1. theology and practice of discipleship
IME October 2016

2. discipleship
a defining problem

3. – Developing Discipleship (GS1977) p.6
“As the Church of England in 2015 we face the challenge of calling one another afresh to follow Christ in the face of a global, secularise, materialistic culture, often expressed as a desert for the soul. We need to draw on the deep wisdom of the past but also apply ourselves afresh to an authentic and Anglican understanding of discipleship for the 21st Century”
– Developing Discipleship (GS1977) p.6

5. what do we mean by discipleship?

6. – Rohan Williams, Being Disciples 1-2
“Discipleship is a state of being. Discipleship is about how we live; not just the decisions we make, not just the things we believe, but a state of being…the bottom line in thinking about discipleship has something to do with staying or abiding.”
– Rohan Williams, Being Disciples 1-2

7. – Sarah Collinson Making Disciples p.164
“Christian discipling is intended to result in each becoming an active follower of Jesus and a participant in his mission to the world.”
– Sarah Collinson Making Disciples p.164

8. Growing Disciples
Being
Learning
Practicing

10. Growing disciples Being: ‘Gift and work’ as basis of personal faith
‘Learning
informal, interest,intentional
Practising
holy habits

11. Narrowing the definition
Christian discipling is an intentional, largely informal learning activity. It involves two or a small group of individuals, who typically function within a large nurturing community and hold to the same beliefs. Each makes a voluntary commitment to the other’s to form close personal relationships for an extended period of time, in order that those who at a particular time are perceived as having superior knowledge and/or skills will attempt to cause learning to take place in the lives of others who seek their help. Christian discipling is intended to result in each becoming an active follower of Jesus and a participant in his mission to the world.” Making Disciples (2004), p.164

12. leading, supporting and resourcing…
doing discipleship
leading, supporting and resourcing…

13. discipleship framework
growing faith: courses and events
growing vocations: discerning and enabling
growing disciples: training to enable
Living in hope: encountering God in scripture & prayer
following in faith: resources and local courses