Goal: See how God has been at work from the beginning.
Step by step
- Give each person a sheet with a horizontal line labeled from birth to today.
- They mark 5 moments where God felt close, such as a conversation, a baptism or an answered prayer. Allow 8 minutes.
- In pairs or small groups, each person tells two of the moments in 2 minutes. Pass is fine.
- Read Psalm 103:2 and thank God for what each has shared.
Key verse: Psalm 103:2 — bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits
Variation: If the person is a very new believer, use only the last six months.
Goal: Count the cost of following Jesus honestly.
Step by step
- Read Luke 9:23-25 aloud and Luke 14:28 about counting the cost.
- Draw two columns: 'What it costs' and 'What we gain'. Fill them in as a group in 8 minutes.
- Each person circles one item in the first column that he or she finds hardest.
- Pray for each other, naming no details unless the person wishes.
Key verse: Luke 9:23 — if anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me
Variation: One-on-one, ask: when did you last pay a price for following Christ?
Goal: Learn a simple method for reading any passage.
Step by step
- Choose a short passage such as John 15:1-8. Each person reads it alone for 3 minutes.
- Write the three questions on the board: What does it say? What does it mean? What will I do?
- Each person answers the three questions in writing for 8 minutes. In pairs, share the third answer.
- Read Psalm 1:2 and agree to use the method this week with another passage.
Key verse: Psalm 1:2 — his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night
Variation: Give a bookmark with the three questions printed.
Goal: Plan a daily rhythm of prayer.
Step by step
- Draw a clock face with 5 slots: morning, mid-morning, noon, evening, night. Hand a copy to each person.
- Ask them to write a short prayer topic for each slot, such as family or gratitude. Allow 8 minutes.
- Read Daniel 6:10, noting that Daniel prayed three times a day.
- Set a phone alarm for the first prayer and say the first prayer together.
Key verse: Daniel 6:10 — he got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God
Variation: Pray with the clock at lunch with a friend or by text.
Goal: Check four areas of life together.
Step by step
- Read Acts 2:42 and write four words on a board: teaching, fellowship, breaking bread, prayer.
- Each person rates his or her own life in each area from 1 to 5, in silence.
- Ask each person to choose the lowest and write one step to raise it by one point.
- Pair up for prayer and exchange numbers for a weekly check-in.
Key verse: Acts 2:42 — they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers
Variation: Repeat the thermometer every three months.
Goal: Learn that following Jesus means serving.
Step by step
- Read John 13:1-17 aloud. Place a towel in the middle of the circle.
- Ask each person to think about someone they can serve this week in a humble way, such as helping, cleaning or listening.
- Write the name and the act on a sticky note and stick it near the towel.
- Optional: wash each other's hands in pairs, with warm water in a small bowl and a towel, as a quiet symbol.
Key verse: John 13:15 — I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you
Variation: If hand-washing feels awkward, replace it with a prayer of blessing.
Goal: Prepare to share the gospel with a clear personal story.
Step by step
- Give each person a sheet with three parts: before Christ, how I met Christ, life with Christ now.
- Allow 8 minutes of silent writing. Encourage short sentences and no church jargon.
- Practice in pairs: each tells the story in 3 minutes while the partner times it.
- Read 1 Peter 3:15 and set a goal of telling it to one person in the next month.
Key verse: 1 Peter 3:15 — always be prepared to give an answer for the hope that is in you, with gentleness and respect
Variation: New believers can write only the last part: what changed.
Goal: See discipleship as a chain across generations.
Step by step
- Draw a chain on the board with four links: Paul, Timothy, faithful people, others (2 Timothy 2:2).
- Ask each person to write the name of the person who discipled them, and the name of someone they could disciple.
- Share names in pairs and decide on a first step this month, such as an invitation to coffee.
- Read 2 Timothy 2:2 and pray for the people named.
Key verse: 2 Timothy 2:2 — what you have heard from me entrust to faithful people who will teach others
Variation: One-on-one, make a chain for the disciple's family.
