Core Discipleship Course

Facilitators Manual

Definitions
What is a Disciple? At Southport UMC, we define a disciple as someone who has made a commitment to follow Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. This relationship is lived out by a continued commitment to Connect to God in Jesus Christ, Grow in our faith in Jesus Christ, Serve in our world for Jesus Christ, and Give prayerfully and proportionally. What is Core Discipleship Course? Core discipleship is a small group exercise designed help those involved (including the convener) continue to journey in their walk of faith. This is done with a serious emphasis on each individuals commitment to Connect, Grow, Serve and Give. In this course we will discuss the basic core values of our faith and explore what these theological foundations mean for our life with the expressed hope that this experience will jump start our commitment to follow Jesus Christ no matter where we are on our journey of faith. What are the expected outcomes? It is hoped that by the end of this course that those involved would have a greater understanding of what it means to Connect, Grow, Serve, and Give as a reflection of an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ.

Things to know
Group Dynamics It is important that the group be a place that fosters accountability, belonging, and care. In order to do this it is crucial to set ground rules at the beginning of each meeting. These rules should include: 1. Group participation is essential. a. Everyone should attend every meeting. This course covers a lot of material and because the program builds one week to the next, it can create an unhealthy group dynamic when members are missing. So everyone should attend every session unless there is an emergency. b. Let everyone have a chance to talk. Everyone in the group should share. There is not one definitive answer to any question in this exercise. The exercise is dependent on the group sharing and growing together. 2. Establish that the group is a safe place to share. a. All things said in the confidence of this group are confidential. This will be a much deeper experience if all people feel free to openly share their innermost thoughts and feelings. b. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion and we should respect that. So make sure the group does not look down on or offend the personal beliefs of another person. All members of this group are to respect one another at all times. Special Note Pastor Chris and Pastor Mark will say to pause the DVD in the videos. You will not have to pause the DVD. After each section the DVD will go back to the session menu.

Core Discipleship Group Leaders and Facilitators:

Thank you for the guidance and direction you are giving to your small groups. I hope the following information will assist you in creating successful Equipping Ministry sessions. In Session One after your discussion of the Pastors teaching, please allow at least 30-45 minutes to discuss the Equipping Ministry information and to complete the assessments. Every person will have an envelope for ministry discovery. Please have them take the papers from their envelope and together read through the introductory letter and Equipping/Ministry Discovery sheet. The rest of the time can be spent on completing the Personal Information Form, My Skills and Talents to Serve survey, and the two assessments (Fivefold Ministry Role and Spiritual Gifts.) Encourage everyone to respond to questions on the assessments with their first thought and not to over-think any question. After the forms are completed, please instruct everyone to put all papers in their envelope. Have the participant put their name on the outside of their envelope. Collect the envelopes and return them to the church office as soon as possible. Scoring will be done and envelopes returned to you for handout at session three. The SERVE Ministries brochure will be added to each envelope for session three.

In Session Three you will have an opportunity to discuss the results. Each persons envelope will have a form with their name and results of their Fivefold Ministry Role and Spiritual Gifts. (The original forms are kept in the church office for results to be added to the church data base.) Please take time to refer to the listing of Spiritual Gifts and a page with brief descriptions of each Ministry Role and discuss as you have time. Each envelope will also include a Ministry Discovery Request form for those who are ready to meet with a Ministry Guide and discuss their results in more detail. This may be filled out at any point and either given to you or returned to the church office when they are ready. A SERVE Ministries brochure is included with brief descriptions of ministries available in which to serve. There is a back page tear off which can be returned to the church office at any time.

On the back of this sheet you will find additional information on Equipping Ministry. Use this as needed to guide discussion. Sherry Davis

What is Equipping Ministry and Why SUMC is an Equipping Church

An Equipping church is: A church where Pastors and Leaders encourage and enable each of us to share in ministry Where we learn the joy of serving as God has gifted us Where we use our God-given gifts, talents, and life experiences to serve in ministries in the church and community A church that does not fill slots or looks for a warm body but invites us to serve in the ways we are gifted A church that encourages growth of existing and new ministries which serve others in the name of Jesus Dedicated to the discipleship of all people, seeing each of us gifted by God and helping us to discover the joy in serving Equipping and non-equipping Churches Non-equipping churches are event driven Equipping churches are community driven Non-equipping churches fill slots Equipping churches form servants In non-equipping churches people serve the organization Equipping churches serve the people Non-equipping churches begin with a program Equipping churches begin with a relationship

SPIRITUAL GIFTS Spiritual gifts are special abilities given by God. These are the tools that God gives Christians for ministry and to fulfill the Great Commission to reach, baptize, and teach, and to minister to one another. God intends for each of us to be active in ministry regardless of gender, age, or education. Our God-given abilities, skills, and passions are to be used to build up the body of Christ and to glorify God.

CORE DISCIPLESHIP
What Does the Bible Say?
Lesson One

Gathering and Prayer

Begin on time with those who are there. Welcome everyone and begin with a time of prayer.

