We hope to answer most of your questions regarding Growth Partnerships on this page. Click below to find your specific answer, or scroll for a general overview.
EXPLANATION & PURPOSE
Growth Partnerships (also known as GPs) are gender-based groups of 2-5 men or women who meet regularly to actively pursue gospel transformation in their lives. This is done by holistically engaging with the truth of the gospel in community - head, heart, and hands.
Growth Partnerships are one of the deepest Discipleship Environments offered by New Eden Church. Ideally, they work alongside other relationally-focused groups (such as a Missional Community), but for some people, they are the primary relationally-focused environment.
FORMATION OF GOSPEL PARTNERSHIPS
Growth Partnerships are typically formed in one of three ways.
RELATIONSHIP
The most sustainable and preferred way Growth Partnerships form is organically through relationships that are already established in other Discipleship Environments (such as our Sunday Gathering, Missional Communities, Events, etc.).
SHARED INTEREST OR NEED
Growth Partnerships can be formed based on a shared study interest or need (parenting, marriage, theology, etc.). Leadership can connect individuals to current partnerships or help them begin a new one.
SHARED SEASON OF LIFE
Growth Partnerships can be formed based on a shared season of life (young mother, student, empty-nester, etc.). Leadership can connect individuals to current partnerships or help them begin a new one.
ORGANIZATION OF GROWTH PARTNERSHIPS
We recommend that each Growth Partnership has a clearly stated Organizer who is responsible for the organization and communication of the partnership. This person should be willing and able to organize with clarity and consistency.
FREQUENCY OF PARTNERSHIP MEETINGS
The frequency of meeting is up to the Organizer and the others in the Growth Partnership. The goal is something that is both regular and sustainable. In our experience, the goal should be set somewhere between two and four times a month. (Any less than that, it is hard to establish a good rhythm. Any more, it is difficult to sustain.)
*We recommend this be discussed at the first meeting.
DURATION OF GROWTH PARTNERSHIPS
Ideally, Growth Partnerships are ongoing and sustainable over a long period of time. However, we suggest each member commit for a set time period, then reevaluate. Below are some helpful suggestions.
Commit and reevaluate every six months.
Commit and reevaluate based on your school or college calendar (spring semester, summer, fall semester).
If at any point, one of the partners feel they cannot continue meeting regularly for any reason, they should communicate that to the others in the Growth Partnership.
CONTENT OF GROWTH PARTNERSHIPS
Growth Partnerships typically pick content to regularly digest and help guide the meeting time. Below are some content suggestions.
ONE-TO-ONE BIBLE READING
The simplest way to engage with content in the group is through reading the Bible together. If using this method, we recommend that the Organizer read the small guide, “One-To-One Bible Reading” by David Helm. Feel freedom to adjust his ideas in accordance with your dynamics.
OTHER SUGGESTED TOPICS
Depending on your stage of life or interests, you may want to learn more about a topic and discuss it within your Growth Partnerships. Please reach out to one of the elders for suggested resources in the area you would like to study or discuss.
GROWTH PARTNERSHIP MEETING TEMPLATE
Each Growth Partnership meeting will look different. In our experience, it is most helpful for the partners to read the Bible or some other content either at the meeting or before (see above for suggestions). Once at the meeting, you can use the document below to help guide your time together. Again, feel free to adjust according to your needs.
JOINING A GROWTH PARTNERSHIP
If you would like to be connected with someone else in the New Eden family to start a Growth Partnership, please fill out the following form. We will work to connect you and follow up with you.
STARTING A GROWTH PARTNERSHIP
If you and others are ready to start a Growth Partnership, you have complete freedom to get started. We do suggest that Growth Partnerships begin by walking through our Stories Resource, which reviews the story of God and then has each member share their own story. You can find the resource linked below, and you can also pick up physical copies at the Resource Hub on Sundays. After using the Stories Resource, the partnership can begin working through Scripture or a resource as mentioned above.
If you have any questions at all, or would like to meet with someone to help you get started, please email us at info@newedenchurch.org.