Join the Critical Underground Operation in the Backyard of Islam
GCM Logo
Give
GGoJ

You scanned a QR code from

The Growing Gathering of Jesus

Interactive page 6 of 14

When does a Discovery Group become a House Church?

Many people expect the transition from Discovery Group to House Church to be a bit like the US border with Mexico: it is very clearly marked, and you are never left in any about which side of the border you are on. In reality, however, the transition from Discovery Group to House Church is more like the border between France and Germany: it is definitely real, but there is no fanfare as you make the transition. You may not even be aware of the exact moment you crossed it; you simply become aware that the writing all around you has changed.

There are some important stages in the simple journey that we see repeated in the book of Acts and in disciple-making movements all around the world.

  1. The Holy Spirit leads you to a Person of Peace.

  2. You help them to begin a Discovery Group for their Circle of Friends.

  3. You help them to begin a Discovery Group for their Circle of Friends.

  4. As the Person of Peace and their Discovery Group come to faith in Jesus, they demonstrate their repentance by being baptized in water.

  5. The Discovery Group now begins to live the life of church together.

  6. The group is recognized by others as a House Church – but this is merely a recognition of what the Lord has done; nobody can “make” something a church.

  7. As the people in the House Church find more People of Peace, they start more Discovery Groups among new Circles of Friends.

There is difference between becoming a House Church and becoming a healthy House Church. Being baptized in water is the beginning of a longer journey. As we continue to read through the book of Acts together in the remaining sections of The Growing Gathering of Jesus, you will discover some of the key features of a healthy House Church.

 

It has One Head: Jesus alone.

 

It has Two Authorities: God’s Spirit speaking to us through God’s Word.

 

It has Three Offices: Priests (every believer), Leaders and Helpers.

 

It has Four Marks of Maturity: Self-governing, Self-supporting, Self-correcting and Self-replicating.

 

It has Five Functions: Obedience, Discovery, Togetherness, Prayer and Reproduction.

 

This is not a new model for church. It is simply a return to the pattern that the Lord gives us in Scripture. The closer our gatherings follow this pattern, the more we are able to say with confidence: “Jesus is building his church and the gates of hell cannot stand against it.”

Give Now