Disciple  is  in-depth study of the Bible in a small group setting of twelve students and a leader.  Participants experience strengthened faith and develop direction in their service and ministry, becoming Biblically-nourished persons committed to live as disciples of Jesus Christ. 

Disciple

•     affirms the authority of Scripture
•     gives equal time to Old and New Testaments, emphasizing the wholeness of the Bible as the revelation of God
•     features group discussion of Scripture based on careful study and preparation
•     provides the fellowship of the small group for study, prayer, and preparation for servanthood
•     focuses on the disciple as learner, believer, follower, proclaimer, servant

The purpose of Disciple is summarized in Ephesians 4:12:  "to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ."

DISCIPLE I  –  BECOMING DISCIPLES THROUGH BIBLE STUDY

•     a 34-week study that moves through the Biblical story from Creation to the New Jerusalem
•     small group discussion of scripture based on careful study and preparation
•     aimed at transformation, not just information
•     completion of Disciple I is prerequisite to all other Disciple studies

DISCIPLE II  –  INTO THE WORD INTO THE WORLD

•     must have completed Disciple I
•     a 32-week study of Genesis-Exodus and Luke-Acts with appropriate connections to other parts of Scripture
•     proclaims the transforming power of Scripture while teaching Bible study skills that take participants deeper into the Scripture
•     encourages persons to open themselves to hearing what God has to say to them through the Bible and to be guided into service in the world by Scripture and their study of it
•     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

DISCIPLE III  –  REMEMBER WHO YOU ARE

•     must have completed Disciple I
•     a 32-week study of the Prophets and the Letters of Paul, also drawing on the books of Deuteronomy through Chronicles to establish historical context
•     uses a context portfolio of maps and charts to establish historical settings
•     calls participants to remembrance, repentance, renewed vision, and community
•     echoes the demand of the prophets and Paul to put God first – to be a community of obedience

DISCIPLE IV  –  UNDER THE TREE OF LIFE

•     must have completed Disciple I
•     a 32-week study of the Old Testament Writings, the Gospel and Letters of John, James, Jude, and Revelation
•     addresses community and individual life
•     taps into the power of Psalms with a psalm each week leading to emphasis on worship
•   stresses living with view toward the completion of the message and the promise
•     concludes with a video-led worship experience of the book of Revelation

JESUS IN THE GOSPELS  –  A DISCIPLE SECOND GENERATION STUDY

•     must have completed Disciple I
•     a 30-week study of the portraits of Jesus found in the four Gospels – Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John
•     looks at the way each Gospel writer presents events and teachings and examines the richly textured portrait of Jesus that emerges in each of the Gospels
•     involves reading each of the four Gospels and considerable amounts of Scripture from other parts of the Bible
•     challenges each participant to a deeper understanding of Jesus and a deeper allegiance and loyalty to Him

CHRISTIAN BELIEVER  –  KNOWING GOD WITH HEART AND MIND

•     must have completed Disciple I
•     a 30-week study of the classical doctrines of the Christian faith
•     aims at presenting, explaining, and interpreting Christian doctrine as the basic teaching of the church to the end that informed believing leads to committed discipleship
•     requires disciplined daily reading of Scripture and of the writings of early and modern church leaders
•     involves weekly group discussion about the relation of Scripture, beliefs, and daily living
•     emphasizes the relationship of worship, belief, and daily life

Disciple participants are expected to

•     Commit to 2 to 3 hours of in-depth reading and study each week.
•     Attend faithfully and punctually 2½-hour weekly group meetings.
•     Pray for and with the members of my group and to share my experiences and struggles in the light of Scripture.
•     Be open to the transforming grace of Jesus Christ to strengthen my faith and prepare me to be His committed disciple in service to His church.

In the typical Disciple format, there are five days of scripture reading followed by a lesson commentary to be read on the sixth day.  While reading, the student focuses on the theme of the lesson and makes notes for class discussion.  The lesson concludes with how we as disciples respond to Our Human Condition.

Class begins with the theme word, the theme scripture, and the statement of Our Human Condition.  A video lesson is presented and discussed, and the scriptures are discussed with focus on the theme of the week.  After a break, the scripture discussion is concluded, and the class explores what is expected of us as disciples of Jesus Christ in light of the lesson theme.  The meeting closes with a preview of the coming week.

Jesus In The Gospels and Christian Believer follow a similar study format but with a lesson structure particular to each. 

Following the last lesson, all classes come together for a concluding Communion Service.

Registration for 2010-2011 begins Sunday, July 11, at 9:15 a.m. in the Courtyard Room, or you may send your registration to Sally Heneghen at the RPC office. Click here for registration brochure for the following classes:

 DISCIPLE I

•     Tuesday AM, 9:30-noon, Nan Cooper and Joanne McCarthy, leaders**
•    Wednesday PM, 6:30-9:00, David and Crysti Pynne, leaders

DISCIPLE III*

•    Tuesday PM, 6:30-9:00, Rich Wright, leader

JESUS IN THE GOSPELS*

•    Wednesday PM, 6:30-9:00, Bob Stout, leader

*DISCIPLE 1 is prerequisite for these courses                                               **Child care available (birth – 4 yrs.)

 The cost of the study to each student is $50, which includes the study manual for the course. The fee is payable at registration. A $5 deposit and a completed registration form secures your place in class. You may pay in installments. No one will be excluded for inability to pay.

For further information, contact Disciple Coordinator Bonnie Peet at pwpeet@mindspring.com  or call her at (770) 587-4308.