MicroGroups Unite Catholics and Protestants
MicroGroups are growing stronger, equipping Christ followers worldwide. "As you go, make disciples...." For example, in 2023 one MicroGroup in Fiji began meeting, and now in 2025, there are 32 MicroGroups with over 80 men and women who are multiplying disciplemakers in other countries.
MicroGroups are now starting in other countries like Vanuatu, Guam, Samoa, Papua New Guinea, Tonga. Sydney, Australia and Honolulu in Hawaii. The men and women in these different groups represent different church denominations and different ethnic groups.
Disciplemaking depends on relationships that are reciprocal, first by receiving God's love and then by responding in love towards Him and others.
Research what works
In the US at the Franciscan University in Steubenville, Ohio, they researched and found that MicroGroups made the most impact to grow strong Christians.
Are you curious about the details and origins of their research?
The Catechetical Review‘s article, “Disciples Forming Other Disciples,” gives insight into the year-long research project that led to the formation of Discipleship Quads [MicroGroups of 4], as well as why this is important and even integral to cultivating disciples in the Church today.
Likewise, other churches in the Northeast United States are experiencing the joy of making disciples who make disciples. They are following The Great Commission of Matthew 28:18-20 where Jesus identifies that He has given all authority to ALL who believe in Him (not just pastors, priests, preachers, 12 disciples, apostles). "As you go, make disciples of all nations...." For over 2000 years, we are continuing to obey His command from generation to generation. That includes you to do that, too.
Doctrinal Priorities
In essentials unity.
In nonessentials, charity.
In all things, Jesus Christ.
- Primary Doctrines: We divide over absolutes.
- Nature and Character of God: There is only one God who created all things, who is sovereign (Isaiah 44:6).
- The Trinity: One God existing in three distinct Persons (Matthew 28:19).
- The Deity of Christ: Fully God, fully human; Jesus is God (Colossians 2:9; Philippians 2:5-8).
- The virgin birth of Christ (Matthew 1:23).
- The death, resurrection, and atonement work of Christ
(John 3:16; 1 Corinthians 15:14; Ephesians 2:8-9;
Galatians 1:8-9; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4). - The Second Coming (Acts 1:11).
- The authority of Scripture as God's revelation to humanity (2 Timothy 3:16).
- Secondary Doctrines: We disagree, but never divide over convictions—maybe a different tribe, but still family. These are descriptive, not prescriptive issues.
- Tertiary Doctrines: We just disagree over opinions.
Excerpt from https://www.youtube.com/live/6BxIML731LQ where a detailed description of each priority is clarified with specific examples of what each one means and how that is applied in our walk with Jesus Christ.
Discipleship Forums
On March 7, 2025, some people met at a Regional Forum for Disciplemaking. The impact of MicroGroups continues to grow across denominations.
Christians unite!
"God is moving and we were able to see a glimpse of what He is up to this weekend! We had around 70 pastors and lay leaders from 16 different churches, 6 denominations and 6 different states come together to hear all about how they can be a disciple who makes disciples, as well as how to have reproducible disciples in their churches. God showed off! Wisdom was poured out and shared. Unity was evident,and lives were impacted! Indeed, it was an amazing weekend as we witnessed God do what only God can do." - Ashley Reardon, Evangel Assembly in Wilbraham, Massachusetts
Ashley you are right on,
"Unity was evident,
and lives were impacted!"
Fellow disciples of Jesus Christ, March 7, 2025, was a microcosm of what God is doing throughout the Northeast region, in the US, and in the world.
"The unity of the group was electric. There was an energy in the room of folks excited to be disciplemakers, being there with everyone on the same page, same focus, same goals of discipleship."
The Need in the Church
Discipleship is a word that many only partially understand. If people are familiar with the word, they will usually define it as being a follower of Jesus. The problem is very few will see that discipleship also encompasses being a disciplemaker. In responding to the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20, we are called not only to follow Jesus and all that he teaches but also to go and make other disciples.
Understood in this way, discipleship solves many of the challenges we see in the Church today. Authentic community results from disciples making other disciples, because in order to form other people, you must be in a relationship with them. Our church communities frequently suffer from a scarcity of interpersonal, vulnerable, intimate relationships.
Without these types of relationships, loneliness ensues, which then brings with it a temptation to cover up the pain of isolation through a variety of sins. The Church needs followers of Jesus who are willing to invest their time and vulnerability in relationships with others and teach them how to follow Jesus.
Although some people are willing to share their faith with others in a casual environment, many of them do not know how to start an intentional discipling relationship with another person. They may get past the basics of sharing that they are Catholic, but then what do they do next? The Church needs clear processes to help the average parishioner respond to the call of discipleship—processes that will help them grow in their own faith and give them the confidence and structure to share their faith with others.
While there are a plethora of organizations and programs inspiring people to develop a closer relationship with Christ, they may not necessarily inspire the same people to share that relationship with others. Simply giving people a particular book, showing them a video, or sending them to a conference won’t accomplish this. https://review.catechetics.com/disciples-forming-other-disciples
In the world today unity among Christians is paramount. Chuck Colson and others urged Catholics and Protestants over 30 years ago to set aside their denominational differences and focus on Jesus Christ and His mission to the world. We focus on what matters most: JESUS, becoming like Jesus (which is a synonym for discipleship). On the continuum of history, the extremes that war against Christians are palable today.
Understanding Disciplemaking
Disciplemaking is not a program, but a lifestyle change. We can practice disciplemaking by the spreading of MicroGroups, while building the capacity for ALL who call themselves followers of Jesus Christ. Catching the "good infection" as CS Lewis noted, is for ALL Christians to unite against extremes in this world.
Be disciples who make disciples.
"Each member who attended was truly blessed to be there and grow in their understanding of disciplemaking. One participant shared, “Now that I’m in it, it makes sense, and I’m blessed to be part of it.”
Another said, “I went last year as a skeptic but returned this year as a believer.” Four attendees were new this year and initially expected the training to focus on small groups, as usual. Instead, they were intrigued by the disciplemaking focus and are now looking forward to joining more fully." - Theo Afful, Discipleship Pastor of NewLife Church
A MicroGroup is a methodology designed by Jesus with Peter, James, and John for deeper relationships and accountability. Multiple MicroGroups in a church may encourage a Disciplemaking Church towards authentic interactions.
Build your own church disciplemaking experience. Contact dave@globaldi.org
Greg Ogden
5 Essential Criteria to Build a Discipleship Ministry
Greg Ogden
Mistakes to Avoid as You Build Your Own Disciplemaking Church
Greg Ogden
If Judas was called a disciple...then...?
Got questions?
Member discussion