C!C - Discipleship

C!C Core Value #4 :

"Openly committing ourselves to be People in Process."

To us, being "People in Process" means recognizing that the world is all about change . . .

the seasons, our bodies, the government . . .

everything changes in time.

As followers of Jesus, we recognize that His Spirit is constantly changing us for the better -- making us more like Jesus.

In this we fully admit that we have not "arrived;" we are not perfect. We make mistakes; we don't even have all the answers. What we do have is a loving Heavenly Father who has promised to accept us through grace when we mess up and continually work all things together for His glory and our good.

That's some good change.

As we partner in this change, following His lead, journeying with other believers, we call this discipleship. . . . And together we are people in process.

If you would like to speak with someone about discipleship, visit the "Contact Us" page or write info@celebrationchurch.ca .

Excerpts/Samples from C!C Discipleship Course Book

Table of Contents - foundations

Salvation
Assurance
Lordship
Bible
Baptism
Church
Holy Spirit
Prayer
Discipleship
Evangelism

Table of Contents - the walk

Wisdom & Knowledge
Pride & Humility
Judging & Self-examination
Sin/Temptation & Victory
Fellowship
Worry vs. Trust
Spritual Gifts
Missions/Perspective
Radical Living/Adversity
Love, Marriage & Family
Money/Possessions/Giving
Conflicts/Tongue

Introduction

Welcome to the first steps of a journey that we at C!C think has the potential to be absolutely transformational. You are holding a handbook that will guide you to the Biblical "bricks & sticks" necessary to begin construction of a life founded on the Truth of God. 1Peter 2:4-5 tells us:

"as you come to him, the Living Stone (Jesus) -- rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to Him -- you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ."

The Bible promises that a life built on the foundation of Jesus will weather the storms that come in this world. What's more, a life built on Jesus secures eternal life in heaven after death! What's still more, while we're living this life, we're not meant to live it alone. We are each part of a bigger building being constructed to glorify God . . . and in so doing, we are deeply enriched in each of our lives.

Studying the Bible is the best way to build our lives on the Truth of God as revealed in Jesus by his Holy Spirit. When the study of the Bible happens through purposeful relationships between believers, it becomes (to mix metaphors) a "greenhouse" for Christian growth. We call this growth process discipleship. And because we grow together, hand in hand, we often refer to the process as life-on-life discipleship.

We sincerely pray that this book and the time spent together discussing its truths with fellow believers will be a significant part of your spiritual formation. Then, upon completion of the book, we pray both that you'll continue to grow as a follower of Jesus and that you'll intentionally find someone else who you can lead through this book for his or her spiritual formation. Such reproduction is at the heart of Jesus' plan for His followers.

As you move through the building process you will:

begin with faith foundations
move from knowledge to practice
find introductions to each section as well as helpful resources in the "tool box"
find sections for notes throughout and in the back for further reflections
and . . . you can know that people are behind you praying for your growth

Now that you've got the idea . . . let's get to work!

Sample Section ~ Salvation

At its core, Salvation is rescue from sin and its consequences. It is the freedom from the penalty, the power, and the presence of sin. We often refer to these as justification, sanctification and glorification. Meditate on these truths until you can say with confidence, "I am a child of God."

1. Who qualifies as a candidate for the salvation of God?
Romans 3:23; John 1:12

2. Does everyone do wrong?
Romans 3:9-12

3. What are the results of our wrongdoing?
Romans 6:23

4. What does the Bible say about forgiveness of sin and salvation being achieved through performance?
Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5

5. What are the components of the Good News (Gospel?)
John 3:16; Romans 5:8; 1Corinthians 15:1-4

6. Identify the two central elements to the message of salvation.
Acts 20:20-21; Mark 1:14-15

6a. What is the meaning of repentance?
Inward: 2Corinthians 7:9-11; Luke 18:9-14
Outward: Luke 3:8-14

6b. What is the meaning of faith?
Hebrews 11:1

7. How does the Apostle Paul describe the process of "being saved?"
(What happens internally and what happens externally?)
Romans 10:9-10

8. What does it mean to confess Jesus as Lord?
Acts 4:12; 16:31; 2:36-42

9. What are the promised results from repentance (confession) and faith (belief?)
John 1:12-13
2Corinthians 5:17-21
Romans 8:14-16

Sample Section ~ Discipleship

In Matthew 28:18-20 Jesus gives us what we commonly refer to as the Great Commission: to go and make disciples of all nations. Our impassioned engagement and effectiveness at this task is one of the defining aspects of following Jesus.

1. What does the concept/process of discipleship mean to you?

2. What were the early followers of Jesus called?
Matthew 10:1; Acts 9:10; 13:52; 14:20, 28; 19:1, 9; 11:26

3. What might we learn from Jesus' description of being a disciple?
Luke 14:25-35

4. What are some characteristics of discipleship?
John 8:31; 13:35; 15:8

5. Jot down these practical characteristics of a "happy" disciple?
Matthew 5:1-16

6. What encouragements does Peter add regarding the discipleship process?
1Peter 2:1-5; 2Peter 3:17-18