In the paragraphs below, we have listed answers to the most commonly asked questions about D-Groups. Have a question not answered below? Contact the church office so that we can assist you.
WHAT IS A D-GROUP?
- A D-Group is gender-specific closed group of 3 to 6 believers (including the leader) who meet together weekly for the purpose of accelerated spiritual transformation. A person joins the D-Group by invitation only.
- While Small Groups exist for the purposes of community, growth, and connection, they have an underlying additional purpose: evangelism. Small Groups are designed to reach people by getting them involved in the group. A D-Group, on the other hand, consists of believers who desire a deeper walk with Christ. It is not evangelistic in its form or function, but in its fruit: it makes disciples who will then go on to make more disciples.
- The format of a D-Group is not one of a teacher-student, but a roundtable discussion. A teacher shares information, while a discipler shares life; a teacher aims for the head, while a discipler aims for the heart; a teacher measures knowledge, while a discipler measures faith; a teacher is an authority, while a discipler is a servant; and a teacher says, 'Listen to me,' while a discipler says, 'Follow me'".
- This blueprint, sketched by Jesus Christ through His personal example, is how discipleship is accomplished in the lives of believers, and ultimately, within the local church. When this plan is followed, those involved will participate in three dynamics that result in growth in their personal lives, as well as in the Kingdom: community, accountability, and multiplication.
HOW DO I FIND A D-GROUP?
D-Groups flow out of a Small Group. Small Groups, which form out of bigger group such as a Sunday Worship Gathering, are the “fishing ponds” for D-Groups. As people form friendships and bonds in Small Groups, handfuls of them will decide to take the next step and begin a discipleship journey together in a D-Group.
If you would like to be in a D-Group, a good first step is to join a Small Group. If you are currently in a Small Group and desire to be in a D-Group, talk to your Small Group leader or email info@ppbc.com.
HOW DO I LEAD A D-GROUP?
The only absolute requirement for leading a D-Group is that you be intentionally pursuing Christ. You do not need to be a master teacher or have all of the answers. If you can say, “Follow me; I’m pursuing Christ,” you have the tools you need to lead a D-Group. As a D-Group leader, you set the tone for the group’s atmosphere. You are not lecturing students; you are cultivating an intimate, accountable relationship with a few friends.
HOW DO I CHOOSE DISCIPLES?
- The first step in establishing a formal disciple-making relationship is choosing disciples. Jesus, our example in selecting disciples, spent time in prayer before selecting the disciples (Luke 6:12-16). The word disciple means learner. Begin by asking God to send you a group or men or women who have a desire to learn and grow.
- When people approached Jesus about becoming His disciples, our Lord held a high standard. One man said, "I'll follow you, but let me go buy my father." Now, the man's father had not yet died -- the man was reaching for an excuse to postpone the kind of commitment that Jesus expected of him. Jesus responded with something that the man would have understood to mean, "You can't do that. The kingdom is too important."
- You D-Group should consist of men or women who are faithful, available, and teachable. A faithful person is dedicated, trustworthy, and committed. Consider a potential disciple's faithfulness by observing other areas of his/her spiritual life, such as church attendance, Small Group involvement, or service in the church. Faithfulness is determined by a commitment to spiritual things.
- Discern an individual's availability by his/her willingness to meet with and invest in others. Does this person carve out time to listen, study, and learn from others? Is he/she accessible when called upon? Does she have a regular quiet time with God of reading the Word and praying? Availability is measured by a willingness to serve God.
- Not everybody who attends a Small Group is teachable. A teachable person has a desire to learn and apply what is taught. One who is teachable is open to correction. Recognize teachability by observing one's response to God's Word. For example after hearing a sermon on prayer, do they begin to pray more regularly? Or after a lesson about the dangers of the tongue, does the person implement changes in their speech? A teachable person not only listens to what is taught, but also applies it to his or her life.
- After discerning that an individual is faithful, available, and teachable, prayerfully approach him or her and ask, "Would you be interested in studying the Bible, memorizing Scripture, and praying together?" Many people are open to that. All you have to do is ask. We do not recommend that you say, "Would you like for me to disciple you?" as this question may come across in a derogatory manner. Keep in mind that men should disciple men, and women should disciple women.
HOW MANY PEOPLE SHOULD BE IN THE GROUP?
Because accountability works well in a smaller setting, the ideal size of a disciple-making group is 3 to 5 – you and 2 to 4 other people. We recommend that you do not have more than six and remember that a one-on-one relationship is not ideal.
WHERE SHOULD WE MEET?
You may meet on the church campus or find a meeting place off-campus. Restaurants, coffee shops, bookstores, diners, and homes are all good options. Meeting outside the church in the community encourages your group members to publicize their faith, teaching them it is okay to read the Bible at a restaurant or pray in public. Be sure to select a place that is convenient to all group members.
