Clarify their intentions by asking them why they are doing this. It may be possible that the person simply wants to have many mentors, but you can remind them that the goal of a Dgroup is discipleship, which involves commitment and accountability. If this is the case, it is best that they select one group to commit to.
Talk to them about the importance of being spiritually fed and their need to be accountable to a discipler. Remind him or her that one cannot pass what one does not have – including spiritual feeding and accountability through a discipleship relationship.
Don’t be discouraged — sometimes people are in certain seasons in their lives that cause them to act this way, make them busy, or affects their schedules. You cannot control the person’s response, but continue praying for them and show them love when the opportunity arrives. If possible, speak to them heart to heart and ask why they’re having a hard time attending. Be patient with them and treat your members like your children. We simply don’t remove our kids from our family — perhaps the only time you remove them from the list is when they indicate that they want to transfer or leave your group.
Focus on being a good relative or friend to them. Continue to pray for them regularly. Practice pray, care, share. Be patient and wait for God’s timing. Remember Galatians 6:9-10 — Don’t lose heart, keep doing good! In due time you will reap. Just remember that the goal is not to get someone into your group, but to show them God’s love in action so that the Holy Spirit can work in their hearts.
Talk to them. Lovingly tell them that you value truth, honesty, and keeping the word. If the person feels that they cannot commit to attend, then it’s okay to let the person go. You can help them find another Dgroup more suitable for them as well.
Spend time with the Lord regularly. There’s no substitute to real Spiritual growth than immersing oneself in the word. You may want to take a short, personal retreat between you and the Lord to seek His direction for you. Also be transparent to your Dleader about your condition.
Give more time to those who are willing, as it is only fair to “move with the movers.” But keep seeing the reluctant ones for who they can become, not as they are now. Do not despair; continue to cast vision and model servant leadership. Have a heart to heart talk with them and keep praying for them. You may encourage them to attend GoViral and see how simple it is to facilitate a group, or have them co-lead a group until they are confident to handle one of their own.
Keep on training, encouraging, and building up the person; believe in their potential and continue to cast vision. Be patient, let God work in them and allow the Holy Spirit to stir their heart towards discipling others. Do all possible to know exactly what is going on in the life of that member so you can be of genuine and practical help.
For the sake of the body of Christ, the person should not be given the responsibility to lead a Dgroup yet. Give her some time to grow and develop in character first. But by all means, encourage her that God uses all sort of imperfect people – including you, her leader – and that the Lord can redeem her situation and use it for His glory.
By all means, do! While we realize that there may be matters that are sensitive and may need to be shared with your upline leader (at least initially, if not exclusively), the leader should generally be open to their disciples and vice versa. Discipleship is not a one-way street – we can learn from both our D12/upline and downlines.
We have a list of accountability questions that can help you have a more meaningful one-on-one with your disciple:
Gently remind them that you are not and that you are all are the same — that you are brothers in Christ.
Disciple them as you would any other disciple. Helping others to grow in the Lord is always good! Best of all, challenge that person to teach what he learns about discipleship back at his church so they can also pursue the Great Commission.
Be patient with them and respect their decision. Constantly teach them God’s word and allow the Holy Spirit to work in their hearts. Most of all, remind them that what matters is not religion but their need for a personal relationship with the Lord.
The goal of the group is discipleship and transformation, not entertainment. Don’t be pressured to embellish your group meetings, especially if the ones giving feedback may not be in total agreement with the whole idea of small group discipleship.
But for the sake of variety — and for the benefit of the entire group (not just those from other churches), you may have breaks once in a while. Think of ways to make the meeting more fun: have icebreakers, online activities, memory scripture contests, etc.
Indeed, children are to obey and honor their parents. For now, pray that God would open the hearts of their parents so they would see the need for discipleship and accountability. If your disciple cannot attend the Dgroup because the parents prohibit them, you can suggest that they ask their parents if they would allow one-on-one with you instead. As you continue to disciple the person, help them build Christ-like influence towards their parents. Hopefully, the changed life of your disciple would make the parents see the importance of discipleship.
