Starting a Group: What Does The First Meeting Look Like?

1.   Begin and end with prayer.
2.   Pass out and explain the Spiritual Journey Inventory:

• My first recollection of being in church was ___________.
• The closest I have felt to God in my life was ___________.
• The farthest I felt from God was ___________. 
• If I could change one incident in my life it would be ________. Why?
• If I could thank God for one person in my life, it would be _________. Why?
• The turning point in my relationship with God was ________. Why?
• Have each group member share their testimony with the group.

Next ask: 

• Why Did you Choose to be in the Group?
• What do you expect to get out of the Group?

Finally, offer three disclaimers to the group:

1. You must be a note taker.
2. Don’t Be THAT guy or girl by monopolizing the time.
3. Go over the Disciplemaking Covenant.

Disciplemaking Covenant

• I pledge myself fully to the Lord with the anticipation that I am entering a time of accelerated spiritual transformation.
• I will meet with my D-Group for approximately one and one-half hours every week, unless providentially hindered.
• I will complete all assignments on a weekly basis before my D-Group meeting, in order to contribute to the discussion.
• I will contribute to an atmosphere of confidentiality, honesty, and transparency for the edification of others in the group as well as my own spiritual growth.
• I will pray every week for the other men/women who are on the discipleship journey with me.
• I will begin praying about replicating the discipleship process upon completion of this group.

Signed Mentee ___________________________________ Signed Mentor ___________________________________ Date ___________________________________ This post is a series on how to start a d-group in January. Click here to read the past ones.