Getting Started

The content of this page is still being developed. The ideas presented are being shaped in response to the seeds planted at the ALIGN Conference.  The goal is to see more organic approaches to following Jesus that emphasize the basics, follow the way of Jesus, and empower more believers to be agents in God’s kingdom.

But for now, here’s some ideas…

So you want to start a small group, a church at home. How do you get started? What do you need to consider? Below are suggestions for helping your new group develop real Christian community.

1. Pray. Spend time considering what you are looking for, what God is leading you to do, and what you are willing to commit to. Are you willing to commit to a weekly group? A group of 8 – 10? A group of 2 or 3?

2. Consider your reasons for starting a group. Do you want a group to build relationships? Do you want a group to develop meaningful, Christian community where people seek to really know and follow Christ with others? Do you want to develop safe, supportive, accountable community?

3. Consider the type of group you’d like to start. There are a variety of small groups. If you are just looking for a group of friends, consider starting a fellowship group. If you are looking for deeper Christian relationships that encourage real change, consider launching a community group. If you are looking for a group of 2 or 3 for the purposes of Scripture reading, prayer and support in your journey, consider starting a Life Transformation Group.

The DBC Core Groups Ministry is primarily focused on developing more groups for community. This blog and other training tools aim at what we call Core Groups. Even so, people tend to form a variety of groups within our church.

Fellowship Group: Primarily social in nature. These groups might be based in a common interest or desire for simple social interaction. These groups at DBC start as leaders feel led to launch them. Structure is set by the groups themselves. The goal of these groups is relationship building but should also encourage movement toward a Community Group and/or Life Transformation Group.

Core Group: Social and Spiritual in nature. The goal is to develop meaningful Christian community that encourages people to love and become like Jesus. These groups range in size from 8 – 15. They meet weekly or bi-weekly and follow a similar format of fellowship, Bible discussion, and prayer. They also get together for fellowship and service outside group meetings. These groups function like small churches, seeking to develop community and participate in the mission of the New Testament church. These groups tend to meet in homes, but can also meet in other places that the group finds conducive to their purposes.

Life Transformation Group: Primarily for disciple making and intensive spiritual growth. These groups are made up of 2 – 3 people committed to each other, the reading of Scripture, and praying for those they know who do not yet know Christ. The goal is becoming a more committed and obedient disciple of Jesus and multiplying the group. The process is structured, simple, and reproducible. Participants commit to reading Scripture together, answering a series of accountability questions, and praying for those who do not yet know Christ in each meeting together. These groups can meet in homes, coffee shops, restaurants, parks or wherever the group can find a place. These groups form as people’s desire to know Christ and be discipled moves them to find other with the same desires. In other words, they form as people are led and are not supported like the Core Groups. These groups operate based on the truth as Jesus said that wherever 2 or 3 are gathered in His name, He is in their midst.