Information
Take time to establish your group rules and how this course will be run. Share that they will be watching a DVD and that at times it will stop and allow time to discuss the topic at hand.

Lesson 1: What Does the Bible Say? Play Session 1:1 (9:04)
(Start the DVD select Session 1 and then select Session 1.1) *Before the section starts pass out a printed copy of Propagandas spoken word performance. This Session includes: o Why we have asked for people to be involved in the Core Discipleship classes? To know why we work to accomplish our Mission and Vision. To begin to make connections and develop relationships. o Presentation from the spoken work poet/rapper, Propaganda.

Discussion
1. 2. 3. 4. What were the main points of Propagandas presentation? What main concept do you think that he wants his hearers to grasp? Can you recall the process of salvation as he presented it? What would you say are the overall theme or themes of the presentation?

Play Session 1:2(4:38)

*Before the section starts pass out a printed copy of The Romans Road of Salvation This Session includes: o The Roman Road to Salvation

Discussion
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. What do we all have in common that causes us to need to be saved? How does the culture view sin? What does the Bible say happens to us if we are not saved from our sin? If we are saved from our sin what does that bring into our lives? What is the source of our salvation? How was our salvation accomplished for us? How do we receive salvation? How is receiving salvation in this manner different than what most people believe? What are the benefits of salvation?

Play Session 1:3 (3:09)

This Session includes: o Salvation is a call on our lives and we must respond.

Discussion
1. Why do we need to respond to Gods love that offers us salvation? 2. In what ways can we respond?

Group Activity
Talk to the group explaining that one way we can respond to the gift of salvation in Jesus Christ is by using the gifts and talents God has given us for Gods will in this world. Pass out the Ministry Discovery packets to every group member and go through the information on the first two pages and then have everyone take the assessments and survey. (Note: Make sure everyone completes their assessment in your group setting; do not let anyone take them home.) Go ahead and pray to close the group time so that people can leave as they finish the assessments in their own time.

CORE DISCIPLESHIP
What does UMC say?
Lesson Two

Gathering and Prayer

Begin on time with those who are there. Welcome everyone and begin with a time of prayer.

Lesson 2: What Does the United Methodist Church Say? Play Session 2:1 (5:25)
(Start the DVD select Session 2 and then select Session 2.1) *Before the section starts pass out a printed copy of Wesleyan Scriptural way of Salvation. This Session includes: o Brief Methodist history o Definitions of prevenient or convincing grace

Discussion
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Read Isaiah 6:1-5 as a group (on handout) How have you experienced prevenient or convincing grace? Has there ever been a moment in your life when God showed you your sin? How does God help us by confronting that sin? Optional: Read the hymn Depth of Mercy and discuss how it talks about prevenient grace.

Play Session 2:2 (3:35)

This Session includes: o Discussion about justifying grace o Comparison of the two parts of faith: creed and trust

Discussion
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Is it hard for you to get in the wheelbarrow? Why do you think we are so afraid to let go and let God forgive us? Why do you think it is so hard to forgive ourselves? Why is it hard to let God forgive us? Optional: Read the hymn And Can It Be and discuss how it talks about justifying grace.

Play Session 2:3 (4:09)

This Session includes: o Discussion about sanctifying grace o Story from Donald Miller

Discussion
1. How do you feel God continually trying to work within you and help you grow?

2. How can this group work with you to hold you accountable? 3. Optional: Read the hymn Love Divine, All Loves Excelling and discuss how it talks about sanctifying grace.

CORE DISCIPLESHIP
What does SUMC say?
Lesson Three

Gathering and Prayer

Begin on time with those who are there. Welcome everyone and begin with a time of prayer.

Lesson 3: What Does Southport United Methodist Church Say? Play Session 3:1 (13:19)
(Start the DVD select Session 3 and then select Session 3.1) This Session includes: o What are we about as a local church? What drives us here at Southport United Methodist Church? o What is the unifying force of Southport UMC? o What unifies us is our mission: To make new disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the community and our world. o And our vision: To connect people to God through Jesus Christ and this primarily happens through worship. To help people to grow in the faith and that primarily happens through group experiences. To help people to serve within the church and in the community and that primarily happens through the churchs service ministries. To give of ourselves and our financial resources and that happens through giving of our time and talent and a proportional, significant offering of our financial resources. o Taking a look at each part of the Discipleship Process: Connect Grow Serve Give o All the steps of the discipleship process are important. They help us to remain connected to Jesus who is the true vine.

Discussion
1. After we become a disciple of Jesus why do we need a process or path that we follow to develop our discipleship? 2. What does connecting with God through Jesus Christ in worship do for you in your life? 3. In what other ways do you nurture your connection with God through Jesus Christ? 4. How does being in worship with other Christians help you and encourage you? 5. What has been the most effective means of spiritual growth in your life? 6. Have you ever had a meaningful small group experience? What role did it play in your life? 7. How can being a part of a small group help hold you accountable?

