Session 3: Grow Disciples

Read "Grow Disciples" text from the State of the Church.

Sharing God's Word

"Dear, dear Corinthians, I can't tell you how much I long for you to enter this wide-open, spacious life. We didn't fence you in. The smallness you feel comes from within you. Your lives aren't small, but you're living them in a small way. I'm speaking as plainly as I can and with great affection. Open up your lives. Live openly and expansively!" - 2 Corinthians 6:11-13

Review Section 3 of the State of the Church: Grow Disciples

Disciples:

Discover God's abundance rather than accepting scarcity,
Profit from sacrifice rather than self indulgence, and
Demonstrate love rather than indifference."

Reflect and discuss

For the past few decades, many United Methodist churches have had difficulty bringing in new members on profession of faith. If you were to assist these congregations, what wisdom would you share?
In his address, Bishop Schol calls attention to the issue of diversity and "widening the circle" to include others who might not look, think, or act as we do. He suggests the church needs to become more like Jesus - compassionate, humble, authentic and engaged in things that matter in the world. How well does your congregation practice radical hospitality to young adults? To the poor? To those of different racial-ethnic backgrounds? In what ways do you believe the body of Christ might be broken? What steps might your church take to repair it?
The bishop also noted that while we celebrate our vast diversity, some people in the Baltimore-Washington Conference may not be working as "companions in the adventure God has placed before us." Has this been your personal experience? What three items do you think it is essential that the group who will be exploring this issue for the conference address?
Discipleship has been defined as "growing in our relationship to God and one another." What concrete steps will you take to grow deeper, wider and further in your discipleship?

Going Deeper, Wider, Further

Disciples live openly and expansively. Take a blank sheet of paper and using words, drawings, symbols, poetry, color, or any other creative means of expression you wish, portray one or two ways in which you will further open your life to God's possibilities. Share your creation with the group.

Close with Prayer

God of all people, we ask you to open our hearts so that we may grow closer to one another and to you. Help us to dare, help us to reach beyond our comfort zones, help us to being the people you have called us to be. Amen.

State of the Church study guide:
Session 1: Becoming the Good News
Session 2: Grow Mission
Session 3: Grow Disciples
Session 4: Grow Spiritual Leaders
Session 5: Grow Congregations