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Disciple Groups are safe places of learning, interaction, fellowship, caring, and spiritual growth. Many Wesleyan Churches host a variety of groups that work together to accomplish spiritual, lasting, life-change.

Groups Include:
    Sunday School Groups
    Small Groups
    Home Groups
    Special Interest Groups  Ministry Groups
    Accountability Groups
 
Accomplish Spiritual Formation in a Disciple Group by:
     Head –  Teaching God's word first. Leading others into a greater knowledge of their faith, their identity in Christ and how God has created them for a purpose.
     Heart – Groups that lead people to salvation and a full understanding of what it means to have Christ living inside them.
     Hands – God-followers who will be the hands of Christ by serving others and impacting their world.
     Habits – Set apart and set on fire to reflect our passion for Christ by our decisions and our habits.

Adult Ministries is here to help you and your church maximize the potential of your group ministry. Connect with us by email at adultministries@wesleyan.org. We would love to hear about your groups and how we can partner with you!

Compelling Reasons for Disciple Groups

Reason #1 ~ Evangelism
       I’ll never forget the e-mail. It came from a young man in our church who had been investigating Christianity, trying to decide if it was real. After outlining his journey, he said he was ready to trust Jesus with his life and asked if it would be alright for him to pray the salvation prayer with his new family…his disciple group. Obviously, it was a life-changing night not only for him, but his entire group. They finally realized how vital their group was in reaching people for the Kingdom of God!

According to a recent survey, one out of every four disciple groups in North America will lead someone to salvation in the next 12 months. A growing number of churches are recognizing disciple groups as the primary place where lost people find Christ. As people in the 21st century long for community and friendship, these mini-communities have become vital for reaching people.
  
   Reaching more people for Jesus? There’s no more compelling reason than that…

Reason #2 ~ Assimilation 
      Have you ever felt your church has a metaphorical “door” where guests disappear never to return? It is appropriately called ‘the back door.’ The challenge lies in creating a detour away from the backdoor that helps guest want to stick around. Disciple Groups are one of the best detours there is. Statistics tell us those who find a small group within the first sixty days of attending your church will stay for the long haul (three years or more). Intentionally connecting guests in disciple groups forms deep, connecting relationships that slam the back door shut.

Reason #3 ~ Simplicity
      One of my favorite fast food restaurants is called IN-N-OUT. If you’re privileged enough to have experienced this fine piece of American Greasy Cuisine, you know why there’s always a line there…it’s just good. One of the curious things about In-N-Out is their simple menu. I can order a hamburger or cheeseburger, French Fries or Onion Rings and Soda or shake. That’s it. It’s simple. It’s effective.  They’ve chosen to do a few things very well instead of many things so-so. Less is more.

Churches often get caught in the fast food trap of trying to provide something for every possible need. It’s a noble idea, but it eventually leads to frustration and limited resources for everyone. Small Groups help simplify ministry and keep resources focused. Group life provides pastoral Care, teaching, fellowship events, service manpower and so much more, ultimately freeing your staff, leadership, resources and time for more effective Kingdom ministry. Fewer choices equal greater effectiveness. As in restaurants, less is more.