You may meet with them in person if you are comfortable with it. While it is good to meet physically, it is important for you to consider the government’s safety protocols and guidelines for meeting physically. This is important since we want to obey our authorities especially during this time of lockdown. Also pray for wisdom as to what is the best thing to do, considering the changing situations in this pandemic.
Try to learn too what makes your member uncomfortable with a virtual set-up. If it’s technical limitations: poor or limited wifi, there are solutions for this; if the member is technically challenged, then perhaps you could teach her the basics.
Continue to pray for them, and check in with them personally to find out how they are doing. You may join them once in a while during their Dgroup meeting to encourage them. Zoom fatigue is real, so you can suggest that they hold their Dgroups every other week for a time to create some breathing space, or limit their meetings to 1 ½ hrs to maximize impact and minimize stress.
Be sensitive to the members before registering the group. If they are regularly watching CCF services and understand that the group is a CCF Dgroup, you may register through smallgroups.ccf.org.ph. But if they are new believers, they may not be comfortable with being considered as a CCF Dgroup member. Help them grow and then get them more connected with CCF over time.
Explain to your Sunday group what a CCF Dgroup is — the purpose and goal of a Dgroup. Let them know you want to continue meeting them in that capacity and if they agree, then register your Dgroup.
A couples’ Dgroup would be the best venue to influence unmarried couples to follow God’s design for marriage and for family.
Learn why your member and the partner are not married (is the partner separated from a spouse or divorced). Do they have misconceptions about marriage?
Either way, help your member to know God’s wonderful plan for him/her. And help your member to understand God’s design for marriage based on Scripture. If they are both single, suggest to your member and the partner to undergo pre-marital counseling with one of our Pastors.
It will be best that you privately and lovingly encourage them to make it right with God. Keep following through with them on this matter because it is still a sin issue that needs to be addressed.
It is best to talk to your Dleader directly and lovingly explain to him/her them that you – and possibly some members – are already being hurt by his/her words or actions. If the matter needs to be elevated, do so to your Area Pastor.
None of us is perfect — we all sin. But living a sinful lifestyle and deliberately engaging in sin is a serious matter as you are rebelling against God. Ask God for forgiveness and truly repent. Then sit down with your upline/D12 leader and seek counsel by sharing it with her/him. Your Discipler will guide you through —- if you should continue leading your Dgroup or if you should take a break. It is also best to come clean with your Dgroup and share what you’re going through.
The key to your sin is to FLEE. You can have victory over this. You are not hopeless. God who lives in you gives you the power to say NO. Surrender and yield to Him.
It is always best, to be honest with your D12/upline leader about how you feel and what you need. Talk to him/her in love and explore options. Find the best solution so you can be helped spiritually. But before talking or meeting with your D12 leader, spend time in prayer and ask for humble and teachable hearts for both of you.
As our pastors always remind us, we are not constrained to stay in the same Dgroup if we are not growing in the group.
Advice for the D12/upline leaders who will be receiving feedback: Please don’t take it as a personal affront. Rather, take it as God’s way for you to become a better and more effective discipler. Be grateful for the feedback and learn from it. Let the disciple join another Dgroup – if necessary – without any ill feelings between you; and if the disciple desires to join your Dgroup again, welcome them with an open heart.
This can be tricky and frustrating. But if there is clearly no evidence of transformation, you may need to view that person as if he is not yet truly saved. Graciously warn your member that willful sin will have consequences sooner or later. When a person keeps indulging and dealing with the same sin, they may not understand the way God looks at them and how precious they are in His eyes. When God opens their eyes to see how loved they are and how God has given His Son for them, this will change their understanding and cause them to desire to do what God wants them to do. You may want to teach Ephesians 1 and ask them to meditate on it as well.
