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DISCIPLESHIP GROUP LEADER GUIDE

Your main resource to lead a Discipleship Group.
Download the PDF or continue below.

OVERVIEW AND OBJECTIVE

As you consider our discipleship approach at Sandals Church, think of it in terms of raising up spiritual families. We want to establish spiritual families where people are born into the family of God, grow and mature, and then go out and start spiritual families of their own. Your Discipleship Group is where you will raise people up by establishing them in their faith and then equipping and sending them out to do the same.

Lead your group in developing real relationships where you encourage one another to Love God, Love People, and Live on Mission. Help your group grow in learning Scripture and living out the commands and character of Christ. Continually look for who is ready to take the next step to be equipped to multiply disciples through Disciple Maker Training.

ABOUT THIS GUIDE

The purpose of this Guide is to equip you with a standard pattern and practices as you lead your group through books of the Bible. Your group’s first study is through Ephesians, which will be different from the rest of your studies and group patterns. 

**Use the Ephesians Leader Guide to lead your group through its first study, easing them into studying the bible and building meaningful relationships that last.**

After Ephesians, you can continue into your next Discipleship Group studies using the Content and Group Pattern described below.

LEADER PREPARATION

The most important thing you can do in preparation for your group is to prioritize your time with God. Your connection with God matters more than you trying to help others connect with Him. Your prayers for your group will have an incredible impact. 

Keep in mind that the purpose of this group is not simply to establish people in their discipleship. Reflect back on your training. Once established, you want to help people take the next step in their journey to be equipped in Disciple Maker Training.

GROUP PATTERN

Your group will have daily readings and regular gatherings. This next section outlines the recommended pattern for your regular group gatherings once you finish the Ephesians study and begin the Gospel of Luke. 

1. LOOK IN: BUILDING REAL RELATIONSHIPS (10-20 mins)

Relationships are essential to the health, vitality, and effectiveness of your group. As you lead, don’t just focus on content and study. Be a great listener and heart-handler, and build relational equity with your group so they know they are loved and valued. As you build community with your group, you will have greater influence in their lives. 

(Learn about creating a transformational culture in the ‘Culture and Character Practices’ section of this guide.) 

Here are some ideas for the Look In part of your group time. Choose one from each section to start.

Welcome and Relational Check-In (5-10 mins) (Builds trust and emotional connection)

• What are you thankful for this week? 

• What challenges are you facing? 

• How can we pray for you?

Accountability (5-10 mins) (Fosters obedience and faith-sharing) 

• How did you obey what God showed you last time?

• Did you share with anyone what you learned?

• How did God work in or through your life this week?

Cast vision for your group using the Invitation to a New Way of Life tool.
You don’t have to do this every time, but should review it often. Have group members practice sharing with each other, so they can learn to share with people outside of the group.

*Keep in Mind: This part of your time together can easily take over the entire group discussion. Stay intentional about keeping the conversation on track and managing time well. If your group is large, consider breaking into smaller sub-groups for the first 20 minutes and then regrouping for a broader discussion. 

2. LOOK UP: NEW SCRIPTURE FROM DAILY READINGS (40-60 mins)

This portion of your gathering centers on engaging and obeying God's Word. Begin by discussing the Bible reading your group has completed since your last meeting, and then study a passage of Scripture together. Be intentional about where Scripture leads people to grow and take a next step in faith. 

Here are some ideas for the Look Up part of your group time.

Review Last Week's Reading (10-20 mins)

• What impacted you from what you read and journaled since our last gathering?

• What is God teaching you about Himself, yourself, and others?

• What questions do you still have about God or the scripture we studied?

Scripture Reading (5 mins)

Choose a passage from the previous week's reading to study together.

• Read the passage aloud twice.
  Optional: Have one person retell the story in their own words, or summarize in a sentence.

Discovery Questions (20-30 mins)

Ask everyone to respond in their own words:

1. What does the passage say about God?

1. • Pay attention to His character, actions, priorities, or justice.

2. What does this passage say about people?

   • What do we learn about human nature, sin, repentance, or identity?

3. What stood out to you personally?

   • Anything surprising, challenging, comforting, or new?

