Discipleship / Small Groups
The goal is to follow the command of Jesus in making disciples by giving students opportunities for spiritual formation through both individual mentoring and small groups.
Discipleship / Small Groups Givens
Biblical Basis: Matthew 28:19-20, Colossians 1:28-29
Pacesetter: Recruit and train small group leaders each semester.
Spiritual Focus: Implement small groups to grow believers and reach the lost.
Equipping: Train students so they can train others, creating exponential growth.
Incarnational: Active participation by staff in small groups both training and leading.
Discipleship / Small Groups Tasks for New Workers
Read Spiritual Formation: a Biblical Basis for Christian Discipleship
Learn basic coaching skills in relation to discipleship opportunities
Lead a small group in spring of first year. After year 1, lead a small group each semester - one being on campus
Read How We Disciple Students by Joel Bratcher & How We Disciple Students by Robert Rueda
Complete A Transforming Fellowship: a Biblical Basis for Discipleship & Small Groups with your Leadership Team (adapt as needed to your specific situation)
Have small group leader training (starting year 2)
Read Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership: Seeking God in the Crucible of Ministry by Ruth Haley Barton
Develop strategies for discipling students throughout the entire ministry of BSM
Read Transforming Discipleship: Making Disciples a Few at a Time by Greg Ogden
Discipleship / Small Groups Resources
Top Reading Recommendations
Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership: Seeking God in the Crucible of Ministry by Ruth Haley Barton
Transforming Discipleship: Making Disciples a Few at a Time by Greg Ogden
Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth by Richard Foster
Additional Reading Recommendations
Further Reading Recommendations
Cultivating a Life for God: Multiplying Disciples Through Life Transformation Groups by Neil Cole
Disciplism by Alan Hirsch
Disciplemakers' Handbook: Helping People Grow in Christ by Alice Fryling
Discipleship Essentials: A Guide to Building Your Life in Christ by Greg Ogden
Design for Discipleship by NavPress
Freedom of Simplicity by Richard J. Foster
Growing In Christ: A Thirteen-Week Follow-Up Course for New and Growing Christians by NavPress
Missional Small Groups: Becoming a Community That Makes a Difference in the World by M. Scott Boren
Prayer: Does It Make Any Difference? by Philip Yancey
Prayer: Finding the Heart's True Home by Richard J. Foster
Small Group Leaders' Handbook: The Next Generation by Beyerlein & Keiper
Spiritual Growth Tracts adapted from Roger Matkin's Nurturing Spiritual Growth (used with permission)
StrengthsFinder 2.0 by Tom Rath
The Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer
The Divine Conspiracy: Rediscovering Our Hidden Life In God by Dallas Willard
The Fifth Great Awakening and the Future of America by Dr. James Denison
The Seven Deadly Sins of Small Group Ministry by Donahue & Robinson
Tough Questions Leader's Guide by Garry Poole
What You Do Best in the Body of Christ: Discover Your Spiritual Gifts, Personal Style, and God-Given Passion by Bruce L. Bugbee
Additional Helps
Connecting Freshmen: at a 4 Year Campus or at a Junior College Campus
Discipleship: A Life in Progress by Joyce Ashcraft