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T H I R D E9 D I T I O N
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Foreword by Chuck Pourciau
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What is a Disciple? 7 Definition of a Disciple 8 What is a D Group? Introduction to D Groups What Does a D Group Look Like? Week to Week Sample Meeting Day to Day How to Log a H.E.A.R. Journal? Sample H.E.A.R.
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MARCS of a Disciple 19 D Group Plan 25 Intro Meeting(s) 26 Week 1 – Repent, Believe, and Receive 29 Week 2 – Baptism 32 Week 3 – Love God 35 Week 4 – Pray 38 Week 5 – Give 41 Week 6 – Lord’s Supper 43 Week 7 – Make Disciples 45 B 52 Reading Plan 46 Scripture Memory 1.0 49 Scripture Memory 2.0 50 Scripture Memory 3.0 51 FAQs 53 1
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In His final words to his followers in Matthew 28, Jesus spoke these words: “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” MATTHEW 28:19–20 (NASB is used throughout this resource).
It is from this passage that we get our church vision. How does Jesus define the missionary task? He commands us to “make disciples of all the nations.” Sounds intimidating, doesn’t it? Discipleship can be a difficult task. To make a disciple is to lead people to the Lord, baptize them, train them to maturity, and then watch them lead, baptize, and train others to maturity. Training a new believer to maturity can be intimidating. How do we train them? What do we teach them? Not wanting us to be confused, Jesus defined for us what it means to “make disciples.” He defined it as “teaching them to observe all that I commanded you.” Simply put, discipleship is to teach someone to obey the commands of Jesus. What are the commands of Jesus? Jesus taught much, and nothing He said was unimportant. We have sought to distill the commands of Jesus into seven directives that encompass the heart of His fabulous teaching. This study is organized around those seven commands. Work your way through them, understand them, embody them, and become a disciple-making disciple. It starts at home and spreads around the world.
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How very exciting it is to be a part of something so profoundly and eternally significant! As you ponder the seeming overwhelming nature of this task, I want to remind you of the final words of our Lord in the passage above. He promised, “. . . lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.� This is a path we do not walk alone. He is with us and He provides everything we need for the task. In reality, HE does it. He just allows us to be there to see Him work. How blessed we are! Chuck Pourciau
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DISCIPLE A disciple is a follower of Jesus Christ living out the gospel daily. It is not simply going on mission trips; it is being on mission. Therefore, the vision at Broadmoor is carried out when believers become disciples of Jesus Christ. “Disciple making is intentionally equipping believers with the Word of God through accountable relationships empowered by the Holy Spirit to multiply faithful followers of Christ.” -Robby Gallaty The goal of a disciple is to make disciples who glorify God by practicing walking with Him, resulting in Christlikeness. Disciple making involves conformity to Christ, intimacy with God, and transformation by the Holy Spirit. Along with these spiritual disciplines, the expectation is that a disciple will prioritize large group worship and be actively involved in small group ministry on a weekly basis. God has called us to love and serve one another as His church. It is in this community that we can find the teaching, accountability, and encouragement of His Word and exercise Christlikeness. “The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” 2 Timothy 2:2
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INTRODUCTION TO D GROUPS This guide is designed to help individuals who are involved in the intentional disciple making path at Broadmoor Baptist Church. It is intended to show what biblical discipleship is and how it looks on a daily basis, providing guidelines for participants and leaders. The life that Christ calls you to live is the life of a disciple, and this guide will aid in making sure that everyone has the same foundation from which to build a life of disciple making. The disciplines that make up this foundation will prayerfully lead you to a desrie to follow him. “There are not two Christs - an easy-going one for easy-going Christians, and a suffering, toiling one for exceptional believers. There is only one Christ. Are you willing to abide in Him, and thus to bear much fruit?� -Hudson Taylor Bible studies are in abundance and are encouraged through B Groups and other small groups. The main differences between D Groups and other Bible studies are the greater intentionality and active reproducibility of D Groups.
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OVERVIEW
Groups will meet weekly for approximately 52 weeks.
Group members will practice daily disciplines of prayer, reading the Bible, journaling, and scripture memory.
Group members will multiply upon completion. The group is to be consistently reminded throughout the year the end goal of multiplying. We are to make disciples who make disciples who make disciples. WHAT DOES A D GROUP LOOK LIKE? This is not simply a checklist, rather these disciplines and activities are essential to disciple making according to Scripture. Through participating in these disciplines, you are not working to change yourselves, but you are allowing who you are to be changed through the power of God and the working of the Holy Spirit. As you conform to be more like Christ, you will see your lives transformed. “Having so fond an affection for you, we were well-pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become very dear to us.�1 Thess. 2:8
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WEEK TO WEEK Each week you will meet with your group of other disciples at a pre-determined time in a pre-determined place. These meetings are to be held in the highest regard. It should be of utmost importance to you to be there and to your group. As a part of a group, you are committing to meet weekly for at least fifty-two weeks without absence. The commitment is at least an hour, realizing an hour and a half is average. Please remember to respect your group members’ time. God will move in mighty ways in your D Group meeting times. Take them seriously, be diligent, and be ready to see God change your life forever. SAMPLE MEETING Catch Up - Expect your group to want to know how your week has been, what has changed, and, most importantly, how you have seen God moving in and through you. This should not be an extended time, but starting with what God is doing is important. Pray - Begin by praying that the Holy Spirit would guide your time together. As you pour over the Scripture, you want the Spirit to continue to reveal God’s truths as you listen to what happened through the Bible study of the other disciples in your group.
