Vision for Peer Discipleship

Discipleship is an intentional journey leading to maturity in our relationship with Jesus so that we become more like Him in our attitudes, focus and ultimately behaviour.

In addition to the importance of being in a small group, we also recognise there is a high value of meeting in even smaller groups on a regular basis for ‘peer discipleship’. The aim is to encourage, support and challenge one another at a level of honesty, authenticity and accountability which can sometimes be more difficult in a larger small group.

Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. (Ephesians 4:14-15 NIV)

Guidance

A peer discipleship group should consist of 4 brothers or 4 sisters in Christ.

Who

Any follower of Jesus who would be considered to have a level of faith and understanding beyond the level of Alpha and Christian Foundations. The option of Alpha or Christians Foundations should be considered preferentially otherwise.

When

We recommend meeting at least once/month for a duration of one hour with half of the time for sharing and listening and the other half looking at truth and intercession in prayer and seeking the Holy Spirit.

So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. (Galatians 5:16–17 NIV)

How

This is very much up to the group. The formation of these groups should be self-motivated and there are many ways to meet that promote sharing and accountability. Some people find it easier to share when doing something such as walking or crafts, others might want to meet in their homes. The key is to hold one another to account as to how the time is being used.

Multiplication

Before Jesus ascended to heaven, he made clear in the Great Commission that making disciples was the call of the church (Matthew 28:18-20). Groups should therefore hold to a key intention of multiplying over time and the formation of groups of 4 is in part to facilitate this with the idea that a group splits in half with each two members looking to add another two and so forth. We would anticipate consideration of multiplication to occur after a twelve month period and then be ongoing.