I promised VCC folks that I would post notes on how to do a C23 group (church of 2 or 3) on my blog. The notes are self-explanatory, I think. C23 groups give all believers a way to disciple others while also being discipled. I have borrowed considerably from Neil Cole, John White, and others in creating these groups, but this model is distinctly my own rendition and is deliberately very simple and easy to use. See what you think.
C23 Groups (Church of 2 or 3)
What is a C23 Group?
It’s a group of 2-3 believers of the same gender who meet regularly and check in regularly with one another to strengthen and encourage one another. It’s the church at its smallest (Matthew 18:20) and discipleship at its simplest (Matthew 28:19-20, 2 Timothy 2:2).
How Does It Work?
It’s easy! You find one or two other people who commit to meeting weekly (preferred) or bi-weekly for just an hour. You meet to encourage one another and ask one another a few simple growth questions. We also recommend that you consider doing “heart checks” at least once per day via texting, email or other means. A heart check involves asking “How’s your heart?” and “How can I pray for you today?”
When You Meet…
Option 1: Select a book of the Bible to work through together (or a portion of a longer book in the Bible). For example, you could spend a month (or longer) in Philippians or Ephesians or take several months to work through Romans or Genesis or other longer books.
Then, when you meet, in addition sharing insights from your Scripture reading, ask one another the following questions, making sure that you listen carefully to one another.
· “How’s your heart?”
· “What’s God been saying to you (in His Word and by His Spirit to your spirit)?”
· “What are you believing?”
· “How has God been growing you lately? What evidence of this are you and others seeing?”
· “How can we pray for you?”
· “How can we give this away?”
That’s it! Try it, and you will grow to trust one another deeply and care for one another as well as grow as a disciple of Jesus.
Option 2: Use one of the Discovery Bible Study apps like the Discover App or the Waha App. They contain their own set of helpful and similar questions. See https://discoverybiblestudy.org or https://waha.app
The daily check in …
The daily check-in is an essential part of these groups. Texting usually works best, but a quick call can work as well. The one who initiates the check-in asks or texts a quick report about how their heart is doing and then asks the other person the same plus prayer requests, etc. Examples: “I am joyful today because my son came home.” “I am sad because…please pray for…” “How’s your heart today?” etc.
When a fourth person wants to join you…
Congratulations! It’s time to multiply! You can do this either by splitting your current group (which you may not want to do) or by one or more of you agreeing to add a second meeting with the newcomer (this is better because it leaves the original relationships intact). Note that no one should try to do, nor have to do, more than two of these groups if they multiply correctly.
Disciple-making? What is a disciple?
A disciple is simply a “learner,” but in the Bible, “learning” always involves learning by experience in relationship with others in a way that results in a changing life, not just the acquisition of knowledge. In the Bible, a disciple of Jesus is one who is learning a lifestyle that makes him/her more a mature and healthy follower of Jesus in relationship with others.
Who can start one of these groups?
Just about anyone! There are few leadership requirements. The “leader” needs only to be a facilitator who helps the group select the book of the Bible and ensures that the questions are asked. The role of facilitator can be rotated. If you are interested in becoming part of one of these groups, all you need to do is approach one or two others who share your interest and match up your schedules.
What are the requirements to be part of a group?
Three things: a very strong desire to become the person God wants you to become, a firm commitment to the weekly or bi-weekly meetings and a willingness to keep confidential what the others share.
Some of the One Another Passages in the New Testament
John 13:14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet.
John 13:34-35 "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
John 15:12-13 My command is this: Love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.
Romans 12:5 we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. NKJ
Romans 12:10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.
Romans 12:16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
Romans 14:13 Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way.
Romans 15:7 Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.
Galatians 5:13 You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.
Galatians 6:2 Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
Eph. 4:2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.
Eph. 4:32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Eph. 5:19 Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord,
Eph. 5:21 Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Phil. 2:3-4 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself; Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Col. 3:9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices
Col. 3:13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
Col. 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
1 Th. 4:9 Now as to the love of the brethren, you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another
1 Th. 4:18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.
1 Th. 5:11 Therefore encourage one another, and build up one another, just as you also are doing.
1 Th. 5:13b Live in peace with one another.
1 Th. 5:15 See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all men.
Hebrews 3:13 But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness.
Hebrews 10:24-25 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Hebrews 13:1 Keep on loving each other as brothers.
James 4:11 Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it.
James 5:16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.
1 Peter 1:22 Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart.
1 Peter 4:9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.
1 Peter 4:10 As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
1 Peter 5:5 All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."
1 John 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.
