Banding
A community of disciples dedicated to practicing the way of Jesus, together.
Where you belong shapes who you become.
A band is an intentionally small group of three to four women or men committed to a rule of life, who meet weekly (or bi-weekly) to engage in transformational questions and to pray for one another. Banding is one of the ways that we experience connection and practice community at Eden.
When we connect with people who are committed to following Jesus, we set ourselves up for the support and encouragement we need to belong in our faith.
It’s often been said “if you want to go fast, go alone; but if you want to go far, go together.” So we find that spiritual growth is as close as a few other people who are willing to band together.
Make this your common practice: confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you can live together whole and healed. The prayer of a person living right with God is something powerful to be reckoned with.
James 5.16 (MSG)
Band meeting Format
Start with an Opening Prayer
Ask these questions weekly
How is it with your soul? (use the Feelings List)
How might the Scriptures and Spirit be speaking in your life?
What stuck out to you from the Sunday teaching? What are you processing?
How’s it been going with this week’s practice(s)? Have you found it enjoyable? Challenging?
Do you have any sin to confess? Is there anything you desire to keep secret?
Ask these questions monthly
In your rule of life, how’s it going living into Eden’s 9 core practices? Where are you seeing resistance or delight?
What other practices are you doing to care for yourself holistically (mental/ emotional health, stewarding your body, etc.)?
End with a Closing Prayer
Banding Resources
Four Layers of Sin
Discover the deeper layers of sin that conspire against us and hold us back from maturity in our spiritual journey
Band Evaluation Guide
Learn to evaluate your band in healthy ways. We would suggest referring to this resource after each banding season.
Spiritual Health Reflection
A self-assessment tool to help you gauge who you are becoming in Christ. Complete before the first meeting of every new band season.
Rule of Life
A rule of life is how we practice the way of Jesus together. We suggest creating/ modifying your rule of life after you discuss the Spiritual Health Reflection.