The players come together briefly to hear the next play from the quarterback. Then they line up to run that play. The huddle enables communication, planning and coordination so that even against aggressive opposition success can be achieved. High level football teams know the importance of a huddle. Has the church learned this lesson?
A huddle is 2-4 Christians who meet regularly (weekly, at least monthly) to encourage and challenge one another in their walk with Jesus. A huddle is not a Bible study (seeking to teach Biblical information) though Scripture should be featured in the meetings. A huddle is not a recovery ministry (seeking to correct an addiction or get through another problem) though sins will be addressed and problems will be overcome. A huddle is not mentoring (a long term coaching relationship of a more mature believer with a developing believer) though mentor relationships may well grow out of huddles.
A huddle is a small, intentional, intensive training program in which a leader invests in 1-3 growing disciples for 12-18 months then commissions them to start their own huddles (often before the first huddle concludes). So huddles are designed to MULTIPLY. This is the main thing that sets a huddle apart from a Bible class, Bible study or Community Group – the potential and purpose of reproduction.
Here is an overview of Huddles at Oakwood, including some recommended resources.
And here are Key Questions for Huddles, to help believers keep moving forward in their walk with the Lord.
Key Questions for Huddles
These are questions, not commands, inviting personal reflection and Spirit-led, gospel-fueled commitments, supported by grace-filled accountability in a disciplemaking huddle. Huddles are 2-4 Christians committing to meet regularly for 12-18 months to grow as fruitful followers of Jesus and prepare each one to lead a new huddle (thereby contributing to a multiplying movement of disciplemakers).
1. Love God
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” Matthew 22:37
- What are your current practices to develop your relationship with God?
- How are they working?
- What disciplines (prayer, Bible study, memorization, meditation, etc.) is the Lord leading you to grow in right now?
2. Grow in Christ
“Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.” Colossians 2:6-7
- What sins have you committed recently?
- What temptations are you facing?
- What is one area the Lord is leading you to grow in right now?
3. Serve the Church
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.” John 13:34
- How are you currently loving and serving other believers at Oakwood?
- What are your spiritual gifts and how effectively are you using them to build up the body?
- What is one way the Lord is leading you to serve right now?
4. Reach the World
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” Matthew 28:19-20
- What non-believers are you currently praying for?
- How are you currently reaching out to them? How is it going?
- What is one step the Lord is leading you to take in (local) evangelism or (global) mission right now?