Discipleship Bands
Take ownership over your spiritual growth.
A band is a group of 3-4 people of the same gender who meet weekly as a way of intentionally growing in their faith. Bands are all about accountability, encouragement, and prayer. We believe that joining a band can change your life and transform our church into more wholehearted followers of Jesus!
“The church changes the world not by making converts but by making disciples.”
— John Wesley
Become a Disciple-Maker
Join a multiplying discipleship band.
We have a vision to engage our entire church in fulfilling Jesus’ Great Commission (see Matthew 28:19-20) through intentional disciple-making bands.
In short, we want every member to become a disciple who makes disciples.
In short, we want every member to become a disciple who makes disciples.
What is a disciple?
There are three integral parts of discipleship as articulated in Jesus’ call of Peter and Andrew in Matthew 4:19: “Come, follow me,†Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of people.â€
1. Come, follow me – A disciple is someone who makes a conscious choice to follow Jesus.
2. I will make you – A disciple is one who is being remade into the image of Jesus, transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit to embody Christlike behavior and character.
3. Fishers of people – A disciple participates in Jesus’ mission to make other disciples who make disciples.
1. Come, follow me – A disciple is someone who makes a conscious choice to follow Jesus.
2. I will make you – A disciple is one who is being remade into the image of Jesus, transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit to embody Christlike behavior and character.
3. Fishers of people – A disciple participates in Jesus’ mission to make other disciples who make disciples.
The context for disciple-making
John Wesley discovered that the best context for life-transformative
discipleship occurs within the context of a band of 3-4 same-gendered people who meet weekly for the
purpose of intentionally growing as a disciple through confession, prayer, and encouragement. Bands
will be our context for disciple-making.
The curriculum
We will utilize a curriculum called Discipleship Essentials by Greg Ogden. It is designed to be worked through as a band over the course of 12-18 months. Group members covenant from the onset to each take on 2-3 others to lead through this same discipleship material upon completion of it themselves.
The invitation
Would you be interested in joining one of these disciple-making discipleship bands? We could help you get connected to a group. Maybe you’re already in a band and your entire group would like to participate! Or maybe God is tugging on your heart to prayerfully invite 2-3 others to begin this journey with you.
Please contact us below, and we will get you a copy of Discipleship Essentials to browse through.
Please contact us below, and we will get you a copy of Discipleship Essentials to browse through.
Resources
Listen to the Core Practices Daily 4:16 Videos
Contact Us!
Fill out the form below. Our Minister of Discipleship, Bonnie, will be in touch shortly.
FAQs
Why call it a "band"?
The key to the spiritual revival in England and America during the Great Awakening of the 18th century was John Wesley, the father of Methodism, organizing Christians into various small groups called “bands.” The purpose was to pursue holiness together in a mutually accountable way with spiritual friends. By ordering people according to gender, Christians received an encouraging micro-community that catalyzed their spiritual growth and realigned the spiritual trajectory of entire nations.
How is a band different from a journey group?
Journey groups are typically larger than bands and have a leader who facilitates the teaching and discussion around particular content. Bands are only 3-4 people, follow the same format for each meeting, and are self-led.
What happens in a band meeting?
In a band meeting, each participant responds to the same series of questions and receives prayer. Each participant takes approximately 20-30 minutes sharing. Download the Discipleship Band Guide for more details.
Should I be in a band?
If you are ready to make an intentional investment in your spiritual life alongside others in encouraging, authentic, and accountable community, then YES!
Why now?
Our church is ready for a Discipleship Revolution in which every member/attender is invited to take ownership over their own spiritual growth within community. Bands can meet in small groups or via video conferencing.
What are my next steps?
If you’re ready to be in a band, your first step is to pray about who to be in a band with. You can form your own band with people you already know or ask us to place you in a band with others. Either works just fine, but whichever route you choose, please let us know by filling out the form above.