Memorial Baptist Church

Discipleship

Purpose:  To develop doctrinally sound Christians and to become the pool from which future leaders will be selected. 

Who should consider the discipleship program?  Men and women who have faithfully completed at least one semester of accountability, who have a desire for more in-depth learning, and who are interested in leading an accountability or discipleship group in the future (Ezra 7:10 For Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the LORD and to practice it, and to teach His statutes and ordinances in Israel.).   In short, discipleship is for the serious Bible student.  Tough theological subjects will be systematically tackled, and at times, there will be heavy reading requirements.  This is also the proving ground for future leaders at MBC. 

How this will take place:

You will be assigned a discipleship leader who will meet with you weekly either individually or in a small group.  There are three semesters annually:  fall (Sep-Dec); winter (Jan-May) and summer (Jun-Aug).  There will be at least two weeks in between semesters for evaluations, a break from meeting, and enrollment of new disciples. 

Requirements for entering into formal discipleship:

Þ              Regular church and Sunday school attendance—as you are able.

Þ              Daily Bible reading with the church Bible reading schedule.

Þ              Faithfulness in one or more semesters in formal accountability.

Requirements while in formal discipleship:

Þ              You must set a meeting date and time to meet with your discipleship leader.  It is paramount that you not miss these meetings.  Your regular attendance contributes to the group dynamic which facilitates a healthy learning environment. 

Þ              You also must come prepared for the discussions.  If you are not prepared, you cannot accurately contribute to the discussions.  You will fill out a weekly accountability sheet.  At the end of each semester of discipleship the accountability sheets will be reviewed as an assessment of your faithfulness and growth. 

Þ              You must commit to faithfully meet with your discipleship group for an entire semester (usually 3-4 months). 

Þ              You must keep the information shared in discipleship confidential.

Subjects that are addressed in accountability:

Þ              You will be accountable to your partner for your church and Sunday school attendance.  If you miss one or more of the services between meetings you will be expected to explain your absence.

Þ              You will be accountable for your daily Bible reading and will be asked to discuss your reading or questions that has arose from the text.

Þ              You will be given reading assignments from a book.  You must come prepared to discuss your reading and have completed any assigned homework.

Þ              You will be asked about your daily living—how you are living out what you are learning in the above contexts and from SS and worship services.

Þ              You will be given memory work: verses, Bible facts, catechism, etc.

Þ              You will enter into prayer partnership with your discipleship leader and group (if you are in a group).

Þ              You may choose to take on an accountability partner if you have the time and feel led to do so.

While friendships and fellowship will likely be a product of your accountability time, the primary focus is to grow you in your disciplines to prepare you for discipleship.

Desired result:

Þ              Doctrinally sound servant leadership that reproduces itself.

Þ              After completing your semester, you and your discipleship leader will discuss whether you should continue in discipleship, leave discipleship, or begin discipling others (usually after approximately one year).

What happens if I am unable to successfully complete a semester or discontinue discipleship and then want to return?

Þ              If you are unable to faithfully complete a semester, you will be asked to return to the accountability program to increase your discipline.  After successfully completing one semester, you may then return to discipleship.

Þ              If you faithfully complete a semester and leave discipleship for whatever reason, you may reenter at the beginning of any semester.