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 for sending Jesus to save us from our sins and the present evil age (Galatians 1:3-5).

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? (if relevant)

Is there anything that you need to confess? What’s been getting in the way of your loving Jesus and loving people?

Who in your life has there been an opportunity to serve?

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 8:27-30.

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

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

  • There are a lot of opinions of Jesus. If you asked people about Jesus on the street, what answers do you think you’d hear?

  • When was a time that you were challenged to accept Jesus as He truly is? (After people share, ask the group if they’ve been baptized. That’s the appropriate response to Jesus’ Lordship. Romans 6:3-4, 10:9-10)

  • While the disciples were initially instructed to not share the reality of Jesus as Messiah, one day they would. How do you feel about telling other people about Jesus?

Experience Talking to others about Jesus

Pretend you’re in a conversation that suddenly turned spiritual - there person mentioned God. A great question to help direct the conversation is “What do you think about Jesus?” They may say all sorts of things, but what will you say?

  1. Pause and Ask the Holy Spirit, “Who do I say Jesus is?”

  2. Let your experience and understanding that come to mind help inform how you see Jesus.

  3. Write a SHORT sentence for how you would answer the questions “What do you think about Jesus?”

  4. Take time sharing your short sentences. Give feedback to each other so that it is simple and clear.

  5. Practice saying it to each other 3-4 times so that you are comfortable saying the words should the opportunity arise.

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, actively trust God in obedience, or change a behavior to live differently. The Holy Spirit is the teacher and counselor who will show us how to be loving and trusting 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.