WHAT IS RELATIONAL DISCIPLESHIP?
Relational Discipleship (or RD for short) is equipping disciples who make disciples through intentional relationships, so we may present everyone mature in Christ.
WHAT IS AN RD GROUP?
An RD Group is a closed group of 2-4 believers of the same gender who meet weekly for 12-18 months to mature and multiply through intentional relationships.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A COMMUNITY GROUP AND AN RD GROUP?
In biblical terms we see Jesus modeling our present day version of Community Groups with His twelve disciples, and an RD Group as He pulls Peter, James and John even closer. Through intentional relationships, RD Groups are meant to complement the preaching of God’s Word on Sunday mornings and the teaching of His Word in community within our Grow Groups.
WHY SHOULD I JOIN AN RD GROUP?
Every believer is commanded to make disciples. However, few people have ever been intentionally discipled or experienced the joy of discipling others as Jesus models in Scripture. We have found that by following Jesus’ example of having a few people who care enough about you to speak both grace and truth into your life, accelerated transformation takes place. As a result, an RD Group provides believers with the accountability that is needed to personally live out both aspects of the Great Commission, evangelism and discipleship.
WHAT IS THE END GOAL FOR AN RD GROUP?
Simply put, RD Groups provide an environment for maturity and multiplication. As people experience a time of accelerated spiritual growth through instruction, equipping and modeling they are prepared to multiply what they have experienced with others. As a result, RD Groups begin with the end in mind by setting predetermined date their group will conclude, so everyone involved can effectively prepare and prayerfully consider who they will invite into their next RD Group going forward.
WHERE DO I BEGIN?
Start with discovering where you are in your relationship with God. Are you attending a Worship Service regularly? Have you connected with a Community Group? Are you currently Serving at Discovery Church to bless others? If so, then as you go, pray for wisdom in discipling your family and for the potential of joining an RD Group. Let us know about your desire to start or join an RD Group by emailing Matt@lifeatdiscovery.com.
WHAT ARE THE EXPECTATIONS?
In order to grow toward maturity in Christ you agree to commit yourself to expectations similar to those outlined in the RD
Group Overview. We recognize that every RD Group will look a little different; however, the M.A.R.C.S. Assessment provides a reproducible framework for consistency from group to group.
WHAT IS THE TIME COMMITMENT?
RD Groups meet weekly for approximately 60 minutes, over the course of 12-18 months. When you are unable to meet, you will stay involved through sharing H.E.A.R. Journals and prayer requests. There may also be times when you share life together, serve others, or practice caring for people and connecting them to Christ outside your normal gathering.
WHERE AND WHEN DO RD GROUPS MEET?
Some meet in homes, others meet in public spaces, or at the church. When RD Groups meet is completely up to what works best for those involved, which could be an early morning, over lunch, during an evening, or on the weekend.
HOW DO I INVITE OTHERS INTO MY RD GROUP?
Pray and watch for people of (F.A.I.T.H.) - Faithful, Available, Interested, Teachable, and Heart for God. As you cross paths with believers of F.A.I.T.H., request to meet, and share what you see in them. Then, ask if they are interested in reading, memorizing, and applying God’s Word with you and a few others.
WHAT HAPPENS DURING AN RD GROUP?
The foundation of an RD Group is a Bible reading plan, along with the following agenda:
WHAT CURRICULUM WILL RD GROUPS USE?
Instead of focusing on a variety of materials based on God’s Word, RD Groups use a suggested Bible reading plan with other resources used at times to supplement areas of maturity that may be of particular interest to an individual or the group as a
whole.
HOW SHOULD AN RD GROUP APPROACH MULTIPLYING?
It is important to keep multiplying in mind when prayerfully selecting people for your RD Group. Talk about multiplying from the very beginning as the group forms and set an end date for the group when you start. Most RD Groups will spend between 12 to 18 months together before multiplying to contribute beyond their initial group by starting a new RD Group.
HOW DO YOU SEE RD TAKING ROOT AT DISCOVERY?
Here are the five unifying strategies for RD:
Relational Discipleship (or RD for short) is equipping disciples who make disciples through intentional relationships, so we may present everyone mature in Christ.
WHAT IS AN RD GROUP?
An RD Group is a closed group of 2-4 believers of the same gender who meet weekly for 12-18 months to mature and multiply through intentional relationships.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A COMMUNITY GROUP AND AN RD GROUP?
