Unlocking the Characteristics of a Disciple Toward Transformation
Delve into the very essence of discipleship as you explore the attributes and traits of a true disciple of Jesus Christ. Reflect on the mission of the church and consider practical steps to align ministries with the goal of making disciples. Dive into Scripture, engage in discussions, and ponder on what it truly means to be a disciple.
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Presentation Transcript
towards Making Disciples of Jesus Christ for the Transformation of the World! Step 2: What is a Disciple?
Lets recap our time together in November: Step 1: Know Your Why! The Mission of the United Methodist Church is To make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. How do we see that happening in our churches? Do our church s ministries align with the overall mission of making disciples? What would we need to change in our churches to make this alignment possible?
Take home questions: What do we do? How much of what we do reflects our overall mission? What would need to change in your church to move it from a church that does things to a church that makes disciples? Why do we share our faith? What do we have(as a church) that others might need?
Please take time to review and discuss the answers to the 5 questions. Restart the video after you have completed reviewing them. What do we do? How much of what we do reflects our overall mission? What would need to change in your church to move it from a church that does things to a church that makes disciples? Why do we share our faith? What do we have(as a church) that others might need?
What is a Disciple Come up with one or more characteristics for each letter of the word DISCIPLE . D - I - S - C - I - P - L - E -
What is a Disciple? Diving deeper into Scripture exercise Refer to the handout with scripture texts. Print out so all have a copy. Each person take one passage. Read your scripture to yourself. Underline, circle, etc. what you read as a characteristic(s)of a disciple After you have done your reflection, each person share with your group any characteristics of a disciple you find based on your assigned text. Use newsprint or other method to write them down so all can see.
Digging Deeper. Drawing Out Questions to ponder: What are the Characteristics of a Disciple? How do we know if someone is a disciple? What traits or characteristics do they exhibit?
A disciple is a witness to Jesus Christ in the world who follows His teachings through acts of compassion, justice, worship, and devotion under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. (General Rule of Discipleship, Book of Discipline) A disciple is one who knows Christ, is growing in Christ, serving Christ, and sharing Christ. (See All the People, Dotson, p.26)
Digging Deeper. Drawing Out Questions for reflection and discussion 1. What is your vision of being a disciple? 2. Who do you think of when you think of a disciple? 3. Who is that one person in your life who was Jesus to you? Why? 4. What makes them a disciple in your eyes? Pause the video when the presenter stops and do your own reflection on these questions.
Digging Deeper. Drawing Out Now share your responses with the whole group, listing the answers where everyone can see them. 1. What is your vision of being a disciple? 2. Who do you think of when you think of a disciple? 3. Who is that one person in your life who was Jesus to you? Why? 4. What makes them a disciple in your eyes? Pause the video. Restart after you have shared together.
Then prioritize in your group the most important 5-6 traits from your list from reflections and sharing. (You can write down your group s suggestions on the newsprint so all can see the suggestions. Leave room at the bottom to list separately your top 5 or 6.) If stuck, use 5 different colored dots or markers. You will need a different color for each person. Give each person in the group a color (dot or marker) and let them place the dot or make a colored mark by the 5 or 6 traits they consider to be most critical. If using marker, they only get 5 marks. If dots, each only has 5 dots to use. When completed, see which has the most dots. Discuss whether these results are good primary characteristics of a disciple.
Some questions to help you think about this: How do we know what a mature disciple is? Do we recognize others by these traits? Do we recognize ourselves in these traits? Where am I in my life in developing these characteristics of a disciple of Jesus Christ? How might each of us grow in our own discipleship?
For Take Home For your leadership group, pastor, and chosen persons from the congregation: Take them through the acrostic, scripture identification and sharing exercise. Then ask them the 4 questions on the sheet for reflection: (What is your vision of being a disciple? Who do you think of when you think of a disciple? Who is that one person in your life who was Jesus to you? Why? What makes them a disciple in your eyes? ) Then invite them to finish the next section by choosing the 5 6 primary characteristics of a disciple.
An Intentional Discipleship Plan Will Include Recognition that we are All At Different Stages. Let s start with 3 for now: Mature Characteristic New/Exploring Growing Characteristic 1 Characteristic 2 Characteristic 3 Characteristic 4 Characteristic 5