8. Share some way that you have been able to be in service either inside or outside the church? 9. What does serving do for you personally? 10. What does serving do for the one whom you offer service? 11. What has been the most meaningful form of service in which you have participated? 12. How is service a part of our spiritual development? 13. Why should we give? 14. Why do you think that giving, particularly when it comes to money, is one of the most controversial and contentious subjects that can be discussed within the church? 15. What do you think is Jesus attitude toward giving? 16. How should that influence us? 17. How are you using the discipleship process to remain close and connected to the true vine, Jesus?

Group Activity
Since you have received the results of the surveys and assessments take time now as a group to talk about how you were surprised or empowered by your results.

Close in Prayer

CORE DISCIPLESHIP
Who is God the Father?
Lesson Four

Gathering and Prayer

Begin on time with those who are there. Welcome everyone and begin with a time of prayer.

Lesson 4: Who is God the Father? Play Session 4:1 (2:44)

(Start the DVD select Session 4 and then select Session 4.1) This Session includes: o Introduction to How is it with your soul? o Discussion about the fact that we are created by God.

Discussion
1. Read Genesis 1 and 2 *Pass out scripture handout 2. What does this scripture mean to you? 3. What does it mean to you to be created in Gods image?

Play Session 4:2 (3:10)

This Session includes: o Different creation stories? o Discussion about how we interact with creation.

Discussion
1. How does the fact that God created all things change about how we treat Gods creation, both nature and other people? 2. How is taking care of yourself part of being a good steward? 3. What are the blessings God has bestowed upon you? 4. How do you take care of the things God has given you?

Play Session 4:3 (7:43)

This Session includes: o Introduction to stewardship o The Pearl of Great Price

Discussion
1. What do you think about the pearl of great price? 2. What does it mean to you that everything you have belongs to God? 3. What does it mean to you to give a prayerful and proportional gift to the church?

Play Session 4:4 (1:57)

This Session includes: o Introduction to Money Autobiography

Discussion
1. Have everyone complete the handout Money Autobiography 2. Then discuss your answers. (Especially questions 1-3.)

Play Session 4:5 (10:03)

This Session includes: o Challenge from Pastor Mark

Close in Prayer

CORE DISCIPLESHIP
Who is Jesus Christ?
Lesson Five

Gathering and Prayer

Start on time with those who are there. Welcome everyone and begin with a prayer.

Sharing with One Another

How is it with your soul?

Lesson 5: Who is Jesus Christ? Play Session 5:1 (10:21)

(Start the DVD select Session 5 and then select Session 5.1) This Session includes: o Share with the group that today we are going to learn about the important role that Jesus has in our faith. o Creeds and doctrinal statements help define what we believe and help hold us accountable to those beliefs. Apostles Creed Disciplinary statements of the United Methodist belief concerning Jesus. o The main points these statements make about Jesus: The eternal and divine nature of Jesus Human origin The redemptive acts of his passion and death Christs resurrection Jesus eternal nature and exaltation as judge and that he will return again o Some people over the past century have tried to water down the beliefs around Jesus. Particularly, some questioned the validity of Jesus death for the forgiveness of sins and they have questioned the reality of his physical resurrection. o Important points concerning our belief in Jesus.

Discussion
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Who do you say Jesus is? Why is it important to be clear about our beliefs concerning Jesus? Why are the death and resurrection of Jesus important? What do you believe about the death and resurrection of Jesus? Why is the divine origin of Jesus an issue? What does the passage from Colossians 1:15-20 say about who Jesus is? If Jesus is not who he said he was what does that say about Jesus?

Play Session 5:2 (2:51)

This Session includes: o We need a Savior because of our sinful condition.

o How Jesus deals with our sin through the cross

Discussion
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Do you believe that humans possess an inclination toward sin? What does the Bible say about sin? How does Jesus self-sacrifice on the cross pay for our sin? What did Jesus mean when he said, It is Finished, as he died on the cross. How are we being restored to the original image of God in which we were created?

Close in Prayer

CORE DISCIPLESHIP
Who is the Holy Spirit?
Lesson Six

Gathering and Prayer

Start on time with those who are there. Welcome everyone and begin with a prayer.

Sharing with One Another

How is it with your soul?

Lesson 6: Who is the Holy Spirit? Play Session 6:1 (2:47)

(Start the DVD select Session 6 and then select Session 6.1) This Session includes: o Introduction to the Holy Spirit o Birth of the Church and God in Us

Discussion
1. Read Acts 2:1-42 *Pass out scripture handout 2. What do you think about the Holy Spirit? 3. How does thinking about God being inside us change the way you think about the Holy Spirit?

Play Session 6:2 (2:33)

This Session includes: o The Holy Spirit as Breath

Discussion
1. 2. 3. 4. What do you think about the power of the Holy Spirit? What has God done in you already through the Holy Spirit? What do you think God can and will do in your life through the power of the Holy Spirit? What is one thing you think needs to be done in our community that is so crazy that without the help of god in the Holy Spirit it will fail?

Close in Prayer