In biblical terms we see Jesus modeling our present day version of Community Groups with His twelve disciples, and an RD Group as He pulls Peter, James and John even closer. Through intentional relationships, RD Groups are meant to complement the preaching of God’s Word on Sunday mornings and the teaching of His Word in community within our Grow Groups.
WHY SHOULD I JOIN AN RD GROUP?
Every believer is commanded to make disciples. However, few people have ever been intentionally discipled or experienced the joy of discipling others as Jesus models in Scripture. We have found that by following Jesus’ example of having a few people who care enough about you to speak both grace and truth into your life, accelerated transformation takes place. As a result, an RD Group provides believers with the accountability that is needed to personally live out both aspects of the Great Commission, evangelism and discipleship.
WHAT IS THE END GOAL FOR AN RD GROUP?
Simply put, RD Groups provide an environment for maturity and multiplication. As people experience a time of accelerated spiritual growth through instruction, equipping and modeling they are prepared to multiply what they have experienced with others. As a result, RD Groups begin with the end in mind by setting predetermined date their group will conclude, so everyone involved can effectively prepare and prayerfully consider who they will invite into their next RD Group going forward.
WHERE DO I BEGIN?
Start with discovering where you are in your relationship with God. Are you attending a Worship Service regularly? Have you connected with a Community Group? Are you currently Serving at Discovery Church to bless others? If so, then as you go, pray for wisdom in discipling your family and for the potential of joining an RD Group. Let us know about your desire to start or join an RD Group by emailing Matt@lifeatdiscovery.com.
WHAT ARE THE EXPECTATIONS?
In order to grow toward maturity in Christ you agree to commit yourself to expectations similar to those outlined in the RD
Group Overview. We recognize that every RD Group will look a little different; however, the M.A.R.C.S. Assessment provides a reproducible framework for consistency from group to group.
WHAT IS THE TIME COMMITMENT?
RD Groups meet weekly for approximately 60 minutes, over the course of 12-18 months. When you are unable to meet, you will stay involved through sharing H.E.A.R. Journals and prayer requests. There may also be times when you share life together, serve others, or practice caring for people and connecting them to Christ outside your normal gathering.
WHERE AND WHEN DO RD GROUPS MEET?
Some meet in homes, others meet in public spaces, or at the church. When RD Groups meet is completely up to what works best for those involved, which could be an early morning, over lunch, during an evening, or on the weekend.
HOW DO I INVITE OTHERS INTO MY RD GROUP?
Pray and watch for people of (F.A.I.T.H.) - Faithful, Available, Interested, Teachable, and Heart for God. As you cross paths with believers of F.A.I.T.H., request to meet, and share what you see in them. Then, ask if they are interested in reading, memorizing, and applying God’s Word with you and a few others.
WHAT HAPPENS DURING AN RD GROUP?
The foundation of an RD Group is a Bible reading plan, along with the following agenda:
- Open with one high and low from the past week, then pray.
- Share scripture memory verse with each other.
- Discuss each other’s H.E.A.R. Journal entry for the week.
- Talk about anything else you may be reading/studying as a group.
- Commit to next steps from your application and with your personal evangelism.
WHAT CURRICULUM WILL RD GROUPS USE?
Instead of focusing on a variety of materials based on God’s Word, RD Groups use a suggested Bible reading plan with other resources used at times to supplement areas of maturity that may be of particular interest to an individual or the group as a
whole.
HOW SHOULD AN RD GROUP APPROACH MULTIPLYING?
It is important to keep multiplying in mind when prayerfully selecting people for your RD Group. Talk about multiplying from the very beginning as the group forms and set an end date for the group when you start. Most RD Groups will spend between 12 to 18 months together before multiplying to contribute beyond their initial group by starting a new RD Group.
HOW DO YOU SEE RD TAKING ROOT AT DISCOVERY?
Here are the five unifying strategies for RD:
- Communicate Vision – RD is not a program, but a grass roots movement for making disciples
- Constant Prayer – individually, for and with our RD Group, in small groups and corporately
- Committed Modeling – from the top down, leaders providing an example of following Christ
- Customized Equipping – where is each person spiritually and what is their next step of faith
- Contribute Beyond – expecting RD Group members will mature and multiply