Together in Love is written to help those considering starting a Branch Group in their congregation. (Branches is the name given to CD groups for youth.) Using the metaphor of the vine and branches, Sutherland describes Christ as the solid vine that uplifts us, gives us sustenance, and defines our relationship to the earth. For youth seeking a sense of belonging and acceptance, it is comforting to hear that Christ is not merely present in our lives; we are connected to him as branches to the Vine.

Branch groups follow the same General Rule of Discipleship as adult CD groups, focusing on acts of worship, devotion, compassion, and justice. But youth groups must be modified to meet the specific needs of these age levels, e.g. (generally), fewer participants in a group, age-specific groups, shorter meeting periods, shorter term commitments, transportation. (College groups are often campus ministry groups whose leaders are staff members.)

The primary formats of a Youth (Branch) CD are independent, integrated, and continuation groups. Adult leaders participate fully as members but also monitor, facilitate, and model mutual accountability and good discipleship. Youth need to understand that discipleship is a life-long journey and that the struggle to be faithful disciples does not stop at adulthood. Sutherland focuses on the importance of a support network of family members, peer groups, and adults within the congregation. And he recommends integrating Branches into the church's life through commissioning and Covenant Sunday services and other occasions.

Detailed information is given related to starting/maintaining a group, adapting format to age level, selecting leaders, writing/ using covenants, and holding weekly meetings.

A resource list and reproducible handouts are provided in Part 4. They include sample clauses and covenants, sample forms for parents to sign pledging their support, a dedication service, and evaluation forms for members, leaders, and parents to complete periodically. Sutherland encourages narrative statements from members expressing in their own words what the group has meant to them.

Dr. David C. Sutherland, Associate Professor of Mathematics at Hendrix College, Conway, AR, has led Youth Covenant Discipleship Groups in churches in Arkansas and Tennessee. He currently leads CD groups at Hendrix.