DISCIPLE BIBLE STUDY

We have a DISCIPLE Bible Study in progress.  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 baptized, believing, committed Christians."  Include in your prayers the question if you are one of those people who should take such a step. 

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 ourselves in their cultural settings, 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 aims at transformation, not just information. 

DISCIPLE calls on persons to submit themselves to examination by Scripture, to put themselves under the power of God's word, and to be changed by God's word. DISCIPLE invites persons to bring their experiences and struggles to Scripture. All persons know something is amiss with their existence and yearn for a word from God. 

The program structure is a group of eight to twelve persons plus the leader. DISCIPLE requires commitment in terms of preparation, presence, and participation for all involved. 

The group member's commitment will include 1) three to four hours of independent study each week (at least thirty minutes daily) in preparation for the weekly study session and 2) attendance at and participation in an orientation session and all thirty-four of the weekly study sessions. 

DISCIPLE is based on the model of Jesus and the twelve disciples.  Pastors and laypersons are invited to study in small groups of twelve and should include potential leaders in their church who are persons with spiritual commitment, open minds, and a hunger for studying the Scripture.  The makeup of the group should include a mixture of present and potential leaders, a mixture of ages (for youth groups, tenth grade and up), serious inquirers who are not yet church members, singles and (where possible) couples in order for couples to grow together in their spiritual lives. 

This program is made available through The United Methodist church, but its emphasis is ecumenical that is, the Christian church rather than any sectarian emphasis. 

If interested, call (803) 356-5585