DNA Groups
We’re called to the lifelong journey of following Jesus and to helping other people onto that journey too.
What are DNA Groups?
DNA groups are small, bible based, single-sex groups who meet regularly to encourage each other to grow as disciples of Jesus and as disciple-making disciples. The term ‘DNA’ refers to the groups’ focus on the core aspects of life as a follower of Jesus, as well as their ability to be replicated and multiplied.
DNA groups are mainly formed from within Life Groups, which helps to provide support and accountability.
6 principles of DNA Groups
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Growth
When we think of church, we should imagine not only a group of people who have a belief, but a people on the move because they’re following Jesus and learning to become more like him. DNA groups are designed to help us keep moving forward on that journey.
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Obedience
We learn to follow Jesus by hearing him in his Word, by his Spirit and through his Body; and then by doing whatever he tells us. DNA groups should have at their core Word, Spirit and Body with the goal not only of learning but of obeying all that Jesus showed us and commanded us.
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Peer to peer
Though each group has a facilitator, none of this requires experts to run it because the groups are conversation-based, not teaching - or material - based. The sessions work best when group members ask each other good questions that align with our culture - authentic, honouring, generous and courageous.
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Accountability
Both parts of this statement are true: to follow Jesus we need each other and we need to accept responsibility for our own growth. We all need relationships where we have healthy accountability and DNA groups provide a context for intentionally helping one another to follow and obey Jesus.
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For All
DNA groups are for anyone and everyone. Jesus’ call to “Go and make disciples” applies to those who are not yet following him and to those who are already following him. So we will, of course, use the DNA material with disciples, but it should also be suitable for someone who is not yet following Jesus but is wanting to engage in finding out - these are not Christians-only groups.
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Multiplication
Because they have a simple structure and are conversation-based, DNA groups are easily replicable. They will multiply as new people are incorporated and as unsaved friends join in. Groups should not be more than 6 people, so beyond that number requires a new group to be formed.
How to use our DNA Group sessions
Our DNA Group sessions are grouped into themes. Each 'theme' fits into a term (meeting fortnightly). Each group of sessions consists of a starter question and a number of core sessions. Every week includes prayer for one another and for one another’s mission.
Week 1
The starter question is designed to help people get to know each other better and develop some initial trust.
An example of a starter question might be, “Ask each other: “What is your life story?””.
You might then ask some more questions and pray with each other.
All other weeks
Section A: Accountability & how are you doing? (15 minutes)
Think back to the ‘Action and Share’ section you went through last session. How did you get on this week with putting into practice what you said last week? Who did you share with?
What has brought you joy and satisfaction recently? What has been challenging you recently?
If you finish a theme and there is no theme to continue onto please keep catching up with your group using this Section A.
Section B: What is God saying through his Word (40 minutes)
Read the Bible passage and use these questions as conversation starters:
What are the key truths about a) God, b) you, c) the life God desires for us?
What questions do you have about this passage?
Section C: Action and share (10 minutes)
Through this passage, what is God saying you should do / change / stop?…“Therefore I will ____”
Think together on how and with whom you could share what you've learned this week.
What’s the role of a DNA Group facilitator?
Each group has a facilitator, whose role is primarily to ask good questions (and encourage others to ask good questions), not to bring teaching. The facilitator can either be the same person for the duration of the group, or each member of the group can take on that role for a time.
Key tasks for the facilitator:
Pull the group together, arrange meetings, remind people to review actions from last time and to read the Bible passage before meeting.
Keep the group focused, on-task.
Help to hone the action statements (“Therefore I will ____”), ensuring they are realistic and relevant.
Record the above to be able to follow up next time.
Keep everyone focussed on Jesus.
Chat to us about DNA groups
We'd love to chat with you about anything DNA. Please also fill in the form below if you're starting a new DNA group, as we'd like to take some time to equip you as we make disciples.
DNA Group FAQs
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DNA groups are formed primarily by your Life Group core team. They are single-sex groups which have between 4 - 6 people, depending on the numbers within the Life Group.
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I would encourage you to connect with a new DNA Group. Primarily this is because it gives you new people to get connected to, get to know and grow with. Also we’re wanting the DNA groups to fit within the rhythm and structure of Life Groups.
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DNA groups work best when they are made up of friends. Which means you can be in a DNA group with anyone who is happy to be in one with you! However, they must be single-sex groups and adults should not be in groups with anyone under the age of 18. If you have any questions about this, please send a message using the form above.
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The Life Group core team / leader should have asked a person within each DNA Group to assume responsibility of the DNA Group, which would include things like
Sending out reminders of when and where the DNA Group is meeting
The content that the DNA group is going to be looking at that week
Reminders of any ‘homework’ before the next meeting etc.
