Disciple Product

The leader guide provides two kinds of information: (1) suggestions for weekly group sessions; (2) information to enhance leadership skills, to support group building and maintenance, and to make effective use of the CHRISTIAN BELIEVER components.

A one-page session plan for each of the thirty weeks follows a set procedure with an amount of time indicated for each step.  Each session plan provides guidance for group activities that make use of the daily preparation members have made, and questions for discussion.  Group activities are designed to focus on content and help persons connect Scripture, doctrine, believing, and living.

The leader guide assumes that:

• The leader makes the same preparation for the weekly group session as the other members of the group.
• Study and discussion in the weekly session is done mainly in small groups.
• The leader both guides the process and participates with other group members in the small-group study and discussion.
• The leader is not an information-giver or lecturer.
• The leader and the group members have access to the same content for study and discussion—the assigned Scripture, selections from the book of Readings, the study manual, and the video presentations.
• A study of CHRISTIAN BELIEVER can renew lives and congregations.

This beautifully packaged set in a tri-fold folder includes Creating, Living and Trusting Participant Guides. The Participant Guides have a lay flat binding making it easy to take notes in the generous space provided on each page.

This Covenant experience will guide participants in a comprehensive, in-depth study of the Bible over twenty-four weeks. Unlike the learning participants may have experienced in other groups, this in-depth study of the whole Bible emphasizes the biblical concept of covenant as a unifying pattern through all the books in the Old and New Testaments. It underscores the unique relationship that God chooses to have with us as God’s people. This relationship is grounded in the faithfulness of God’s love and on our ongoing commitment to stay in love with God while we share signs of that love with others.

Each episode connects to an aspect of this covenant relationship, which is summarized in the heading of each participant guide. The three Covenant participant guides show you what to read and offer space to interact personally with the daily Bible readings, the prayers, and the weekly covenant meditations.

Each participant in the group needs the Participant Guides and a Bible. The CEB Study Bible is preferred.

Creating Participant Guide: GOD ESTABLISHES THE COVENANT to be in relationship with us. So the first eight weeks,Creating the Coven ant, examines how the covenant community is created and established, by focusing on several books of the Bible.

It discusses the story of our origins in Genesis, the Exodus narrative, the teachings of Moses, the Gospels of Matthew and Mark, as well as other books from each Testament that focus on the foundation of Christian faith. In doing so, it lays out the framework for a life lived in concert with God and others.

Living Participant Guide: COVENANT TRANSLATES INTO ACTIONS—into how we behave in our everyday lives. That’s why the second eight weeks, Living the Covenant, focuses on how the community lives out their covenant in faithful love—how it’s applied to actual relationships in daily life.

The books included in these eight episodes examine the practical challenges of faithful covenant life. We explore leadership problems among tribal chieftains, kings and prophets, and spiritual and political crises. They look for practical wisdom and guidance in the teachings of Israel’s sages, the letters of Paul, and more.

And by demonstrating how people of vastly different cultures came together in a common purpose, they show how faithful love is the root of the covenant life.

Trusting Participant Guide: LIFE, AS WE ALL KNOW TOO WELL, IS IMPERFECT. Difficulties are inevitable. That’s why the final eight-weeks, Trusting the Covenant, looks at the crises that sometimes call covenant life into question, and how we are restored to trust in God when troubling things happen.

This module discusses the loss of hope, and how it is restored by faithfulness in the midst of suffering. From the story of Job, to the Hebrew exile, to the apocalyptic visions in Daniel and Revelation, we learn how faithful love is at work in everything—to restore hope, freedom, and wholeness to our lives.

DISCIPLE is a program of disciplined Bible study aimed at developing strong Christian leaders.
The study gives the Old and New Testa­ments equal time, emphasizing the wholeness of the Bible as a revelation of God. DISCIPLE draws upon the work of scholars, the personal Bible reading and study of the participant, and dynamic group discussion to aid understanding of the Bible.

The first study in the program is DISCIPLE: BECOMING DISCIPLES THROUGH BIBLE STUDY, a thirty-four week overview of the entire Bible.

Commitment and time involved:

• Three and one-half to four hours of independent study each week (40 minutes daily for leaders and 30 minutes daily for group members) in preparation for weekly group meetings.
• Attendance at weekly 2.5 hour meetings.