Don’t judge your disciple but look at him/her with compassion as you would someone who is lost. Listen to their heart as to why they are struggling and help them see how God truly loves them and wants the best for them. Be patient with them as God has been with you, and keep reaching out to them with the love of God.
If people share suicidal thoughts, we need to take it seriously. If you are having difficulty understanding and/or dealing with your disciple, do ask for help from your upline/D12 leader, Area Pastor, or the Pastoral Care Department.
Speak the truth in love and assure the person that you still love him/her regardless of his/her decision. At the same time, help your member to know Jesus Christ and to see and experience the love and saving grace of God. Transformation comes in intimately knowing Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior; and who we are in Him — being secure in our identity in Jesus. In the end, you need to speak the truth in love. It may end up hurting the other person, but that is beyond your control. It is best for him/her to hear the truth spoken in love. The rest will be up to the work of the Holy Spirit.
No, it is not a sin. The Lord Jesus himself was very transparent about his emotions. He got angry, He cried, He got lonely, but He never sinned. He processed His emotions by drawing closer to the Father. We encourage you to do the same. Jesus loves you. He promises that He will never leave you nor forsake you (Deuteronomy 31:6).
You may also want to practice ‘being in His presence’: try picturing Jesus sitting across the table from you while you work or walking with you.
Matthew 11:28-30 — “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
Encourage your member to get married in obedience to God’s word and to show their commitment to their partners. Marriage is a picture of Jesus’ relationship with us which is a committed relationship.
Assure your member that paraphrasing is simply an exercise in helping a person try to understand what a Bible passage is saying. In the end, you still need to go back to the actual text as a basis. But if the person is still uncomfortable with the process, do not force him/her.
Talk to them and know their situation. Be patient. Give them another chance if they’re still willing to serve. But if they are still not available after several chances, it’s best to look for other volunteers who can really commit to serving.
Though they are followers of Christ, they must first be consistent in attending Dgroup and have an understanding of the Mission and DNA of CCF. Establish close accountability with them from the onset so you are aware of what they may teach or do when they are in ministry.
If the new member/transferee is doing something unbiblical or teaching unbiblical truths, talk to him/her immediately and if needed, you may have to go through Biblical foundations with your member.
You may first consider encouraging them to share with their church what they are learning about discipleship. This may turn out to be the best ministry they can be involved in because it can help their original church fulfill the Great Commission, which is the primary ministry of all Bible-believing churches.
Your work or job should take priority over your ministry. Keep in mind that your job is also your ministry. Minister and share the Gospel to your co-workers as that is where God placed you.
Most definitely. If they continue attending your Dgroup, that confirms their respect and acceptance of your leadership. Keep going!
We can’t change people but we can certainly pray for them. In his case, I will focus on showing Christianity rather than talking about it.
Our Family Ministry (https://www.ccf.org.ph/communities/) holds weekly webinars that may help you. You may want to attend these webinars live or watch past episodes to hear from various panelists. You can also look for a webinar that suits you from the Welcome Wednesdays Family Webinars.
Also, make sure that you establish good relationships with them. Remember to pray-care-share and see where the Lord leads.
We cannot control what people think. Respond in love and let the Holy Spirit work in their hearts. Yes, indeed our burden is to reach out to our families to make sure that they too will have a personal relationship with Jesus. Remember that we are able to love as He first loved us (1 John 4:19).
For parents, this is where your level of relationship with your children comes into play. If you have a good relationship with them, you may invite them for a family weekend gathering and share the gospel with them. For some parents, improving your relationship with your children would be a good way to win them over for Jesus.
The best way to approach this is to have an honest conversation with the leader and/or group involved. Try to understand their situation and remind them of the importance and purpose of discipleship. Encourage them by reminding them of the blessings of Jesus’ model of discipleship — even it happens online.
