Discipleship Small Groups (DSGs) provide a place where young people can accompany each other as they embark on the journey of growing in their relationship with Jesus and are formed as missionary disciples. DSGs are designed for young people who have had an encounter with Jesus, and want to go deeper. If that’s you, we’d love to hear from you!
Twice a term DSGs join with Youth Nights and other young people from the parishes for combined youth ministry events. For more information, please contact Louisa Daniels on louisa.daniels@stdeclansparish.org
For young people who desire more, and want to go deeper with their relationship with Jesus.
Discipleship is at the heart of what it means to be Christian. A disciple is someone who has encountered Jesus and has decided to follow him. DSGs provide a place where young people can grow as disciples of Jesus. After all, programs don’t make disciples; disciples make disciples.
One of the benefits of small groups is that they can flexibly cater for the needs of the group members. Each DSG meets weekly at a time and a place that works best for that group.
Each group is led by two adult mentors. These mentors are from the parishes, and are chosen specifically for each group. Each mentor receives formation as well as safeguarding training.
Each group has a ‘Lead Parent’. This is a parent of one of the young people who plays a key role in linking the group and the parents of participants with mentors and with the Youth Discipleship coordinator.
At the heart of DSGs is the recognition that parents are the first teachers of faith. We want to partner with parents in our ministry, and we do this by fostering regular communication with parents through mentors and particularly through the Lead Parent.
One of the benefits of DSGs is that they are adaptable for the needs of each group and the young people within them. As such, each group looks a little different. Some common elements of each group include faith formation content approved by the parishes, time for sharing and discussion, and time for fellowship and friendship. Each group goes for about an hour and a half to two hours.