The Chester & Stoke-on-Trent Methodist District

The Discipleship Challenge

It has been said that the ABC of church life Is Attendance, Buildings and Cash; but the primary focus should be on D, Discipleship.

What is discipleship?
‘Discipleship is a journey into the heart of God's love. It is a life-long process of following Jesus and being made more like him. Often the church has tended to think of discipleship as something that is done with young converts. But this radically downplays the core place that discipleship should have in the life of individual believers and of the church. Followers of Christ never stop being disciples. Being discipled is as important for long-established as for new Christians. It's a task for life.’

The Challenge
You are invited to take up the Discipleship Challenge for your House group, Church and Circuit. To place the D of Discipleship actively into the life of the The Methodist Church in the Chester & Stoke-on-Trent District by starting up a new Discipleship course. This could be in your House Group, Church or Circuit wide.

Information
This information puts together details of many courses and resources to enable House Groups, Church Leaders and Circuit Leaders to ensure an appropriate programme of Discipleship is taking place in The Methodist Church.

Support
If you would like discuss which course would be most appropriate for your House Group, Church or Circuit please contact:

David Syson
Training Officer
01260 223343
dsyson@googlemail.com

Further details
The website details are given to allow exploration of more details. Many of the courses are also listed and evaluated on the Fresh Expressions web site www.sharetheguide.org/discipleship

Communication
Please keep us informed via the training officer of the Discipleship courses you are setting up and we will advise you of others running the same course so you can network if you wish.

A Life Worth Living
Sessions: 9
Session time: 1.5 hrs + meal
Materials: Study manual, leaders manual, text book & DVD
Features & benefits: This is a follow-on programme to Alpha that follows the Alpha style including a meal. The sessions are: New heart, New Purpose, New attitude, New responsibilities, New friendships, New confidence, New ambitions, New resources, New generosity.
Produced by: Nicky Gumble, Alpha
Cost: £41 Leader £2 Participant
Web details: www.alphafriends.org
Availability: Methodist Book Centre www.methodistbookcentre.co.uk

Apprentice
Sessions: 5
Session time: 1.5 hrs min
Materials: Study guide, text book & DVD
Features & benefits: The materials link to talks and worship at Spring Harvest.
Sessions are: Journeying, Longing, Believing, Questioning, Belonging. This course is new and there are likely to be a further 5 sessions released.
Comment: ‘Steve amazes us with an array of wonderful stories and brilliant quotes that we shall long remember and often use. Imitating Jesus he gives us parables that profoundly affect how we look at life and journey on life’s way.’ Tony Campolo.
Produced by: Steve Chalk
Cost: £34.45 Leader £7 For a study manual
Web details: store.springharvest.org
Availability: Methodist Book Centre http://www.methodistbookcen.co.uk

Beta
Sessions: 10
Session time: 1.5 hrs
Materials: Facilitators manual, participants manual & DVD
Features & benefits: The ten sessions are: Introduction, Relationships, Community, Sin and Atonement, Forgiveness and Reconciliation, Depression, Loss and Change, Stress and Coping, Suffering and Wholeness, Self and God. The aims of the course are said to be: fosters genuine fellowship, deepens individuals' self-understanding and promotes personal development and maturity, provides a safe, psychologically informed platform for pastoral care within the church and community, inspires 'next steps' in pastoral care, deepens Christian faith.
Comments: 'This (course) bridges the gap between what we believe as Christians and what we actually experience in real life.' (businessman)
Produced by: University of Cambridge
Cost: £113.85 There are free example materials on the web site.
Web details: www.beta-course.org
Availability: www.beta-course.org

Disciple
Sessions: 34
Session time: 2.5 hrs min
Materials: Study manual, text book, teachers guide & DVD
Features & benefits: The course covers about two thirds of the Bible. Participants have to do 30-45 minutes reading per day as well as the 2.5 hour group session. The course is from United Methodists USA. Group leaders have to be trained on a one day training course. Details from the training officer. There is a series of Disciple courses currently just Di
Comments: ‘Disciple is a journey of biblical discovery in the company of others which will change you, and inspire new ways in you to make a difference for the kingdom.’ Revd Dr Martyn Atkins General Secretary of the Methodist Church
Produced by: United Methodists USA
Cost: Leader £120 + reference books £50 per participant
Web details: www.methodist.org.uk
Availability: Methodist Publishing

