Small Group Institute

Some Characteristics of the book, “Five Values for the Discipleship Journey”

  1. Discussion questions are layered to assist the teacher/facilitator to better challenge those within the group without overwhelming participants beyond their present spiritual capability.  As layered questions, they were formulated to consider different spiritual stages of development within Christian psychology that people may experience. 
  2. The book can be used for non-Christians or Christians, people who have never been to church, or those who are seasoned Christians.
  3. There are twenty-one lessons.  However, many groups will want to divide each lesson into two or more sessions.  Remember, you are not trying to cover material, but rather disciple others. 
  4. Because of a larger portion of teaching content and an abundance of questions, other resources may not need to be purchased over a given year for a given group.  
  5. You can teach one section, take a break for the summer or holiday season, and then begin again.  
  6. Doctrine is taught throughout the book, indirectly as well as directly. 
  7. Designed specifically for small groups, the content of the lesson can be used as the introduction, followed by the discussion time where the heart of the lesson comes to life. 
  8. Discipleship training is more than sharing information; it is spiritually exercising and developing the five discipleship values. 
  9. The book is designed to create spiritual bonding as participants engage individually and collectively together.  It normally takes 8 months for a group to bond.  Groups that extend for shorter periods of time such as 3 months and then have participants to change groups have little chance of bonding and developing as a group. 
  10. Our text is designed to assist the teacher/leader to minister to the group both relationally and intellectually. 
  11. Rather than just a one-time-only study, the broader intention for these lessons is to be used as an ongoing discipleship curriculum in the local church whether for new people coming into the church or for training local leaders in discipleship.  Additionally, these lessons will allow everyone in the local church to have the same basic understanding of discipleship and how to practice it.

Who can benefit from the lessons in the book, “Five Values for the Discipleship Journey”?

  1. Regular Church Attenders
  2. Occasional Church Attenders
  3. The person who has never attended church
  4. The person who became disappointed with the church and has stopped attending…

…they may feel they were hurt by the church

…they may be skeptical of all authority figures in general, and they may even question if most Christians are genuine

…they may live in spiritual fear and not understand how personal faith develops

…they may continually analyze and question the motives of others because their own heart is spiritually divided

…they may need church people to listen to their questions and thoughts more than providing all the answers

…they may never have become involved in a class or small group and become exposed to other Christians who are truly committed to spiritual growth

…they may not see themselves as being spiritually lost, as much as spiritually open to what is spiritually real

  1. The person looking for a church exemplifying Christ’s love: 

…where people are regularly in conversations with God

…where non-attenders are spiritually helped socially and spiritually

…where God’s Word is revealed in lifestyles rather than only through information

…where leaders are humble and vulnerable as they guide newcomers

…where they can observe Christians solving relational problems using Christ’s love 

…where relationships develop throughspiritual intimacy rather than human intimacy 

How can we implement these lessons into the local church or denomination?

  1. Sermon series:  this would be followed by weekly small group discussion times
  2. Sunday classes:  Because of a shorter class time than most small groups, it will probably take more than 21 weeks to cover the 21 lessons in a Sunday School session.  Therefore, classes may choose to go slower in covering the material to be of greater benefit to the participants. Once again, it is important to note, each of the 21 lessons are designed to extend fortwo or more small group sessions if needed.
  3. Open small groups:  These groups normally offer Christian book studies or Bible studies and are open for all to attend. Open groups are more flexible than closed discipleship groups. Expectations for participants may not include attending regularly or preparing their lessons. 
  4. Closed discipleship groups­­­:  Closed groups can be the most effective way to disciple others and create bonding.  As you begin a closed group, remember the following important things:

…ask the Holy Spirit to lead you to choose the specific individuals you are to mentor and disciple in a closed group.

…closed groups last longer, approximately 10 or more months, because we are developing five discipleship values within disciples and not just sharing information.

…if possible, have more people in the group who have little or no church background than those who are actively committed to the church.  For every ten people in your group, if possible, only have 2-3 people who are strong seasoned church attenders.  Not all church attenders have the wisdom, patience, or other skills to minister to those outside the walls of the church.

….with most of the group being non-church attenders or newer church attenders who are not really committed to the church, participants can feel less threatened and more courageous to discuss their true feelings and ask questions. 

…as your group progresses for several months, it is normal for some participants to drop out as you are following the Holy Spirit’s leadership and spiritually challenging them. Also, they may stop attending because of moving to another location, changing jobs, or other personal circumstances. Over a period of a year in today’s world, it can be normal to lose approximately halfof the group for various reasons. However, those who are able to complete the group’s time together will be of greater value to the church and His Kingdom.

  1. Mini Groups: These are usually open or closed groups consisting of two to three people.  The lessons can easily be adapted for this circumstance which is especially helpful in a small church setting.  
  2. Personal mentoring:  The lessons from the “Five Values for the Discipleship Journey” book naturally conform to meeting one-on-onewith someone whether at the church or another location. 
  3. Local church leadership groups:  These groups can be used to guide small group facilitators currently teaching a group.           
  4. Denominational boards and councils:  Examples of district councils and committees who should support and promote Nazarene Discipleship International’s (NDI’s) Five Discipleship Values by training with this curriculum would be the District NDI Councils, District Church Planting Committees, District Credentials training, etc.  NDI is the key educational arm of both the local church and the district, and we need to remember how important NDI is to both.