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Memory Verse(s) - Every week you will have a memory verse that you are expected to memorize for that week. You will most likely be asked to recite this verse for the group. The goal is hiding God’s Word in your heart. Furthermore, you should be continually working to retain the other verses that you have memorized throughout the year. H.E.A.R. Journals - Be ready to share, be ready to listen, and be ready to see what God is doing as you discuss journals. Extra Reading - Something you read may trigger you to do some more research. Your group might choose to read extra materials in order to have a more rounded learning experience. Accountability - Each week you will have a time to both confess and uphold your fellow disciples to be accountable. Everyone has struggles and temptations. Disciples get the opportunity to encourage each other. As iron sharpens iron, it is your desire to shape and help mold one another into the image of Christ. The things that are said during this time are strictly confidential. Prayer Requests - If there are prayer concerns, this is the time to share them. Try your best to stay focused on praying for things that are directly impacting you and your immediate family: Christlikeness, changing jobs, financial trouble, temptations, attitude issues, family problems, and illness. Let your group know how they can intercede for you in prayer this week outside of this meeting. 13
DAY TO DAY Pray - Every day you should be spending time in prayer. You must spend time daily, hourly, as much as you can, in prayer. Prayer must become less about you, your wants and desires, and more about intimacy and total dependence on your Father. Seek His will for your life. Daily Reading - The Bible is the curriculum. Use it, study it, memorize it, and allow the Holy Spirit to impress it deeply into your heart. We use the B 52 reading plan. For the first 7 weeks you will study the 7 Commands of Christ, and over the next 45 weeks you will read foundational passages of the Bible. To get the most out of God’s Word, every disciple should journal, preferably using the H.E.A.R. method. HOW DO I LOG A H.E.A.R. JOURNAL ENTRY? (Adapted from Replicate Ministries) The H.E.A.R. journaling method promotes reading the Bible with a life-transforming purpose. No longer will your focus be on checking off the boxes on your daily reading schedule; your purpose will instead be to read in order to understand and respond to God’s Word. The acronym H.E.A.R. stands for Highlight, Explain, Apply, and Respond. Each of these four steps contributes to creating an atmosphere to hear God speak.
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After settling on a reading plan and establishing a time for studying God’s Word, you will be ready to H.E.A.R. from God. For an illustration, let’s assume that you begin your quiet time in the book of 2 Timothy, and today’s reading is the first chapter of the book. Before reading the text, pause to sincerely ask God to speak to you. It may seem trite, but it is absolutely imperative that we seek God’s guidance in order to understand His Word (1 Corinthians 2:12-14). You could follow David’s example and begin with the simple prayer, “Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law [Word]” (Psalm 119:18). After praying for the Holy Spirit’s guidance, open your notebook or journal, and at the top left-hand corner, write the letter “H.” This exercise will remind you to read with a purpose. In the course of your reading, one or two verses will usually stand out and speak to you. After reading the passage of Scripture, Highlight each verse that speaks to you by copying it under the letter “H.” Write out the following:
The name of the book
The passage of Scripture
The chapter and verse numbers that especially speak to you
A title to describe the passage
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This practice will make it easier to find the passage when you want to revisit it in the future. After you have highlighted the passage, write the letter “E” under the previous entry. At this stage you will Explain what the text means. By asking some simple questions, with the help of God’s Spirit, you can understand the meaning of a passage or verse. Here are a few questions to get you started:
Why was this written?
To whom was it originally written?
How does it fit with the verses before and after it?
Why did the Holy Spirit include this passage in the book?
What is He intending to communicate through this text?
At this point, you are beginning the process of discovering the specific and personal revelation that God has for you from His Word. What is important is that you are engaging the text and wrestling with its meaning. After writing a short summary of what you think the text means, write the letter “A” below the letter “E.” Under the “A” write the word Apply. This application is the heart of the process. Everything you have done so far culminates under this heading. As you have done before, answer a series of 16
questions to uncover the significance of these verses to you personally, questions like the following:
How can this help me?
What does this mean today?
What would the application of this verse look like in my life?
What is God saying?
These questions bridge the gap between the ancient world and your world today. They provide a way for God to speak to you from the specific passage or verse. Answer these questions under the “A,” and challenge yourself to write between two and five sentences about how the text applies to your life. Finally, below the first three entries, write the letter “R” for Respond. Your response to the passage may take on many forms. You may write a call to action. You may describe how you will be different because of what God has said to you through His Word. You may indicate what you are going to do because of what you have learned. You may respond by writing out a prayer to God. For example, you may ask God to help you to be more loving, or to give you a desire to be more generous in your giving. Keep in mind that this is your response to what you have just read.
