CONNECTION

The connection phase is a time for the discipler and disciple to get to know one another, learn about one another's spiritual journeys, and form the basis of a discipleship relationship.

What if there were a better way to get to know each other? What if there were a simple method for diving into the deep end of meaningful conversations that enabled groups to cultivate enriching relationships sooner? And what if it was something that people actually enjoyed?

There is, in fact, a better way, and we’re here to tell you all about it! Enter: The Five H’s. 

Desired Outcomes:

Share your journey of coming to Christ with each other by utilizing the 5 H method: Discuss your heritage, heroes, heartaches, highlights, and hopes.

Guiding Questions:

• • What stops us from getting to know each other deeply?

  • What are the benefits of sharing our stories? 

Go through the following resource together.

What if there were a better way to get to know each other? What if there were a simple method for diving into the deep end of meaningful conversations that enabled groups to cultivate enriching relationships sooner? And what if it was something that people actually enjoyed?

There is, in fact, a better way, and we’re here to tell you all about it! Enter: The Five H’s. 

Desired Outcomes:

Share your journey of coming to Christ with each other by utilizing the 5 H method: Discuss your heritage, heroes, heartaches, highlights, and hopes.

Guiding Questions:

• • What stops us from getting to know each other deeply?

  • What are the benefits of sharing our stories? 

Go through the following resource together.

Resource:

• • Heritage: Your personal history. What type of family did you grow up in? Were you brought up in the faith? What is significant about your heritage that has shaped who you are today?

  • Heroes: Who has impacted you in a significant way? Who do you look up to?

  • Heartaches: What things have broken your heart? A parent’s divorce? The death of a friend? Deep rejection at school? This is a safe way to allow a window into your soul.

  • Highlights: What are a few things in your life that you’re most proud of? This is a fun way to share what you are really passionate about and what makes you soar. It can be anything from academic achievement to athletic success to getting the lead in the school play!  

  • Hopes: What are some hopes you have for life? To what do you aspire? What are you expectant on the Lord to do or bring forth in your life? 

Learn more about the 5H's in this article: The 5 H's: A Better Way to Break the Ice

If you have time, go over some of these practical steps. If not, go over them on your own this week to chat about when you meet next.

Practical Steps:

• • Next week, you will share your personal testimony with each other.

    • Contemplating your life story you shared while it is fresh in your mind, prepare to share your testimony with each other next time you meet.

Additional Resources:

• • Preparing Your Personal Testimony

  • Weakness Testimony

  • 10 tips for sharing your testimony

Learn more about the 5H's in this article: The 5 H's: A Better Way to Break the Ice

If you have time, go over some of these practical steps. If not, go over them on your own this week to chat about when you meet next.

Practical Steps:

• • Next week, you will share your personal testimony with each other.

    • Contemplating your life story you shared while it is fresh in your mind, prepare to share your testimony with each other next time you meet.

Additional Resources:

• • Preparing Your Personal Testimony

  • Weakness Testimony

  • 10 tips for sharing your testimony

Share your testimony with each other! We want discipleship to be a place where you can be honest about where you are in your life/spiritual journey and grow together. We can only do that if we know where we come from.

Desired Outcomes:

Share your journey of coming to Christ with each other. Make sure to incorporate the Gospel into your testimony, so that in the future when sharing with non-believers, it is clear how they, too, can place their faith in Christ. 

Guiding Questions:

• • Why do you think it is important to be able to communicate our personal story of how we came to Christ?

  • Have you ever shared your testimony with someone who doesn’t know Christ? If not, what holds you back?

Go through the following resource together.

Resource:

• • What is a Christian testimony

If you have time, go over some of these practical steps. If not, go over them on your own this week to chat about when you meet next.

Practical Steps:

• • Practice sharing testimonies with a friend in Cru. (Time each other, aim for 3-5 min max)

  • Share your testimony with a friend outside of Cru.

    • After sharing with a friend, pray, and then share your testimony with someone who isn’t yet a believer before the next time you meet for discipleship! It could be a roommate, co-worker, family member, etc. You might say something like this, “My mentor and I want to grow in being able to share our journey of faith with others. Would you mind if I shared mine with you and got your feedback?”

  • Think through and write down your thoughts on:

    • What things/topics do you think might be important to include when sharing your story of faith with someone?

    • What was your life like before Christ?

    • How did you decide to place your faith in Christ? (include a presentation of the Gospel message)

    • What is your life like after Christ? How has He been transforming you in certain areas of your life?

Additional Resources:

• • Preparing Your Personal Testimony

  • Weakness Testimony

  • 10 tips for sharing your testimony

Our call to being a disciple starts with our personal relationship with Christ, which is founded in prayer and spending time in His Word. Our heart is to be consistent in these, that we would grow not only in our knowledge of God, but also in our affection for Him. 

Desired Outcomes:

To understand the beauty and importance of meeting with the Lord by studying His Word and spending time in prayer. If these practices are not already part of your spiritual life, think through how to incorporate them in a way that works for them. 

Guiding Questions:

• • What has been your experience reading the Bible? 

  • What have you found challenging? What have you enjoyed?

  • If reading the Bible on a consistent basis is hard for you, what do you think prevents you from doing so?

Choose one of the following resources, based on your current level of Spiritual rhythms.

Resources: 

• • Beginner: Personal Devotion- Bible study and Quiet Time 

    • This is a helpful resource for a newer believer. It is a thorough explanation / process on how to spend time in the Word. As a discipler, use your discretion to figure out if you want to discuss all of it or choose only sections to cover. 

  • Intermediate: Quick Lesson on How to Study the Bible

    • This is a quick lesson on how to study a passage of Scripture by exploring what the text says, connecting it to today’s world (interpretation), and then applying it to your own life.

  • Experienced: More in depth lesson on studying the Bible

    • This article expands on the previous lesson, covering the ideas of observation, interpretation, connection, and the application of the Bible to our lives. Because of length, it might be helpful to have your disciple read it beforehand, and then you choose the highlights to discuss.

If you have time, go over some of these practical steps. If not, go over them on your own this week to chat about when you meet next.

Practical Steps: 

• • Talk about how many times you individually want to be in the Word this week and set up a time to check in with one another on how it’s going. Talk about what you read next time you meet!

  • Choose a book of the Bible to intentionally go through together or on your own, incorporating one of the methods of how to study the Bible in the articles above. 

  • Find a study plan on the Bible App and commit to it, talking through what you’re learning during your discipleship times.