How to Structure Your Time with Other Christians

One of the most important habits for Christian growth is meeting regularly with other Christians in smaller numbers, whether with one or two other Christians or in a house church of ten to twenty. Christians use different labels for these smaller gatherings depending on the number of people involved and the primary purpose(s), such as:

  • one-on-one discipleship and discipleship groups (where the focus is on transitioning into the Christian faith and establishing basic habits for Christian growth);

  • Bible study partners and Bible study groups (where the focus is on understanding and applying God’s Word);

  • prayer partners and prayer groups (where the focus is on praying for one another and for other concerns);

  • accountability partners and accountability groups (where the focus is on confessing sin and pursuing personal holiness);

  • home groups or house churches (where the group incorporates all of these elements and more).

In practice, the lines between these categories often become blurry, as they should. For example, the best one-on-one discipleship relationships will certainly include studying God’s Word, personal discussion, and prayer.

Christians utilize multiple approaches to facilitate their connection with others. For example, my local church meets as a gathered body on Sunday mornings for equipping one another, in home groups at different times throughout the week, and in much smaller clusters for more targeted ministry (such as one-on-one meetings).

But my goal here is not to argue for one particular approach. Instead, I want to help you be more intentional as you structure your time with others Christians. How do you plan to spend your time together?

Before Your Meeting

1. Determine the basic structure and purpose(s) of your group, answering questions like these:

  • How many people will be part of the group?

  • Is this an open group (more people can join at any time) or a closed group (more people cannot join at this time)?

  • What are the main emphases of the meeting (sharing meals together, Bible study, personal sharing and prayer, etc.)?

  • What, if anything, will you read together? Click here for ideas.

For example, you might choose to meet with other Christians in a home group on Sunday evenings from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. to study the book Suffering by Paul David Tripp (two chapters per week), to support one another through your own struggles and to pray. As you approach the end of your study, evaluate how things are going and discuss what you want to do next, if anything. Work through the questions listed above again, one by one.

2. Use the days prior to your meeting to reflect on what you read (if applicable), focusing on the questions that seem particularly relevant to you.

3. Pray that God would speak clearly and powerfully at your meeting—to you and through you.

During Your Meeting

1. Begin with prayer.

2. If you are reading a book or using a Bible study guide, first review the content. If the book does have discussion questions, then work through those questions. If the book or guide does not have discussion questions, ask yourself questions like these:

  • What did I learn about God the Father (including his characteristics, words, and works)?

  • What did I learn about myself (particularly my sins and struggles in this life)?

  • What did I learn about Jesus Christ?

  • What did I learn about life in the power of the Holy Spirit?

  • How can I move forward with my life in a way that is pleasing to God?

3. Use questions like these to share with one another about your lives.

4. Take turns praying for one another and for other concerns.

After Your Meeting

1. Take action based on what you believe God wants you to start doing, to stop doing, or to modify how you are doing it.

2. Pray for your group members consistently.

3. Start the process of preparing for your next meeting, such as your own Bible reading or reading from the book you are studying together.