04
Nov '19
Session 1 – Biblical Discipleship
04
Nov '19
BIBLICAL DISCIPLESHIP
Preparation
In preparation for this week’s D-Group:
Memorize and Meditate on John 8:31-32
Watch these Videos:
What is Discipleship?
Read – Reasons for Discipleship
Discipleship is the process of becoming like Jesus by spending time with Jesus. The personal relationship between a disciple and Jesus is the heart of discipleship.
Accountability (10 Minutes)
Each disciple to share one insight or lesson learned from his/her devotion in the last week.
What is one thing you feel God is inviting you to do right now?
Bible Discussion (20 Minutes)
1. Study Matthew 28:16-20
In the Great Commission by Jesus, why is making disciples an imperative verb and is non-negotiable? Discuss how Christians are to be disciples and learners of Jesus.
2. Why Discipleship? What is the cost of following Jesus based on Matthew 16:24-26
3. From the verses below, what are the characteristics and measurements of the spiritual growth of a disciple of Jesus?
Life Transformation (20 Minutes)
1. How does a spiritual-matured disciple of Jesus look like? Share your thoughts.
2. Share with us about your journey with Jesus recently. In a few simple words, how would you describe your current relationship with Jesus?
3. Spiritual growth has to be intentional. The goal of discipleship is to be like Jesus. How can the D-group help you to develop essential spiritual habits and practices that are in line with the teachings of Jesus?
Intercessory Prayer (10 Minutes)
- Surrendering all areas of life to Jesus
- Commitment to attend this d-group and make it a priority
- Personal needs, growth, and challenges
LEADERS’ TIP
- Share the purpose and goal of what the D-group hopes to achieve.
- Second, share his spiritual victories and struggles for others to open up. Be authentic.
- Third, keep all the discussions within the timeframe.
- You can use the story to illustrate, partial surrender to Jesus is not sufficient. Share your testimony and your discipleship journey. All the readings and discussions must move in the direction of life transformation.
- Further, the leader should at this early stage, encourage faithful attendance of church worship and Sabbath School.
- In intercessory prayer, the group should gather and pray in between meet-ups using any means and ways (e.g., WhatsApp group call or equivalent). It can just be a 10 minutes meeting of prayer in cyberspace. The group can watch this 2min video (This is Discipleship) as a summary for the meeting.
- Finally, if members in the group are new to each other, arrange a social setting where all can have a meal together.
**Additional Resources
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03
Nov '19
Session 2 – Daily Time in God’s Word
03
Nov '19
DAILY TIME IN GOD’S WORD
Preparation
In preparation for this week’s D-Group:
Memorize and Meditate:
Read/Watch:
Christian’s devotional life is not optional. A relationship with God is the entire basis of an active Christian life. The primary purpose of prayer is not to get answers; the primary purpose of bible study is not to get information but to know Jesus.
Devotional life, properly defined, is not an activity—it is an attitude. It is a purposeful mind-set. It is giving life to God, devoting life to God. A devotional life is the life-source for all of the needed spiritual qualities.
Communion with God will ennoble the character and life. Men will take knowledge of us, as of the first disciples, that we have been with Jesus. This will impart to the worker a power that nothing else can give. Of this power, he must not allow himself to be deprived. We must live a twofold life–a life of thought and action, of silent prayer and earnest work.–the Ministry of Healing, p. 512
Accountability (10 Minutes)
Each disciple to share one insight or lesson learned from his/her devotion in the last week.
When you think about reading the bible, what is the first feeling that comes to your mind?
Bible Discussion (20 Minutes)
1. Study John 15:1-8. What is God saying in this passage? What does it mean to “abide in Christ” to know Jesus?
2. Read 2 Timothy 3:16 Since the spiritual life comes from the living Word, what will be the result when the study of the Word of God is neglected?
3. Study Psalm 46:10; Philippians 4:8. What does it mean to be “still” in the presence of God? How can we regularly focus our minds on things that are “noble” and “praiseworthy”? How can I meditate on the Word of God?
Life Transformation (20 Minutes)
1. How much time have you meditated upon Jesus and His Words? What are the obstructions in your life that need to be removed so that you can have a healthy personal devotion?
2. Is personal devotional life an integral part of your daily routine? If not, what are your struggles? How can this d-group help one another to normalize your personal devotion time with God to be the top priority?
3. If you have a family, do you practice regular family worship? If yes, what are some of the joys and blessings? If no, what are some of the battles you face?
Intercessory Prayer (10 Minutes)
- Remove all obstacles in my personal devotional life
- To meditate on and apply the Word of God in daily life
- To enjoy the presence of God
LEADERS’ TIPS
- Use this illustration where all Olympics participants go through a regimental training in order to win the prize. How much more if we are to pursue God’s eternal reward.
- Share the “hows” of their devotional life and encourage their group members to embrace this discipline. Adventists recognize the importance of making a commitment to have daily personal communion with God. We set apart the first moments of each day to commune with the Lord through prayer, the study of the Bible, Spirit of Prophesy and the Sabbath School lesson. Don’t miss the big picture that the end goal of one’s devotional life is to develop a living-vibrant relationship with Jesus. To set aside a daily time with God requires discipline, sacrifice, prioritize this time over other engagements, and encouragement from the D-group.
- Periodically share his devotional insight with group members via the whatsapp chatgroup (from time to time) to help members recognize the power of God’s word.
- Suggest practical tools and means to help members develop a healthy quiet time with God including what to do for family worship.
**Additional Resources
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