Discipleship

Church in the Market Place is committed to the task of helping people get to know, love and grow in their relationship with God, themselves and with others. This page contains resources to help you grow in maturity. (You might also like to check out the ‘Exploring Christianity’ page.)

The process of growing is called ‘Discipleship’ which is the idea that believers of the good news of Jesus Christ commit themselves to the ‘discipline’ of allowing God to make them more like Jesus.

The ‘Discipleship Community’ is made up of those people who are committed to the journey of learning and growing in the 11 Discipleship Covenants that follow.

For each of the ‘Discipleship Covenants’ there is a 1 ½ hour group discussion which outlines some of the basic biblical teaching about this area, and provides you with a list of resources which might be helpful if you wish to develop in this area more.

We provide an opportunity to attend a different ‘Discipleship Conversation’ about every 2-3 weeks on a variety of times and days. (See CMP calendar for details.) You are able to attend the group discussion in any order and at any pace that suits you. You might aim to complete the discussions in anything from 6-24 months.

(Note: Please be aware that over the next year or so we are moving towards making the active participation in these Discipleship Conversations a pre-requisite for membership and leadership at CMP.)

Outlined below are the 11 Discipleship Covenants and resources that are available to help you grow in that area of discipleship. The Discipleship Covenants have been given in a logical growth order, but as already mentioned, you are free to do them in the order that suits you.

Exploring God Growing in God Maturing & Serving Reaching Out
01 Faith & Baptism 03 Small Groups 06 Gifts & Passions 09 Equipping
02 Corporate Worship 04 Devotional Life 07 Generosity 10 Evangelism
  05 Holy & peaceable life 08 Accountability 11 Poor & oppressed

Note: The resources ‘Five Short Studies in …’ are currently in development. To receive them as they are completed please let Pastor Pete know and you will receive them as they are ready. (pastorpete@cmponline.net, 0407-278-175)

Discipleship Area Reflection Question (How well are you going in this area?) Biblical References Useful Resources (Most resources available from Church Library or Pastor Pete)
01 Faith & Baptism I am declaring my faith in the truths of the gospel in the way that Jesus asks me to. 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 Acts 2:38 Matthew 28:19-20
  • Booklet: Five short studies in Faith & Baptism.
  • “The Basics of Baptism” (see Exploring Christianity link) www.whosjesus.com
  • Alpha course (ask Church Office to sign up for next course.) www.alpha.org.au
  • Membership Class
02 Corporate Worship I regularly gather corporately to worship God. Hebrews 10:25 Acts 20:7
  • Booklet: Five short studies in Corporate Worship
03 Small Groups I meet regularly with a small group of fellow believers where there is loving, learning, doing and deciding in the context of connecting with God. Acts 2:43-47 Hebrews 10:23-25
  • Booklet: Five short studies in Small Groups
  • Connect Groups, Bible Studies, Accountability Groups (see Church Calendar)
04 Devotional Life I set time aside on a regular basis to be alone and commune with God to build up my personal relationship with God. Matthew 6:6-8 1 Chronicles 16:11 Ephesians 6:18
  • Booklet: Five short studies in developing a Devotional Life
  • Book: The Prayer of Jabez, Bruce Wilkinson
  • Prayer Groups
  • Prayer Mentor
  • ‘Our Daily Bread’ or ‘Everyday with Jesus’ devotionals
  • Bible Reading Plan
05 Holy & peaceable life I live a holy and peaceable life that is attractive to others. 1 Timothy 2:1-4 Galatians 6:7-10 James 1:21-25
  • Booklet: Five short studies in living a Holy & Peaceable life.
  • Book: Experiencing God by Henry Blackaby
  • Marriage Resource: ‘I Promise’
06 Gifts & Passions I am obedient to God’s personal direction as to how to use my gifts and skills to serve others and so fulfil God’s purposes in my life. Matthew 6:10 Romans 12:1-8 1 Corinthians 12 2 Timothy 1:6-7
  • Booklet: Five short studies in understanding your Gifts and Passions.
  • Book: Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren
  • Spiritual Gifts Survey
  • Book: Strengths Finder 2.0 by Tom Rath
  • Self Understanding surveys such as DISC, Myers-Briggs, Kolbe
  • Book: S.H.A.P.E, by Eric Rees
07 Generosity I am generous in giving away to others. Luke 12:32-34 2 Corinthians 9:6-7
  • Booklet: Five short studies in living a generous life.
08 Accountability I meet with others for mutual accountability where there is confession of sin on a regular basis. James 5:16
  • Booklet: Five short studies in accountability.
  • www.settingcaptivesfree.com
  • Accountability Groups (see Church Calendar)
  • Book: Cultivating a Life with God, Neil Cole
09 Equipping I am being equipped by the Word through personal study and via God’s gift of the five-fold ministry. Ephesians 4:11-16 2 Timothy 3:14-17
  • Booklet: Five short studies in equipping.
  • Certificate IV in Ministry (ask Church Office)
  • Leadership Gatherings
  • Mission Trips
  • Leadership Vision Development
10 Evangelism I pray for unbelievers and respond to opportunities God gives me to share the good news of Jesus with unbelievers. Philemon 6 Matthew 28:18-20 1 Peter 3:15 Colossians 4:5-6
  • Booklet: Five short studies in Evangelism.
  • Online lessons: How to double your group in 2 years or less by Josh Hunt
11 Poor & oppressed I seek to make the world a better place for the poor & oppressed. Luke 4:18-19 James 1:27
  • Booklet: Five short studies in helping the poor and oppressed.
  • Mission Trips