Discipleship Training Course

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Discipleship Training Course
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Why the DTC?
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• Prophetic word about two main areas of focus for
  Isca outreach/evangelism moving in the Spirit.
  Like scissors, with relationship with
  Jesus/discipleship as the pivot
• We therefore want to re-focus on our pivot,
  personal discipleship
• Sunday preaching is not always the best way to
  learn (we have short memories!)
• Challenge of how we in turn disciple new
  Christians

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What is the DTC?
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New!Exciting!Learning and growing as we follow
Jesus together!
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Sundays

• Presentations/talks on themes under the heading
  attitudes and actions regarding
• Themes will include work, money, relationships
  etc. (see next slide)
• Biblical background, testimonies, teaching
• Questions/guidance for discussion in small groups
  during the week will be provided on Sundays

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Themes
attitudes and actions regarding

• Jesus
• The Father
• The Holy Spirit
• Faith
• Holiness
• Personal disciplines
• Self
• Forgiveness

• Church family
• Simplicity
• Work
• Relationships
• Money
• Creation
• The poor
• Not yet followers
• Making disciples

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Small groups

• Following Sunday themes and using guidance
  provided for discussion
• This is a conversation rather than a Bible study
  - a time to talk about personal reflections,
  reactions, resolutions to themes
• Real, honest relationships are how we learn and
  grow within the church family context

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Small groups - practicalities

• Groups of 3 or 4, same sex groups
• Not necessarily geographical -relational
• Nominate up to 5 people youd be comfortable
  being grouped with, office will coordinate -
  confidentially!
• Opportunity to mix with new people, perhaps
  different ages and stages in life from us? Your
  choice though!

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Questions/concerns
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Are lifegroups being cancelled?

• No! Small groups will take priority over
  lifegroup meetings during this course (over the
  Autumn/Winter) but will resume afterwards, and of
  course youre free to meet as a group during this
  time if you want to!

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Why is it called a course?

• It isnt a qualification - we just called it this
  because its a series of topics!
• Were trying to cover a broad range of subjects,
  which we believe to be the basics of being a
  follower of Jesus.
• Content chosen by the Leadership Team and
  presented by various Isca folks
• Breaks for visiting speakers
• It doesnt matter if you miss a week, but you can
  always catch up by downloading the talk on our
  website if you like

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Im worried about being put in a group where Im
not comfortable/dont know people

• You can tell us who you would like to be in a
  group with - this could be people from your
  current group, or new people, its up to you!
• As far as possible you will be grouped with these
  people - and at least one of them (in a group of
  3).
• This information will be treated confidentially!

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Will I have to talk about things I dont want to?

• Absolutely not!
• But this should be a safe environment where real,
  honest friendships allow us to learn and grow
  together
• You may find it easier to talk about sensitive
  subjects in the small group context than in
  larger, mixed-gender lifegroups

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I dont have time for this!

• It should only be an hour or so once a week -
  which may be less than your usual lifegroup
  meeting in some cases!
• Wed encourage you to put extra time in yourself
  - reflecting on the topics, praying etc, but
  thats entirely up to you

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Evenings are difficult/I cant leave the kids etc.

• Small groups will arrange to meet at a time that
  suits everyone in the group - this might be an
  evening, or it could be meeting for breakfast or
  lunch, or even at the weekend
• Other members of the group could come to your
  house if that suits you
• Meeting day/time/place could vary from week to
  week - you arrange whatever you prefer among
  yourselves

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Is someone in charge? Do we need to prepare
anything?

• No - notes will be supplied on Sundays, usually
  this will be questions for discussion.
• It may be worth thinking about these in advance
  to make the most of your time together, but isnt
  essential.
• No-one is in charge/the leader, its just a
  chance to get together to chat through the
  various issues and topics well be discussing

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Summary

• Learning together to become more like Jesus
• Learning leads to change action
• Being disciples together so that we can disciple
  others, including new Christians
• Personal follow-up recommended - journalling,
  scrapbooking, portfolio, action plans - to make
  the most of this chance to learn and grow (Laura
  has info on learning styles which may help with
  this if youre interested)