Life-on-Life Missional Discipleship

MATTHEW 28:18-20

And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."

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    WHAT IS LIFE-ON-LIFE MISSIONAL DISCIPLESHIP?

    Laboring in the lives of a few with the intention of imparting one's life, the gospel and God's Word in such a way as to see them become mature and equipped followers of Christ, committed to doing the same in the lives of others. (See Matt. 28:18-20; Mark 3:14; 1 Thess. 2:8; 1 Cor. 11:1; Col. 1:28; 2 Tim. 2:2)

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    WHERE DO THE MATERIALS AND TRAINING FOR LIFE-ON-LIFE MISSIONAL DISCIPLESHIP COME FROM?

    Our Grace Life-on-Life Leaders received training and resources, from the Life-on-Life Ministry of Perimeter Church in Atlanta, Georgia. They have helped churches across the nation and in over 20 different countries seed life-on-life movements. They generously equipped, coached and resourced us as partners in caring out the great commission.

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    WHAT DOES LIFE-ON-LIFE MISSIONAL DISCIPLESHIP LOOK LIKE AT GRACE?

    Life-on-Life Missional Discipleship at Grace happens in small groups of 4-6 (men with men and women with women) who commit to meet together for one school year at a time. Each group has a qualified life-on-life leader who helps groups members engage with each other and the gospel at the heart level where God brings life-transformation by His grace. Through intentional, incarnational leadership as well as additional life-on-life trainings, group members are being equipped to share the gospel and make disciples who make disciples where they live, work, and play.

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    HOW DO I KNOW IF A BIBLE STUDY, COMMUNITY GROUP, OR LIFE-ON-LIFE GROUP IS RIGHT FOR ME IN THIS SEASON?

    First off, we know and see God using all three of these options to help people grow in Christ at Grace. Thus, you have some great options to prayerfully consider. Here are some helpful descriptors to better understand the differences between the three options.

    Descriptors Bible Study Community Group Life-on-Life Group
    Size 10-30 people 8-12 people 4-6 people
    Group makeup Co-ed & gender-based options Co-ed & gender-based options Gender-based only
    Meeting frequency Weekly Two times a month Weekly meetings plus monthly one-on-ones
    Missional living Emphasized Expected Equipped & Experienced
    When can you join Year-round Year-round Fall and occasionally in January
    How you join Show up Sign up Conversation process
    Homework Some studies have homework Some groups have homework 1-2 hours of homework weekly
    Interaction & transparency Low Moderate High
    Elements of meeting times Teaching, study, discussion, prayer Prayer, care (group members support each other), share, study Truth (Study)
    Equipping
    Accountability
    Mission (Evangelism)
    Supplication (Prayer)
    Key Focuses Scriptural Understanding & Spiritual Growth Community/Connections & Spiritual Growth Gospel-Centered Transformation & Leadership Development
    Additional Commitments beyond meeting times & homework None usually; possible social gathering Possible social gatherings; care and support of group members Life-on-Life workshops, one-on-ones, care and support, possible social gatherings, service opportunities
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    WHEN DO LIFE-ON-LIFE GROUPS MEET AND HOW OFTEN?

    Life-on-Life groups meet on a day/time decided by the group leader either at Grace or in a home. They meet once a week for 1½ to 2 hours. Groups start meeting in September, break for Thanksgiving through New Year’s, and then resume from January through beginning of May. Some groups choose to meet during the summer as well.

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    WHAT IS THE PROCESS FOR JOINING A LIFE-ON-LIFE GROUP?

    1. Click on the interest form link below and fill it out. The form lets us know a little about you, which helps us connect you to a leader. It also helps you consider the commitment of participating in a Life-on-Life Group.
       
    2. Wait to hear from a staff member or leader. We do not assign groups. We will introduce you to a leader who is forming a new group or has space in a current group. *In the event we don’t have current openings our staff will help you find a Grace Community Group or Bible Study option while you wait for a Life-on-Life Group opening. Life-on-Life Groups start in September and occasionally in January.
       
    3. Meet with a leader face-to-face. This gives you both an opportunity to get to know one another. You can find out more about the leader's group and she/he can learn what you are looking for in a group as well.
       
    4. Pray and decide. After meeting with a leader, please take time to think and pray about whether to commit to the group then let the Leader know your decision.

     

    Life-on-Life Interest Form

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    FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

    When is the best time to join a Life-on-Life Group?
    Since joining a discipleship group is a relational process and most groups start in September, it is ideal for us to receive interest forms as early as possible - ideally between May and July.

    What is the time commitment for Life-on-Life Group members?
    Groups typically meet for about 1.5-2 hours, and an additional 1-2 hours to go through the curriculum on your own each week. Because discipleship is "life on life," leaders will also meet with group members one-on-one on occasion, and groups may decide to get together informally for fellowship or to serve together. Because our groups are missional, group members will also pray for and invest personal time with those who do not yet know Christ in order to share the gospel.

    Is there childcare available?
    There are groups that meet at Grace during our Wednesday night Mid-Week Grace time or Sunday morning during the Sunday school hour. This allows children to be cared for and involved in our children’s ministry programs during those times.

    What curriculum do Life-on-Life Groups use?
    All our Life-on-Life groups use The Journey curriculum written by Perimeter Church (PCA), which covers a wide range of topics, such as Gospel Living, Grace Commitments, Knowing God, Marriage, Parenting, and Christian Worldview. Each lesson includes these key elements: Truth, Equipping, Accountability, Mission, and Supplication (T.E.A.M.S.®). Grace also supplements some of our own units that convey our core values as well as our own evangelism training.

    What does a typical Life-on-Life group meeting time look like?
    It is expected that all the group members will have completed their curriculum unit homework before arriving at the group time. The group time follows the structure of T.E.A.M.S. found in the curriculum. The leader is trained to not only help make sure the truth is understood but to help members draw out/focus in on personal applications and recognize God’s provisions. There’s reporting on missional living progress and also updates on the areas people have requested accountability. The time is highly interactive, relational, safe, supportive, and gospel-centered.