Discipleship = Community; Community does not always = Discipleship

I am a huge advocate for Discipleship Groups taking place in the context of the local church.  I am also a huge supporter of Community Groups.  It is important to note, however, the distinct differences between to the two groups.  In today’s Christian culture, buzzwords like community and discipleship get thrown around a lot.  Rarely do we take the time to pinpoint the meaning of these terms, and the vision behind the distinct groups. 

As I attempt to make this distinction please note that depending on your church background and ministry context this comparison may not be as black and white as I make it appear on the following chart.  I’m also aware that every church has a different definition for a “community group” and a “discipleship group”.  Generally speaking however, here are the major differences and similarities between the two groups:

	Discipleship Groups	Community Groups
Word & Application	Word, external context, direct applications with life-on-life follow-up	Word, encourages personal application without availability to follow-up
Leadership	Led by a D-group Leader	Led by a couple or multiply couples
Commitment	High level commitment and availability	Low level commitment and flexibility in schedules
Emphasis	Word, prayer, fellowship, relational evangelism, modeling & transformation	Word, prayer, fellowship & being a ‘next step’ for people in the Body of Christ
Members	Men and women (in separate groups) who were specifically selected	Mixed gender groups; usually with an open-door policy
Multiplication rate	Slower in the initial years, but increases as d-group members multiply their ministries	Steady growth- splitting into separate community groups by addition
Missional component	Evangelism training and follow-up	Encourages missional living, but lacks in accountability
Recruiting style	Formal/heavy commitment	Informal/easy

Whether you join a Community Group or a Discipleship group may depend on your season of life.  Discipleship groups usually require a level of time commitment that may not seem reasonable in the midst of have 3 young children, an abrupt change of career, or having your house on the market.  In busy season of life, a community group may be the best option. 

Discipleship is unique in its emphasis on modeling Christ-likeness to one another.  Jesus intentionally selected twelve men to be his disciples.  These twelve men got to learn from Jesus’ teachings and learn from Jesus’ modeling.  Jesus always modeled his teachings before his disciples.  Modeling is what makes life-on-life discipleship so fruitful.  Discipleship always includes community, but community does not always include discipleship.  

Signs you are ready to transition into a community group:

§  You see your need for community and fellowship beyond a single worship service.

§  You desire to form a deeper investment you local church body, but still need some flexibility.

§  You desire to meet and connect with other couples, families and/or singles in your church.

Signs you are ready to transition into a discipleship group:

§  You see your need for brothers (or sisters) in Christ who intentionally follow-up with you in your walk.

§  There is someone specific in your church that has character, competency, and conviction worth modeling, and you strongly desire to be mentored by them.

§  You are ready for a higher commitment to Christian fellowship, study of the Word, prayer and evangelism training.

Be sure to ask your church leadership what ministry opportunities they offer with community groups and intentional discipleship.