BECOMING DISCIPLES THROUGH BIBLE STUDY
This year (2005-2006) we have
4 Disciple
I classes
with over 30 participants!
DISCIPLE assumes that the bible is the key to renewal in the church. It
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 affirms that the canon was formed as it is in order for God to speak to
us. BECOMING DISCIPLES THROUGH BIBLE STUDY gives equal time to both the Old and
New Testaments, emphasizing the wholeness of the Bible as the revelation of God.
DISCIPLE aims at transformation, not just information and 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 the Scripture. All persons know
something is amiss with their existence and yearn for the Word from God.
BECOMING DISCIPLES THROUGH BIBLE STUDY uses biblical language and images and
draws upon the work of scholars to aid understanding of the Bible.
This study requires reading large portions of Scripture each week and is based
on careful study and preparation. During the course of thirty-four weeks, groups
will move through the biblical story from Creation to the New Jerusalem. The
titles of the sessions along with theme words; theme verses; and major persons,
events, and topics will set the sequence of the biblical story in the minds of
the participants. The principal Scripture for each session follows the
chronological movement of the biblical story.
What is the DISCIPLE Bible Study Program?
Enriching - Spending dedicated time in God's Word gives greater meaning
to your life.
Informational - Learn the overarching Biblical themes that tie the Old
and New Testaments together as well as the stories of the Christian faith.
Transformational - Priorities of heart and life will be changed by those
who invest themselves in this Bible study.
Faith deepening - Even those who have been Christians for many years
experience a deepening of faith unlike any other Bible study.
Fellowship - Develop deep and lasting friendships in these small groups
that meet weekly to study, reflect, pray and grow together.
Whether you are a new believer or have been a Christian for many, many years,
the DISCIPLE Bible Study program is designed for all who want to grow in their
understanding of Scripture and of what it means to be a Disciple of Jesus
Christ.
Disciple History
In March 1986 a group of eighteen gathered in Flower Mound, TX, committed to a
dream of developing a Bible study for training Christian Disciples. Together
they shaped the dream into a vision of what became DISCIPLE: BECOMING DISCIPLES
THROUGH BIBLE STUDY.
In July of 1989, three years after the Flower Mound gathering that gave birth to
DISCIPLE, word had come across the church that lives were being changed and
churches renewed. A group gathered once again and took on the challenge of
providing another life-changing study. The result was DISCIPLE: INTO THE WORD
INTO THE WORLD with the challenge of going deeper into the Word and out into the
world.
Another three years later in December of 1992 another gathering took place and
the new study took shape. Experience confirmed direction and congregations were
ready to confront and be confronted by the hard words of the prophets. The
result - DISCIPLE: REMEMBER WHO YOU ARE, the third study in what would become a
four-phase program.
Finally, in 2001, the fourth and final study of the original DISCIPLE program
was published. From Creation to the New Jerusalem – that was the promise and the
vision. DISCIPLE: UNDER THE TREE OF LIFE was published and groups would study
The Writings and Revelation. The journey was long and in-depth and would take
congregations through the Bible twice.
BECOMING DISCIPLES THROUGH BIBLE STUDY provides an overview of the entire Bible.
The next three studies deal with specific books in more detail. DISCIPLE BIBLE
STUDIES have been influential in transforming the lives of 1.5 million people.
These studies also have led to the development of CHRISTIAN BELIEVER and JESUS
IN THE GOSPELS.
As lives are changed and products are developed, DISCIPLE BIBLE STUDY continues
to grow.
What People Are Saying About Disciple Bible Study...
Deepen Faith
“If you have never read the Bible but have felt a nudge to pick it up and read
it, DISCIPLE is the course for you. DISCIPLE offers you enough broad knowledge
of the Bible to whet your appetite to delve more deeply into God’s Word.”
Julia Barrett
Houston, Texas
“When I first decided to take DISCIPLE, reading most of the Bible in nine months
seemed a daunting task. I spent several hours a week reading Scripture and
commentary on the readings. I learned not only about the people and stories of
the Bible but was challenged to walk more closely with our Savior. After taking
two DISCIPLE courses, it’s hard to imagine a year of my life without it.”
Lori Daugherty
Richmond, Virginia
Vitalize Worship
“One of the great blessings of DISCIPLE Bible study in my life has been the
enhancement of my Sunday morning worship experiences. It has made the preaching
more powerful, the prayers more fruitful, the offering freer, the Scripture more
meaningful, and the music more inspiring.”
Mike Hendren
Brentwood, Tennessee
“Since beginning the DISCIPLE Bible study, I have been truly blessed with
understanding of the Scriptures I’ve read, the songs I’ve sung, and the message
delivered from the pulpit. I have become a totally different person.”
