The SmallCircle Approach

How is the SmallCircle approach unique from other approaches to discipleship?

In short, life-transformation comes through the relational depth achieved through a one-to-one dynamic. To learn more about how our approach is different we have a whole series of training videos on that. Click the training login link below and find the course titled: SmallCircle For Organizations.

Training Login

What is the learning approach used in the SmallCircle materials?

We avoid merely "learning" concepts that do not put principles into action. Xchange is made up of 4 modules, with 6 chapters in each one. Each of the 24 chapters includes at least one "Lab" that brings the content to life by a felt experience. The Labs have proven to be extremely effective in driving home the focus of each chapter.

The SmallCircle App

How do I connect with my disciple or disciple-maker in the app?

Click on the profile icon, click on disciples, click add disciples, and add your disciples code. They can find their code on their profile page. This will send them a notification to accept you as their disciple-maker. You can also see this in action in our tutorial video here.

I‘m unable to finish creating a profile in the app because it is not letting me select which Bible version I want to choose. How can I troubleshoot this?

If you are using the mobile app, please try the web app. If you are using the web app, please try the mobile app. Once the Bible version is set, you will be able to use either the mobile or web app. If you are still experiencing problems, try deleting the app and reinstalling it. If the problem persists, email us at info@smallcircle.com.

How do you track the progress of the disciple-making pairs?

If you’re using the mobile app, a church can assign themselves a code that is unique to their church. We call this the church affiliate code. This code should be given to each user in that church and the app tracks the progress of the disciple-maker and disciple automatically. This is super helpful for the pastoral team—another great reason to use the app.

How do I reset my progress in the app when I start disicpling a new disciple?

Click on the profile icon, click on clear your progress. Note: this will not clear your content (notes, workbook entries, etc.) it simply removes the red check mark that serves as a progress marker on the right side of each chapter. You can also see this in action in our tutorial video here.

I’ve changed churches, how do I update the church affiliate code in my app?

Please email us at info@smallcircle.com and include your name, username (email used in the app), and what the new church affiliate code is that you'd like set in your profile.

SmallCircle in Your Church

What’s the best way to launch SmallCircle in my church?

We have dedicated a section of training specifically to give some recommendations about launching SmallCircle in a local church. Login using the link below to access the training.

Training Login

Do we need a point person to implement the SmallCircle approach within our local church?

It is important to select a spiritually mature, warm, strong leader to oversee the SmallCircle approach in your church or organization. In addition to managing the details, this person typically vets participants, connects pairs, meets with disciple-makers and disciples and helps resolve any issues that might arise. This leader can be a volunteer or a staff member depending on the budget and structure of your church.

What is the success rate of disciples becoming disciple-makers at your local church?

The success rate of disciples becoming disciple-makers at our local church is typically 75-80%—which we’re very happy about.

Finding a Disciple & Disciple-maker Pair

How does an individual find a disciple?

Ideally, it’s best to be part of a group within your church where you can connect in a place outside of Sunday morning. Meeting in a group setting with others helps you know more about people in a casual setting without having it take on an "interview" style where there is more pressure to gather information about a potential disciple. You’ll have some idea as to how they respond, react, personality qualities, and so on, in the context of a group setting. Another thing you can do is pray and tell others, including your small group leader, about your interest in finding someone to disciple. Do not put too much emphasis on the idea that you have to find someone that you have everything in common with—Jesus didn’t pick disciples that were all alike or even like him.

How do I know if I’m ready to be a disciple-maker?

We encourage everyone to start as a disciple. The Xchange modules are specifically designed to create a movement of disciples making disciples. However, in some instances that may not be possible. The Xchange modules: Zero, One, and Three have disciple-maker guides to equip you to become a new disciple-maker acting as your road map. We also have a free training course to equip you to be a disciple-maker. Login using the link below to access the training.

Training Login

Can I disicple my boyfriend/girlfriend, spouse, child, teenager?

We absolutely pair men with men and women with women. Not spouses, significant others, or parents and children or teens. To learn more about why, we encourage you to watch our training for disciple-makers. Login using the link below to access the training.

Training Login

Can we both be disciple-makers?

This question often comes up with two people who are seasoned Christians. There’s certainly not anything wrong with both people being disciple-makers, but I don’t recommend it. Our observation is that this arrangement typically lacks forward momentum because no one is actually leading. Also, the labs are designed to be surprises – so, if both people are disciple-makers, they both will see what the labs are and thus it will not be a surprise.

What if the potential disciple-maker doesn’t qualify?

We believe in honest dialogue with the goal of growth toward spiritual maturity (Ephesians 4:15). If a potential disciple-maker doesn’t meet the criteria, we explain why and provide action steps that would prepare that person to disciple in the future. Often, we suggest that the person begin by being a disciple, rather than a disciple-maker. Among other things, this serves as a good test of humility.

How does an individual find a disciple-maker?

