Bible Studies

The Three Thirds Meeting Format

by Rick Gregory 
12/22/24
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I talked with an old friend in Indiana this morning. Tony was one of the faithful Navy guys from our old Fishermen ministry. He has been a good friend for over 40 years! While stationed aboard the USS Merrill (a Spruance Class Destroyer), He, Bruce, Gary, and Bill gifted me with what the Navy calls a Tiger Cruise from Pearl Harbor to San Diego! It was an experience I’ll never forget! I experienced life aboard one of the United States’ magnificent destroyers, escorting a floating city (aircraft carrier). I slept three decks down in a bunk barely wide enough for me — wedged between the bunk above and the one below. During this particular 5-day transit from Pearl Harbor, we encountered quartering seas, which required us to literally strap ourselves in our bunks so we didn’t roll out.  Fortunately, I did NOT get sick!

During our discussion, Tony and I touched on discipleship, ministry, and how the Lord has been working in our lives. We began tugging together on a thread about how  he and some of the guys in his church might consider a slightly different way of “doing church.” It’s actually more like a home fellowship or “life group.” My intent was to stir Tony’s imagination to wonder about how the early church - like in the Book of Acts - might have experienced walking together in Community with the Lord at the center.

I was recently exposed to the NoPlaceLeft (NPL) network (within the last year), where I learned about and experienced what they call the 3/3 meeting format. It’s a simple format and easy to replicate.

While we were talking, Tony “googled” the 3/3 meeting process. As he scanned the information, he thought it might be good for the men’s group at his church. I suggested we might start with a couple weeks’ worth of pilot meetings where I could MAWL for him (click here for a 12-minute MAWL video by Curtis Sergeant)  what it looks like and how he (or his pastor) can then take it from there and run with it.

The first 1/3 is geared toward "looking back" and reflecting on what went well since the last gathering. It’s a time of fellowship and connection. This time often includes a meal shared together, where we ask questions like, “What were the highlights of the past week?  Were there “lows” as well, and if so, what did those look like?”

Within this first third, there’s also a time of “loving accountability.” Did the participants complete what they felt God was asking them to do from the previous Bible teaching? What went wrong? How might they do it differently? If they didn’t do what they said they were going to do, how can they be encouraged to move forward?

The second 1/3 is the “looking up” portion of the meeting. This is the time we focus on “fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith . . .” (Heb 12:2). It is a time of worship and for looking at what God might have to say to us in today’s Scripture passage or story. It’s also a time when we might observe Communion together. When we first begin the 3/3 meetings, we often start with the seven Commands of Christ, covering one of the seven Commands at each gathering.

This part of the meeting follows the same principles as those practiced in Discovery Bible Studies (DBS). Again, the intent here is to utilize a format that is easily taught so that anyone and everyone can reproduce it. Even brand-new believers can facilitate this part of the discussion because there isn’t an “authority” on what’s being learned. Truths are not being “taught.” Instead, lessons from the Scriptures are being discovered together by all the participants. 

Once a Command has been selected, we follow this protocol:

• Read the Command


• Tell (or read) the story


• Re-tell the story together. This is where you close your Bibles and, as a group, retell as much as you can remember of the story, leaving nothing out — and adding nothing to the story. 


• Read the story aloud


• Practice telling the story to one another (generally in small groups of 2 or 3) until each participant has a good grasp of the story. 


• Back in the larger group, ask questions of the story following the “Sword Method” of exploring the Scripture




• What does this story teach us about God?


• What does this story teach us about people (ourselves)?


• Is there a sin to avoid?


• Is there a promise to keep?


• Is there an example to follow?


• Is there a command to obey?




• Maintain Scriptural integrity




• If someone adds to or changes the story, ask, “Where do you see that in the story?” or “How does THIS STORY teach that?”

The last 1/3 of the meeting is focused on “looking forward.” This is where we reflect on how God has spoken to us during the time of Scripture discovery. As we have followed the “sword method” of Scripture study, there is generally a time when the Lord speaks to us through His Word. Once we’ve settled (individually) on which portion of the scriptures we plan to obey, we set goals for how we’re going to accomplish the specific obedience to which we will commit ourselves. These goals need to be distinct and measurable. For example, instead of “I’m going to read my Bible more this week,” try, “This week, I’m going to read at least two chapters per day.” Or instead of, “I’m going to share my faith more,” say, “I’m going to share the gospel at least [X] times this week.” 

Another part of the obedience we’re learning to follow (discipleship!) is sharing with others what we learn from the Scriptures. At this point, we share with the group the name of the person we’re going to tell today’s story. Because we took time to practice the story, we’ll be far more confident in committing to tell it again. Then we pray, commission one another, and adjourn! 

Let me know what you think of this. Would you like to learn how to utilize a three-thirds meeting format? Let’s talk!