Covenant Groups

The premise of Covenant Groups is simple: putting into action the “Two Great Commandments”: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.” This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. - Matthew 22:37-40

These are different than classes and Wesley groups. Covenant groups are small groups of believers building community and “watching over one another in love.” They help each other become better, more dependable disciples.

Covenant Groups Are...

  • Up to 7 persons who meet together for one hour each week to hold themselves mutually accountable for their discipleship.

  • Guided by a covenant that they themselves have written, shaped by the Discipleship Pathway.

  • Where Christians “watch over one another in love” by giving one other a weekly compass heading.

  • Task-oriented gatherings whose task is to help one another become better disciples.

  • Trustworthy and effective means of identifying and nurturing leaders in discipleship for ministry.

  • Not where our discipleship happens, but where we make sure it happens.

Covenant Group Dynamics

  • A process of question and answer gives the leader a directive role.

  • Groups have no permanent leader. Members take turns leading each week.

  • The meeting begins with prayer, then members work through the covenant.

  • Members focus on the aspects of their discipleship that can be helpful to the other members.

  • The covenant is the agenda.

  • An atmosphere of trust and sharing develops over time.

  • Anything shared in the group is confidential and stays in the group.

FAQ

  • Do I have to have completed classes such as Disciple Bible Study to participate? No. Everyone is invited to be a part of a Covenant Group.

  • What is the commitment? Groups are encouraged to meet for at least nine months together and then re-evaluate their group together.

  • Do Covenant Groups replace my participation in a group that includes study, service or both like a Wesley Group? No. You're encouraged to maintain attendance in a Wesley Group, serve in or outside of the church, or participate in classes offered.

What's Your Next Step?

Consider where you are on your path. If you have already been going deeper in your faith and are considering centering more on Christ, then consider a Covenant group.

How do you become a part of a Covenant Group? There are two ways.

  1. Email John and let him know that you are interested and if there are others who have been waiting for one to form, we will work on getting the group together.

  2. Talk with John about how to go about inviting others to form a new Covenant Group with you.

Resources for Covenant Groups

These resources come from the United Methodist Church's "Covenant Discipleship" website. Our Covenant groups were patterned after these.

Sample Covenants
These are all a little different, but may help your group discern a covenant that fits.

Christian Conferencing
In Covenant Groups we set aside normal conversation for holy conversation.

"Transformation of the Heart" Video
This video was created in November 2004 by first-year students at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, DC. They are members of a student-led Covenant Discipleship group that meets weekly for one hour.