Discipleship
Discipleship Opportunities | Home Groups | Personal Devotions | Online Bible | Verse for Today | Prayer
By definition whenever a person becomes a Christian, by accepting Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour and Lord, they begin a journey which Jesus calls discipleship - notably in the last chapter (28) of Matthew's gospel,
19 Go to the people of all nations and make them my disciples. Baptise them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
The work of
discipleship is a partnership between the Holy Spirit who dwells within
the believer, and the individual's own efforts to be formed in the
Christian life, with the help others.
We encourage Christian discipleship in the following ways:
Baptism, if you have not already been baptised. There is no right age to come for baptism. For adults, teenagers and older children full immersion baptism is recommended but not mandatory. Please discuss your options for baptism before or after submitting a completed baptism request form.
By urging each member to have a personal daily devotional time where they consciously connect with God, often through bible reading and personal prayer. Check out this series of five short teachings, "How to Study Your Bible".
Through regular attendance at church services where our discipleship is promoted both in our altogether times and in our break out groups
Through promoting mid-week home groups meeting in the homes of church members for fellowship, bible study, prayer and support
Taking opportunities as they present to attend seminars, courses and other teaching or ministry events which are organised by St Mary's or by the wider church, e.g. Way2Go children's ministry training, Admission to Holy Communion for children, etc.
And, the best promoter of Christian discipleship is by actively ministering with the love of God and in the power of the Holy Spirit. Check our Ministry page for more info.
If you would like help
establishing or want the Church to consider some other forum for
Christian formation please request this via our contact form or contact
the Pastor directly.
Home Groups
Sometimes known as Cell groups, small groups of 6-12 adults meeting in
a member's home provide opportunities for life-giving Christian
discipleship.
The groups may run for a season or longer term; they may assume a
variety of formats or major on one or two.
Core ingredients of a weekly home group meeting are:
Sunday evenings - a younger group
Thursday evening - Mixed Group
Contact St Mary's if you are interested in fellowship and we will provide more info.
Personal Devotions
The Christian tradition has always promoted a daily routine which
includes some consciously God-time.
Some rigorously keep a formal daily office, a cycle of prayers and
readings with perhaps a song or two, which is used as an aid to
cultivating and maintaining a wholesome relationship with God.
In medieval monasteries and even modern Christian communities a daily
"office" or two will be offered as part of the worship of the community.
Many do not have access, or the timing is not convenient, to daily
worship God in this way. A well proven alternative is a personal daily
devotion or "quiet time" which may include:
Adoration
Confession
Thanksgiving
Supplication (prayers of asking or intercession)
Another more simple acronymn to guide our praying is JOY