Bible Study and Spiritual Growth Opportunities

Disciple Bible Study
Christian Believer
Jesus in the Gospels
Short-Term Disciple Bible Studies
Companions In Christ
Covenant Discipleship Group

Disciple Bible Study

The DISCIPLE Bible study program is designed to develop strong Christian leaders in local churches through the in-depth study of Scripture.  Through DISCIPLE, persons will be strengthened in their faith and guided into service and ministry.

DBS I - Becoming Disciples Through Bible Study

§    A thirty-four week study for adult and youth groups

§    The study moves through the biblical story from Creation to New Jerusalem

§    Features small-group discussion of Scripture based on careful study and  
    preparation

§    Aimed at transformation, not just information

§    Completion of this segment is prerequisite to all other studies in the 
    DISCIPLE program

 DBS II - Into the Word, Into the World

§    A thirty-two week study of Genesis-Exodus and Luke-Acts

§    Continues the familiar DISCIPLE format

§    Teaches basic study skills for going deeper into Scripture

§    Links Bible study to witness and service in the world

§    Emphasizes practice of the spiritual disciplines

§    Encourages sabbath-keeping as trusting God

§    Calls for evaluating and reordering life’s priorities in response to God’s call

DBS III - Remember Who You Are

§    A thirty-two week study of the Prophets and Paul’s letters

§    Identifies God’s people as a community of memory

§    Sets the Prophets and Paul’s writings in historical and geographical context

§    Introduces the context portfolio of maps and charts

§    Understands Bible Study as a call to repentance - to turn life toward God

§    Echoes the demand of the prophets and Paul to put God first - to be a 
    community of obedience

DBS IV - Under The Tree Of Life

§    A thirty-two week study of the Writings (Old Testament books not in the 
   Torah or the Prophets), the Gospel of John, and Revelation

§    Final study in the four-phase DISCIPLE Bible study

§    Addresses community and individual life

§    Appeals to the senses and emotions through words, images, dance, music

§    Taps into the power of Psalms with a psalm of the week

§    Shows the distinctive character of the Gospel of John

§    Provides a video-led worship experience of the book of Revelation

back to top

Christian Believer

CHRISTIAN BELIEVER emphasizes the relationship of worship, belief, and daily life.  In this study of classical doctrines, participants learn or relearn the language of faith - that is, the concept and images in Scripture as well as the words and ideas in doctrines and creeds and hymns - shared by the Christian community.  The emphasis is not on what I believe but on: 

§    understanding more fully what we the church believe;

§    talking more confidently about what we the church believe;

§    confessing more intentionally what we the church believe;

§    communicating to others what we the church believe with renewed passion.

 In this thirty week study, groups will sing and speak the words of such hymns as “Amazing Grace” and “Breathe On Me, Breath of God” while studying the doctrines on which they are based.  In this study, groups will see the symbols of the cross, the fish, the lamp, the ark, the staff, the vine while studying the Scriptures to which they allude.

CHRISTIAN BELIEVER results in voice, ear, eye, and heart attuned to the language of the Christian faith.

back to top

Jesus in the Gospels

A 30-week, in-depth study within the Disciple Bible Study program, offering a comparative study of Jesus Christ in the four Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke & John.  This study looks at the unique way each Gospel writer presents Jesus, his life, teachings and ministry, as they 'create a picture' that emerges from their writings. The lessons concentrate on the synoptic Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and the Gospel of John with supporting passages from other parts of the New Testament and Old Testament scriptures. 

Students will have (1) a study manual and (2) a Gospel Comparison as companions to a good study Bible.  The study manual content confronts the student with some aspect of Jesus in the Gospels and connects scripture to daily life along with Jesus' call to daily discipleship.  The Gospel Comparison will allow the student to view a multicolumn format of each scripture passage from the Gospels.  A video component is a part of each session and is divided into two segments - the first portion offering a 7-10 minute presentation on the 'topic of the day' as presented by a Biblical scholar or theologian.  The second component brings forward art, music, words and the movement of the Jesus event and the week's scripture.  Each session runs for 2 1/2 hours.

back to top

Short-Term Disciple Bible Studies

Invitation to John is an 11-week study of the book of John. In the first chapter of John’s Gospel, Jesus invites his disciples to “Come and see,” and “Follow me.” Those invitations are echoed in this study that helps us hear the words of Jesus and witness his actions from John’s unique viewpoint.

