September 4, 2025
THE MARCS EVALUATION TOOL
Have you ever led a group and wondered, “Am I making a difference?”
If you started a D-Group in 2025, you’ve used the MARCS evaluation tool in your D-Group. The MARCS Evaluation Tool was designed to measure the growth of 5 key traits of a disciple. By using this tool, it helps you see how implementing spiritual disciplines in your life can make a difference in your walk with Christ. As a D-Group leader, this is important because it allows you to walk alongside your group members, see where they are growing, as well as opportunities for growth, and look for ways that you can encourage them along the way. We encourage groups to use this tool five times throughout their year together; once at the beginning of the group, then once a quarter.
The 5 key traits we evaluate are:
Missional: are they regularly praying for and investing in others who do not have a relationship with Christ?
Accountable: are they regularly sharing with other believers about any and all struggles or sin in their life?
Reproducible: are they looking for opportunities to invest in other believers to help them grow in their faith?
Communal: are they regularly having biblical community with other believers?
Scriptural: are they experiencing a closeness with Jesus through consistent time reading, memorizing, and obeying God’s Word?
Additional copies of the MARCS Evaluation tool are available at our Resource Center in our upstairs lobby.
NEW 6-MONTH READING PLAN
We have a new reading plan for D-Groups to use!
If you have been in multiple D-Groups, at some point, you will begin repeating reading plans. In an effort to change up the readings, I have created a new 6-month reading plan (view it here). My goal is to create a few more 6-month reading plans so you won’t feel like you are reading the same plan over and over again. This 6-month plan will cover all four Gospels, Acts, and Proverbs. One way this plan is different is that our other plans only cover select Proverbs while this plan allows you to read the entire book of Proverbs.
One question that may get asked is “Why aren’t we reading the entire Bible or all of the NT in our groups?”
The goal of our D-Groups is not reading the entire Bible or the entire NT, but to develop strong spiritual disciplines in a disciple’s life so they can teach others these same disciplines. While there is great value in reading through the entire Bible, our focus isn’t as much about what you read as it is developing a strong habit of daily Bible reading and seeing how it applies to your life.
If you have already started the NT reading plan, I recommend that you finish it instead of switching plans mid-stream to avoid duplication of readings. If you are using the OT & NT reading plan, I would not recommend switching to this plan if you have already passed week 26 or have started reading the NT passages so you can avoid duplication of readings as well.
These new reading plans are available at our Resource Center in the upstairs lobby.
IMPORTANT FIRST STEP
Before registering your new D-Group, be sure you have watched our “How to Start a D-Group” videos that are designed to prepare you for launching a successful D-Group. This is important before moving forward to launch a group.
All D-Group leaders MUST register their group before their first meeting. This allows us to get you your D-Group Launch Kit and help you take steps toward leading a successful D-group.
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Watch this video to learn how to develop your testimony so you can share your story with others.
Also, here’a quick article from Renew.org that does a good job of explaining how to use the 3-Step Way to share your faith.
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Watch this video by Kandi Gallaty of Replicate Ministries to learn more about how to use the H.E.A.R. method when journaling.
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Have a D-Group member who is hesitant to start a new group?
Consider using the T.E.A.M. method to make the process easier for them.
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Here is a resource called Prayer and Fasting by Michael Engle. It is a free 48 page study guide that you can download or read here.
While it is designed to be a discussion guide, I recommend reading the following sections since they can guide you and your D-Group through a fast together. Reading the entire study, without answering the questions, would be very beneficial for you as well.
Introduction (p. 7-12) - This explains the different types of fasts, the basics of what a fast is, how to do it, and when to do it.
Appendix 2 (p 38-39) - This section gives you the basics, practical advice, temptations, and a summary of conclusions on what to expect and how do to it.
Remember, consider using the recommended lengths of time mentioned in your D-Group Leader Guide when fasting. The purpose of fasting as a D-Group is to introduce people to the concept of fasting, not necessarily fast for multiple days.
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MARCS evaluation cards are available at the resource center in our upstairs lobby.
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Watch and learn how you can share the gospel: 3 Circles Sample Presentation Video
Download the 3 Circles App
Additional copies of the 3 Circles booklet are available at our resource center in the upstairs lobby.
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Watch and learn how to easily share the Gospel with a Best News card:
Download the Best News App (It is included on the 3 Circles app.)
Additional copies of the Best News card are available at our resource center in the upstairs lobby.
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Physical copies of our reading plans are available at our upstairs Resource Center.
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Physical copies of the Memory Verse Cards are available at our upstairs Resource Center.
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These cards are available at our resource center in our upstairs lobby.
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Intentional by Brandon Guidon
This is probably one of my favorite discipleship books right now. It shows how we can live out 8 principles of disciple-making that we can easily implement by being intentional in our everyday lives. I highly recommend getting this book!
Disciple Her by Kandi Gallaty
Even though this is a book written for women, there is so much application for anyone leading a D-Group. I highly recommend men AND women read this book. Kandi provides great tips that we do not always cover in training, but may work well in your group.
Write It On Their Hearts by Chris and Melissa Swain
If you would like to start discipling your family, this is an excellent resource.
Dates to Remember
October 12th - No Sunday PM activities; please use your key card to enter the building if your group would like to meet on campus.
October 29th - Fall Fun Fest
November 26th - Church closed; please use your key card to enter the building if your group would like to meet on campus.
December 7th - No Sunday PM activities; please use your key card to enter the building if your group would like to meet on campus.
December 14th - Christmas Worship Service
December 17th - Lottie Moon auction
December 21st - Kid’s Christmas Celebration
December 28th - Church closed; please use your key card to enter the building if your group would like to meet on campus.