3–5 Friends Going Deep with one another
Discover, Nurture, and Apply (DNA)
Grow close. Go deep. Become like Jesus.
DNA groups are 3-to-4 friends of the same gender who help each other live out what it means to follow Jesus through the messy stuff and struggles of life.
It’s a place where you can be truly known, truly loved, and truly challenged to practice the way of Jesus.
If you’re interested in joining a DNA, the most common way is through your Crossing Community. However, if you’re struggling to plug in that way, let us know below!
DNA Mini guide
To guide your DNA through the process of connecting with God and one another, we created this DNA mini guide. Each section is short enough to read quickly and easily.
Toward the end, you will find the DNA Rules of Engagement. These are tips for how to have a successful DNA gathering.
Click the cover page to access the full DNA Guide.
DNA Resources
The Eden Project
Former Elder at The Crossing, Chuck Gschwend is now a part of The Eden Project. Their entire mission is to create healthy communities where we can connect deeply with God and one another. You can find excellent articles on many of the topics related to DNAs on their page, as well as links to many great podcasts they produce.
The art of listening well
In September 2024, Rusty Langford led a DNA workshop with us. He shared about how to listen well. How to listen to God while others share. How to ask good questions to help ourselves and one another discover even more beneath the surface. He also brought a new way of engaging with one another during the DNA gathering.
How to tell your story and honor others stories
In July 2023, Abe Mysenburg led a DNA workshop with us. One of his primary resources he provided was the document below, which gives you solid instructions for how to tell your story, followed by how to honor other people’s stories as well.
oarbed
To be a DNA Member is to be held accountable to certain personal expectations, which are summed up in the acronym OARBED. In the document below, DNA group members are graciously encouraged to live “above the line.” When we live “below the line,” we are following the way of death and playing the victim.