DNA Groups
Discipleship, Nurture, Apostolic Mission
DNA Groups Defined:
A DNA Group is a small gender specific (men with men, women with women) gathering of 2 to 4 disciples of Christ who are helping each other become transformed into Christ’s likeness, and advance Christ’s kingdom in every area of life. Utilizing the power of God’s Word (Bible), God’s Spirit, and God’s Family, a DNA Group emphasizes the three major practices of a disciple: 1.) Abiding relationally with Christ, 2.) Hearing God’s Word and Spirit, 3.) Obeying God’s Word and Spirit. Each person will help the others to abide with Christ, hear His voice, and obey God’s Word in the two main areas of the Kingdom of God: 1.) Covenant Relationships (“covenant” means high quality relational unity and oneness), 2.) Kingdom Responsibilities (fulfilling the original dominion mandate by doing God’s will, God’s way, by God’s Spirit, for God’s glory (Gen.1-3). DNA Groups are not a religious program. They are a way of life. When two, three, or four sincere believers come together for the purpose of helping one another become like Christ and advance His kingdom, supernatural transformation will occur. Ro. 8:29; 1 Cor. 15:48-49; Luke 10:1-24; Matt. 6:33, 10:7-8
There are five purposes for a DNA Group: 1.) to help each other love, follow, and obey Jesus Christ, 2.) to read and apply the Word of God to our everyday lives, 3.) to pray for those who do not have Christ living in them as Lord and/or who are not in a biblical church, i.e. healthy spiritual family, 4.) to build loving relationships with those who are not in Christ for the purpose of sharing the good news of the kingdom of God in word and deed, 5.) to follow-up and disciple those who have just come to Christ. A small committed group of two to three people has a much better chance of digging into the deep root issues that are blocking personal transformation. In the safety of unconditional love, trust, and confidentiality, people can truly open their hearts. They are more apt to let their “inner conversation” and personal issues come into the light. In the light and love of Father’s Spirit and Father’s family, we can fight for one another’s transformation into Christ’s likeness. 1 John 1:1-7
DNA Groups meet at least once a week to help each member become like Christ, love God, share the gospel, advance Christ’s kingdom, and make disciples that make disciples. Discipleship, Nuture, Apostolic Mission
DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) contains the genetic instructions which are used in the development and functioning of all living organisms. DNA is the essential code for life that determines exactly how each cell will live and reproduce. In the same way, for us to be and do what God intends, we must have His DNA in every part of our life: such as the stewardship of our bodies, our minds, hearts, attitudes, desires, motives, actions, relationships, lifestyle, work, and ministry. Following Jesus Christ means that His very Personhood, His Presence, dwells inside us as our Savior and King. It involves hearing and obeying His voice as a lifestyle 24/7/365. Let us make sure we have the right “DNA” of Christ: Christ Himself, Christ’s Community – His Church, Christ’s Character, Christ’s Calling, and Christ’s Competency. Lk.6:46-49; 1 Thess. 5:23-24; Col. 1:28
No one can become like Christ, apart from supportive, loving, and accountable relationships. When 2-3 men (or women) “fellowship in the light”, opening their hearts with safe and loving friends, they can help each other hear and obey Jesus.1 Jn. 1:3-10
God’s DNA: Christ’s Character
Jesus teaches that it is the inner character of one’s heart that determines the quality of one’s life. Did you know that we can have the mind of Christ? (Ro. 12:2) We can also have the same attitude and motives of Christ. Phil. 2:5 Our passion can be to glorify God in everything we do. 1 Cor. 10:31 If we are cultivating an intimate relationship with the Trinity, fellowshipping in the light with God and the body of Christ (1 Jn. 1:1-10), humbly submitting ourselves directly to Christ and the Christ in others, then our internal character will be transformed into the likeness of Christ. This process is not easy because our “flesh”, our “false self” that prefers self-worship, does not want to die. If we want to be “transformed into Christ’s likeness with ever-increasing glory”, we cannot hide from God and His people. (2 Cor. 3:18) It is quite possible to daily read our Bibles, attend church meetings and programs, but still not open our hearts and lives to our brothers and sisters. By remaining isolated and independent, we will never have the power to defeat our “false sinful self”, the power of sin, the spirit of the world, or Satanic influences. Rightly living in true community is absolutely necessary for obtaining Christ’s character. Having Christ’s character is the basis for fulfilling Christ’s calling. That is because we minister from who we are, the quality of Christ’s life which flows from our inner most being. Jn. 7:37-39; Matt. 5:8, 15:19-20
Becoming Christ’s Disciple
Did you know that Jesus is still making disciples today? This is true, and He wants you to be one of them! Because He is in His resurrected body, invisible to our natural eyes, he has commissioned us to be His “skin”. We are to teach each other what He taught in His Word, and help one another obey everything He commanded. As we help make disciples of Christ, He promises to always be with us, to never leave our presence. (Matt. 28:18-20) In fact, when invited, He comes to dwell in the very core of our being – our hearts (spirits). (Eph. 3:17) Christ also baptizes us with the Holy Spirit and Fire. (Matt. 3:11) This enables us to have the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22), the wisdom and revelation of the Spirit (Eph. 1:17-18), and the power of the Spirit (Acts 1:8).
Making disciples, who make disciples, in the context of small DNA Groups is a basic biblical strategy that comes straight from our King – Jesus Christ.
Please read our DNA Booklet for a more in-depth discussion and description of how a DNA group functions.