DISCIPLE Training Teams
A man stopped me in the hall, and I could see the passion in his eyes. He knew I was between worship services, and he didn't have much time to explain. "I have been in church all my life. I have heard the Bible stories. I am taking Disciple right now, and for the first time, I think I get it. I see the big picture. I see how things fit together. And I just love these people, these new friends… Just wanted to tell you that Disciple works.” I want each one of you to feel that you are starting to “get it.” I want you to have marvelous “aha moments,” and meet some friends that will last a lifetime. I know of no program that can help you do that more than Disciple Bible Study. If you haven’t done the Disciple program, I want you to. For your sake, and for the sake of God. - Tom Pace
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DISCIPLE Training Teams approach Bible Study through disciplined reading of and listening to Scripture. It results in Biblically nourished people committed to live as disciples following the Rule of Life. During the course, DISCIPLE groups move through the Scriptures while integrating their learning into their everyday lives. DISCIPLE aims at transformation, not just information.
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DISCIPLE is based on the model of Jesus and the Twelve: eight to twelve persons with spiritual commitment, open minds, and a hunger for the transformative power of scripture come together to study and hold one another accountable. DISCIPLE is an opportunity to reform and transform your life in Christ. Interested? Pray about leading, participating, or inviting a friend.
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Underlying the development of DISCIPLE is the assumption that people are hungry for the word of God, for fellowship in prayer and study, and for a sense of appropriate ministry as believing, committed Christians.
- DISCIPLE assumes that the Bible is the key to renewal in the church.
- DISCIPLE recognizes the human-divine nature of the Bible: The actual texts of Scripture were written by human beings like us in the cultural setting, under the divine inspiration of God.
- DISCIPLE gives Old and New Testaments equal time, emphasizing the wholeness of the Bible as the revelation of God.
- DISCIPLE invites persons to bring their experiences and struggles to God through Scripture.
DISCIPLE groups covenant together in terms of commitment of time, daily and weekly preparation, and attendance at all weekly sessions.
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DISCIPLE I: Becoming Disciples Through Bible Study
Disciple I is the foundation of the Disciple Bible Study program. During the course of 34 weeks, DISCIPLE study group moves through the biblical story from Creation of Genesis to the New Jerusalem of Revelations. The participants will read more than 70 percent of the Bible. The Scripture for each session follows the chronological movement of the biblical story. DISCIPLE aims at transformation, not just information. DISCIPLE study group meets weekly for 2 hours. DISCIPLE encourages persons to put themselves under the power of God's word and to be changed by God's word.
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DISCIPLE II: Into the Word into the World
The second study in the DISCIPLE program is intended for persons who have completed Disciple I. The Bible is the primary text. The study encourages persons to open themselves to hearing what God has to say to them through the Bible and to be guided into their particular ministry in the world by Scripture and their study of it. This 32-week study selects specific portions of the Scripture and goes deeper into them. In-depth study of Scripture will be the work of both individual members and in weekly study group. Equal attention is given to Old and New Testament. Concentration is on four books: Genesis, Exodus, Luke and Acts, with eight sessions for each book. Appropriate connections are made to other parts of Scripture both through reading and study assignments and through the commentary in the study manual.
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DISCIPLE III: Remember Who You Are
The third study in the DISCIPLE program is intended for persons who have completed DiscipleI. Resident in the title is the driving idea in this study--the connection between memory and identity as the people of God. The word You in the title is meant to be heard both in its singular form (the individual) and in its plural form (the community). We are a community of memory. Participants in this thirty-two-week study will read the major and minor Old Testament prophets, with the exception of Daniel, and will read the thirteen letters traditionally attributed to Paul. To establish the historical context in which the prophets spoke for God, daily reading assignments also draw on the books of Deuteronomy through Chronicles. Study of the prophets will follow their historical sequence rather than their biblical sequence. The dating of Paul’s letters influences the sequence of their study. Several themes weave their way through the study: the call to remember, the call to repentance, the need for renewed vision (eyes to see, ears to hear), and the place of community.
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Disciple IV: Under the Tree of Life
Participants focus on writings in both the Old Testament (Ruth, 1 and 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiates, Song of Solomon, Lamentations, and Daniel) and New Testament (John, 1, 2, 3 John, James, Jude, and Revelation). Disciple IV emphasizes the ideas of being tested, refined, and moving into spiritual maturity.
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Jesus in the Gospels invites believers to look at Jesus in each of the four Gospels and ask the question, "Who is the Jesus that you see?" This study will deepen discipleship through better understanding of the biblical texts and their message. Two questions frame this study: "Who is the Jesus you bring with you to this study?" and "Who is the Jesus you take with you from this study?" The study takes participants on a journey from one question to the other. This study looks at the way each Gospel writer presents events and teachings and at the picture of Jesus that emerges in each of the Gospels. In the course of the thirty weeks, participants will read the four Gospels and considerable amounts of Scripture from other parts of the Bible.
Need more information?
For information about upcoming Disciple Bible Study classes, contact at 713-402-5034. Classes will begin in September. The fee is $40 per course. Confidential scholarships are available for all Adult Ministries programs. Childcare is usually available with advanced reservation.
