Discipleship Groups  | |
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Shaped by the Spirit
Until Christ is formed in you.
--Galatians 4:19 NRSV
Covenant Discipleship Group
A Place for . . .
Spiritual formation...
putting on the mind of Christ
Spiritual friends...
presence and support
Spiritual fire...
passion for the dream of God, the ministry of Jesus
Spiritual journey...
faithfulness on the path of the
disciple
 Throughout Christian history, people have joined in communities and small
groups to help one another grow as faithful disciples of Jesus Christ. Small
groups provide spiritual friendship, support, and opportunities for study and
shared ministry. There are many types of small group ministries in the life of
the church. Examples include cell groups and house churches, prayer and support
groups, scripture study groups, and mission and witness support groups.
Small groups sometimes formalize their reasons for meeting by creating a
covenant statement. In the biblical tradition,
covenant is a sacred and
binding agreement with God and one another.
A covenant group agrees to meet together to focus on a particular dimension
of Christian life. The covenant states meeting dates/times, and commitments to
the purposes, relationships, and activities chosen by the group members.
In a Covenant Discipleship Group, the covenant focuses on discipleship.
Discipleship is deepened in a holistic way through spiritual formation. In the
Christian tradition,
spiritual formation is all that forms us into the likeness of Christ.
 Spiritual formation includes being shaped by God through inner practices of
prayer, solitude, meditation, scripture reflection, journaling, and spiritual
friendship; and outer practices of community, simplicity, generosity, healing,
witnessing, and peacemaking. Jesus yielded himself to the rhythms of spiritual
formation. Spirit flowed through him in compassionate acts of healing and
justice because of his intimate, prayerful oneness with God. Members of a
Covenant Discipleship Group support one another in learning and living this
"life of the Beloved" shown by Jesus.
A Covenant Discipleship Group provides a way to form faithful disciples in
congregations. The path of the disciple invites people to follow Jesus Christ
through the disciplines of community, learning, sharing
(of witness and resources), justice reconciliation, and spirituality. The
Covenant Discipleship Group model assists congregations in forming support
communities focused on discipleship development through the disciplines of the
path.
The road to transformation travels both inward and outward."
--Doctrine and Covenants 161:3d
- Discern the call--pray and listen about your congregation’s need
and readiness.
- Consult the congregational
leadership team--coordinate with congregational program.
- Find a facilitator--discern a
person with effective group process and pastoral skills.
- Facilitator training--see "Training and Resources."
- Advertise and invite--congregational members and friends.
- Form the group--create a covenant.
To lead a covenant discipleship group using the path-related model described
above, a ten-hour training course in group process and spiritual
formation practice is required. Facilitators who complete the training will
receive a Shaped by the Spirit resource manual. The resource
manual will not be available without training.
Training events will be provided on an as-needed basis. To schedule a
covenant discipleship group facilitator training in your congregation or mission
center contact:
Spirituality and Wholeness Ministries Office
Community of Christ International Headquarters
Carolyn Brock
cbrock@CofChrist.org
1-800-825-2806, ext. 2365, or
(816) 833-1000, ext. 2365
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