Imagine some of the 12 disciples meeting somewhere in the years after Jesus’ resurrection. They may have gathered around the fire and remembered what it was like to be with Him. They would have told the stories they remembered. It is possible that from such friendly recollections the gospels were assembled. 

The “Jesus Circle” is a storytelling experience where we get together and tell the stories as the disciples did. Participants are not to read from their Bibles. They are to tell stories as they remember them.

Here’s how a Jesus Circle works in a gathering of the Summit Fellowships: 

The room is dimly lit. The group is seated in a rough circle. In the midst, there is a table, perhaps a coffee table, set with two candles, bread and a cup of wine.  First, a facilitator reads, recites or shares an introduction for the evening, including a summary of the fall of humanity and God’s promise to restore the fallen by the giving of “the Seed.”

Prologue (Facilitator)  

 In the beginning the Creator made all things. He created in more than one dimension. One dimension was infinite and eternal.  We call it heaven. He made a dimension bounded by time and space, which we call Earth. And the Creator made creatures unique to each dimension. The creatures of heaven we call angels, the creatures native to time and space we call human beings. And thus the Creator was like a Father, having made the two races to live in partnership with one another and in submission to Him.

But he also made them free and it happened, as it often does among free beings, that some thought to rise above their equals and a rebellion broke out in heaven that spilled over into time and space. And so it was that human beings turned from their Father-Creator and wed themselves to lesser creatures. Thus began the times of darkness.

The Father’s heart was broken…and he vowed from his broken heart that one day, no matter the cost, he would reconcile all things to himself, things in heaven and on earth. He announced that he would send the seed to bear His fullness into time and space. The seed was born of a woman. He lived among us. We know the seed. His name is “Jesus.”

As in all seeds, in him was life and that life is the light of all humanity.

Candles are kindled as someone speaks something like:

• [Candle one] It was said of Jesus, “In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness cannot overpower it.” [John 1:4-5]
• [Candle two] Jesus said, “I am the light of the world; he who follows Me shall not walk in the darkness, but shall have the light of life.” [John 8:12] 

There is now open participation. Everything spoken between the kindling of the candles and the extinguishing of them must be about Jesus. Someone might share the gospel message by recounting one of His parables or by recounting stories from the Lord’s life and ministry. Songs may be song that tell the story. There may be personal testimonies of encounters with Him. But, anything spoken should be able to be preceded with either, “Jesus said,” or with, “This is what Jesus did” or with, “it is said of Jesus” unless it is a prayer in response to what has just been shared. Prayers should be specific, personal, and prayed as a direct response to something that Jesus did or said or is written of Him. Songs start as brethren are moved to start them. This is not a time for “teaching” but for simply remembering the story.

Silences are expected, even welcomed.

This is done until it seems appropriate to tell about the night the Lord was betrayed. That’s when the story closes with the sharing of the Lord’s Table.

Before the bread is shared read 1 Cor 11:23-24:

• “For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus in the night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it, and said, “This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me.”

Then, preceding the cup read 1 Cor 11:25-26:

• “In the same way He took the cup also, after supper, saying, This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.”

To finish the Lord’s Table read John 14:1-3.

• Jesus said, “Let not your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.

The facilitator recounts the resurrection, the Lord’s promised return and the coming of the Spirit.

Sing a song of Jesus, perhaps The Lord’s Prayer or a song that speaks of going into the world

Epilogue (Facilitator) 

[After the bread and cup]

On the cross, Jesus, the seed, crushed the rebellion of heaven and earth by taking the sins of the rebellious race upon himself. Three days later his resurrection demonstrated his power over wickedness and the Father’s victory over the rebellion that had separated his beloved creation from him. Later, Jesus ascended into heaven having given this promise: “I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.”

In the mean time he sent his Spirit to be in and among his followers. He did not leave us as orphans.

And so we wait, bearing the light of the Spirit until He comes. Jesus said,

Symbolize the passing of the light of Christ to everyone by extinguishing the candles one at a time and saying,

• [Candle one] Jesus said, “you are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.”
• [Candle two] Jesus said, “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”