Discipleship DNA: The Three Thirds Model
Summary: “Looking back helps us be accountable to share what God has given us, to pay attention to God’s work in our lives, and to become aware of our response to the Holy Spirit’s leading.”
Note: In 2026 we will flesh out each of the five core Values of Pattern Platform. We will begin with the Value of Simple Church Patterns.
In our last DNA article we discussed the need for a format in our small groups – a format which becomes a dependable, memorable pattern. You can find that article here.
One example of a simple pattern is the Three Thirds Model. Our small group time can be experienced in three parts – Looking Back, Looking Up, and Looking Forward. This pattern can be used from the first follow up after sharing the gospel, to a healthy church that meets every week. Here is an example of what this could look like in a small group.
Looking Back – As people enter into the space (a home or coffee shop) anyone may notice who is tired, excited, peaceful or overwhelmed by stress – not just the facilitator.
We ask one another if there are challenges we are facing in life. We check in with one another about what was prayed for the last time we met and give an update. We ask what God has been speaking throughout the week in prayer and scripture study. Finally, we ask each other who we shared the gospel with this past week. Everyone is given time to talk. Then, we take time to pray for one another about the needs that emerged. During this time we may minister to one another with words or scriptures that the Holy Spirit gives.
Looking back helps us be accountable to share what God has taught us, to pay attention to God’s work in our lives, and to become aware of our response to the Holy Spirit’s leading. It also helps us lay down our burdens so that we can receive what God has for us next.
Now we take a break to get more coffee or tea, use the restroom, and transition to the next part of the meeting.
Looking Up – Read the passage of scripture together. Discover what the Holy Spirit wants to speak to us by using discovery questions to study the passage. What stands out in this passage? What do we learn about God in this passage? What do we learn about people in this passage? Is there something to obey in this passage? Everyone listens to the Holy Spirit. Everyone shares.
Looking Ahead – We ask one another, “Based on this passage, how will I respond to the Holy Spirit this week? Everyone shares. We ask one another, “Who will I share this passage with this week? Who could I share the gospel with? Who could I start a new small group with?”
Finally, the group makes plans to meet again. The group may also make plans to meet needs that were heard during the meeting (financial or in other practical ways).
In the Three Thirds Model we Look Back to what has happened in our lives and our relationship with God in the midst of it. We Look Up to discover more about God. We Look Ahead to remain accountable to apply what God has revealed to us and share it with others.