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SAMPLE H.E.A.R. ENTRY Read: Exodus 16:8 Title: How Soon we Forget H (Highlight) - “Moses said, ‘This will happen when the Lord gives you meat to eat in the evening, and bread to the full in the morning; for the Lord hears your grumblings which you grumble against Him. And what are we? Your grumblings are not against us but against the Lord.’” Exodus 16:8 E (Explain) - The Israelites were about a month into their travels through the Sinai Peninsula. They had seen the miracles of God, been rescued from Egyptian bondage, and had their needs met in Marah. Yet, here they were grumbling again to Moses and Aaron. In actuality, they were grumbling against God. In their hunger they became scared and doubted. God provided, but not because of their faith. He provided out of His goodness and for His glory. A (Apply) - How many times have I grumbled about something or someone, not realizing that grumbling causes a relationship break with God? After all the Israelites had witnessed of God’s sovereignty and faithfulness, they allowed fear instead of trust to rule their hearts. Trusting God was then and still is today what He desires more than anything. The Israelites had every reason to depend upon God, and so do I. Trust should replace any fear and grumbling. I should first respond to God in faith and then respond to the issue and people involved. R (Respond) - Lord, help me in my walk of trust with You. By Your grace, may my faith increase and Your glory ensue. 18
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MARCS OF A DISCIPLE (With permission from Replicate Ministries) At Broadmoor, our goal is that every disciple and discipleship group holds to the MARCS. These MARCS measure the effectiveness and spiritual maturity of your D Group. MISSIONAL Disciples should be living out the gospel daily. This means that every disciple should be working to speak the gospel, seeing people as God sees them. You should be missionaries wherever God has planted you, intentionally looking for opportunities to take the gospel where God is leading you. Your goal should be to work to serve your mission field in order to show the love of Christ to those around you, in hopes that the gospel will reach the nations. Acts 1:8 “but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.” ACCOUNTABLE You can’t expect what you don’t inspect. Disciples will be held accountable by your group of fellow disciples. Strict confidentiality is essential. It is not your job to judge one another but rather to strengthen one another, sharpening each other as iron sharpens iron! This also means you are 20
accountable to one another for the discipleship process in areas such as Bible study, scripture memorization, prayer, journaling, and attending church weekly. You have to hold one another up and be accountable to be what Christ has called you to be!
“By denying our sin we devalue grace.” -David Paul Tripp
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up. Furthermore, if two lie down together they keep warm, but how can one be warm alone? And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart. Proverbs 27:17 Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. James 5:16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. REPRODUCIBLE Discipleship without reproduction is not biblical discipleship. Being reproducible separates discipleship groups from every other group in the church. The discipleship process is complete 21
when the disciple becomes the disciple maker. Every discple, at some point, should become a discipler. This time frame could be different for different people, and that is ok. It does not mean the discipler failed, but multiplication has to be part of this process. Disciples should make disciples who make disciples who make disciples… “The fruit of an apple tree is not an apple but another apple tree. The fruit of a disciple is not a disciple but another disciple maker.” -Donald McGavran Matthew 28:18-20 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” 2 Timothy 2:2 The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. COMMUNAL Participation is essential. This is not a group that simply meets once a week and never sees each other or keeps up with each other. Being a disciple is about “doing life together.” It is about getting your families involved with one another, going to church together, worshipping together, praying together, celebrating together, and suffering together. 22
Throughout this process you will go through the highs and lows of everyone in your group, and you will grow together towards the image of Christ! Hebrews 10:19-25 Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near. SCRIPTURAL The Bible is the textbook. The disciple should be reading scripture daily, journaling to examine the truths found within the passage, and memorizing scripture in order to hide God’s Word in your heart so that you can better live out what it says. Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
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INTRO MEETING(S) PURPOSE This meeting is designed for everyone to get to know one another, lay out expectations, finalize a consistent meeting time for the future, establish confidentiality, and share testimonies. For some groups this might take 2 weeks. SHARE 1. Spend some time in conversation with one another. 2. Coordinate a weekly schedule. (what days, what times, where, etc.) 3. Pray. Get started! CURRICULUM The curriculum is the Bible.
We will read through the B 52 plan and log a H.E.A.R. Journal five days a week.
We will memorize Scripture from one of the 3 plans provided.
Day 6 you can use for supplemental readings that apply to your group, continuing work on Scripture memory, or making up a missed reading.
Day 7 should be used to review your journals.
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INITIAL EXPECTATIONS ATTENDANCE - D Group weekly meetings are mandatory. Emergency situations will happen, so try to plan trips, work, and events around your D Group. Expect one hundred percent attendance, but allow for grace. If for some reason you are out of town or have to miss, coordinate with your group to join online for a video chat. This will encourage you and your group to become more disciplined spiritually and help everyone in your group value your time together. Set this precedent from the very beginning! Expect your group to be faithfully involved in B Group and large group worship weekly (Heb. 10:23-25). Always take notes. Stay focused and disciplined so that you can pass along the things that you are learning. CONFIDENTIALITY - You cannot stress the importance of trust enough. Bottom line, do not share outside your group what is talked about inside your group. MULTIPLICATION - Remember, discipleship is not just for you, but it is aimed at equipping you to be able to teach others (2 Timothy 2:2). The expectation is to multiply by leading your own group. A disciple should become a disciple maker. TESTIMONIES Once you’ve gone over the logistics and expectations, share your own testimony. The primary focus should be on what your life was before Christ, how you came to know Him, and how your life has changed since knowing Christ. Next, ask the group to share their testimonies. Encourage them to be transparent and to share current struggles. This will help the group establish 27
trust and deeper relationships. It will also help with developing accountability. This time is invaluable for everyone (Approximately 10-15 minutes per person). Ideas for share time: 1. Talk about your family life. 2. What do you do for a living? How can you share about God with others there? 3. What are your hopes and expectations for this year? 4. If any, share your personal discipleship history. Begin Week 1 reading when intro meeting or meetings are finished.
