Core Group Guide

  • A Core Group (CG) is a group of 3-4 individuals who meet together for intentional discipleship around the Core Values of Know and Love God, Love one another, Make Disciples. In this confidential, same-gender, safe environment people can grow in their love relationship with God and in love toward one another through obedience to Christ and sharing of His Word together. New Lifegroup members will join an existing Core Group. If a group consistently has 6 members, the Core Group multiplies into two groups.

    While a discipleship group like this could take different forms, our Core Groups follow a simple and reproducible model that is driven by our three Core Values. The format we follow fits the acronym CALL (Connect, Accountability, Learn it, Live it). With the Core Values in mind, this approach helps us experience and grow in Jesus as we do life together. If you are going to be facilitating a Core Group or are training others to facilitate a Core Group meeting, check out our Core Group Facilitator’s Training!

  • To grow in our love relationship with God together, we must have the opportunity to know each other deeply. At your first meeting, each person should spend up to 10 minutes sharing a few significant parts of their life journey (family of origin, significant others, faith background). The Core Group Facilitator (CGF) should go first to set the tone for honest sharing in the group. Minister to one another through prayer and encouragement after each person shares.

    Example: Share three high points and three low points that have shaped your journey so far.

    Set the expectation for future meetings by sharing the three values that will guide each meeting time (see What is a Core Group) and how you will use CALL to structure the time. Also cast vision for what will help the group be successful: consistent meetings, a growth mindset, and ministering to one another. This will require each member to be committed, teachable, and vulnerable. You should also stress that the group is confidential so long as there is not life-threatening information shared.

1. Connect
(10 minutes)

Begin by having each person briefly share how they’re entering the group time. This can look like briefly sharing a high and a low from the week. Minister as appropriate. No matter what is shared, bless and thank God who invites us to seek him and find him when we seek him with our whole selves (Jer. 29:13).

2. Accountability
(15 minutes)

In this group we can share how we have lived out or had challenges being faithful disciples of Jesus recently. We want to encourage one another in truth and not shame our shortcomings. We can confess sin, share needs, and ask for help. Here are some questions to ask:

Did you do your “I will…” statement from last time?

How have you been connecting with and enjoying Jesus recently? Is there anything in the way that you need to confess, repent, and receive forgiveness for?

How have your key relationships been lately? Have there been any challenges or chances to share Jesus? (Consider marriage, parenting, family, dating relationship, roommates, or others you see regularly.)

3. Learn it
(25 minutes)

Let’s experience God together by looking at the Scriptures and responding to Jesus.

Pray and invite the Holy Spirit to lead.

Read Mark 2:18-22 in two different translations.

Pause for 30 seconds and allow everyone to consider the passages.

Discuss the passage. Use these prompts/questions to help guide a discussion:

  • What does this passage convey about God’s ultimate desire for His people? (c.f. Isaiah 25:6-9)

  • How would you restate Jesus’ response to the question in your own words? How do the parables further convey His point?

  • What does the gospel author want our takeaway to be from this story?

Experience Listening to the Lord

  1. Ask the Lord these two questions in silence:
    How do you want me to fast?
    How do you want me to feast?

  2. Share what you sense with the Group.

  3. Consider how you could respond to the Lord’s leading together. Here are some ideas:

    • Fast once from waking until dinner time (or sunset) in the next week. Do it on the same day and ideally break it together.

    • Is your group looking to learn about and start fasting regularly? Check out the Fasting Practice by Practicing the Way.

NOTE: PLEASE INSTRUCT ANY PREGNANT OR NURSING MOTHERS AND THOSE WITH PHYSICAL CHALLENGES FOR WHOM FASTING WOULD BE TRULY DETRIMINTAL TO NOT FAST! Instead, they can choose to practice abstinence from social media, TV, or any other distraction to make space to seek God.

You can find other starting points for all the Core Experiences and more guidance for praying for someone to be filled with the Holy Spirit on our Resources page.

4. Live it
(10 minutes)

The Lord will often invite His disciples to embrace a truth, do something specific, or change a behavior to live more in line with the Core Values. The Holy Spirit is the teacher and counselor who will show us how to be loving and obedient disciples together.

Pause to allow each person to create an “I will…” statement as God leads.

Write down each other’s “I will…” statements for follow up next meeting.

Close in prayer for one another and what the Lord will do this week. As you go throughout the week, stay connected and support one another obeying Jesus.