The word Ecclesia means church, a simple community of brothers and sisters whom Jesus has called to be his disciples. Ecclesia Bible sharing groups are gatherings where we share the Word of God in a way that touches our lives and transforms us. It is lectio divina done in community, and a tool for spiritual formation.

What is Ecclesia?

• A small group of typically 4–7 people.
• A simple method based on 5 questions.
• A community of Jesus’ disciples who share the Word of God and pray for each other.
• A school of discipleship, where you learn from Jesus about the fundamental questions of Christian faith.
• A place of discernment, where you recognize how to serve the Lord and do misson.

How to start an Ecclesia?

• Join the next online experience of Ecclesia (90 minutes Zoom meeting).
• Join one of the Zoom Ecclesia groups or an in-person Ecclesia for a few meetings.
• Attend training for group facilitators.
• Organize an experiential Ecclesia workshop in your parish or church community.
• Pray that the Lord shows you whom He is calling to Ecclesia.

Training

Training for an Ecclesia facilitator includes four meetings:

• Two hour and half Zoom training sessions
• A full-day in-person training

The first two trainings equip you to facilitate a group and present the vision and practice of Ecclesia to others.

• A retreat with the Word of God which includes time for sharing experiences, worship, and experiencing listening to the Word of God and communal discernment.

Integration with other Bible Engagement

Ecclesia is an ideal method that can be used as a follow-up for other Bible Engagement initiatives, which are usually more limited in content:

• Trauma Healing groups
• Bible Course groups
• Alpha Course groups
• Etc.

The materials supplied in the Discipleship New Testament (see below) are enough for 5 years of meetings if the group met every week. But actually, one can take any Bible passage as the text for Ecclesia. For example, in some circles they simply take the liturgical reading for the week.

In Slovenia, Ecclesia is an integral part of our Alpha and Omega (End to End) initiative, which combines Bible Reading Marathon, Trauma Healing groups, Ecclesia groups and facilitator trainings into a comprehensive discipleship pathway. In this journey we want to accompany people to walk from zero engagement (and sometimes even zero faith) through a process of healing and learning to give and receive in a small community all the way to the place where they can be trained to help someone else to walk the path, by starting their own Ecclesia or Trauma Healing group etc.

“What is Ecclesia for you?” – some answers of the participants

• “A small group which allows for sharing of personal stories.”
• “It is about listening, the facilitator creates a space for listening and obedience to the word of God.”
• “It helps to bring the word of God into daily life.”
• “A group where mutual trust emerges really quickly.”
• “The one who teaches is Jesus.”
• “Discovering the riches of the participants.”
• “A holy time with brothers and sisters when we share the experience of Jesus.”
• “A deeper experience of the fellow human, as a brother.”
• “Mutual encouragement to virtuous living.”
• “Being gathered around the burning bush.”
• “The Pentecost room where flames appear upon one and then the other.”
• “God’s word speaks differently to each one.”
• “Unity in diversity, one body with many members.”
• “Resonating – after an hour together the word of God resonates for a whole week.”

Discipleship New Testament

This edition of the New Testament with additional materials for spiritual growth was prepared to serve various groups that read the Bible together, especially Ecclesia Bible sharing groups. In it, you will find 18 Thematic Journeys that cover the key topics of the Christian faith. Each Thematic Journey introduces you to a specific topic (faith, the teaching of Jesus, prayer, the Church, the Holy Spirit, being a disciple of Jesus, etc.). The commentary on the passages of each journey provides you with a key for reading the Bible texts.

An Ecclesia group usually chooses a Thematic Journey and follows the sequence of suggested passages during their meetings. Together, they deepen their understanding and practice of a particular topic as they listen to the Word of God and share how it speaks to them.

The Discipleship New Testament exists in two versions:

• Generic, which is using biblical terminology (like baptism, Lord’s supper etc.) and is useful for any church audience.
• Catholic, which is using catholic terminology (like the Sacrament of Baptism, the Sacrament of Eucharist etc.), which was designed by Catholics specifically for a Catholic audience.

The preparation of the English edition of the Discipleship New Testament is underway, the publication is expected by the end of 2026. You will be able to order it in the online store of the Bible Society of Slovenia.