If after a time, there is still little or no progress, then involve the Upline D12 leader of your Dgroup leader, and if necessary, your Area or Satellite Pastor. Reporting such situations to CCF Discipleship Management should be your absolute last resort. One clear advantage of the Dgroup system is that issues can be attended to on a decentralized basis, making the process shorter, faster, and more efficient. Addressing issues through the Dgroup family or network also capitalizes on relationships to help bring about resolutions.
It is best that a Dleader is able to address issues. Many issues can be prevented by intentionally developing healthy relationships within the Dgroup. Let the Dgroup focus on discipleship. It also helps if you, the Dgroup leader, have regular accountability with each of your members.
But should the need arise, you may approach your upline D12 leader – or your Area or Satellite Pastor for help.
You may ask your discipler or their D12/upline leader. If your Dgroup is registered with our Small Groups website, smallgroups.ccf.org.ph, we will be able to assist you further.
There is nothing wrong with having other mentors. However, if you are leading a CCF Dgroup, your primary mentoring or Dleader should come from CCF.
Tell them that an investigation is still on going. Keep focusing on Jesus no matter what happens to others. Let’s withhold judgment for now until the complete truth has come to light.
Rick Warren is a good pastor and preacher. But like all Christian leaders, keep in mind that he is fallible, being a man. It is wise to always validate his material against what the Bible is teaching.
CCF is working on getting more and more of our resources translated into Tagalog. You can refer to glc.ccf.org.ph for a full list of available Tagalog resources.
Unfortunately, we do not have these yet. We are working on making our materials more accessible to our members who have visual and/or hearing impairments. At least for now, our Sunday messages have subtitles that help the hearing impaired.
SILENT PRAISE does sign language translations of our Sunday Worship services. You can find them at facebook.com/groups/267480310106471/
You may order gospel tracts by sending an e-mail with your desired quantity to [email protected]. OR fill-out the Google Form:
Pick-Up / Delivery will have to be coordinated and arranged by the buyer.
You may purchase the M.O.T.I.V.A.T.E. book online at ccf.org.ph/motivate.
You can stay updated via the Elevate South Luzon Facebook page at www.facebook.com/elevatesouthluzon. Regarding physical services, our pastors are considering safety and health protocols of the local LGUs.
Yes, we do! BIYAHE Jail Ministry reaches out to inmates in jails. You can reach them through Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/groups/CCF.org
20 “If the Lord had not cut short those days, no one would survive. But for the sake of the elect, whom he has chosen, he has shortened them. 21 At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah!’ or, ‘Look, there he is!’ do not believe it. 22 For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. 23 So be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time.
The word “elect” refers to Christians.
We need to be balanced and be sensitive to the Holy Spirit. If the government is not allowing us to worship in order to stifle the spread of the Gospel in opposition to the Word of God, we ought to obey God rather than men (Acts 5:27-29).
But if the reason is for the common good and the safety and health of citizens, we should observe the government’s guidelines.
Thank you, we will consider your suggestion. But also note that last year, almost all of our messages have been an exposition of biblical texts. But expository preaching is not the only form of biblical preaching. Neither the Lord Jesus Christ nor Paul used the expository method of preaching, but they certainly communicated God’s truth effectively.
He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.”
It’s an analogy of the kingdom of Jesus. Like a mustard seed, it may appear insignificant now, but it will be the most powerful kingdom when Jesus returns.
It is also an analogy of our faith in Jesus. Faith planted in our hearts will grow and as He works through us, His Word brings life, refreshment, peace, and comfort to those around us.
CCF website contains resources that outline our perspective on theological systems to help you respond appropriately to inquiries such as those.
You may access CCF resources through this link: https://glc.ccf.org.ph/book-studies
CCF has been discussing end times several times over the years. In every Sunday Service (and all other messages), we stress the urgency of sharing the Gospel that everyone may come to the saving knowledge of Jesus — and may be prepared when ‘the end’ comes.