Disciple Making Strategy Using Four Relational Contexts

In obedience to the Great Commission, Berean pursues a disciple making strategy across four relational (person-to-person) contexts, seeking to make disciples who make disciples—namely, Spirit-led followers of Christ who study Scripture for understanding and personal and relational application to all aspects of life (Mat 28:18–20).

These four relational contexts are:

1. Large Groups—In large groups, Berean gathers together to worship the Triune God, participate in the ordinances, serve one another, and learn through the preaching and teaching of the Word of God for edification and personal application. These gatherings mostly occur in the sanctuary on Sunday mornings and evenings (Luke 4:16–30; Acts 2:42; Eph 4:11–12; Col 3:16; Heb 10:24–25).
2. Small Groups—In small groups, disciples focus on building individual relationships within the body of Christ while engaging in discussion-based Bible study. Using the COMA Bible study method, disciples learn to become self-feeding students of the Word. Small groups include Sunday School, Wednesday study groups, and other gatherings throughout the week, both on and off campus (Mark 9:33–37).
3. Micro Groups—In micro groups, disciples walk in formal disciple making relationships with three to five other individuals of the same sex. These gender-specific groups foster deeper relational growth, meaningful accountability, and intentional conversations centered on the Word of God. Utilizing the COMA method, micro group studies intensify Christlike transformation (Mat 17:1–13; Rom 12:2) with the intentionality of multiplying more micro groups.
4. Individual Relationships—In one-on-one relationships, disciples form the key connections that are the foundation for personal relational discipleship.

• Disciples of Christ are commanded to love God with all they are (Mat 22:37). They should cultivate an intimate personal relationship (vertical) with the Triune God (John 17:3). This relationship grows as believers are transformed into the image of Christ and strengthened through spiritual disciplines such as prayer, fasting, meditation, and Bible study (Mark 1:35; 2Co 3:18; Phl 1:6).
• Disciples are also commanded to love others as themselves (Mat 22:39). This is done by developing and maintaining individual (horizontal) relationships with other image-bearers of God, where we live, learn, work, and play, including both believers and unbelievers (John 4:1–30). Families are one example where this happens, and the Berean family is another.
  • Relationships with unbelievers offer opportunities to share the gospel and to be salt and light to others (Mat 4:19; 5:13–14). Bereans form these relationships through intentional living as ambassadors of Christ who love our neighbors (Mat 22:39; 28:19; Mark 16:15; 2Co 5:20).
  • Individual relationships provide opportunities for evangelism and discipleship. These relationships are not limited to the local church, allowing Bereans to practice the “one another” imperatives and live out the Paul–Barnabas–Timothy model found in the New Testament (Rom 12:10; 2Ti 2:2).
  • Disciple making benefits both the one being discipled and the one who is discipling.

We affirm that the more fully a follower of Christ engages with all four relational contexts, the more they will grow as a disciple and help others become disciples of Christ. Conversely, the less one engages in these relational contexts, the less one may grow as a follower of Christ (Mark 8:34; 2Pe 3:18) and fail to live out the Great Commission. While no single formula for making disciples guarantees success, Berean believes that this strategy provides a framework for disciples to love God and love others, and to advance His kingdom.