This Article was adapted from a Zume Project Lesson
A 3-Thirds Group (sometimes written as 3/3rds or Three Thirds) has three sections to every meeting: looking back, looking up, and looking forward. 3-Thirds is a method of meeting that allows believers to gather in Jesus’ name with intentionality and leave not only encouraged, but ready to act. In this blog we’ll give you a picture of what this looks like and a blueprint to go and try your own 3-Thirds group. For a deeper understanding, we suggest checking out The Zume Project, an amazing free resource that utilizes the 3-Thirds Group meeting structure.
What are the Three Sections of a 3-Thirds Group?
The first third of the group’s time is spent looking back at what’s happened since the last meeting. The middle third of the group’s time is spent looking up for God’s wisdom and direction through scripture, discussion, and prayer. The final third of the group’s time is spent looking forward to how each person can apply and obey what they’ve learned.
Simply put, a 3-Thirds Group is a gathering of believers who divide their meeting into three parts, so that they can practice fellowshipping with other believers, worshipping God, hearing His Word, and obeying His commands.
3-Thirds Group Practice Session
Let’s give it a try! This practice session should last a little over an hour. While you’re practicing, be sure to keep going so you don’t run out of time, especially if you have a larger group or one that enjoys deeper discussion. Don’t skip any steps – they’re all important!
A 3-Thirds Group is not the same as a typical Bible study – that’s on purpose! Treat this experience as an opportunity to learn a NEW way to meet and see what good God has planned for your time together.
[Part 1/3] LOOKING BACK
For the first third of your meeting time you will “look back” by caring for each other through giving thanks, sharing struggles, and praying for one another. During this time, you will also check in to see if each person in the group has had the opportunity to obey and share what they learned the last time you gathered.
Step One: Giving Thanks
Take some time to have each person share something they are thankful for.
Step Two: Sharing your Struggles and Praying for One Another
Now have each person in your group briefly share something they are struggling with. Have someone else immediately pray for them about what they share.
Step Three: Focusing the Group
Every time you meet, you’ll want to take time and remember why you’re together – to love God, to love others, to share Jesus, and help others share Him too.
There are lots of ways to focus the group on the mission, but for this practice session have someone read Matthew 22:37-38 out loud to the group.
Step Four: Checking In
This is the part that some groups want to skip, because it means asking questions that can sometimes be hard. Please don’t skip. Jesus loved His followers enough to ask hard questions. If we want to be like Jesus, we should love one another enough to do that, too.
In this step, you’ll have each person in the group report on whether they obeyed what they heard God ask them to do the last time you were together.
If you use The Zume Project, they’ve modeled these commitments in their Looking Forward step where they ask you to Obey, Share, and Pray. They model accountability in their Looking Back step where they ask you to Check-In on those same commitments.
Part of loving God is to obey what He tells us. Part of loving one another means helping someone obey what they hear from God. Love means taking someone’s commitments seriously – and showing them love graciously – all at the same time.
Have each person answer the following questions:
- How have you obeyed what you’ve learned so far?
- Who have you trained in what you’ve learned?
- Who have you shared your story or God’s story with since we’ve been together as a group?
[Part 2/3] LOOKING UP
During the middle third of your meeting, invite God’s Holy Spirit to lead your group to better understand His Word.
Read a passage from the Bible out loud and then ask and answer some simple questions to help explore and understand God’s purposes and plans.
Step One: Invite God’s Holy Spirit to Lead
Take a moment to pray. Talk with God simply and briefly. Ask His Holy Spirit to teach you from the passage you are about to read.
Step Two: Read God’s Word and Ask Questions
Have someone in the group read from the Bible. For this practice session, read Luke 18:9-14. When you’ve finished reading, the group should answer these two questions:
- What did you like about this passage?
- What did you find challenging or hard to understand?
If there are oral learners – people who don’t read well or prefer to learn by hearing – in your group, make sure you read through the passage at least twice.
Now have someone else read the same passage a second time, and then have the group answer these two questions:
- What can we learn about people from this passage?
- What can we learn about God from this passage?
Remember stick to the passage and keep it simple!
Here’s a Coaching Tip from The Zume Project:
When you’re studying God’s Word, focus on His words instead of other books, teachers, or opinions. Instead of asking, “What do you think this means?” ask “What does this passage say?”
If someone in your group likes to teach, gently remind them that God’s Holy Spirit and perfect Word can teach the group. We’re all here to learn, together. And don’t be afraid of silence or a pause in the discussion. God is working even when it’s quiet.
Stay focused on His Word, stick to the passage, and trust God to do the rest.
[Part 3/3] LOOKING FORWARD
In the last third of your time, focus on looking forward and discovering how to obey and train others using what you’ve learned from God’s word.
Each member of the group asks God a few simple questions and then waits for His answer in prayer. Then you share and practice your commitments and pray to end your time together.
Step 1: Praying for God’s Purpose
Have each person in your group pray silently and ask God these questions:
- God, how can I obey and apply what You’re teaching me?
- Who can I train from this passage so they can learn to obey and love You more?
- Who would you have me share my testimony or Your Good News of Jesus with?
Ask God’s Holy Spirit to give you specific answers, specific names, and specific steps that you can take in the time between now and when your group meets again.
Step 2: Gathering Commitments
Ask each person in your group to share what they heard from the Lord for each question. Someone may not have heard anything from the Lord on one, two, or even all three questions. They can simply report that they didn’t hear.
But remember, the group should hear from the Lord. Jesus said, “My sheep hear My voice.” And the more specific your obedience steps are, the easier it will be to obey them before you meet again.
Step 3: Practicing your Plan
Before you end your time together, have your 3-Thirds Group break into smaller groups of two or three and practice what you’ve heard the Lord ask you to do.
Remember, practice isn’t the same as obeying, training or sharing, but it prepares you to do those things better.
Have each smaller group end its practice time together in prayer. Pray specifically for those people and plans God has put on your hearts. Anyone who doesn’t have specific commitments should practice sharing their testimony story or God’s Story.
If you have oral-learners in the group, set aside part of your practice time to re-read the passage of God’s Word you read earlier. This will help the entire group be ready to share with others they meet between meetings.
As you bring your group back together, take a moment to celebrate! You’ve completed the Looking Forward section and have now practiced the entire 3-Thirds Group format. Be sure to take turns letting others guide the group through the process. You don’t have to be a gifted teacher, just follow these simple steps.
We hope you give the 3-Thirds Group a try. It’s a format of meeting used around the world in many different cultures. Most of our missionaries use 3-Thirds Groups on the field. Learn more about 3-Thirds Groups and find additional resources at zumeproject.com.