We recommend that you make the effort to be part of a small group within your church or try to get involved in serving ministries so that you can begin building relationships with other people. Make yourself available. Ask the leaders and group leaders in your church. Pray and let others know you are actively wanting to be discipled and looking for a disciple-maker. Try to avoid the idea of looking for the "perfect" person, but do look for someone with spiritual maturity and consider admirable personal characteristics and similar backgrounds as possible fits. Start asking people.

Can I disciple someone from another church?

We discourage this because one of the primary ingredients in discipleship is two-way observation. The disciple observes the disciple-maker and vice versa. This examination of each other’s life and participation in the local church is critical. This is impossible when the participants are in different churches.

How do you pair disciple-makers and disciples?

The optimum approach is to pair two people of the same gender who already have a relationship. We first look within the small groups of our church to see if there are two people within a group that would make a healthy Xchange relationship. If a partner is not available within the small group, the potential disciple or disciple-maker is put on a wait list. Our Xchange coordinator (Discipleship Navigator) monitors the list, seeking to connect pairs. When there are two people on the list that appear to make a good pair, we ask them to meet with one another to see if they sense a chemistry. To learn more about this, we have a whole digital training course made specifically for churches or organizations looking to implement the SmallCircle approach. Login using the link below to access the training.

Training Login

Would the SmallCircle tools work in a small group setting?

There is a steep downside to using the Xchange modules in a small group setting because a group can’t produce the unique dynamics of a one-to-one relationship. There are tremendous benefits to the one-to-one approach. Don’t lose them by attempting Xchange in a group! The materials are designed to disciple one-to-one.

Disciple & Disciple-maker Meetings

How long does a typical session last when a disciple-maker and disciple meet?

1-2 hours minimum. The length of time depends on the pair, but it typically will take about an hour. It's always a good idea though to leave enough time and space for the Holy Spirit to navigate.

How often does a disciple-maker and disciple meet?

We recommend a disciple and disciple-maker pair to meet every other week. For more on this login using the link below and watch the course for disciple-makers.

Training Login

Do we need to prepare before each session, and if so, how do we do that?

We recommend watching our training called Getting Started As A Disciple-maker. You'll find a specific chapter titled: The Actual Session with Disciple-maker and Disciple. Login using the link below to access the training.

Training Login

What happens if I don’t have the answers to my disciples questions?

A great place to start is by using the Mix materials in the app. Note: Mix is only available in the app. Here is an overview on the Mix materials. Some other great resources are gotquestions.org, bibleproject.com, blueletterbible.org, and biblehub.com. We'd also encourage you to ask your pastor or ministry leader for suggestions. If you don't know the answer, simply tell your disciple that you don't know but you'll find out and will get back to him/her. It's more than okay to not know all of the answers. In fact, if you think you do have all of the answers, you may want to re-think that.

What does a typical session look like when a disciple-maker and disciple meet?

Training Login

How much time does it take to work through the materials between sessions?

Everyone is different, but on average it will take about 1-2 hours to go through the material before each time the disciple-maker and disciple meet. So if you are meeting every other week, thats only 30-60 minutes each week.

Xchange Modules

What happens after a pair completes Xchange?

The goal of Xchange is multiplication. The final module in Xchange prepares the disciple to transition to a disciple-maker, the design of Xchange is for both participants to take on new disciples. But the original relationship obviously continues! We ask the disciple-maker to continue to track with the disciple (now a disciple-maker) as they start the Xchange experience with a new disciple of their own. So, in addition to beginning with a new disciple of their own, our disciple-makers are asked to serve as a coach for their previous disciple during their first module as a new disciple-maker.

How much does it cost?

All of our materials are donor-funded and free to use. Our app is free to use on any mobile device or the web. You can download the PDF's for free. Or if you prefer to use the physical books, you can purchase them for the cost of printing. Our online training is also donor-funded and therefore free for anyone to use. Login using the link below to access our training.

Training Login

What is the typical length of time it takes to complete Xchange?

If you meet every other week, which we recommend, it would take 48 weeks, or about a year. However, people go on vacation, get sick – and sometimes, there is a need to hover over certain topics. So, typically, it take about a year and 3 months to a year and a half. We intentionally take this amount of time because you simply cannot rush human relationships—it takes time to feel safe and become vulnerable.

What age are the SmallCircle tools written for?

Next and Mix could be used with a mature teenager. Xchange would be ideal for someone in their early 20's or older. Depending on the teenager and who they are paired with, someone in their late teens could be discipled by someone in their 20's. It all depends on how freely the late teen would feel comfortable with sharing openly and honestly with their disciple-maker.

Frequently Asked Questions

The SmallCircle Approach

The SmallCircle App

SmallCircle in Your Church

Finding a Disciple & Disciple-maker Pair

Disciple & Disciple-maker Meetings

Xchange Modules

Contact Us.

Frequently Asked Questions

Languages Available

Next

Xchange Zero

Xchange One

Xchange Two

Xchange Three

Download the App

The SmallCircle Approach

The SmallCircle App

SmallCircle in Your Church

Finding a Disciple & Disciple-maker Pair

Disciple & Disciple-maker Meetings

Xchange Modules

Contact Us.