Becoming a D-Groups Starter!

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D-groups are discipleship groups that can grow into little churches or remain small groups in a local church. The key element of D-Groups is multiplication – that is what gets people active in being a disciple and making disciples. Expect some groups to fail. Focus your energy on coaching on those that are willing to train others to lead the groups and are active in multiplying more groups.

Here are three key elements to multiplying D-Groups:

  1. Stick to the ABC pattern. The process is very important and your job as a coach is to make sure the process stays on course.

  2. Hand over quickly to a new facilitator(s). Use the MAWL process the following way:
    Model the ABC process 3 times, then turn it over. NOT MORE. As you model, ask your potential facilitator(s), “Did you see what I did?” “Do you think you could do it?” This allows your facilitator in training to realize you are modeling something you want them to catch!
    Assist From the 4th time the group comes together the new facilitator takes over. At this point you assist by keeping the process on track. You also meet with your facilitator to brief and debrief them on how they are doing.
    Watch You no longer have to keep the process on track because your facilitator(s) have got it! You miss some of the meetings to start more D-Groups.
    Leave The group no longer depends on you to run. You continue to mentor your facilitator(s) on a separate time.

  3. Don't allow people to join the group once it's going. When new people want to join, start new groups with them!

Here is how you go about starting and coaching a new D-Gorup:

  • Start by being a church with your team or co-worker – do the “ABC’s” together

  • Pray a lot

  • Gain access to the community – share Jesus and serve people

  • Find the “Person of Peace” – See Luke 10:1-11

  • Find the 'Oikos' of Peace – the person of peace’s network or family – Don’t get impressed with first friendly person you meet

  • Start the Bible study in someone’s home in the community (it may be with as few as 2-4 people).

  • Coach the new facilitator after the 3rd meeting, following the MAWL process

  • Work towards multiplication by starting new D-Groups as people want to join the group.

D-Group “No-No’s”

  • Don’t take offerings for ministries or projects

  • Don’t recruit volunteers for other projects or ministries

  • Don’t get into discussions about someone’s personal doctrine

  • Don’t mix personal business with discipleship

  • Don’t mix politics with being the D-Group facilitator or coach

  • Don’t be a match maker of relationships

  • Don’t turn it into personal accountability group

  • Don’t spend time alone counseling or driving members of the opposite sex

  • Don’t borrow or lend money

  • Don’t invite guest speakers