Phyllis Wright
Activate Leadership
“Beyond the experience of the actual DISCIPLE Bible study, DISCIPLE graduates
have put their new knowledge and skills to work in many areas. The discipline
that results from the commitment to DISCIPLE really does result in personal
transformation. DISCIPLE graduates become more active members of the Body of
Christ . . . . DISCIPLE graduates now chair many of our boards, committees,
commissions, and task forces. They superintend our church school and chair our
work area on education.”
Rev. Dr. Rodney Smothers and Annette Knox Bond
Atlanta, Georgia
“The DISCIPLE program is the finest Bible study I have ever been involved in,
and has been responsible for developing many Christian leaders in our church.”
Joyce H. Colacino
Palm City, Florida
Encourage Stewardship
“Rev. Lee has noticed changes within his church. Now more aware of the gift of
stewardship, DISCIPLE graduates are willing volunteers for whatever needs to be
done in the church. Some have even begun tithing.”
“Members of the group who were not tithers made commitments to start tithing and
began encouraging others in the congregation to tithe and to begin attending
Bible study.”
Pastor Joseph W. Daniels, Jr.
Washington, D.C.
Create Fellowship
“It has been my privilege and blessing, and I use those words in their truest
sense, to be part of four DISCIPLE Bible study groups over the past five years.
I have come to know DISCIPLE, not as a Bible study, but as a fellowship, where
faith is nurtured as believers share their gifts, worries, hopes, and love under
the guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is often said that DISCIPLE Bible study is
not about information, but rather transformation. While that’s true, my
experience has been one of revelation—specifically, revelations of who God is
and who I am and, most importantly, who God created me to be and how I am to
live my life. This revelation has come not only through the study of the Word of
God, but also through intimate fellowship with newfound friends in faith.
Mike Hendren
Brentwood, Tennessee
“The spiritual and emotional closeness we have as disciples of Jesus Christ is
very hard to explain. We’ve undergirded one another through many tears of pain
and smiles of joy, periods of unemployment and times of physical and emotional
fatigue, moments where deep-seated burdens were released, and very private
incidences in our lives revealed. But through it all, what we found is that we
were having and being ‘church.’ ”
Pastor Joseph W. Daniels, Jr.
Washington, D.C.
“So many of life’s pleasant experiences are never quite the same the second
time. Well, not so with these studies. Each time has proven to be as fresh and
new as the first study. I don’t believe this has happened only in our church,
because I am always looking for that red or green study manual when I am
visiting other churches. When I see one, I usually ask, “How is it going?” and I
see that special light come alive in their eyes. I have found another soul
mate.”
Glada Russell
Logan, Ohio
Increase Membership
“These courses empowered our lay people into increasing our sabbath worship
attendance by nearly 25%. The participants are not only coming to church
themselves, but bringing their whole families. We also started a choir for our
worship services. I praise God for DISCIPLE Bible study being a magnet for
getting followers of Christ living a Spirit-filled life.”
Rev. Jeff Johnsen
Karen Dockery
Cherokee, North Carolina
“Our church recently experienced a new surge of energy, excitement and
enthusiasm. We have seen dramatic increases in worship attendance, membership
and pledged giving. Along with these is the overwhelming feeling that DISCIPLE
helped to lay the foundation for this renewal. Our church has participated in
DISCIPLE from year one.”
Joyce Horn
Cary, North Carolina
Transform Lives
“Discipleship now offers me the excitement of continuing my trip. Just as a
visit to a place I’ve never been changes that image in my mind’s eye forever—so
has my journey through God’s word changed me forever. I hear Scripture, sermons,
Sunday school lessons with new ears and eyes. And as a trip away from the
everyday routine makes me feel rested and ready to go again—I have been
spiritually renewed and ready to serve. My knowledge has increased, my faith and
trust have deepened, my discipline has grown, my compassion and ability to reach
out have widened—the written page is now written on my heart. Thanks be to God.”
Linda Saunders
Lexington, North Carolina
“When I signed up to take DISCIPLE last fall, I had only rudimentary knowledge
of the Bible from Sunday school classes many years ago. I have spent the year
reading and learning about the Bible while enjoying the fellowship of a small,
supportive group of friends. They have challenged me to keep focused on what is
important in life and to stretch my faith and service so that I too may become a
disciple. Reading God’s Word each day has made a difference in my life. My
relationships with family and friends have been enhanced by the study of God’s
teachings.”
Paige Bell
Richmond, Virginia
http://www.gbgm-umc.org/trinityks01/disciple.htm
