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3D Groups? Yes. 3D Groups.

We recently made a slight but significant change to the name of our discipleship groups that are within Communities. What used to be "3’s", we now call 3D Groups, or 3D/3D’s for short.

Why the Change?
Words and names matter because they communicate a message. The 3’s name originally symbolized both the number of people we aimed for in each discipleship group and their doing three things (life/bible/prayer). As we gained a better understanding of the dynamics of people jumping into groups, groups birthing new groups, a sweet spot for discipling new leaders and internal group momentum, we began to see the number of people in a group typically varied from 3-6 people. This is a healthy thing, as multiplication is a key goal of discipleship. What resulted was the 3’s name losing its original meaning. We began to see a need for a new name with a fuller meaning of what our discipleship groups are all about.

A Fuller Definition
“3D” discipleship captures God's design for a complete overhaul of our minds, hearts, efforts, affections and entire selves. Holistic, life transformation (Rom8.28-30, Mt22.37-40, Philip1.6, 1Jn3.2-3). In our discipleship groups, His Spirit fosters space where we together are cultivating whole lives centered on and shaped by Christ, into His likeness. He has been gracious to save us, and now because of His love for us will transform us by the gospel. He is the God-Man who reigns over us, and mercifully in by His indwelling Spirit walks with us in this process. Therefore, discipleship is the process of becoming like Jesus, while living in real, deep relationships with one another. We are following Him, together. As Communities live together on mission, multiple 3D Groups within them will keep each member’s faith centered on the gospel, bringing about repentance of sin and spiritual growth in all areas of life – becoming like Jesus. We still pursue this holistic life change by doing three main things in these groups: sharing life transparently, studying/applying the good news of the bible, and praying for each other. 3D groups are where we find ourselves going deep together, sharing the honest reality of our lives in order to apply the gospel to all areas of who we are, as we hear from Jesus in His word and pray for Him to transform us.

As the disciples met with Jesus, He sent them out to meet with others, sharing the good news and connecting with others in the same ways Jesus had modeled for them. Disciples not only follow Jesus, but cultivate new disciples of Jesus. It is our desire for all 3D Groups to fall deeply in love with Jesus as we open up our lives, His word, and pray together. We will always draw others into this process with us, inviting friends, and seeking the unconnected to join us in following Him. Healthy 3D groups find themselves continually multiplying (the subject of our next post). His grace will over flow through us, pouring out His power to change lives and lead the nations to Himself. As He is revealed and worshiped, so we will find joy, purpose and life in Him.

3D Groups? Yes. 3D Groups.

Matt Klingler & Eric So

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