DVD SET
Video presentations for DISCIPLE: BECOMING DISCIPLES THROUGH BIBLE STUDY reflect our changing world, with a new and diverse team of expert commentators tailored to the study manual’s proven format. DISCIPLE I video set was revised in 2004 for more contemporary, inclusive presentation without altering the Bible scholarship. The host for these presentations is Dr. Emerson B. Powery – Associate Professor of Theology and Chair of the Department of Theology at Lee University, Cleveland, Tennessee.

Bible study for busy lives.

No additional preparation is needed for the Leader—just follow the Guide. Use the guide in class only. What could be easier?

Disciple Fast Track, an adaptation of the original, bestselling Disciple Bible Study, provides a viable option for busy people seeking comprehensive engagement over time with the entire biblical text. Fast Track groups meet for a total of 24 weeks, devoting 12 weeks each to the Old Testament and the New Testament. Participants read a manageable 3-5 chapters of the Bible daily in preparation for the weekly meetings, which last approximately 75 minutes.

A brief, illustrated review video enables participants to recall important facts and ideas; lively and engaging video presenters then offer insights into the current week’s session. Participants have the opportunity to take a spiritual gifts assessment and determine meaningful ways they can serve and live out their discipleship commitment. They also have opportunities for celebrations marking their completion of the Old and New Testament components of Disciple Fast Track. The flexible resources work well with groups of a few participants up to 100.

Bible study for busy lives.

This 12-week study immerses the participant in the Old Testament.

Disciple Fast Track, an adaptation of the original, bestselling Disciple Bible Study, provides a viable option for busy people seeking comprehensive engagement over time with the entire biblical text. Fast Track groups meet for a total of 24 weeks, devoting 12 weeks each to the Old Testament and the New Testament. Participants read a manageable 3-5 chapters of the Bible daily in preparation for the weekly meetings, which last approximately 75 minutes. A separate Leader Guide provides group facilitators with step-by-step instructions for leading each week’s session without any extra preparation.

A brief, illustrated review video enables participants to recall important facts and ideas; lively and engaging video presenters then offer insights into the current week’s session. Participants have the opportunity to take a spiritual gifts assessment and determine meaningful ways they can serve and live out their discipleship commitment. They also have opportunities for celebrations marking their completion of the Old and New Testament components of Disciple Fast Track. The flexible resources work well with groups of a few participants up to 100.

DISCIPLE is a program of disciplined Bible study aimed at developing strong Christian leaders. The study gives the Old and New Testaments equal time, emphasizing the wholeness of the Bible as a revelation of God. DISCIPLE draws upon the work of scholars, the personal Bible reading and study of the participant, and dynamic group discussion to aid understanding of the Bible.

The first study in the program is DISCIPLE: Becoming Disciples Through Bible Study, a thirty-four week overview of the entire Bible.

Commitment and Time Involved

• Three and one-half to four hours of independent study each week (40 minutes daily for leaders and 30 minutes daily for group members) in preparation for weekly group meetings.
• Attendance at weekly 2.5 hour meetings.

Teacher Helps

Disciple I Teacher Helps guides Disciple group leaders through each session.

In the front of the Teacher Helps is a section of general information on effectively using the study manual, preparing to lead the weekly group meeting, following the proper schedule and procedure, tips for leading discussion, and suggestions for creating and maintaining a caring climate in the study group.

Process suggestions in the teacher helps enable full participation by all members of the group as a result of disciplined daily study. A one-page plan for each of the weekly group sessions follows an established schedule and procedure, with an amount of time designated for each section in the plan. Each session plan includes suggestions for group study of a selected passage of Scripture.

Transformed by Scripture to change the world.

Minimal additional preparation is needed for the Leader—just follow the Guide. Use the guide in class only. What could be easier?

This 24-week study will immerse you in the books of Genesis, Exodus, Luke, and Acts.

Disciple Fast Track Into the Word Into the World is an adaptation of the original, bestselling Disciple Bible Study Into the Word Into the World. The study is ideal for busy people who want to fit an in-depth Bible study into their schedule. The study retains the familiar Disciple format with its theme word, theme verse, statement of the human condition, daily and weekly assignments, and prayer.

Into the Word helps readers deepen their understanding of Scripture and make connections between what they already know and what they are reading. Each week you will encounter three spiritual disciplines, learn what they are, and how you can engage those disciplines. The first discipline varies from week to week, then moves into Sabbath and prayer. In every session, you commit to how you will respond to Scripture in terms of ministry in the world.

