There are 40 New Testament “one another” commands in the Bible like love one another, welcome one another, pray for one another, etc. You won’t find a command in Scripture saying you must meet weekly in a discipleship group - but these commands make it essential for us to regularly gather with believers for the sake of helping one another become more like Jesus. These groups help us carry out the Great Commission together as we grow in each of the 4Ws together (Matt. 28:16-20). We also emphasize discipleship groups because they create space for anyone who becomes a member at Redeemer to find community and support. Groups are places where we get the honor of serving one another, and ensure no one gets left out. This said, these groups are not to be thought of as friend groups (though great friendships often form in these groups). These groups are devoted to discipleship first and foremost. 

• Discipleship groups are for believers at Redeemer Bible Church to help them grow as disciples. They consist of people with various ages and degrees of Christian maturity which allows for rich discipleship to take place within these groups. 

• Groups are encouraged to find ways to engage the lost together - this may entail planning fun outings, meals, etc. together with unbelievers.

We firstly consider the spiritual health of the group and the leaders. Next, we take into account people’s availability and location. Our desire is to connect people with other believers where they live. Age is not taken into account as much as we want to help the members of our church mingle across generations. We also ask that people attend Steps 1 and 2 at Redeemer prior to joining a discipleship group.

• The best mindset is one that recognizes it takes time to get to know people and to build trust with them. Please give your new group the time needed for you to fully acclimate into the group. 

• We also want to encourage you to go in with the mindset that asks how you can serve the group, as opposed to asking what this new group will do for you. When we gather with people with this mindset, it guards us from unhealthy expectations that will inevitably let us down, and this missional mindset allows us to help others grow, and to best grow ourselves into greater spiritual maturity. 

New groups begin by working through Transformed 1 - a study through 10 One Another Commands. The heartbeat of these groups is that we:

• Love one another

• Welcome one another

• Bear one another’s burdens

• Encourage one another

• Instruct one another

• Confess to one another

• Forgive one another

• Pray for one another

• Comfort one another

• Stir up one another

We expect members of groups to help keep the main thing the main thing - to glorify God together.

We expect group members to keep things in group confidential. There is no place for gossip.

Group members are asked to be consistent and punctual, and especially communicative with the leaders of the group. 

First and foremost, please ask the Lord to help you discern if it’s truly the right fit or not. Ask him to help you better love those in your group. 

After prayer, if you believe you need a different group you can fill out this form to help us understand why and to know how we can better come alongside you in discipleship.

If it’s not a right fit due to a sin issue, please let your leader know. If needed, you can rope in the pastor of adult discipleship. 

Most often, this takes place as a healthy discipleship group multiplies. In multiplication, new leaders who have been raised up within the group are missionally sent out to form a new group. Others from the group go with them to support them and to provide more space for more believers to be discipled.

Sometimes leaders are identified who will begin a brand new group that hasn’t been connected to any other. These leaders are identified through prayer, and they begin a new group with the help of staff at Redeemer who introduce them to folks near them from Redeemer who are looking for a discipleship group.

It’s essential you are first and foremost a member of Redeemer Bible Church and have gotten some experience with leading others (this most often happens as an active member of a discipleship group). Leadership training through Transformed 2 is required for all discipleship group leaders. 

If we are to have healthy discipleship groups, that must begin with healthy leaders. We care more about the souls of our leaders and their wellbeing than we care about their abilities (though leadership competency is important). Each discipleship group leader is poured into by a discipleship coach. Also, every discipleship group leader is connected to an elder of the church in case there is an emergency and an elder needs to get involved immediately. Leadership training, and bi-annual gatherings for leaders help strengthen and support leaders as well.

Leaders have access to resources like the Sermon Application Guide that help them keep groups focused and productive.

Leaders are members of the church and agree to submit under the loving care of the elders of Redeemer. The Adult Discipleship pastor and coaches work to ensure groups best honor the Lord.