Discipleship means taking the gospel (the good news about Jesus Christ and what he did on the cross) and applying it to everyday life experiences like personal growth, serving in the church, driving kids to school, managing a team at work, raising children, and working in the yard.
Discipleship lived out is welcoming, discovering, learning, connecting, becoming a member, engaging in small groups, finding leadership roles, and serving in the church and local community.
Arthur W. Pink: The Seven Sayings of the Savior on the Cross
Eugene H. Peterson: Perseverance: A Long Obedience in the Same Direction
Kenneth Boa: Wisdom at Work: A Biblical Approach to the Workplace
Rebecca M. Pippert: Transformation: Developing a Heart for God
UPDATED: If you are interested in seeing what classes will be offered this fall, click the link below for a one-age printout of the classes. More information will be posted shortly, so watch here and on the main website for more details!
Download AE Fall 2010 Classes Detail NEW
Thought about your summer yet as it relates to your small group? Will you continue to meet? Will you change up your studies? Will you engage in service together as a small group? Host a Backyard Bible Club in your neighborhood?
If you're planning on a study, I recommend to you "Never Beyond Hope, How God Touches and Uses Imperfect People" by J.I. Packer and Carolyn Nystrom. The book is for those who may struggle with their spiritual failures or doubts: "Can God use me?" "I want to serve God, but I frequently fail!" This book can be a good reminder that God uses and touches sinful people. He always has and he always will. Chapters include Samson, Nehemiah, Simon Peter, Jonah, Martha, and Jacob.
It is always a good idea to continue reading scripture, however! Sometimes we think that we need to do a book study in our small groups, but the most beneficial practice we can engage, is that of reading scripture to, and with, one another. Consider as a group what book(s) you might read together, pouring over the pages each week, meditating on the words and images, memorizing passages, and capturing a fuller understanding using a commentary or study guide.
If you use one of the studies or guides, please consider writing a short review of the material and email it to me. We'll post it under a new category called "Reviews". This can help other leaders evaluate if that book or study is a good one to include in his or her small group.
New small group studies have been posted in the left-hand column. These 6 week studies (some may be longer) can be a good launching point this spring for your group as you gear up for another quarter or semester together.
If you use one of the studies or guides, please consider writing a short review of the material and email it to me. We'll post it under a new category called "Reviews". This can help other leaders evaluate if that book or study is a good one to include in his or her small group.
I often get small group leaders asking if I have any recommendations for what to study next... I have some ideas!
Did you know we have resources from classes, NPCU, small group studies and more all posted online? Over the years we have captured text and audio from many lessons that have been offered on Sunday mornings and in classes offered during the week.
Check the church website for ideas that you might be able to use in your small group for the coming term in ministry.
Small Group Leaders are often looking for good resources to browse. One online organization is Matthais Media. We have purchased and used the materials from Matthais Media in the past are excited about our people using these resources in small groups for study and training in the Word.
World Harvest Mission has produced a workbook curriculum for missionaries, leaders and lay people alike which captures the beautiful truths of the gospel and which helps the reader/student apply a biblical understanding of grace, our kinship with Christ--our sonship and daughterhood in Christ.
Sonship has been used for years at NPC in Men's, Women's, and High School ministry. This curriculum, a workbook accompanied by 16 audio sessions has helped many understand their deep need for Christ, the fullness of the gospel, and to tear down the things in which many trust for identity, wholeness, satisfaction. Sonship helps men, women and couples destroy these false gods and rightly worship God because of the work of Christ on the cross.
Here are some download-able files in PDF form for leaders and participants to consider for current or future discipling opportunities.
We are excited about a 13-session curriculum from CCEF, Christian Counseling and Education Foundation, called Changing Hearts, Changing Lives. This material was used in Adult Education over the summer offered to all those attending NPC. Sections of the material were also used in our Leadership Class in the Spring of 2007 to develop our lay leadership (elders, deacons and small group leaders) in the church.
This DVD material is exciting and helpful because of it's real-life application of the gospel. Often people will view the gospel, the good news about Jesus, as simply "fire insurance", something to save them and get them to heaven. We believe the gospel is indeed to make people right before God, putting them in right-standing before God because of the perfect life that Jesus Christ lived, his death, and resurrection which conquer sin and death.
We also believe that the gospel is so much more, we believe that it is for life lived in the 21st Century. We believe that this same gospel transforms people. We believe that the gospel redeems relationships, it changes how we respond to sin and suffering in our lives. The gospel affects our homelife, our worklife, our driving patterns, our parenting style, how we take care of our things, and so much more.
This DVD curriculum is a sound resource for teaching and training Christian leaders how to care for others, to help apply the gospel to one's own life and the lives of others. This resources is made available to small groups and education classes. We encourage you to think about how you can bring this teaching into your small group community or ministry area.
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