Discipleship Explored
Sessions: 8
Session time: 1.5 hrs + meal
Materials: Study manual, leaders manual & DVD
Features & benefits: This is a follow-on programme to Christianity Explored although you don’t need to have done Christianity Explored. The sessions are: Confident in Christ, Living in Christ, standing together in Christ, Transformed by Christ, Righteous in Christ, Knowing Christ, Rejoicing in Christ, Content in Christ. The course is based on the book of Philippians.
Produced by: Goodbook Company, Barry Cooper
Cost: £36 Leader £3 Study Guide
Web details: www.christianityexplored.org
Availability: Methodist Book Centre http://www.methodistbookcen.co.uk

Emmaus Stage 2 Nurture
Sessions: 15
Session time: 1.5 hrs
Materials: Combined Leaders and participants manual + group leaders book
Features & benefits: This is a follow on course to the Emmaus Stage 1 an Alpha equivalent. The course covers these sessions

PART 1: WHAT CHRISTIANS BELIEVE

God is there and he matters
We need God in our lives
Jesus – his ministry and death
The Resurrection of Jesus
The Holy Spirit
Becoming a Christian

PART 2: HOW CHRISTIANS GROW

Learning to pray
Reading the Bible
Belonging to the Church
Sharing Holy Communion

PART 3: LIVING THE CHRISTIAN LIFE

Living God's way
Serving the Lord
Your money and your life
Learning to love
Sharing the faith

Produced by: Church of England
Cost: Leaders £22.50 Participants £6
Web details: www.e-mmaus.org.uk
Availability: Methodist Book Centre www.methodistbookcentre.co.uk

Emmaus Stage 3 Growth – Knowing God
Sessions: 16
Session time: 1.5 hrs
Materials: Leaders manual with CD of handouts and presentations.
Features & benefits: This can be used as a follow-on from Stage 2 or as a standalone course. The sessions are grouped into: Living the gospel, Knowing the Father, Knowing Jesus, Come Holy Spirit.
Produced by: Church of England
Cost: £22.50
Web details: www.e-mmaus.org.uk
Availability: Methodist Book Centre www.methodistbookcentre.co.uk

Emmaus Stage 3 Growth – Growing as a Christian
Sessions: 21
Session time: 1.5 hrs
Materials: Leaders manual with CD of handouts and presentations.
Features & benefits: This can be used as a follow-on from Stage 2 or as a standalone course. The sessions are grouped into Growing in prayer, Growing in the Scriptures, Being Church, Growing in worship, Life death and Christian hope.
Produced by: Church of England
Cost: £22.50
Web details: www.e-mmaus.org.uk
Availability: Methodist Book Centre www.methodistbookcen.co.uk

Emmaus Stage 3 Growth – Christian Lifestyle
Sessions: 18
Session time: 1.5 hrs
Materials: Leaders manual with CD of handouts and presentations.
Features & benefits: This can be used as a follow-on from Stage 2 or as a standalone course. The sessions are grouped into Living images, Overcoming evil. Personal identity, Called into life.
Produced by: Church of England
Cost: £22.50
Web details: www.e-mmaus.org.uk
Availability: Methodist Book Centre www.methodistbookcentre.co.uk

Emmaus Stage 3 Growth – Your Kingdom Come
Sessions: 16
Session time: 1.5 hrs
Materials: Leaders manual with CD of handouts and presentations.
Features & benefits: This can be used as a follow-on from Stage 2 or as a standalone course. The sessions are grouped into The Beatitudes: Your kingdom come among us & The kingdom: Your kingdom come through us
Produced by: Church of England
Cost: £22.50
Web details: www.e-mmaus.org.uk
Availability: Methodist Book Centre www.methodistbookcentre.co.uk

