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Life long discipleship response by Debbie

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Life long discipleship response by Debbie

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Hi Mary, I like your overview of discipleship and mentoring others. I agree with the life long commitment of discipleship and studying the Bible an integral part. The more you read and gain insight the more it speaks out to you. I wonder though what it is like for someone very new to church, a young person with no door ever opened to God or Jesus. It’s your early days and your hearing fragmented parts of chapter of a book. Some one at work once told me their only exposure was a harvest festival at school to the black eyed peas. I was fortunate to have gone to Sunday school and a Methodist primary so knowing God has been for as long as I can remember. Children’s Bible stories sew great seeds. As disciples can we take ourselves right back.

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Hi Mary, I like your overview of discipleship and mentoring others. I agree with the life long commitment of discipleship and studying the Bible an integral part. The more you read and gain insight the more it speaks out to you. I wonder though what it is like for someone very new to church, a young person with no door ever opened to God or Jesus. It’s your early days and your hearing fragmented parts of chapter of a book. Some one at work once told me their only exposure was a harvest festival at school to the black eyed peas. I was fortunate to have gone to Sunday school and a Methodist primary so knowing God has been for as long as I can remember. Children’s Bible stories sew great seeds. As disciples can we take ourselves right back.

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Debbie -I am just reflecting Sundays Gospel reading Matthew 28.1-10 and a theme of turning up, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. They could have stayed away, grieving but they went and shared the experience. I've also started reading Rowan Williams Being disciples and it starts with a theme of staying. Combined these two becomes turning up and staying, and I think this is what discipleship is about. Its not just something you diary and turn up to do because God calls us to stay too. In distractions of busy lives, continuing main stream work, family, supporting a church in vacancy it leads you to ask am I turning up and staying in the way God is calling or do I fall into dipping in and out because of distractions. And the fact I ask this of myself reassures me yes I am turning up and staying, reflecting and pondering is part of discipleship. How discipleship looks today may differ from our Christian history, in terms of buildings, commitment, society changes.

This is my starter on Padlet. I wondered why discipleship at the end of our theological studies and not the beginning but actually its the learning we have experienced that helps to see and know discipleship deeper. Risks and all.....................

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The ways I have encountered the term ‘Discipleship’ or similar:

In my current context our mission statement is ‘To know Jesus and to make Jesus known’. While this does not specifically mention the word disciple it, nevertheless, implies that our purpose is to be, and foster new, disciples.

A Discipleship ‘sub’ Group has been set up within the PCC which is closely linked with outreach

In previous/other contexts:

First and foremost, within Scripture.

In previous training courses such as Pathways and Chad.

Introductory courses exploring the basics of the Christian faith such as Alpha, Start and Pilgrim.

My current understanding of what it means to be a Christian disciple:

It is a lifelong commitment:

·       To follow Jesus and go wherever He leads.

·       To constantly strive to know Jesus more deeply and intimately and to be transformed more into His likeness every passing day.

·       To be a perpetual student of the Lord and never stop learning from His example.

·       To teach others and encourage them in their faith and to pass on any wisdom and knowledge acquired through prayer, contemplation and diligent study.

·       To pray continuously

·       To never give up.

How this shapes my actions and practical outworking of my faith

·       I am most passionate about studying and researching the Bible in great depth and passing on any insights that God has given to me via sermons and worship services.  I believe this is my main purpose and I hope that my passion and enthusiasm shines through.

·       I also love to mentor others in the faith and, as a member of the Discipleship Group, I have led classes for those who are preparing for confirmation or who just have a desire to learn more about Jesus.

·       I have a desire to take church out to the community and, while I don’t yet know where God is leading me, I am excited to find out.

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