritually dead).  In any of these cases, the more mature grow by discipling others, while the less mature grow by being discipled. 

Several features distinguish a Discipleship Group as an excellent complement (not replacement) for Gospel Communities. These groups are intended to be time-bound, small, and focused on a particular area of spiritual growth. Further, because of their limited size and scope, the groups can grow more vulnerable with one another, and multiplication of disciple-makers is a more accessible goal. Laura Cheek described her experience like this, “I appreciated the unity with other believers, the challenge to grow in my walk, and encouraging others to do the same. Even though this wasn’t done perfectly on my part, the commitments to the habits of abiding in our group spurred each of us in our personal walk with the Lord and prayer for one another.” 

Laura captured an important distinction of Discipleship Groups. Many (not all) Bible Study groups tend to focus on information, knowledge, and completing the “assignment” as the primary aim. A discipleship group, on the other hand, focuses on transformation through three key areas: habits of abiding with Christ, heart transformation, and holistic fruit. Each Discipleship Group holds one another accountable to ensure all three of these areas are fully functioning and working together. They don’t just talk about what they read in the Bible. They talk about how the Holy Spirit was working through their habits of abiding (Bible, prayer, fellowship, and repentance) to delight dependence, devotion, and delight in Jesus (the 3D heart), resulting in holistic fruit (walking with the Lord through the five spheres of life).  Laura continues, “I specifically appreciated this format – feeling like I could not lead this group of women in my own knowledge and leadership skills. The format took the pressure off of me as the facilitator, and expanded my understanding of discipleship beyond a Bible study, giving me the privilege of growing in deeper relationship with other women personally and through the word of God.” 

This summer, three of the groups were designed to disciple younger believers, so they focused on the gospel of Mark, considering how the good news of Jesus shapes their lives. Other groups studied Ephesians. Two groups used recommended book resources from our church library to guide their time, studying the corresponding scriptures to make sure they were receiving their primary input directly from the word of God. 

While discipleship groups are not the only way to make disciples, they have proven to be a useful tool in the hands of willing servants who obediently take up the Great Commission as they entrust themselves to the authority and care of Christ. Please pray today for the existing discipleship groups and the multiplication of more. Further, click here if you want to learn more about how discipleship groups fit into Oak Hill’s Discipleship Pathway and here to download the Discipleship Group Starter Guide. Email Pastor Ben if you are ready to start one!