Develop a Discipleship System
Fellowship – Snacks or a Meal (10 minutes with snacks; longer, obviously, if there is a meal).
Gathering Time (5-10 minutes). In pairs or groups of three, ask participants, “What comes to mind when you hear the word ‘journey’?”
Group Dialogue (Approximately 30 minutes). Read Exodus 1:8-2:10 and Matthew 16:13-20.
“When she could hide him no longer she got a papyrus basket for him, and plastered it with bitumen and pitch; she put the child in it and placed it among the reeds on the bank of the river” (Ex 2:3).
- What might Moses’s mother have thought Baby Moses’s journey would be when she hid him in a basket on the river?
- Pharaoh's daughter found Moses and decided to adopt him. Moses grew up as a prince and later delivered his people from Egypt. Moses’s life could have ended in the river, yet he became one of the most significant leaders in the Bible, What might you learn from the story of Moses for your journey?
“Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, ‘Who do people say that the Son of Man is?’” (Mathew 16:13) The region of Caesarea Philippi (northeast of the Sea of Galilee) was a pagan city known for various gods and idols. Some say it was important for Jesus to hear his disciples claim who he was to separate him from false gods and idols. In our world today, some people seem to “worship” money, sports, and clothes more than Jesus. How have you experienced this?
“Jesus said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Simon Peter answered, ‘You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God’" (Matthew 16:15-16). Who do you say Jesus is? [Savior, Redeemer, Bread of Life, Lord, Prince of Peace, Friend, Son of God, Alpha and Omega, Prophet, Teacher, Master, Shephard.] What do those names mean to you?
The Preaching Notes for August 27 say:
“Maybe for us, it could mean what St. Francis of Assisi is reported to have said: “Preach always; use words if necessary.” Maybe Jesus’ stern warning to us is to not be casual with his name. Don’t tell unless you are willing to live. Don’t announce if you can’t reflect. Don’t bear witness with your words if your habits won’t witness to him too.”
What might it look like to “Preach always; use words if necessary” for you? Are there things you could do to proclaim his name?
Imagine holding a ticket for transportation (bus, train, airplane, etc.) for somewhere God wants us to go. What spiritual journey does God want us to take? What is your first step this week to being closer to your spiritual destination?
Prayer (10 minutes). Share prayer requests and respond appropriately.
Sending Forth (2 minutes). End with the Apostle’s Creed (Ecumenical Version – United Methodist Hymnal, 882), a prayer, or the Lord’s Prayer:
I believe in God, the Father Almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic (or universal) church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
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Does your church have an international discipleship path?
We at Discipleship Ministries invite each congregation and worshiping community to develop an intentional discipleship plan in their local context. There are resources and mentors that you can access on our website to help you develop and implement your plan. Please call upon us to help you if you have not already begun such a journey (https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/discipleship-system-example).
Rev. Motoe Yamada Foor, Director of Adult Discipleship, served in local churches for twenty years. She is passionate about moving churches toward a more missional and spiritual focus so that they can make more disciples of Jesus Christ. She has a wealth of experience at various organizational levels of The United Methodist Church and in ecumenical organizations such as the World Council of Churches (WCC). She also enjoys serving as a coach to help people grow as disciples.
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