DNA Groups are weekly or every other week gatherings of two to four believers (men with men, women with women). These groups provide a space for Discipleship, Nurture, and Accountability to take place. In other words, they offer an opportunity for us to help each other learn Jesus (discipleship), care for each other’s souls (nurture), and spur each other on towards love and good deeds (accountability).

Keys:

  1. Keep the Gospel Central: whether someone is confessing sin, expressing a desire to change, facing a trial or whatever else, give them the good news before you give them advice. Regularly remind each other of the sufficiency of Christ’s work, of our identity in Christ, and of how the gospel connects to all of life.

  2. Go Beyond the Surface: ask challenging questions and practice real vulnerability with each other. These relationships are an opportunity to uncover what drives each of you on a heart level. When we do this, we can begin to uncover the idols of our hearts so that deep gospel change can begin to take place.

  3. Return to Crucial Areas of Life: make a habit of talking about the specific roles God has given you, current trials you’re experiencing, and sins you consistently battle. Gently direct each other back to God’s grace, point out where you see God at work, and push each other to make changes and step out in faith in areas where God is convicting you.

  4. Think Holistically: the goal of DNA Groups is not to only have focused spiritual conversations once a week. Even as you seek to be intentional, enjoy the friendships you’re building. Share stories, laugh, honor each other, enjoy good food together, and spend time with each other outside of your group times.

  5. Meet Consistently: one significant benefit of meeting consistently is simply that you are much more likely to continue meeting when it has become a regular habit. In addition, the cumulative time you spend together will help deepen your relationships for maximum impact over the long-haul.

Content:

  1. Your Own Stories: to begin with, we’d encourage you to share your stories with each other. Share how God drew you to himself, formative events in your life, when grace came alive to you, specific trials you’ve faced, persistent challenges, how God has shaped you, etc. As time progresses the ongoing story of your life should be a lesser, but continued aspect of your time together.

  2. One of This Year’s DNA Group Books: each year we’ll put out a list of several recommended books for DNA Groups to choose from. The list attempts to point to the best resources that hit on a variety of topics with a range of lengths and difficulty. Here are the books for 2025:

  3. A Book of the Bible: as an alternative to one of the recommended books, simply pick a book of the Bible, take a few verses each week, and talk through it with a focus on understanding what the passage teaches and its implications for your lives. To help you work through the passage together, you might consider using the Swedish Method Worksheet you can find here.

  4. Prayer: as you share your stories, talk through key areas of life, and dig into God’s word together, use these discussions as a springboard for praying for each other. 

Getting Started:

The easiest way to get started is to think of one or two other people that you can imagine having spiritually encouraging conversations with. You may be similar in age, knowledge, or maturity or you may be at very different places in life. You’re simply looking for people you can learn and grow with.

Once you think of a person or two you’d like to meet up with, reach out, see if they’d be interested, figure out whether you can coordinate schedules, and sign up on the Church Center app here. If you’re not sure who to ask, you can sign up on the Church Center app and we’ll help you get connected with other people looking to join a group. Contact Tim Pickard if you have questions.