Daily reading for this week: Command #1 - Repent, Believe, and Receive the Holy Spirit Day 1 - Luke 15 (The Prodigal Son) Day 2 - Luke 19:1-10 (Zacchaeus) Day 3 - Luke 24 (Jesus Appears to Disciples) Day 4 - Mark 4:1-20 (Parable of the Sower) Day 5 - Hebrews 10:19-12:3 (Hall of Faith) Memory Verse - Mark 1:15 28
WEEK 1 The Seven Commands of Christ (Adapted from George Patterson) Command #1 - Repent, Believe, and Receive the Holy Spirit What does it mean to repent? Mark 1:15, Acts 3:19, 2 Cor. 7:9 Repentance means to turn away from sin toward God. When man recognizes and is convicted of his own sin and need for a Savior, the process of repentance begins. This is an ongoing process that includes heart, soul, mind, and body. What does it mean to believe? John 3:16 & Romans 10:9-10 Belief is to wholly trust God with our lives. It is displayed throughout a Christian’s life in the way they follow after Christ. Believing that Jesus is the only way to receive eternal life will compel you to tell others. This confidence in Christ is revealed in how we live and in our passion for telling others. Why should we repent and believe? Rom. 3:23; 5:8; 6:23; 10:13 We repent because we are all in desperate need of a Savior, and without Him, we are destined for eternal death. We can believe because He has revealed Himself to us through His Word, the Holy Spirit, and all of creation.
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When do we receive the Holy Spirit, and how does He work? John 3:5; 16:7-15 We receive the Holy Spirit at the time God saves us by His grace through faith. The Holy Spirit moves in us and convicts us of our sin. At conversion, we have the fullness of the Holy Spirit from God. The Holy Spirit lives in every believer. To be filled with the Spirit means we submit to His strength and control in our lives. The Spirit is our advocate on this earth to speak, direct, teach, convict, and mold us.
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Daily reading for the next week: Command #2 - Be Baptized Day 1 - Luke 3:1-22 (John the Baptist) Day 2 - Colossians 2 (Alive with Him) Day 3 - Mark 16, Matt. 28 (Great Commission) Day 4 - Acts 8-9 (Philip and Eunuch) Day 5 - Matthew 3 (Jesus’s Baptism) Memory Verse - Romans 6:4
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WEEK 2 Command #2 - Be Baptized What is baptism? Romans 6:1-14 It is a symbolic representation of the profession of faith and covenant relationship with Jesus. Baptism does not save. It paints an external portrait of what has already occurred internally. Why should we be baptized? Matthew 3:13-15; 28:16-20 Jesus commanded Christian baptism both by example and by word. When Jesus was baptized, He was expressing, in an externally symbolic way, an internal commitment to complete the mission for which He had been sent. In that moment, He committed to follow God to the cross. And with that, God was well pleased. So, to be baptized is to be obedient to the will of the Lord. Who should be baptized? Acts 2:40-41 Everyone who puts his or her faith and trust in Jesus Christ should be baptized. How should we be baptized? Matthew 3:16; Acts 8:26-39 It is our belief that the Bible teaches believer’s baptism by immersion. True baptism occurs after one’s profession of faith in Jesus and is administered by complete immersion in water.
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The Greek word translated “I baptize” in the New Testament is baptizo. It is defined as “to immerse or to submerge.” When should we be baptized? Acts 8:12 One should be baptized after they repent, believe, and become a disciple of Jesus. Being baptized is a testimony to God and His saving grace, and it is an event worthy of inviting family members and friends. Have you experienced believer’s baptism?
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Daily reading for the next week: Command #3 - Love God, Neighbors, and Enemies Day 1 - Luke 10:25-37 (The Good Samaritan) Day 2 - John 14-15 (Vine and Branches) Day 3 - 1 John 2-3 (Love One Another) Day 4 - 1 Corinthians 12-14 (Love) Day 5 - Hosea 1-3 (Love, Forgiveness, Reconciliation) Memory Verse - John 13:34-35
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WEEK 3 Command #3 - Love God, Neighbors, and Enemies What is love? 1 John 4:8; 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 God is love. Love is best defined by the Bible in 1 Corinthians 13. Why do we love? Deuteronomy 6:5; John 13:34-35 We love because we are loved by God. We reciprocate our love for God because He is of greatest value and deserving of all our affections. To advance the gospel, we imitate Christ by loving others. Whom do we love? Matthew 5:43-48; 22:36-40 Love God, love your neighbor as yourself, and love your enemies. “Do you know that nothing you do in this life will ever matter, unless it is about loving God & loving the people He has made?” -Francis Chan
How do we love? John 21:15-17; Ephesians 4:32 Love is demonstrated in many ways but can be best represented biblically by keeping the commandments of God. God says that if we love Him, we will take care of His people.
