How to Start a D-Group

Why D-Groups?
Disciples are best made in a community of close relationships. Jesus had Peter, James, and John. The apostle Paul had Timothy, Silas, and Luke. David has his inner circle of three mighty men; Josheb, Eleazar, and Shammah. A D-Group is not just any group, it is a biblical group. That is… a D-Group is a smaller group of about four to six people who meet together to share the Word of God with each other; learn Scripture together, and support and encourage each other through prayer and relationships; and ultimately start more D-Groups and make more disciples (replicate).

Starting a D-Group
D-Groups are easy to start. Simply invite three other people to join you, plan your first get-together, decide what Bible passage the group wants to immerse themselves in, and then follow through and do it!

A great time for a D-Group to meet is when the church is providing ministry to children, such as Sunday or Wednesday evenings. If you are inviting neighbors or Sunday and Wednesday evenings will not work, then get them together and work out the best time for everyone to meet.

If possible, consider inviting three people from your Small Group or Sunday School class. A class that has several people involved in a D-Group is going to be a great class. A D-Group will not only help the participants grow spiritually, it can also help the whole class!

What is Expected in a D-Group Meeting
You need a Bible. The Bible is how God speaks to us, so if you want to hear God speak, a Bible is a necessity. You may also need a journal to record your thoughts and what you hear God speaking to you every day and during your group. I try to avoid reading devotionals for a D-Group and personal devotions. We want to hear what God is saying to us, not to necessarily what someone else wrote about God.

Develop an agreement with other group members (a group covenant), that includes expectations about attendance, preparation, accountability, and also an agreement that what is said in the group, stays in the group.

It is helpful if the group is reading and studying the same passages of Scripture so that members can learn from each other. Each member should have a time of daily devotion. There are many models on what to do in your daily devotion, but here is the one I prefer – the 3 R’s.

Daily Devotions

• Read – How has God spoken to you today through His Word? (Write words that you highlighted or underlined while you read the Bible? These words are likely how God is speaking to you.)
• Reflect – Meditate on what you underlined in the daily passage. What needs to change in your life for you to look more like Jesus?
• Replicate – Who has the Holy Spirit put in your life for you to invest in through service, or through a spiritual or Gospel conversation?

Memorize Scripture verses or passages together.

Pray. Often times, simply praying that day’s Bible reading back to God will unfold tremendous truth as God reveals Himself to you even more.

When the group meets, each person should share the week’s memory verse with the group, plus any previous memory verses the group has memorized together. Then, each member shares what God has done in their lives that they have recorded in the 3 R’s above.

Take time to listen to each other and look for ways to support one another.

And finally, and very important… replicate what God is doing in you with other people, including; your D-Group, family, neighbors, co-workers, friends, etc. Don’t put your lamp under a basket!!! (Matthew 5:15)