Questions About Replicate Groups

In the paragraphs below, we’ve answered the most commonly asked questions about Replicate Groups. Have a question not answered below? Check out our Replicate Group Starter Guide or contact our Replicate Groups Coordinator, Evan at evan@lifegj.org.

Common Replicate Group Questions

• What is a Replicate Group?

• What is the difference between a Life Group and Replicate Group?

• How do I join a Replicate Group?

• How do I lead a Replicate Group?

• How do I choose disciples?

• How often should we meet?

• Is there an attendance requirement?

• What is a HEAR Journal?

• Is there ever a time I should ask someone to leave the Replicate Group?

• What if I don’t know the answer to a question?

• How do I send out disciples to make disciples?

What is a Replicate Group?

Replicate Groups help provide an essential environment for every believer to have friendships, accountability, and most importantly, a life rooted deeply in God’s Word. As we work to live out our God-given calling as we follow Jesus and make disciples who make disciples, Replicate Groups are an integral part of the process.

Replicate Groups are gender-specific, closed groups of 3-5 believers who meet together weekly for the purpose of accelerated spiritual transformation. It is not evangelistic in its form or function, but in its fruit: It makes disciples who will then go on to make more disciples. Replicate Groups form through pre-existing, meaningful relationships with other believers in environments like Life Groups or Volunteer Teams. Because of this, Replicate Groups are not simply joined, but started.

What is the difference between a Life Group and a Replicate Group?

Model of Life Groups: Open group
Model of Replicate Groups: Closed group

Make-Up of Life Groups: Composed of believers and non-believers
Make-Up of Replicate Groups: Composed of believers

Size of Life Groups: Varies, but usually 10-20
Size of Replicate Groups: 3-5 people maximum

Dynamic of Life Groups: Co-ed or gender-specific
Dynamic of Replicate Groups: Gender specific

Purpose of Life Groups: Pursue biblical community together in order to follow Jesus and make disciples.
Purpose of Replicate Groups: Intentionally entering into someone’s life to help them know Jesus and teach them to obey his commands.

Time-Frame of Life Groups: A community that exists for a period of time often only a few weeks.
Time-Frame of Replicate Groups: Smaller groups that exist for 12 months.

Expectations of Life Groups: Flexible expectations of members, largely dependent upon the Life Group as a whole.
Expectations of Replicate Groups: High expectations of participants, upheld by commitments and consistent accountability.

Leadership of Life Groups: One or more leaders who facilitate biblical community where people can grow in their relationship with Jesus and each other.
Leadership of Replicate Groups: One leader who helps participants grow in spiritual maturity and prepares them to lead future groups.

Outcome of Life Groups: Designed to grow and multiply biblical community.
Outcome of Replicate Groups: Designed to multiply disciple-makers.

How do I Join a Replicate Group?

This is a common question, and the short answer is, you don’t join a Replicate Group, you start one. Becoming a member of someone else's Replicate Group happens by invitation only. However, you can place yourself in a biblical community like a Life Group or Volunteer Team out of which Replicate Groups often form. If you are currently in a Life Group and desire to be in a Replicate Group, talk to your Life Group leader and pray about starting your own. You can find more information about starting your own Replicate Group from our Replicate Group Starter Guide.

How do I lead a Replicate Group?

The only absolute requirement for leading a Replicate Group is that you be intentionally pursuing Christ. You do not need to be a master teacher or have all of the answers. If you can say, “Follow me; I’m pursuing Christ,” you have the tools you need to lead a Replicate Group.

As a Replicate Group leader, you set the tone for the group’s atmosphere. You are not lecturing students; you are cultivating an intensional, accountable relationship with a few close friends. You can read through our Replicate Group Starter Guide for a step-by-step guide through leading a Replicate Group.

How do I choose disciples?

The first step in forming a disciple-making relationship is choosing who to disciple. Jesus modeled this for us by spending intentional time in prayer before selecting His disciples (Luke 6:12–16). Since the word disciple means learner, begin by asking God to reveal men or women who desire to learn, grow, and follow Jesus more deeply.

Your Replicate Group should consist of believers who demonstrate F.A.I.T.H.: Faithful, Available, Intentional, Teachable, and Hungry.