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This type of love involves sacrifice, forgiveness, self-denial, and many other virtues displayed by Christ. When do we love? 1 John 4:7-21 Love at all times. “If you can imagine enjoying God, instead of trying to repay Him, then you can imagine grace.� -Max Lucado
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Daily reading for the next week: Command #4 - Pray Day 1 - Luke 18:1-17 (Widow/Pharisee and Publican) Day 2 - 2 Chronicles 6:12-7:22 (Solomon’s Prayer) Day 3 - Psalm 86 (David’s Prayer) Day 4 - Luke 11:1-13 (Seek and You Will Find) Day 5 - Daniel 5-6 (Daniel in the Lion’s Den) Memory Verse - Philippians 4:6-7
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WEEK 4 Command #4 - Pray
“To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing.� -Martin Luther What is prayer? 1 John 5:14; Philippians 4:4-7 Prayer is the way that Christians connect and communicate with God in a personal and intimate way. God desires to have a relationship with us, and prayer is how we can talk to and hear from Him. How do we pray? Matthew 6:5-15; Luke 5:16; Psalm 66:16-20 Jesus taught His disciples to recognize who God is, acknowledge sin, repent, and seek Him to lead and guide. God, the creator of the universe, is awe-inspiring, and our response to Him is prayer and adoration. In His presence, our sin becomes more apparent to us, and we should spend time asking for forgiveness and help to overcome those sins. Once our heart is right, we should seek guidance on how He wants us to live out our lives.
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“Prayer must become less about us, our wants and our desires, and more about intimacy and dependence on our Father, seeking His will for our lives, and knowing we can do nothing of our own resources.� -Shane Veinot When should we pray? Ephesians 6:18; 1 Thessalonians 5:17 We strive to always have a posture that is ready to listen and obey in prayer. Prayer is not something that happens once a day or even a couple times a day. Prayer should be a continual. Why pray? Luke 5:16; James 5:13-16 God is moved by our prayers and petitions. Christ Jesus spent countless hours in prayer and taught the disciples how to pray. If He found prayer important, then we should as well. Prayer is a powerful tool that changes us and the world around us. God acts on our behalf when we pray in accordance to His will in our lives.
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Daily reading for the next week: Command #5 - Give Day 1 - Matthew 25:14-30 (Parable of Talents) Day 2 - Matthew 25:31-46 (Unto the Least of These) Day 3 - Deuteronomy 14:22-29 (Concerning Tithes) Day 4 - Luke 12 (Building Barns) Day 5 - Luke 16 (The Unrighteous Steward The Rich Man and Lazarus) Memory Verse - 2 Corinthians 9:6-7
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WEEK 5 Command #5 - Give Why should we give to God? Malachi 3:8-10 Everything we have belongs to God, and He allows us to be stewards over it. God calls us to surrender everything to Him and to trust in His provision. “God is the source of all blessings, temporal and spiritual; all that we have and are we owe to Him. . .According to the Scriptures, Christians should contribute of their means cheerfully, regularly, systematically, proportionately, and liberally for the advancement of the Redeemer’s cause on earth.” (The Baptist Faith and Message) How do we give to God? Mark 12:41-44; Matthew 6:1-4 “They [Christians] are therefore under obligation to serve Him with their time, talents, and material possessions; and should recognize all these as entrusted to them to use for the glory of God and for helping others.” (The Baptist Faith and Message) Give in secret. We are not to give in a public way, with fanfare for all to see, but just for God to know. When do we give to God? Matthew 25:31-40 We are called to give whenever we see a need. We do so because we are about His kingdom’s work, which is for the cause of the gospel of Jesus Christ. 41
Daily reading for the next week: Command #6 - The Lord’s Supper Day 1 - Luke 22:7-20 (The Lord’s Supper) Day 2 - Matthew 27:1-56 (The Crucifixion) Day 3 - Mark 14:12-29 (The Last Supper) Day 4 - 1 Corinthians 10-11 (The Lord’s Supper) Day 5 - Isaiah 52-53 (The Suffering and Triumph of the Servant) Memory Verse - Matthew 26:26-28
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WEEK 6 Command #6 - The Lord’s Supper What is the Lord’s Supper, and why do we take it? Luke 22:14-20; 1 Cor. 11:26 “The Lord’s Supper is a symbolic act of obedience whereby members of the church, through partaking of the bread and the fruit of the vine, memorialize the death of the Redeemer and anticipate His second coming.” (The Baptist Faith and Message) How do we receive the Lord’s Supper? Matthew 26:26-28; 1 Cor. 11:27-29 The Lord’s Supper should serve as a time of examination of our relationship with God. Before we take of the bread and drink of the cup, we should pray and seek God, asking Him to reveal sin in our lives, and call us to repentance. Once we have repented and sought forgiveness, we should reflect on Christ’s sacrifice for us that makes forgiveness possible. Who should receive the Lord’s Supper? Acts 2:42 The Lord’s supper can be taken by those who have put their faith and trust in Jesus Christ for salvation, have repented of their sins, and have a relationship with God.