Essence
Sessions: 6
Session time: 1.5 hrs
Materials: Leaders manual, handouts and music downloads
Features & benefits: The sessions are entitled The journey so far, The journey within, The journey to a better world, The journey to wholeness, The journey to spirituality, The journey to the future. The learning style is active and practical including crafts, collage, meditation, drawing and salt dough modeling.
Produced by: Share Jesus International
Cost: All materials are available as downloads free
Web details: www.sharejesusinternational.com
Availability: www.sharejesusinternational.com

Freedom in Christ
Sessions: 13
Session time: 2 hrs
Materials: Study manual, text book & DVD
Features & benefits: A popular follow on from Alpha or as a stand-alone programme. The focus is on spiritual and emotional aspects affecting Discipleship. Supported by newsletter and regional events. Sessions are: Where did I come from?, Who am I now?, Choosing to Believe the Truth, The World’s View of Truth, Our Daily Choice, Demolishing Strongholds, The Battle For our Minds, Handling Emotions Well, Forgiving from the heart, Walking in Freedom Every Day, Relating to others, Where are you Heading?, Staying on the right path. A free sample pack is available from the web site.
Comments: ‘A great course’ Mark Stibbe
Produced by: Freedom in Christ
Cost: £70
Web details: www.ficm.org.uk
Availability: Methodist Book Centre www.methodistbookcentre.co.uk

Imagine
Sessions: 1 or 2
Session time: 2 hrs
Materials: Study prompt, text book & DVD
Features & benefits: This could be used by the leadership of a church or circuit or a house group when considering Discipleship. It takes a rounded and applied look at what it means to be a Christian Disciple in the work place, family, home and church today. It also focuses on the support required to be a Disciple.
Produced by: London institute for Contemporary Christianity
Cost: £20
Web details: www.licc.org.uk
Availability: Methodist Book Centre www.methodistbookcentre.co.uk

Just 10
Sessions: 10
Session time: 1.5 hrs min
Materials: Study manual, text book & DVD
Features & benefits: This is based on the popular presentations around the country by J John. Each session is based on one of the 10 commandments. Sessions are: Find contentment, Hold to the truth, Prosper with a clear conscience, ‘Affair proof’ your relationships, Manage your anger, Keep the peace with your parents, Catch your breath, Take God seriously, Know God, Live by priorities. This has been well received in House Groups.
Comments: ‘I know people’s lives have been greatly impacted by the just10 series. J John really brings God’s values right into the 21st century’ Tom Wright, Bishop of Durham
Produced by: J John, Philo Trust
Cost: £40 Leader £10 For each study manual
Web details: www.philotrust.com
Availability: Methodist Book Centre www.methodistbookcentre.co.uk

Living Faith
Sessions: 10
Session time: 1.5 hrs
Materials: Leader’s guide, Study guide & DVDs
Features & benefits: The sessions are entitled The story and message of the Bible, The Hebrew scriptures, The world, Life and ministry of Jesus, The Gospel testimonies to Jesus, Paul and the outward movement, A brief history of Christianity, Christian doctrines and beliefs, Other religions and beliefs, Growing in and sharing Christ, Living Christianly in the world. The sessions are based on 10 30-minute DVD presentations. The Leader’s guide and sample materials can be downloaded free on the website.
Comments: ‘Living Faith's great strength is it’s substance and scholarship.’
Produced by: Tom Wright, Bishop of Durham & John Schwarz
Cost: £60 Includes 5 study guides
Web details: www.spck.org.uk/livingfaith
Availability: www.spck.org.uk/livingfaith

Living the Life
Sessions: 18
Session time: 1 hr
Materials: DVD, leaders manual and study guide
Features & benefits: The sessions are entitled Who is God? And what’s he like?, Who am I? And why am I here?, If God really is God – Why is life so hard?, God’s rescue plan for the human race, Becoming a disciple of the king, Forgiveness, Building on a good foundation, Feeding on the living bread, Dynamic praying, Weeding my patch, Finding my destiny, Fellowship in the Church, My life is not my own – the key to giving, Living the life in the marketplace, Recreation, The final journey, Prospects of glory, Pressing on!
Produced by: Peter Horrobin Director Ellel Ministries
Cost: £90 includes 10 study guides
Web details: www.ellelministries.org
Availability: shop.ellelministries.org