Invitation to the Old Testament is an 8-week study which invites participants to listen afresh to the various narrators of stories for the Torah, the Law, the Prophets, and the Wisdom writings.  Participants gain a broad perspective of how the Old Testament clarifies God’s call in the Bible and encourages our response. 

Invitation to the New Testament is an 8-week study of the story of Jesus which is the starting point for understanding the church’s identity and mission.  This study weaves a dialogue between that story, as told by Matthew, and the other New Testament writings.  Participants learn how the New Testament writers wrestled with the issues and implications of the story of Jesus for the formation of communities of faith. 

back to top

Companions In Christ

Deepening Congregational Spirituality through Small-Group Ministry 

Companions in Christ encourages us to spend meaningful time with God every day; to broaden our  awareness of spiritual practices that help us experience God more fully; to become part of a new kind of small-group faith community where we share our faith with others, listen to and value their stories and mature together as discerning people.  It invites us into that ever-deepening journey with God that we seek. 

There are three opportunities in the Companions Series, with each one following the same basic format. Each week begins with an inviting and often challenging reflection by a recognized spiritual author. Over the next five days, scripture passages and questions guide you through your own reflections, as you note important insights in a journal. Participants commit about 30 minutes each day to this. The week closes with a two-hour group session where you can share your thoughts, reflect together, and take part in a variety of group exercises. Some of these exercises are solitary and inwardly focuses, while others call for hands-on creativity. 

You’ll explore the Bible, but it’s more than a Bible study.
You’ll learn new ways of prayer, but it’s more than a prayer group.
You’ll develop spiritual practices, but it’s more than spiritual training. 

How does Companions in Christ help you grow spiritually? It enables you to immerse yourself in streams of living waters with the spiritual disciplines of prayer, scripture, study, worship, and Christian conversation. These means of grace are the common ways through which Christ meets people, renews their faith, and deepens their life together in love. Companions in Christ can open believers to the fullness of God’s love in new and profoundly transforming ways. 

The Companions in Christ 28-week journey is the starting place for all Companions groups. This first resource in the series introduces five themes:  Christian journey, scripture, prayer, call, and spiritual guidance. Participants must first take this course because it teaches basic spiritual disciplines and introduces a particular practice for the group sessions. 

The Way of Blessedness is an invitation for small group members to discover and live in the kingdom of God.  Each week is an exploration of one of the Beatitudes from Matthew 5, Jesus’ teaching from the Sermon on the Mount. This 9-week journey guides through spiritual practices that help us empty ourselves of pride so that we can be filled with God’s abundant love. 

The Way of Forgiveness is an 8-week exploration of one of the most difficult of the Christian commands: forgiveness. The focus is on living a forgiven and forgiving life. The Way of Forgiveness keeps God’s grace and our blessedness before us, as we examine shame, guilt, and anger, and then turn to forgiveness and reconciliation. 

The Way of Grace is a 9-week study that provides a fresh approach to the Gospel of John.  This study invites participants to travel with 8 biblical characters who discover God’s grace through their encounter with Jesus.  The Way of Grace invites us to open our hears to a deeper knowing of God’s grace. 

Exploring the Way: An Introduction to the Spiritual Journey is a 6-week introduction to Christian spirituality for small groups.  This book defines and explains the most basic concepts and language of the Christian spiritual life: prayer, the Bible's message for our lives today, spiritual gifts, listening, journaling, and much more. It's the ultimate orientation to spirituality and the essential elements of faith. 

The Way of Transforming Discipleship is a 6-week study that challenges Christians to live the whole gospel by connecting spirituality and discipleship.  This study brings a message of vital, transforming discipleship that will lead you to knowing who you are, changing from the inside out, listening to the groans of others, and discovering the spirituality of belonging.  This study is for Christians yearning to make a difference in the world.

The Way of Prayer is a 10-week study that is designed to help people expand their understanding of the nature and practice of prayer.  It teaches us how to respond to God’s invitation into the divine Presence, and it brings a deeper sense of spiritual vitality and encouragement to seeking out new ways to pray.

back to top

Covenant Discipleship Group

Covenant Discipleship Groups are small groups of 6 to 8 persons who meet weekly for one hour.  Members agree on a covenant of responsibility in four areas:  acts of devotion, of worship, of compassion, and of justice.  Modeled on John Wesley’s class meetings, these groups encourage members to live consistent Christian lives by holding one another accountable.  They are means for interacting with a small group and for forming friendships.

back to top