Forming Intentional Disciples
Forming Intentional Disciples

Author: Sherry A. Weddell

Publisher: Our Sunday Visitor

Published: 2015-11-30

Total Pages: 179

ISBN-13: 1612789439

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How can we transmit a living, personal Catholic faith to future generations? By coming to know Jesus Christ, and following him as his disciples. These are times of immense challenge and immense opportunity for the Catholic Church. Consider these statistics for the United States. Only 30 percent of Americans who were raised Catholic are still practicing. Fully 10 percent of all adults in America are ex-Catholics. The number of marriages celebrated in the Church decreased dramatically, by nearly 60 percent, between 1972 and 2010. Only 60 percent of Catholics believe in a personal God. If the Church is to reverse these trends, the evangelizers must first be evangelized-in other words, Catholics-in-the-pew must make a conscious choice to know and follow Jesus before they can draw others to him. This work of discipleship lies at the heart of Forming Intentional Disciples, a book designed to help Church leaders, parish staff and all Catholics transform parish life from within. Drawing upon her fifteen years of experience with the Catherine of Siena Institute, Sherry Weddell leads readers through steps that will help Catholics enter more deeply into a relationship with God and the river of apostolic creativity, charisms, and vocation that flow from that relationship for the sake of the Church and the world. Learn about the five thresholds of postmodern conversion, how to open a conversation about faith and belief, how to ask thought-provoking questions and establish an atmosphere of trust, when to tell the Great Story of Jesus, how to help someone respond to God's call to intentional discipleship, and much more. And be prepared for conversion because when life at the parish level changes, the life of the whole Church will change.

No Silver Bullets
No Silver Bullets

Author: Daniel Im

Publisher: B&H Publishing Group

Published: 2017-09-01

Total Pages: 168

ISBN-13: 1433651556

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What if I told you that you were only one step away from unlocking new levels of maturity and growth in your church? The myth of the silver bullet still exists because we desperately want it to. We all prefer quick fixes and bandage solutions to the long, hard, slow work that produces real change. So the moment we learn about a new ministry or strategy and see its effect in another church, we run to implement it in our own. Unfortunately, this impulse is usually met by opposition, skepticism, and ultimately, rejection. What if the solution isn't a new model or a complicated strategy, but a shift in perspective? What if you could keep your church's current vision, values, and model, and simply make a few micro-shifts...leading to macro-changes? This book explores five micro-shifts that have the potential to produce macro-changes in your church. As you read, you will discover how to integrate these micro-shifts into the life of your church, starting with the way you disciple. You will finish by developing a plan to structure, communicate, and evaluate these changes to ensure that they take root and pave the way for lasting change and kingdom impact.

Gospel Discipleship Congregation Guide
Gospel Discipleship Congregation Guide

Author: Michelle J. Morris

Publisher: Abingdon Press

Published: 2020-03-31

Total Pages: 142

ISBN-13: 1501899082

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Each congregation has a unique mission field. Several tools for developing disciples and for engaging in discipleship are available to churches; however, the resources assume that the churches using them are similar to the church that created them. With Gospel Discipleship, individuals and churches learn how to engage in self-reflection, which then defines a path that fits their context. The discipleship path for each individual disciple is assessed and determined through the Gospel Discipleship Participant Guide while this Gospel Discipleship Congregation Guide guides the implemntation of the program and assesses the discipleship path for the congregation as a whole. Therefore, the program leader(s) needs the congregation guide while individual particpants need their own participant guide. With Gospel Discipleship, churches can identify a pathway for discipleship applied from one of the four Gospel storytellers: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Each had a distinct approach to discipleship which can be applied to a given church's identity, vision, and mission. As disciples are encouraged by the church to step beyond the door and engage the needs of people, they can be sent forth confidently with an awareness of personal, unique gifts, and insights into the actual mission field where they participate with God in changing the world.

The Way - Bible Study Book
The Way - Bible Study Book

Author: Lifeway Adults

Publisher: Lifeway Church Resources

Published: 2015-07

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 9781430036517

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Examine five crucial elements of discipleship based on Jesus' ministry.