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We are expecting that a DNA group meets at least once a month. When and where is pretty much up to the DNA Group to meet as per your convenience - what works for you as a group.
If you’d like to meet more than once a month you’re more than welcome to!
I suspect that most DNA Groups will meet on the same day as Life Group and probably at a similar time, although a DNA gathering is likely to be roughly 1 hour in length.
Where you meet will most likely be in someone’s home that has access to a SMART TV or laptop to watch the Youtube videos - although you may also watch the videos beforehand, freeing you up to meet in a coffee shop or outside during the summer months.
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Our suggestion is to follow the structure below:
Friends - catch up on how your week has been. Maybe talk about a highlight and a hurdle from the week. Maybe early on, as the DNA Group forms you might take 10 mins each week for one person to share a little bit of their faith journey.
Follow - before you dig into the Practicing the Way video, share your reflections on the previous time, how you’re doing with the practices and so on. There is no judgement here, and we hope and trust you can be vulnerable with challenges so you find support and also vocal with successes so you can find encouragement.
Fish - end by spending time talking about any ‘Kingdom Moments’ - opportunities for prayer, care, and sharing Jesus with friends, family, colleagues, neighbours etc.
The above is likely to last between 1 - 1.5 hours at the most, depending on how much you all like to talk! But please be aware of time, and agree as a group how long you anticipate your DNA evenings to last; and then honour those times.
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DNA groups can be made up of between 4 - 6 people. The reasons for restricting the groups to a maximum of 6 are to keep them distinct from Life Groups which are a medium-size group. Also because it will be easier with that number of people for conversations to stay focussed and to achieve a good level of 'depth.' We have also suggested 4 so that just in case 1 person can’t make that week then you’ve still got 3 to have a good deep conversation.
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We trust that everyone in the group makes the effort to love and support one another and that you do start to build good friendships. You may find that the timing of the group doesn’t work for you, in which case there might be another DNA Group from within your LG that you can connect in to - please speak to your Life Group leader / core team if that is the case.
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We certainly don’t want to dictate DNA groups in a controlling manner. However, the groups have been organised with specific questions and material for specific reasons and we'd encourage you to engage with that. If you want to meet up with other people but it doesn't align with the principles and material of our DNA groups, that is, of course, absolutely fine - it just won't be a DNA group.
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There are a few scenarios where a DNA group may need to multiply - let’s say that you are a DNA Group of 6 men and another man joins the Life Group. Instead of now having a DNA group of 7, my encouragement would be to look to multiply that into 2 smaller groups of say 4 and 3. Your Life Group leader / core team will work with you to decide on how might be the best way to multiply the group.
Note: when someone is joining a DNA group, you already have a connection within the group, so you will need to make extra efforts to make the new person feel welcome and part of the group.
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One of the principles behind DNA groups is accountability. By which we mean a gentle, healthy sense that we need each other if we are going to grow as followers of Jesus. These are groups of friends, so that will be the essential feel in them. Accountability expresses a healthy responsibility for one another's wellbeing.
For example, if in the discussions we say that we’re recognising the need to be more regular with our Bible reading, then we would encourage the DNA group to ask them the next time how that’s gone that month? What barriers are stopping them from making it regular etc?
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For the time being, we’re encouraging you to utilise the ‘Practicing the Way’ content - particularly around the practices. Currently they have 4 videos on the following practices
Sabbath
Generosity
Scripture
Solitude
Prayer
You’re welcome to watch the videos before you meet or while you meet if you feel that works better for you.
We have found the Practicing the Way material to be accessible, practical, challenging and of a high quality with some questions that provoke deeper connection, thinking and conversation.
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We’re going to be put links to some of the videos, along with the discussion questions on the website under the tab ‘DNA Groups’. But till then they are on the Content page that I’ve just sent round.
This way it’s easy for everyone to find the next video and for you to see the discussion questions if people watch the video before hand.
DNA Group content
The goal of our DNA Group content is not simply to provide a course for people to go through, but to promote self motivated discipleship where each person is engaged in, and taking ownership of their own walk with God. You can find at all our current and past content below.
Find out more about Citygate Church
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Our vision
Our vision is to see lives transformed, every day, across the bay. We are transformed by His grace, to bring his kingdom transformation to the lives and the culture around us.
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Sundays
We’d love to welcome you to one of our Sundays, either ONSITE or LIVE ONLINE. We try to make them as friendly and accessible as possible!
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Life Groups
We want everyone who comes to our church to find friendship and grow in their love of God and His people. So we encourage every person who’s part of Citygate to join one of our Life Groups!