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Daily reading for the next week: Command #7 - Make Disciples Day 1 - Matthew 16 (Take Up Cross and Follow) Day 2 - John 13 (Jesus Washes the Disciple’s Feet) Day 3 - Luke 9 (Following Jesus) Day 4 - Matthew 7:21-23, Matthew 25:1-13 (Not Everyone Who Says Lord) Day 5 - Luke 14 (Discipleship Tested) Memory Verse - 2 Timothy 2:2
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WEEK 7 Command #7 - Make Disciples What is a disciple? Mark 8:31-32, John 15:8, John 13:34-35 A disciple is a follower of Christ who obeys His Word, teaches others to obey His commands, and invests their very lives in others. Jesus clearly teaches that true disciples will be known by their fruit. Those who continually love God, love others, make God known, grow daily in Him, and make disciples themselves are disciples of Christ. Why did Jesus call disciples? Matthew 28:16-20 He called disciples to reach the nations. Disciple making is the plan that God designed to carry out the redemption of mankind. God allows us to be a part of His story. We are here to bring Him glory, period. Even though He doesn’t need us, He chooses to use us to advance His kingdom. How are disciples made? 2 Timothy 1:13-2:7 Disciples are made by teaching others and building them up according to God’s Word. We can want to know God more, but with no discipline, this desire will never come to fruition. The Bible commands us to repent, believe, and receive; be baptized; love God; pray; give; observe the Lord’s Supper; make disciples; and much more. Daily reading for the next week: Continue B 52 reading plan in week 8 45
B52 BIBLE READING PLAN WEEK 1 Luke 15 Luke 19:1-10 Luke 24 Mark 4:1-20 Hebrews 10:19-12:1-3
WEEK 7 Matthew 16 John 13 Luke 9 Matthew 7:21-23, 25:1-13 Luke 14
WEEK 13 Genesis 50-Ex. 1 Exodus 2-3 Exodus 4-5 Exodus 6-7 Exodus 8-9
WEEK 2 Luke 3:1-22 Colossians 2 Mark 16, Matt. 28 Acts 8-9 Matthew 3
WEEK 8 Genesis 1-2 Genesis 3-4 Genesis 6-7 Genesis 8-9 Job 1-2
WEEK 14 Exodus 10-11 Exodus 12 Exodus 13-14 Exodus 16-17 Exodus 19-20
WEEK 3 Luke 10:25-37 John 14-15 1 John 2-3 1 Cor. 12-14 Hosea 1-3
WEEK 9 Job 38-39 Job 40-42 Genesis 11-12 Genesis 15-17 Genesis 18-19
WEEK 15 Exodus 24-25 Exodus 26-27 Exodus 28-29 Exodus 30-31 Exodus 32-33
WEEK 4 Luke 18:1-17 2 Chronicles 6:12-7:22 Psalm 86 Luke 11:1-13 Daniel 5-6
WEEK 10 Genesis 20-21 Genesis 22 Genesis 24 Genesis 25:19-34, 26 Genesis 27-28
WEEK 16 Exodus 34-36:1 Exodus 40 Leviticus 8-9 Leviticus 16-17 Leviticus 23
WEEK 5 Matthew 25:14-30 Matthew 25:31-46 Deuteronomy 14:22-29 Luke 12 Luke 16
WEEK 11 Genesis 29-30:24 Genesis 31-32 Genesis 33, 35 Genesis 37 Genesis 39-40
WEEK 17 Leviticus 26 Numbers 11-12 Numbers 13-14 Numbers 16-17 Num. 20, 27:12-23
WEEK 6 Luke 22:7-20 Matthew 27:1-56 Mark 14:12-29 1 Corinthians 10-11 Isaiah 52-53
WEEK 12 Genesis 41 Genesis 42-43 Genesis 44-45 Genesis 46-47 Genesis 48-49
WEEK 18 Numbers 34-35 Deuteronomy 1-2 Deuteronomy 3-4 Deuteronomy 6-7 Deuteronomy 8-9
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B52 BIBLE READING PLAN WEEK 19 Deuteronomy 30-31 Deuteronomy 32, 34 Joshua 1-2 Joshua 3-4, 5:10-15, 6 Joshua 7-8
WEEK 25 Psalm 119:49-128 Psalms 119:129-176, 139 Psalms 148-150 1 Kings 2 1 Kings 3, 6
WEEK 31 Jeremiah 25, 29 Jer. 31:31-40, 32-33 Jer. 52, 2 Kings 24-25 Ezekiel 1:1-3, 36:16-38, 37 Daniel 1-2
WEEK 20 Joshua 23-24 Judges 2-3 Judges 4 Judges 6-7 Judges 13-14
WEEK 26 1 Kings 8, 9:1-9 Proverbs 1-2 Proverbs 3-4 Proverbs 16-18 Proverbs 31
WEEK 32 Daniel 3 Daniel 9-10, 12 Ezra 1-2 Ezra 3-4 Ezra 5-6
WEEK 21 Judges 15-16 Ruth 1-2 Ruth 3-4 1 Samuel 1-2 1 Samuel 3, 8
WEEK 27 Ecclesiastes 1-2 Ecclesiastes 3-4, 12 1 Kings 11-12 1 Kings 16:29-34, 17 1 Kings 18-19
WEEK 33 Zechariah 1:1-6, 2, 12 Ezra 7-8 Ezra 9-10 Esther 1-2 Esther 3-4
WEEK 22 1 Samuel 9-10 1 Samuel 13-14 1 Samuel 15-16 1 Samuel 17-18 1 Samuel 19-20
