Discipleship Model II

I'll continue some thoughts on my (though it's not technically "my"-I didn't come up with it) discipleship model now and show you how I've implemented it. I started a group for deeper discipleship with a few guys in the fall. As it would turn out, several have since moved on so the make-up of the group has changed. Nevertheless, the format of the group is to spend time fellowshipping, in accountability/prayer, and discussing the study.

Our first book was the Living the Cross Centered Life by C.J. Meheney. It beautifully expounds the gospel and the fact that we never outgrow our need to continually come back to the Cross. The book is great for young and mature Christians. I would put the book in the category of "Heart," since it deals so much with sanctification (growing in Christ). Now there are a plethora of good applications (Hands) and some reformed theology (Head) in the book, but the thrust of it is to challenge people to continually rely on the gospel (Heart).

The next, and current study, is one written by a seminary professor of mine named Richard Pratt. The Business of the Kingdom explores the implications of living out the prayer, "Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on Earth as it is in Heaven." Again, there is some theology behind the study, but most of that is addressed outside the study in his sermon on the Lord's prayer (which we listened to before starting the study; it's worth your 45 minutes, I promise). The rest of the teaching comes at the beginning of each section, and then requires the participant to practically and specifically answering questions tailored to one's own work setting ("Hands"). We've not finished this study yet, but I still highly recommend it for all employees, students, and those who own their own businesses.

Our next book will probably tackle something in the "Head" department and then repeat the cycle. Of course different people tend to be stronger in different areas, so that may cause us to spend more time in one of the three categories and not simply mechanically move from one to the next. Later, I'll discuss more about how this discipleship model applies to our own personal discipleship: our following after Christ, as opposed to their following.