What is Gospel Formation?

Gospel formation is the process by which a person is shaped into the likeness of Christ through the work of the Holy Spirit, in community, by intentionally centring life on the gospel—understanding it, living it, proclaiming it—and engaging in spiritual practices such as prayer, Bible study, accountability and service.

Is Advance only for evangelists?

No, definitely not. Advance is for everyone! We believe that all Christians are called to share the good news of Jesus with those they meet. We all need to have the opportunity to be sharpened and shaped to be better carriers of this message, not just those specifically gifted as an evangelist.

Please note, throughout the Advance journey we use the word ‘evangelist’ to refer to anyone engaging in evangelism (announcing good news), not just those who recognise a specific gift or call to the Ephesians 4 role/office of the evangelist.

Do you need to be a church leader to lead a group?

No, in fact the Advance Group Guide is designed so that anyone can easily start and lead a group or session.

Do I need to pay anything to join or lead an Advance group?

There’s nothing to pay – Advance is totally free to all members.

Do I need to buy an Advance Group Guide?

Copies of the Advance Group Guide can be downloaded for free online. We do know that some people prefer to have a printed copy of the guide and if that’s you, you can request a copy by emailing info@advancegroups.org or by filling out the form at the bottom of this page.

Does my Advance group need to be made of people who all know each other?

No. There are many great things about Advance Groups, and one of them is that you can get to know new people in your local area with the same passion for sharing the gospel. However, if you’ve got friends you’d like to join a group with, you’re welcome to do that too.

I’m able to speak a different language can I lead an Advance Group in the country I’m in?

Definitely. If you have enough people who would like to form a group and be taught in another language that’s great. It’s not the language you’re speaking that’s important but the fact that together you’re equipping and training each other for evangelism.

What can I do if there isn’t an Advance group guide in my preferred language?

We’re constantly translating guides into new languages, so if you can’t find the language you’re looking for please do get in touch with the Advance team to chat about this by emailing info@advancegroups.org or filling out the form at the bottom of this page.

Does my Advance group need be made up of people of the same gender?

Where possible, we would encourage Advance groups to be made up of members of the same gender, but this is not a requirement. We would however strongly encourage mixed groups to split into smaller groups of men and women when working through the accountability sections of each session.

How can I start an Advance group?

Using the Advance guide, and following the steps here, you will have everything you need to get up and running. If you have any further questions, you can email us at: info@advancegroups.org, or fill out the form at the bottom of this page. You can register your new group with us here (optional).

If I’m already in an Advance group, how can I let you know?
Can you run Advance as a course or small group resource?

The monthly rhythm of Advance groups is a key part of the ongoing Gospel Formation process, which is why we highly recommend committing to the monthly gatherings. However, if there are members in your church or community who wish to use the Advance material primarily for its teaching content rather than for the full Gospel Formation journey, you are welcome to do so. Just keep in mind that the intended process of Gospel Formation may not fully take place in this case.

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