HOW OFTEN SHOULD WE MEET?
Ideally, you should meet once a week for about an hour to an hour and a half. You can meet more frequently if the group chooses, but it is important that you meet at least once a week. This schedule does not prohibit those you are discipling from calling you throughout the week or coming by for counsel when needed. It is important to remember that discipleship is about the relationship between you and your group members, not about checking a requirement box. Disciple-making is a way of life, not a program.
IS THERE AN ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENT?
Yes! The first-time meeting with a potential group, the disciple-making covenant should be explained. Since a D Group is going to spend life together for the next twelve to eighteen months, it is important that everyone is committed. It’s possible that person may say after the initial meeting, “Uh, this isn’t really for me. I’m not interested.” That is okay! Allow potential disciples to opt out of the group on the front end after understanding the expectations spelled out in the disciple-making covenant. Remember, D Groups are about people who want to be discipled, people who have a desire to grow and learn. An unwillingness to commit reveals that a person is not ready to be in a D-Group. It is the example Jesus set for us.
WHAT DO D-GROUP MEETINGS LOOK LIKE?
Begin with prayer. Assign a person to pray and ask the Lord to sharpen each of you through your relationship.
Here are some elements that your weekly group time can include:
- Open with prayer.
- Have a time of intentional conversation by briefly sharing the highs and lows of the week. You can also share celebrations and praises.
- For the first few group times, ask each person to take a turn in briefly sharing their testimony with the others.
- Quote your Scripture memory verses for the week.
- Study the Word of God together. A great way to do this is to share HEAR journals from the week. The goal of studying the Bible is to apply the Word of God. Remember, knowledge without application is useless information.
Here are some good examples of application questions to utilize:
- What are you hearing from God, and what are you doing about it?
- What is God teaching you, and how is it affecting your life? Is there a promise to claim?
- Is there an action or attitude to avoid?
- Is there a principle to apply?
- Spend a few moments asking questions and keeping each other accountable. All accountabilities should be saturated with grace, not legalism.
- Share prayer requests and close with prayer.
HOW DO I CHALLENGE MY D-GROUP TO MEMORIZE SCRIPTURE?
Proverbs 25:11 says, “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.” How many times has a Scripture come to mind when you needed just the right words in a situation? Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would bring to remembrance all that He said (John 14:26). Those passages of Scripture we have memorized will be brought to our memory at the right moment – but we must learn them. Group members will memorize Scripture if you hold them accountable through reciting verses to one another at every meeting.
ARE D-GROUPS FOR UNBELIEVERS?
The preferred method is a gathering of people who have made the decision to put their faith and trust in Christ and are seeking to grow in their faith. Small groups would be a better fit for a person who has not yet made this decision.
WHEN SHOULD I ASK SOMEONE TO LEAVE THE D-GROUP?
Unfortunately, there can be some reasons for asking someone to leave the group: they do not possess a teachable spirit, they are not faithful in attending meetings, they are not completing assigned work and putting in the kind of effort required, they are living a lifestyle of blatant and unrepentant sin, etc.
Teachability is an indispensable quality for growth. One situation where someone could be asked to leave is if he or she monopolizes the group discussion week after week. It can become obvious they want to demonstrate their superior knowledge of The Word rather than learn from interacting with others.
Additionally, laziness will breed complacency in the group. Missing meetings, refusing to memorize Scripture, never logging HEAR journal entries, or sitting idly by during discussion times lowers the morale of the others in the group. This type of behavior must be addressed sooner than later. A private meeting with this individual is good to inquire about his or her attitude and actions. Remind him or her of the commitment made at the outset of the discipleship relationship.
Like Jesus’ relationship with His disciples, ours is a serious relationship, as well: a relationship built upon a mutual commitment to Christ and each other.
WHAT IF I DON’T KNOW THE ANSWER TO A QUESTION?
There is no shame in not knowing all of the answers to every question. Simply confess that you may not have all the answers, but you will find them. Then do so before the next meeting. Ask your pastor or another spiritual leader to help you with the answer. Never give the impression that you have all the answers.
It is less important to know answers than it is to know how to seek them. It is better to say, “I am not the smartest man/woman in the world because I know all the answers, but because I know where to find the answers.” You may not have total recall when it comes to biblical history, theology, and doctrine, but with time you can locate them!
WHEN DO I SEND OUT DISCIPLES TO MAKE DISCIPLES?
Always begin with the end in mind. Your group should meet for 12 to 18 months, and they should expect that final date from the very beginning. Some groups develop a closer bond, which results in accelerated growth; others take longer. We do not recommend meeting for longer than 18 months.
Some group members will desire to leave the group and begin their own groups. Others, however, will want to remain in the comfort zone of the existing group. Some will not want to start another D-Group because of the sweet fellowship and bonds formed within the current group.
Remember, the goal is for the men and the women of the group to replicate their lives into someone else.