Guard Groups

These smaller groups can be a place to go deeper and to give and receive support along the journey of following Jesus. There are so many ways the enemy attacks us and tries to distract or hinder us, we all need a "guard" to walk with us!

Overview

  • 3 or 4 no more
  • same gender
  • meet weekly
  • the Bible is the primary text
  • the Holy Spirit is the teacher; a facilitator will guide, but all are equal
  • meet for fellowship/friendship, spiritual encouragement and growth

How it works

  1. Pray about who the Spirit would lead you to meet with
  2. Ask those individuals to consider meeting with you and at least one other person as a "Guard Group"
  3. Commit to meet for 12 weeks, then evaluate if it's a good fit for everyone or if adjustments are needed
  4. Sign a covenant (links to examples below)
  5. Build and agree upon a pattern for your meetings: chat, pray, checkup, study, identity list or goal check, pray
  6. You can use some study guides to help your journey (see below), but the Bible is primary
  7. Be flexible - sometimes as "life happens" you may need to shift to emphasis of a weekly meeting
  8. Each member prays for the salvation of two people who need Jesus
  9. Each member prays about a future "Guard Group" they will lead
  10. When it's time, release members to begin their own "Guard Group" and pray about a new person to invite in.

Resources

  • Doug Morrell's guide to this concept he calls "CORE" discipleship
  • Study: Chrysalis - Beginner's Guide to Christianity, refresher for the rest of us
  • Study: 21 Days to Breakthrough - Invite the power of God to bring positive change
  • Study: Discovering God's Will - Discover, know and walk in the will of God
  • Study: Foundations - These foundational truths set the stage for every believer’s life and ministry
  • Study: Presence - Develop a moment by moment closeness with God
  • Study: As a Man Thinks - Learning to become transformed by renewing our minds
  • Example group covenants option 1, option 2
  • Example Identity/Goal/Accountability guides download.
  • What to do when you fail link