Sample Covenants

Sample #1

During the course of this group study, I commit to the following:

• I will give priority to attendance at the group meetings. I will commit to being present and on time, except in cases of emergency.

• I will respect the confidentiality of our discussions. Anything shared within the group will not be discussed outside the group, unless permission is expressly given by the one who shared.

• I understand open and honest participation by each member can enhance the growth of relationships within the group. I will also respect the choice of any member of the group to remain silent at any time.

• I will accept another's experience for what it is, without judgment.

• I will practice affirming love in my interactions with members of the group.

• I will undertake the scriptural studies as agreed.

• I will seek to be a blessing to others in my daily life, and endeavor to act with compassion, understanding, and forgiveness in my relationships.

Date:                    Signature:

Sample #2

1.  Interpersonal

Attendance
Availability
Authenticity
Affirmation
Accountability
Absolute confidentiality

2.  Inner practices

Each week study and familiarize ourselves with 15 pages of the Shaped by the Spirit text.

Observe daily prayer at "morning, noon, and night"

Daily encounter scripture, beginning with Jeremiah 31:31-33 (on page 14 of Shaped by the Spirit)

3.  Outer practices

Explore ways we can implement this covenant discipleship group training in our own congregational settings

Sample #3

I covenant to come wholly present and expectantly to each meeting, honoring it as a safe and sacred place.

I covenant to:

• maintain confidentiality
• listen lovingly and compassionately
• maintain openness and honesty in sharing
• practice acceptance and encouragement
• avoid advice-giving

3. I covenant to discipline my inner/outer life by spending time each week, on a regular basis, in Scripture study, prayer and/or journaling.

4. I will pray for and uphold other members of the group.

5. I covenant to engage in acts of individual and group service and ministry that are expressions of my spiritual growth.

Sample #4

Interpersonal Covenant

We covenant to be present each time the group meets and base our communication with one another on the principles of

• Contemplative listening
• Open, honest sharing
• Unconditional acceptance and loving attention
• Letting go of control, judgment, criticism, and "fixing" responses

We will acknowledge and affirm each person's sacred worth by

• seeing and sensing our spiritual identity in God
• supporting one another in prayer and caring friendship when we are together and apart

Deepening Discipleship through Inner Practices

We covenant to connect with God each day by engaging in spiritual practices of prayer, meditation, journaling, or scripture reflection, etc.

Deepening Discipleship through Outer Practices

We covenant to communcate our love and prayerful support to specific persons who are in need by

• sending cards from the group
• other verbal and/or physical contact as appropriate

We covenant to communicate love, acceptance, and support to persons in our covenant discipleship group and the community through physical acts of appropriate touch, kindness, or service.

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