SAMPLE

Covenant/Discipleship Group Agreement

  1. Statement of Purpose

The purpose of this Covenant/Discipleship Group Agreement is to help each other grow in our relationship to God and to other disciples; to help each other grow in faithfulness as Christ’s disciples; to support each other in our Christian walk; and to pray for each other.

  1. Confidentiality

Everything that is shared between members of this Covenant/Discipleship Group will be held in strict confidence and will not be shared with others without the express permission of a member. No exceptions.

  1. Mutual Accountability

Each member of this Covenant/Discipleship Group pledges to:

1)Keep the Covenant

2)Participate fully by supporting each other, sharing insights as led by the Holy Spirit during meetings, and listening to each other without judgment or condemnation.

3)Weekly/Biweekly Attendance. Members will strive to be on time, arriving at meetings punctually and will call or email/notify someone in the group in case of absences. Give priority to the group meeting.

  1. A Plan for Gatherings

1)Either a weekly or biweekly meeting will occur based upon consensus of the members and may change from time to time based upon the needs of the members. Mutually convenient locations and times of the meetings will be arranged by group consensus.

2) Agenda for meetings will generally be:

a. Prayer for the Holy Spirit’s presence and grace (essential)

b. Singing (optional)

c. Discipleship Questions (page 3) (The Heart of Covenant Discipleship)

(essential)

d. Focus Scripture passages, using the Bible, the book, “Life’s Questions with Answers from the Bible” (essential if time allows) and other sources.

e. Closing prayer focusing especially on the needs raised during the gathering. As the Holy

Spirit leads, each member may elect to pray. (essential)

  1. Centrality of Prayer. Members will commit to pray for each other during the week and be available by telephone and/or email if a member needs urgent prayer and/or support.
  1. Reviewing and Renewing the Covenant/Discipleship Group Agreement. This will be done at least annually.
  1. The Spirit of Covenant Discipleship Group gatherings will be:

1)Mutual support and encouragement: “Bear each other’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of love.”

2)Careful and attentive listening; not interrupting.

3)“Speaking (and receiving) the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15).

4)The Fellowship of the Holy Spirit, always being attentive and obedient to His still, small voice and His leading.

  1. The Role of Leaders

1)Help draft the Covenant/Discipleship Group Agreement.

2)Monitor group process, keeping the focus on the discipleship questions and prayer.

3)Lead by humble word and example (growing in accountable grace).

4)May work with the pastor to assess deeper pastoral care needs, being sure to seek agreement of the member/s in question beforehand.

5)Pray during the week for each group member and for your own leadership.

  1. Important Decisions for Creation and Maintenance of this Covenant/Discipleship Group.

1)Accepting new members into the Group. Generally, new members will be welcome into this Group with the consensus agreement of all the members. Prospective members seeking to know more about the Covenant/Discipleship Group experience are welcome to meet with the Leader and other members at the beginning of a regular meeting (or other convenient time) to discuss the tenets and intent of the Covenant/Discipleship Agreement and expectations of members’ conduct. Generally, the number of members shall not exceed five (5) members.“Keep an open chair and share Jesus’ dream of finding a shepherd for every sheep.”

2)Discipleship Questions (page 3). Members may answer one or more of the questions as they feel appropriate and that may apply.

3)Allow for the movement of the Holy Spirit (deeper sharing, special needs of member/s).

4)Encourage and support members’ individual practices of discipleship (for example, various individual or church ministries, service to others, Bible Study, prayer, Covenant/Discipleship Group)

5)Group Ownership. Remember that every member is a minister. Each group member should take on a small role or responsibility in the group over time, as needed and/or in the absence of the leader.

6)Be gentle and gracious, recognizing that members have different spiritual maturity, personal opinions, and temperaments. We are all a work in progress.

By signatures, we hereby agree to abide by the Covenant/Discipleship Group Agreement, herein, dated______:

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Covenant Discipleship Group

Discipleship Questions for Regular Gatherings

  1. How is it with my soul? (my relationship with God?...with others…what issues concern or challenge me?)
  1. When and how did I experience Christ this week?
  1. How was my devotional practice this week?
  1. How was I tested or tempted this week?
  1. Where will I focus my time, energy, and praying in the coming week?
  1. What am I thankful for this week?
  1. What do I need prayer for this week?

Going Deeper:

  1. How have I pursued a holy life, a more “perfect love”;
  1. How have I cultivated Christian virtues and overcome the power of sin in my life; (i.e., becoming by grace what Christ is by nature).

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