What is Disciple Bible Study?
Disciple is designed for those who hunger for the word of God, for fellowship in prayer and study, and for a sense of what their ministry might be. Disciple’s purpose is to develop strong Christian leaders through regular, in-depth study of Scripture. Its twin goals are disciple making and Christian nurturing. The expected results of the program are Biblically nourished people committed to living as disciples of Jesus Christ. They will see themselves as servant leaders who desire to use their various abilities and gifts within the family of faith. The purpose of Disciple is summed up in the words of Ephesians 4:12: “to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.â??
Disciple assumes that the Bible is the key to renewal in the church. It recognizes the human-divine nature of the Bible in that the actual texts were written by human beings, under the divine inspiration of God. It affirms that the Bible was formed as it is in order for God to speak to us. As such, Disciple gives equal time to the study of the Old and New Testaments so as to emphasize the wholeness of the Bible as the revelation of God.
Disciple aims at transformation, not just information. It calls people to submit to examination by Scripture, to put themselves under the power of God’s word, and to be changed by that word. Disciple invites all people wherever they are to bring their experiences and struggles to Scripture.
Disciple draws on biblical language and biblical images as well as the work of various scholars of the Bible to help us gain an understanding of the Bible. It requires reading large portions of Scripture each week. This reading is designed to take 20 to 30 minutes a day. It also features a two to two and one half hour group discussion time each week which includes a video presentation by one biblical scholar followed by discussion based on the results of your week’s reading.
How Is Disciple Bible Study Structured?
Disciple consists of a series of four studies:
1. Disciple I: Becoming Disciples Through Bible Study,
2. Disciple II: Into the Word, Into the World,
3. Disciple III: Remember Who You Are, and
4. Disciple IV: Under the Tree of Life.
In addition, two other somewhat related courses are included in the Disciple Bible Study ministry area:
1. Christian Believer: Knowing God with Heart and Mind
2. Companions in Christ
Disciple I is the introductory course. It must be taken prior to any of the other numbered Disciple courses. It is also highly recommended, although not required, as a prerequisite to the Christian Believer and Companions in Christ courses.