The Pathway To Discipleship
The Pathway To Discipleship

Author: Johnny Hunt

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Published: 2012-10-29

Total Pages: 306

ISBN-13: 1400321298

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Begin and end each day focused on the presence of God. Whether starting out the day or winding down for the night, staying connected to the presence and work of God is the most important thing a believer can do. The Pathway to Discipleship is a perfect resource for men and women alike for daily devotions and prayer. It is the third book in the bestselling devotional prayer book series. After an introduction by Johnny Hunt (former Southern Baptist Convention president), each of the 51 contributing pastors and evangelists share a week’s worth of devotions and prayers, all centering around discipleship and the way an active and vibrant Christian is to live. Each week includes a prayer journal page with writing/prayer prompts. The handsome leatherflex design is beautiful for any desk or nightstand, keeping the precious time spent with the Savior as close as one’s fingertips.

A Disciple's Path Daily Workbook
A Disciple's Path Daily Workbook

Author: James A. Harnish

Publisher: Abingdon Press

Published: 2012-02-01

Total Pages: 129

ISBN-13: 1426758545

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A Disciple’s Path is an engaging approach to discipleship from a distinctly Wesleyan perspective. Whether used as an introduction for new members or a renewal course for existing members, the program guides individuals to take the next step in discipleship and become dynamic, engaged followers of Jesus Christ. The study combines a Wesleyan understanding of our growth in God’s love and grace with the time-tested practices of spiritual discipline expressed in the membership vows to uphold the church with our prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness. Participants will develop spiritual practices, discover their unique gifts, and become engaged in ministry that brings transformation in their own lives, the lives of others, and the world. This Daily Workbook contains six weeks of daily readings (five per week) that guide participants in learning and practicing seven essential spiritual disciplines: Prayer Scripture Meditation Corporate Worship Small-group Community Financial Generosity Gifts-based Service Invitational Evangelism Each day’s reading includes a Scripture, a message for the day, questions and prompts for personal reflection (with space provided for recording responses), and prayer. A special introductory section includes material on the history, beliefs, and structure of the church and answers to frequently asked questions. “Whether you’re just setting out or are further along the path of discipleship, this excellent resource will help you to take the next step.” —Roger Scholtz, Senior Pastor, Manning Road Methodist Church, Durban, South Africa “A Disciple’s Path has the potential to revolutionize the way we view our participation in the church. Following this ‘path’ can transform us from wanderers into pilgrims.” —Dr. Steve Harper, Professor of Spiritual Formation, Asbury Theological Seminary

A Disciple's Path Daily Workbook
A Disciple's Path Daily Workbook

Author: Justin LaRosa

Publisher: Abingdon Press

Published: 2018-06-05

Total Pages: 278

ISBN-13: 1501858130

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Prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness…this is what we commit to when we become members of The United Methodist Church, and it’s a big step. But A Disciple’s Path helps us look beyond membership, presenting an engaging approach to discipleship from a distinctly Wesleyan perspective. Discipleship is ongoing, so the 6-week study is perfect for new-member groups, but also works well in small groups of long-time members. It helps you develop spiritual practices, discover your unique gifts, and engage in ministry that brings transformation to your own life and to the lives of others and the world. The Daily Workbook offers six weeks of daily readings (five per week), Scripture, a message for the day, and prompts for personal reflection. Endorsements “A Disciple’s Path has transformed countless new members into deeply committed disciples – people who are using their gifts, praying in new ways, worshipping regularly and not only when it’s convenient, giving sacrificially of their financial resources, and seeking to be a witness to Christ’s love and light in the world. I am deeply grateful for this resource and recommend it wholeheartedly." Donna Claycomb Sokol, Pastor of Mount Veron Place United Methodist Church and author of A New Day in the City “A Disciple’s Path has the potential to revolutionize the way we view our participation in the church. Following this ‘path’ can transform us from wanderers into pilgrims.” —Dr. Steve Harper, Retired Professor of Spiritual Formation; author of Five Marks of a Methodist and Devotional Life in the Wesleyan Tradition “For churches transforming their invitation to membership into an opportunity for a discipleship journey.” — Lovett H. Weems, Jr., author and Distinguished Professor of Church Leadership and Director, Lewis Center for Church Leadership, Wesley Theological Seminary “A very useful explanation of the traditional Wesleyan view of Christian discipleship, strengthened in particular by its stress on the balanced approach of the Methodist way.” —Dr. Richard P. Heitzenrater, Duke University Divinity School