WEEK 28 1 Kings 21-22 2 Kings 2 2 Kings 5, 6:1-23 Jonah 1-2 Jonah 3-4
WEEK 34 Esther 5-7 Esther 8-10 Nehemiah 1-3 Nehemiah 4-6 Nehemiah 7-8
WEEK 23 1 Samuel 21-22 Ps. 22, 1 Samuel 24-25:1 1 Samuel 28, 31 2 Sam.1, 2:1-7, 5, Ps. 23 2 Samuel 6-7
WEEK 29 Amos 1:1, 9 Joel 1-3 Isaiah 6, 9 Isaiah 44-45 Isaiah 65-66
WEEK 35 Nehemiah 9-10 Nehemiah 11-12 Nehemiah 13 Malachi 1-2 Malachi 3-4
WEEK 24 Psalm 18, 2 Sam. 9 2 Samuel 11-12 Psalm 51 2 Sam. 24, Ps.1, 19, 24 Psalms 103, 119:1-48
WEEK 30 Micah 1, 4:6-13, 5 2 Kings 17-18 2 Kings 19-21 2 Kings 22-23 Jeremiah 1-3:5
WEEK 36 Luke 1-2 John 1 Mark 1 Matthew 1-2 Matthew 4-5
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B52 BIBLE READING PLAN WEEK 37 Matthew 6 Matthew 7:1-20, 24-29 Matthew 8 Mark 9 John 6
WEEK 43 1 Thessalonians 3-5 2 Thessalonians 1-3 1 Corinthians 1-2 1 Corinthians 3-5 1 Corinthians 6-7
WEEK 49 Ephesians 5-6 Philippians 1-2 Philippians 3-4 Hebrews 1-2 Hebrews 3-4
WEEK 38 Matthew 19:16-30 Luke 17:11-37 Mark 10 John 11, Matthew 21:1-13 John 16
WEEK 44 1 Corinthians 8-9 1 Corinthians 15-16 2 Corinthians 1-2 2 Corinthians 3-4 2 Corinthians 5-6
WEEK 50 Hebrews 5 Hebrews 6-7 Hebrews 8-9 1 Timothy 1-3 1 Timothy 4-6
WEEK 39 Matthew 24 John 17 Matthew 26:47-27:31 Matt. 27:32-66, Luke 23 John 19
WEEK 45 2 Corinthians 7-8 2 Corinthians 9-10 2 Corinthians 11-13 Romans 1-2 Romans 3-4
WEEK 51 2 Timothy 1-2 2 Timothy 3-4 1 Peter 1-2 1 Peter 3-4 1 Peter 5, 2 Peter 1-3
WEEK 40 John 20-21 Acts 1 Acts 2-3 Acts 4-5 Acts 6-7
WEEK 46 Romans 5-6 Romans 7-8 Romans 9-10 Romans 11-12 Romans 13-14
WEEK 52 1 John 1-3 1 John 4-5 Revelation 1-3 Revelation 4-5 Rev. 19:6, 20-22
WEEK 41 Acts 10-11 Acts 12 Acts 13-14 James 1-2 James 3-5
WEEK 47 Romans 15-16 Acts 20-21 Acts 22-23 Acts 24-25 Acts 26-27
WEEK 42 Acts 15-16 Galatians 1-3 Galatians 4-6 Acts 17-19 1 Thessalonians 1-2
WEEK 48 Acts 28 Colossians 1-2 Colossians 3-4 Ephesians 1-2 Ephesians 3-4 48
D GROUP SCRIPTURE MEMORY (1.0) Week 1: Mark 1:15
Week 32: Jeremiah 29:11
Week 2: Romans 6:4
Week 33: Galatians 5:22-23
Week 3: John 13:34-35
Week 34-35: James 1:2-4
Week 4: Philippians 4:6-7
Week 36: Ephesians 5:24-25
Week 5: 2 Corinthians 9:6-7
Week 37: 1 Corinthians 15:58
Week 6: Matthew 26:26-28
Week 38-39: Review
Week 7: 2 Timothy 2:2 Week 8-9: Review
Week 40: John 20:31 Week 41-42: Romans 8:38-39
Week 10: John 1:1
Week 43: 1 Corinthians 10:13
Week 11-12: 1 John 1:7-9
Week 44-45: Review
Week 13: Colossians 3:17 Week 14-16: Hebrews 4:12-16
Week 46-47: Romans 12:1-2
Week 17-18: Review
Week 48: Ephesians 2:8-9 Week 49: Galatians 2:20
Week 19-20: Deuteronomy 6:6-7
Week 50: Revelation 1:3
Week 21: Joshua 1:8
Week 51-52: Review
Week 22-23: Review On review weeks, come
Week 24-25: Psalm 100:4-5
prepared with every verse we
Week 26-27: 2 Chronicles 7:14
have learned.
Week 28: Proverbs 1:7 Week 29: Proverbs 3:5-6 Week 30-31: Review
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D GROUP SCRIPTURE MEMORY (2.0) Week 1: Mark 1:15
Week 31: Daniel 2:20
Week 2: Romans 6:4
Week 32: Ephesians 4:26-27
Week 3: John 13:34-35
Week 33: 2 Timothy 3:16
Week 4: Philippians 4:6-7
Week 34: James 5:16
Week 5: 2 Corinthians 9:6-7
Week 35-36: Review
Week 6: Matthew 26:26-28 Week 7: 2 Timothy 2:2
Week 37: John 14:6
Week 8-9: Review
Week 38: Acts 1:8 Week 39: Luke 9:23
Week 10: Genesis 1:27
Week 40: Mark 10:44-45
Week 11-13: Philippians 2:5-11
Week 41-42: Review
Week 14-15: Review Week 43-44: Galatians 6:9-10 Week 16-17: Exodus 20:1-3
Week 45-47: Romans Road:
Week 18: Micah 6:8
3:23, 5:8, 6:23, & 10:9
Week 19-20: Lamentations 3:22-23 Week 48: 1 Peter 3:15 Week 21: Isaiah 40:31
Week 49: 1 John 5:13
Week 22-23: Review
Week 50: Revelation 3:20 Week 51-52: Review
Week 24-25: Psalm 119:10-11 Week 26: Ecclesiastes 3:11
On review weeks, come
Week 27-28: Isaiah 55:8-9
prepared with every verse we
Week 29-30: Review
have learned.