Into the World identifies some needs in the world for which ministry is needed and suggests possible responses, then invites participants to summarize the scripture message that will shape their ministry and to decide what response and commitment to make to that message. Each week you will be guided in experiencing the gift of Sabbath rest and renewal. Classes meet for a total of 24 weeks, studying Genesis–Exodus and Luke–Acts for 12 sessions each. Daily preparation is manageable, with 3–5 chapters of the Bible to read each day.

Weekly sessions last 75 minutes. Four hosts will provide 3–5 minute video insights related to the week's session. Flexible for use with small groups of 8–14, or for large groups of 15–100.

Transformed by Scripture to change the world.

Everything you need to plan and lead your Disciple Fast Track group.

Includes one each of in a tote:

• Genesis-Exodus Study Manual.
• Luke-Acts Study Manual.
• Leader Guide.
• DVD.
• CEB Bible Dictionary.
• The Abingdon Introduction to the Bible
• Access to Online Promotional Materials you can personalize.

This 24-week study will immerse you in the books of Genesis and Exodus.

Disciple Fast Track Into the Word Into the World is an adaptation of the original, bestselling Disciple Bible Study Into the Word Into the World. The study is ideal for busy people who want to fit an in-depth Bible study into their schedule. The study retains the familiar Disciple format with its theme word, theme verse, statement of the human condition, daily and weekly assignments, and prayer.

Into the Word helps readers deepen their understanding of Scripture and make connections between what they already know and what they are reading. Each week you will encounter three spiritual disciplines, learn what they are, and how you can engage those disciplines. The first discipline varies from week to week, then moves into Sabbath and prayer. In every session, you commit to how you will respond to Scripture in terms of ministry in the world.

Into the World identifies some needs in the world for which ministry is needed and suggests possible responses, then invites participants to summarize the scripture message that will shape their ministry and to decide what response and commitment to make to that message. Each week you will be guided in experiencing the gift of Sabbath rest and renewal. Classes meet for a total of 24 weeks, studying Genesis-Exodus and Luke–Acts for 12 sessions each. Daily preparation is manageable, with 3–5 chapters of the Bible to read each day.

Minimal additional preparation is needed for the leader—just follow the Guide. Weekly sessions last 75 minutes. Four hosts will provide 3–5 minute video insights related to the week's session. Flexible for use with small groups of 8–14, or for large groups of 15–100.

DISCIPLE II: Into the Word Into the World is the second study in the four-phase Disciple program and is prepared for those who are graduates of Disciple I: Becoming Disciples Through Bible Study. This study proclaims the transforming power of Scripture while teaching Bible study skills that take participants deeper into the Scripture. The importance of keeping Bible study related to witness is reinforced while participants are encouraged to practice spiritual disciplines arising out of Scripture for the purpose of changing habits and transforming lives. The study also emphasizes the rhythm of coming to God and going for God, of being in the Word and in the world individually and corporately. This study understands the growing Christian as under discipline in community and in ministry to the world. Into the Word Into the World approaches all experiences of life as opportunities for faithful witness and service.

Commitment and Time Involved

• 32 week study
• Three and one-half to four hours of independent study each week (40 minutes daily for leaders and 30 minutes daily for group members) in preparation for weekly group meetings.
• Attendance at weekly 2.5 hour meetings.

Teacher Helps

The Teacher Helps provides an outline for an orientation session and process suggestions for each of the weekly group sessions. It does not contain new or additional content for the leader to present to the group. A one-page teaching plan is provided for each session. Weekly group sessions follow a set pattern, with designated amounts of time for each step. Suggestions for group activity are specific and clearly related to the Scripture being studied. Ample questions for use in discussion are included.

Specific instructions are included for making weekly assignments to individuals for use of the basic resource library.

In the front of the teacher helps is a section of general information on effectively using the study manual, preparing to lead the weekly group meeting, following the proper schedule and procedure, tips for leading discussion, and suggestions for creating and maintaining a caring climate in the study group.

Process suggestions in the teacher helps enable full participation by all members of the group as a result of disciplined daily study. A one-page plan for each of the weekly group sessions follows an established schedule and procedure, with an amount of time designated for each section in the plan. Each session plan includes suggestions for group study of a selected passage of Scripture.