D-Group Leader Training
May 11, 2024
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Attend a Leader Training
Jesus told us that our mission as a faith community is to make disciples. At Hallmark, we are working to better integrate discipleship into our church culture.
If you are willing to come alongside a group of 2-4 other people and help them to read the Bible, memorize Scripture, and pray – we want to help get you started.
D-Group leader trainings are one-day trainings that take place on Saturday morning from 9am-noon, once a quarter.
You can do it!
Making disciples is Jesus’ foundational command to every believer. You don’t need to be a trained teacher, pastor, or theologian.
If you attend Hallmark consistently, read your Bible, and pray: you can lead a D-Group!
A D-Group leader is not a master teacher, or an expert who has figured everything out. They are simply someone who is one step ahead of someone else, saying “Imitate me as I follow Christ”.
FAQs
Common Questions about D-Groups
What is a D-Group?
Discipleship Groups (D-Groups) help provide an essential environment for every believer to have intimate friendships, accountability, and most importantly, a life rooted deeply in God’s Word. As we work to live out our God-given calling as we follow Jesus and make disciples every day, Discipleship Groups are an integral part of the process.
D-Groups are gender-specific, closed groups of 3-5 believers who meet together weekly for the purpose of accelerated spiritual transformation.
It is not evangelistic in its form or function, but in its fruit: It makes disciples who will then go on to make more disciples.
Discipleship Groups form through pre-existing, meaningful relationships with other believers in environments like Connect Groups or Serving Teams. Because of this, Discipleship Groups are not simply joined, but started.
Connect Groups vs. D-Groups
Connect Groups:
- Open groups.
- Non-believers are welcome.
- Larger groups.
- Mixed gender.
- Limited accountability.
- Low commitment.
- Indefinite time period.
Discipleship Groups:
- Closed groups.
- Committed believers only.
- Small groups of 3-5 people.
- Gender-specific.
- High accountability.
- High commitment.
- Exists for 9-18 months before replication.
Can I start a Discipleship Group?
The only absolute requirement for leading a Discipleship Group is that you be intentionally pursuing Christ. You do not need to be a master teacher or have all of the answers. If you can say, “Follow me; I’m pursuing Christ,” you have the tools you need to lead a Discipleship Group.
As a Discipleship Group leader, you set the tone for the group’s atmosphere. You are not lecturing students; you are cultivating an intimate, accountable relationship with a few close friends.
How do I choose my group members?
Pray! Jesus, our example in selecting disciples, spent time in prayer before selecting men (Luke 6:12-16). Begin by asking God to send you a group of men or women who are faithfhul, available, teachable, and have a desire to learn and grow.
Faithful – observe other areas of his/her spiritual life, such as church attendance, Connect Group involvement, or service in the church.
Available – is this person willing to meet with and invest in others? Will they be accessible? Would their schedule allow for a weekly meeting over the next 18 months?
Teachable – a teachable person has a desire to learn AND apply what they learn. They are open to correction from others and from God’s Word.
How do I invite someone?
After discerning that an individual is faithful, available, and teachable, prayerfully approach him or her and ask:
“Would you be interested in studying the Bible, memorizing Scripture, and praying together?”
Many people are open to that. All you have to do is ask. We don’t recommend that you say, “Would you like for me to disciple you?” as this question may come across in a derogatory manner.
Keep in mind that men should disciple men, and women should disciple women.
How often should we meet?
Ideally, you should meet once a week or every other week for about an hour to an hour and a half. You can meet more frequently, but the most important thing is maintaining consistency on what you agree upon.
It is important to remember that discipleship is about the relationship between you and your group members, not about checking a requirement box. Disciple-making is a way of life, not a program.
What is the curriculum?
Your Bible reading and H.E.A.R. journals are the curriculum.
One of the goals of a D-groups are to foster consistent and deep engagement with the Word of God. Although there are many great external resources and books available, God’s Word is what has the power.
And most Christians have never read the entire Bible for themselves.
Because of the commitment to spiritual disciplines that a D-Group demands, it would likely be determintal to layer other requirements on top of the typical strucure.
What is the structure of the meeting?
Every week, your group will take 60-90 minutes to do the following:
- Start with prayer
- Fellowship
- Scripture memory
- H.E.A.R. Journals
- Accountability Questions
- Pray for one another
Is there an attendance requirement?
Yes, there is. The first time you meet with a potential group, explain the Discipleship Group Covenant with them.
Some people may say after the initial meeting, “This isn’t really for me. I’m not interested.” That’s okay.
Allow potential disciples to opt out of the group on the front end after understanding the expectations spelled out in the Discipleship Group Covenant.
What if I don’t know the answer to a question?
There is no shame in not knowing all of the answers to every question. Simply confess that you may not have all the answers, but you will find them. Then do so before the next meeting.
Ask your Connect Group leader or one of our pastors to help you with the answer. Never give the impression that you have all the answers.
It is less important to know answers than it is to know how to seek them. You may not have total recall when it comes to biblical history, theology, and doctrine, but with time you can locate them!
Meet our Discipleship Pastor
Nathan Parikh
Nathan has served on staff since 2014 and leads our Connect Groups, Discipleship Groups, adult Bible studies, and Re:generation recovery ministries.
Nathan and his wife Danielle met at Hallmark in 2015 and married in 2017. They have been blessed with a beautiful daughter, Priya. Together Nathan and Dani lead the Young Couples Connect Group.
A Chicago native, Nathan loves the Chicago Bulls, the Chicago Cubs, and good pizza.
