Discipleship is a key component to college ministry and can bring lasting change to those that are fully committed! Real discipleship involves many hours of investment into the life of another person. These hours include both structured (discipleship group) and unstructured (meals, hobbies, etc.) times. Below is an example of a weekly meeting structure for a discipleship group.
- Prayer (3 min)
Every group time should start with prayer. Ask God to teach each of you during this time and to be honest about your spiritual condition.
- Conversation (10 min)
Take some time to catch up with what has been going on this past week since the last meeting. A great way to do this is let every member of the group share their “high” and “low” points during this week.
“Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” – Philippians 2:4
- Scripture Memory (5 min)
Each week the group should hold each other accountable to memorize scripture together. The group should agree on what verses to memorize each week.
Starting with one verse a week may be ideal but over time you will be able to increase the amount. Work to the point where you can memorize two to four verses together from a certain passage. If you can do this, you will be able to understand verses together in context.
“I have stored up your Word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” – Psalm 119:11
- Bible discussion (20 min)
Any D-Group should be centered around discussing the Bible together. Understand, this section is NOT a teaching time where one person dominates the discussion. You will take time to discuss together what you have been learning from God’s word. You have two options to make this time work.
- Weekly reading discussion (preferred): Each member of your group agrees on a reading plan together for the semester or week by week. During the week, members of your group read the passages chosen and journals (H.E.A.R.) over the contents. When you meet you discuss what God has been teaching you during the week. This method allows the group to keep each other accountable to read God’s word throughout the week.
- Book study in group: The group picks a book to study together during the semester. Each week you read a section of 10-20 verses and discuss the passage and make application points to follow throughout the week.
“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” – 2 Tim 3: 16-17
- Evangelism focus (10 min)
In the evangelism section we want to encourage one another to pray and share the Gospel consistently with others. As you ask these questions each week be sure to share stories with each other of success and “failure.” Remember “successful” evangelism is taking the initiative to share Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit and leaving the results to God.
Did I pray for my non-Christian friends this week? Who?
Did I talk (or attempt to talk) with someone about Christ this week?
“However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.” – Acts 20:24
- Prayer and Accountability (10 min)
In this ending time we want every member of the group to pray out loud together. Pray for specific people by name that you have just talked about in the evangelism focus time. This may also be a good time to pray for each other and the sins your group might be struggling with.
A simple accountability question to ask is “Do you have a need to confess any sin?”
“Therefore, confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” – James 5:16
“Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11
This article was written by Jared Farley, Baptist Collegiate Ministry campus minister at Henderson State University.