are defined in many ways. The majority of churches coached, in my experience, use “discipleship” to refer to all their programs and groups and classes.
Okay, if you want to define it that way. And all those groups help.
But here we are making it synonymous with a discipleship-accountability group (DAG) of all men or all women and with no more than 5-7 in it.
The way you can tell a fellowship-community group (usually men and women) from a DAG group: Ask the question, “Has anyone been looking at any pornography lately on their screen?”
No one will raise a hand in the community group, and a majority will look at you as if you are out of order to ask such a thing.
In a DAG group, all men or all women, where friendship has already been built and confidentiality has been assured, there might be some takers and some good discussion and verses and accountability will follow.
SUGGESTIONS
… Every pastor and full-time director should have one. Many will not start one unless it is clearly required.
… Most seminary grads have never been in one.
… Most leaders for board members and strong volunteers will eventually arise from these groups.
… Twice a month is adequate for a meeting pattern, and often is more inviting than a weekly commitment.
… To be effective, a group needs a leader who will deliver TLC— Time together, Love that is agape-like, and Content of the Scripture that hits the heart!
…Related to that Content, no more of this, “Where did Jesus go when he left Capernaum?” —actual question in a published discipleship program. (The answer was Nazareth, as I recall — that will change your life! 🙂
Rather, the verses studied will be on either church or character, and the questions will call for candid honesty.
…Use the same material for two years in a group, then start three new groups out of that one — you take the weakest, and the next two strongest each begin a new group with one of the others who wishes to continue.
… In 26 years (13 groups I led) we never lacked for discussion or honesty (I think).