4. What is God asking you to do this week?

   • Obedience step: Is there something to start, stop, or change?

5. Who will you share this with?

   • A friend, family member, coworker—someone who needs this truth.

Prayer (5 mins)

• Ask God for strength to obey and boldness to share with others.

*Keep in Mind: Group gatherings are intended to be sharing and discussion-oriented, not a lecture format. While there will likely be questions from the group and times when you, as the leader, are sharing insight and explanation, you don’t want to be doing all of the talking.

Here are some ideas for the Look Out part of your group time. Use them as they fit the needs of your group.

• Have your group use the Circles of Influence tool to create a list of people to pray for who need to hear the gospel. Have them practice sharing with each other.

• Teach your group how to share the gospel using the 3 Circles tool (video). 

• Debrief how any evangelistic efforts are going, including celebrations and obstacles.

• Go Global: Pray for an unreached people group around the world. (JoshuaProject.net) 

• Share the World Vision Illustration to inspire participation in God’s work around the world. Talk about Short Term Trips with the Global Engagement team.

• Share the Vision of Discipleship-Multiplication (video), and ask your group who wants to learn more about making disciples.

*Keep in Mind: As the leader, you are modeling the missional lifestyle to your group. What your group sees you do, they will do. Share your obstacles and pitfalls and your efforts to overcome them. 

CULTURE AND CHARACTER PRACTICES

A plant in a garden requires healthy soil to grow strong, thrive, and bear fruit. Similarly, people need a healthy culture to experience true transformation. We’ve identified 5 practices that will lead to a culture where Christ-like character can be formed in people’s lives. As the leader, model and Incorporate these practices into the culture of your group. 

1. Authenticity. God wants to transform the real you, not the fake you. People also build trust with each other through authenticity and vulnerability. That’s why we create safe spaces to be real in groups. Our group environment should encourage openness and transparency with kindness and compassion.
   - Practice: Review these Ground Rules with your group to encourage authenticity.

2. Joy. Joy is what you feel when someone’s face lights up when they see you. Joy fills our emotional tanks and helps us regulate other emotions and endure suffering. Joy forms a bond between people and reminds us we do not suffer alone.
   - Leader Practice: Smile! Whenever you gather, let your group know you’re glad to see them.

3. Love. Love creates a secure environment where people feel safe to share and be real, knowing they are in committed relationships that reflect the enduring love of God. It’s the relational glue that binds people together and allows vulnerability to thrive.
   - Leader Practice: Model vulnerability by appropriately sharing your own weaknesses with the group. Listen carefully when others share, and regularly remind the group you love them and are here for them.

4. Group Identity. Group Identity is a shared understanding of “who we are” as a community of faith. It provides a framework for what we believe, and how we live and helps shape our character and behavior.
   - Leader Practice: Create “We Statements” (see Character Practices) to establish your Group Identity.

5. Healthy Correction. Healthy correction offered in the context of Joy and Love helps align our behavior with our Group Identity and focuses on restoration. It’s essential that it’s done in a spirit of humility and mutual respect. Healthy correction affirms the relationship and reminds them who we are.
   - Leader Practice: When giving someone healthy correction, affirm the relationship and use the principles from ‘Character Practices’ to remind them who we are.

**Learn more about these Culture and Character Practices you can do with your group.**

Resource: Leaders, to better understand and develop these practices, we recommend reading The Other Half of Church by Jim Wilder and Michel Hendricks (Amazon).

DISCIPLESHIP TOOLS

Jesus said, “How narrow is the gate and difficult the road that leads to life, and few find it.” Matthew 7:14 (CSB). 

Utilize the tools from your Disciple Maker Training to teach your group the Gospel, Invitation, and Way of Life.

QUESTIONS?

We're here for you! 

The person who led you through Made to Multiply training is now your Group Coach. They are your best resource to pray with you and walk with you through any questions or issues you may have with your group.

For additional support, contact your campus leaders or the Discipleship team (groups@sandalschurch.com). 

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

GROUP GROUND RULES
GROUP CORE VALUES
CULTURE AND CHARACTER
READING PLANS