GUIDELINES

DISCIPLESHIP SUPPORT GROUPS

Calvary Chapel • Costa Mesa

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Discipleship Support Groups are a place of koinonia. The biblical form of koinonia is sharing the oneness of our life in Christ Jesus. The sharing is most effective, when it has the following characteristics:

1. MUTUALLY SUPPORTIVE.

Discipleship Support Groups are intended to provide a time for bearing one another's burdens and for prayer. You can expect acceptance and support from the others in the group and should be prepared to support and accept the others in your group.

2. CONFIDENTIAL.

One of the ways to support others is to guard their confidences. What is said in the group is to stay within the group and not be shared with other people outside the group. Sharing, in other words, is confidential.

3. PERSONAL.

Your own sharing should be focused on your own experiences and your feelings about those experiences. Feelings as well as facts are welcome here. We are each to share our own feelings and experiences as honestly as possible.

4. BRIEF.

We ask that sharing be kept brief so that every one who wants to share will have time to do so. Each group will have an experienced facilitator to monitor sharing, answer questions and provide structure.

5. UNINTERRUPTED.

Any group member who wants to share is welcome to speak and we ask that they not be interrupted while they are talking. You are, however, welcome to listen in the open group if you are not comfortable talking.

6. APPLICATIONAL.

One caution is in order. This is not a place to teach others. Groups are intended to be a place to apply scriptural principles, not a place to preach.

7. PRAYER-BASED.

The prayers of others with similar issues are often particularly powerful. Please pray for the others in your group, the support group staff and the pastors.

Discipleship Support Groups
  Calvary Chapel of Costa Mesa, 
3800 Fairview Rd., Santa Ana, Ca 
92704 (714) 979-4422