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D GROUP SCRIPTURE MEMORY (3.0) Week 1: Mark 1:15
Week 31-32: Ezekiel 36:26-27
Week 2: Romans 6:4
Week 33: Zephaniah 3:17
Week 3: John 13:34-35
Week 34: Psalm 101:3-4
Week 4: Philippians 4:6-7
Week 35: Nehemiah 9:6
Week 5: 2 Corinthians 9:6-7
Week 36-37: Colossians 1:19-20
Week 6: Matthew 26:26-28
Week 38-39: Review
Week 7: 2 Timothy 2:2 Week 8-9: Review
Week 40: Hebrews 13:20-21 Week 41-42: Matthew 28:18-20
Week 10: Hebrews 11:6
Week 43: 1 Corinthians 1:18
Week 11-12: Romans 4:20-22
Week 44-45: Review
Week 13: 1 John 3:18 Week 14: Ephesians 3:20-21
Week 46: Acts 20:24
Week 15-16: Review
Week 47-48: Colossians 2:6-7 Week 49-50: Revelation 21:3-4 Week 51-52: Review
Week 17-18: Matthew 22:37-39 Week 19: Galatians 4:4-5 Week 20: Psalm 19:14
On review weeks, come
Week 21-22: Review
prepared with every verse we have learned.
Week 23: 1 Samuel 16:7 Week 24-26: Psalm 1 Week 27: John 11:25-26 Week 28: Isaiah 53:5-6 Week 29-30: Review
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How do I choose who will be in my D Group? Pray to God and listen. He will lead you to the people that are ready. Jesus Himself prayed before choosing the twelve (Luke 6:12-16). You are praying for same gender people to disciple. God may lead you to choose a neighbor, co-worker, B Group member, etc. Find someone who wants to learn. Ask them if they would like to study the Bible, memorize Scripture, pray, and join your group. Be clear with expectations in the beginning. Do not downplay the commitment. Expect one hundred percent attendence, but allow for grace. How many people should be in a D Group? The ideal group is 4-5 people, you plus 3-4 others. We suggest this size group because it helps to develop learning, fellowship, and accountability. Groups larger than 5 begin to lose intentionality, and a one-on-one dynamic does not offer the discussion and collaboration found in a small group. Where should we meet? Find a meeting place where your group fits, but also stretch and expand where you meet at times. A meeting place in a home or at the church works well for concentration and study, and this allows for more personal conversation. Meeting in a public place like a restaurant, bookstore, coffee shop, etc. are good options that provide your group the opportunity to share your faith. Be consistent, but feel free to challenge your group. How do I challenge my D Group to memorize scripture? First, you can’t expect what you don’t inspect. Make sure that you lead by example and suggest ways to help your group 54
memorize, such as flash cards, mobile apps, etc. Hold them accountable for every meeting, and consistently remind them of the value in knowing the Word. The goal is hiding God’s Word in your heart. The truth is you can’t meditate on what you haven’t memorized. How do I keep my group accountable? Stay in daily contact with your group by fostering biblical conversation. It helps to get members of the group to text in once a day when they have completed their daily reading. Employ creative ideas to make the accountability unique to your group by creating code words and catch phrases. Also, develop questions that help your group stay accountable. How important is confidentiality? Confidentiality will help create that safe environment of honesty. Trust builds over time but can be demolished in a second. Make sure everyone understands this, and remind the group throughout the year. It may take some time for your group to become transparent. What does it look like to be transparent? Through this D Group, you will be held accountable, and, as time goes on, your group will become more open with one another about struggles. Eventually, the hope is that the members of your D Group will overcome these struggles through the work of the Holy Spirit. They can then testify to the work of God in their lives in a more public setting by sharing how God helped them overcome. This type of transparency builds up the body and will help others as they face struggles. 55
What if I don’t know the answer to a question? Don’t answer the question. Nobody knows all the answers. If you don’t know, let them know you will find the answer. If you need help, ask your former D Group leader or email the pastor. When should I confront someone about unmet expectations? Immediately. The first time that you have trouble with a person in your group because they are not teachable, they have not completed the assigned tasks, or have other problems, talk to that person immediately. If the action is repeated, then talk about it in the group. If expectation continues to be unmet and the individual is not repentant, contact your former D Group leader. Most discipline will take place inside your group, so contact a minister once the situation can not be resolved between you and that individual. When should I ask someone to leave the group? In the case that someone is unrepentant, contact you previous D Group leader and the minister in charge of D Groups for wisdom. When do I send out disciples to make disciples? Your group should meet for at least 52 weeks. We want all participants to be sent out to make disciples. Some will naturally desire to form a group, and others will be reluctant. Encourage multiplication and help them to multiply.
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What happens to my relationship to my previous leader? Once your group has multiplied, the leader will stay in contact with new disciple makers at least once per month. They will ask how they can help and encourage your group. The first point of contact when facing struggles as a leader should be with your previous D Group leader. The bottom line is that you should continue in the relationships that have been developed and use them as a resource as you move forward.
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“Go therefore and make disciples...
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