A faithful person is dependable, committed, and consistent in spiritual priorities. This can often be seen through patterns such as church involvement, Life Group participation, or serving others. Faithfulness reflects a commitment to the things of God over time.

An available person is willing to make space for spiritual growth and community. Availability is less about having a perfect schedule and more about a willingness to prioritize time for learning, prayer, and relationships. Are they willing to show up, listen, and invest?

An intentional person approaches their faith with purpose. Rather than drifting spiritually, they actively seek growth, ask questions, and take steps toward maturity. They don’t just attend church or church related things they engage.

A teachable person is open to learning and correction. Teachability is often revealed in how someone responds to God’s Word. Do they apply what they hear? Are they willing to adjust their life when challenged by Scripture? Teachable disciples don’t just listen they respond.

A hungry person genuinely desires spiritual growth. They want to know God more, understand His Word, and grow in obedience. Hunger shows up as curiosity, motivation, and a willingness to lean in rather than coast.

After prayerfully identifying someone who reflects F.A.I.T.H., consider inviting them into a simple, intentional rhythm together. A question like, “Would you be interested in studying Scripture and praying together?” is often all it takes. Avoid framing the invitation in overly formal or hierarchical language. Discipleship is relational, not positional.

Some find it helpful to preload the invitation with clarity and expectations. This may sound like: “This is a one-year commitment where we meet weekly with the intention of growing as disciples and eventually multiplying the group, with you being equipped to lead your own.” Setting expectations up front helps people discern their readiness, protects the health of the group, and reinforces that discipleship is intentional, not casual.

As a general guideline, men disciple men and women disciple women, following a pattern of wisdom, clarity, and accountability.

How often should we meet?

Ideally, you should meet once a week or every other week for about an hour to an hour and a half. You can meet more frequently, but the most important thing is maintaining consistency on what you agree upon. It is important to remember that discipleship is about the relationship between you and your group members, not about checking a requirement box. Disciple-making is a way of life, not a program.

Is there an attendance requirement?

Yes, there is. Some people may say after the initial meeting, “This isn’t really for me. I’m not interested.” That’s okay. Allow potential disciples to opt out of the group on the front end after understanding the expectations.

What is a HEAR Journal?

The acronym HEAR in HEAR Journal stands for Highlight, Explain, Apply, and Respond. Each of these four steps contributes to creating an atmosphere to hear God speak. After settling on a reading plan and establishing a time for studying God’s Word, you will be ready to H.E.A.R. from God. You can find more information about HEAR Journals here.

Is there ever a time I should ask someone to leave the Replicate Group?

There are several reasons for asking someone to leave the group: they are not showing up, they are not completing assigned work and putting in effort, and they are living a lifestyle of blatant and unrepentant sin, etc.

Often these issues can breed complacency in the group. Missing meetings, refusing to memorize Scripture, failing to make journal entries, or missing meetings lowers the morale of the others in the group. This type of behavior must be addressed immediately. Meet with this individual privately to inquire about his or her attitude and actions. Remind him or her of the commitment made at the outset of the discipleship relationship.

Like Jesus’ relationship with His disciples, ours is a serious relationship, as well: a relationship built upon a mutual commitment to Christ and each other. Tragically, some will not follow through with that commitment, forcing you to confront them about their unfaithfulness.

What if I don’t know the answer to a question?

There is no shame in not knowing all of the answers to every question. Simply confess that you may not have all the answers, but you will find them. Then do so before the next meeting. Ask your pastor or another spiritual leader to help you with the answer. Never give the impression that you have all the answers.

It is less important to know answers than it is to know how to seek them. It is better to say, “I am not the smartest man/woman in the world because I know all the answers, but because I know where to find the answers.” You may not have total recall when it comes to biblical history, theology, and doctrine, but with time you can locate them!

How do I send out disciples to make disciples?

Always begin with the end in mind. Your group should meet for 12 months, and they should expect that final date from the very beginning. Some groups develop a closer bond, which results in accelerated growth; others take longer. We do not recommend meeting for longer than 12 months. Some group members will desire to leave the group and begin their own groups. Others, however, will want to remain in the comfort zone of the existing group. Some will not want to start another Replicate Group because of the sweet fellowship and bonds formed within the current group. Remember, the goal is for the men and the women of the group to replicate their lives into someone else.