Classic Lifegroup Formats

Introduction

Here are four classic formats and rhythms for Lifegroup. Each format maintains the core biblical foundation from Acts 2:42-47 while adapting to different life circumstances and group dynamics.

  • Format 1: 90 min weekly Lifegroup night + outside discipleship groups

  • Format 2: 120 min weekly Lifegroup night, discipleship groups happen in Lifegroup

  • Format 3: Group meets all together 2x/month + outside discipleship groups

  • Format 4: 90 min weekly Lifegroup with kids in the group

How to Pick a Format:

Talk With Your Zone Pastors and/or Section Leaders: Some of our zones have set formats, others have variety. Talk with your leaders and they can help you figure out which format is good for your group. 

Formats 1 & 2 are commonly used for youth, college students, and adults without children who have some flexibility in their schedules and can commit to additional meetings or extended times together. These groups can more easily navigate the rhythm of separate discipleship meetings or longer combined gatherings.

Formats 3 & 4 are commonly used for families with children who need formats that honor family schedules while still providing meaningful community and discipleship opportunities. These approaches recognize the unique challenges and opportunities that come with including children in the discipleship process.

Night of Lifegroup

Format 1: 90 min weekly Lifegroup night + outside discipleship groups

Weekly Lifegroup Night (90 minutes):

  • Welcome (15 minutes) - Greet people, provide snacks, allow natural fellowship and relationship building

  • Vision (2 minutes) - Cast vision for the purpose of the group and the purpose of the night

  • Announcements (5 minutes) - Share upcoming events with vision, keep brief and purposeful

  • Connection Question (10 minutes) - Ask a connection question to help build relationships in the group

  • Testimony (3 minutes) - Optional time for member to share prayer answers or God-encounters

  • Worship (15 minutes) - Sing songs that exalt Jesus, create atmosphere friends can be brought to, allow space for encountering God

  • Discussion (25 minutes) - Use our Lifegroup Discussion Guides to discuss God’s Word and apply it our daily lives.

  • Prayer Time (15 minutes) - Share personal needs, pray for unsaved friends/family, usually in groups of 2-3

External Discipleship Groups- Meet separately during the week for 60 to 120 min

  • Peer-to-Peer Groups: 3-4 people same gender, similar life stage

  • Mentoring Relationships: More mature believer investing in newer believer

  • Focus Areas: Look Up, Look In, Look Out

  • Activities: Bible study, prayer, practicing spiritual disciplines, evangelism training

  • Meeting Options: Breakfast, lunch, evening - based on participants' schedules

Format 2: 120 min weekly Lifegroup night with discipleship groups at the end

Part 1: All Together (75 minutes)

  • Welcome (15 minutes) - Greet people, provide snacks, allow natural fellowship and relationship building

  • Vision (5 minutes) - Cast vision for the purpose of the group and connect to larger discipleship purpose

  • Connection Question (10 minutes) - Ask a connection question to help build relationships in the group

  • Worship (15 minutes) - Sing songs that exalt Jesus as whole Lifegroup family, create space for God's presence

  • Discussion (25 minutes) - Use our Lifegroup Discussion Guides to discuss God's Word, prepare everyone for deeper discipleship time

  • Transition & Prayer (5 minutes) - Pray for discipleship groups about to happen, give instructions for group formations

Part 2: Discipleship Groups (45 minutes)

  • Fellowship (10 minutes) - Share how you're doing in smaller groups of 2-3, deeper personal sharing than large group allows

  • Look Up, Look In, Look Out (20 minutes) - Use our Discipleship Lessons and the Look Up, Look In, Look Out framework to guide these times

  • Prayer (15 minutes) - Spend time praying for one another and for the lost.

Format 3: 90 min bi-weekly Lifegroup night + outside discipleship groups

Weeks 1 & 3: Full Lifegroup Gathering

  • Welcome & Meal (25 minutes) - Extended fellowship time with shared meal, catch up on two weeks of life

  • Vision (5 minutes) - Cast vision for the purpose of the group and upcoming discipleship focus

  • Worship (20 minutes) - Extended worship time to encounter God together, space for ministry in spiritual gifts

  • Discussion (30 minutes) - Use our Lifegroup Discussion Guides to study God’s Word and apply it to your life

  • Prayer & Ministry (10 minutes) - Pray for specific needs, ministry time for healing and breakthrough, and for the lost.

Weeks 2 & 4: External Discipleship Groups using Look Up, Look In, Look Out

  • Fellowship (20 minutes) - Share how you're doing in smaller groups of 2-3, deeper personal sharing than large group allows

  • Look Up, Look In, Look Out (20 minutes) - Use our Discipleship Lessons and the Look Up, Look In, Look Out framework to guide these times

  • Prayer (10 minutes) - Spend time praying for one another and for the lost.

Format 4: 90 min weekly Lifegroup night with kids for first half, then kids go play

Full Group Together (45 minutes)

  • Welcome & Family Fellowship (10 minutes) - Kids and adults naturally mixing, snacks and informal connection time

  • Vision (5 minutes) - Share why we meet as Lifegroup families, include children in understanding purpose

  • Worship (15 minutes) - Sing 2-3 songs that work for both kids and adults, may include kid-friendly songs with hand motions

  • Discussion (15 minutes) - Interactive lesson that engages both adults and children using stories, visual aids, and object lessons

Kids Transition to Play / Adults Continue (45 minutes)

  • Children's Time - Supervised structured play, age-appropriate teaching, response/application activities

  • Parents Discussion (25 minutes) - Expand on family lesson with adult applications and whole family

  • Prayer & Ministry (20 minutes) - Pray for children, marriages, family needs, and children's spiritual growth