Leading Spiritual Formation, Discipleship, and Catechesis

Introduction

Introduce me, personal info.

Discipleship

Knowledge: Develop an understanding of discipleship, discipleship systems, and the class meeting system of the people called Methodist

Skill: Understand a biblical, Wesleyan definition of discipleship, as well as the vitality of discipleship in the life of the believer

Skill: Understand tools and examples for developing and implementing a discipleship system within a specific local ministry context

Skill: Understand the historical Methodist class meeting system and how such a method of discipleship could be contextually employed in the present day

For too long in our Methodist churches, discipleship has become a category that encapsulates spiritual formation, education, and program ministry with very few defining characteristics or Wesleyan distinctives. In turn, discipleship is a muddled category with very little coherence to serve our connectional churches with a shared and faithful vision.

John Wesley wrote, “I am more and more convinced that the devil himself desires nothing more than this, that the people of any place should be half-awakened and then left to themselves to fall asleep again.”

Biblical Framework:

Mark 8:34–37 NIV

34 Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 35 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. 36 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? 37 Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?

Also see Mark 1:16-20; 2:13-14; 3:13-19.

Do you see the pattern that emerges? Jesus calls his disciples to follow me.

Story after to story the invitation was not to believe in me. Come and make a decision that you think I am what I claim to be.

Follow me. Be my disciple.

The word for follow and disciple really go hand in hand.

Follow could mean any one of three things in english:

1. To follow someone going in same general direction. Following someone you dont know on the road

2. To follow someone generally connected to. Like a tour guide

3. To follow someone and you are shaped because of the following.

Disciple: Mathetes

This word could mean student. But it is more than how I was as a college student.

Many think a better word here would be apprentice...

In other words, what makes you a disciple is not turning up from time to time. Discipleship may literally mean ‘being a student’, in the strict Greek sense of the word, but it doesn’t mean turning up once a week for a course (or even a sermon). It’s not an intermittent state; it’s a relationship that continues. The truth is that, in the ancient world, being a ‘student’ was rather more like that than it is these days. If you said to a modern prospective student that the essence of being a student was to hang on your teacher’s every word, to follow in his or her steps, to sleep outside their door in order not to miss any pearls of wisdom falling from their lips, to watch how they conduct themselves at the table, how they conduct themselves in the street, you might not get a very warm response. But in the ancient world, it was rather more like that. To be the student of a teacher was to commit yourself to living in the same atmosphere and breathing the same air; there was nothing intermittent about it. -Rowan Williams

Defining Discipleship

(Long definition):

Discipleship to Jesus is a way of living a holistic pursuit of a relationship with Jesus through the Spirit that undergirds all aspects of life. As such, this lifestyle will look different in different contexts, but will always be guided by three underlying principles. The life of a disciple is devotional: Through the means of grace, disciples devote their hearts, minds, and bodies to Jesus. The life of a disciple is transformational: Though it often takes long periods of time, disciples will encounter the Holy Spirit of God and come through those encounters changed. Finally, the life of a disciple is missional: To follow Christ is to go where he goes and do what he does—this will lead disciples into spaces of self-sacrifice to love and serve the world, making more disciples as they go.

(short definition):

Life as Jesus' disciple will always be devotional, transformational, and missional.

Let us consider each one of these together

Life of a Disciple is Devotional

The means of grace are the given modes through which we are afforded to stay with Jesus. To sit at his feet. To receive the teachings and join ourselves to them. To apply life that has been given.

Illustration: my associate pastor is adopting a child from India at this time. He is legally their child. His name is Moore. Now it is the means of grace through which Joshua’s life will be formed by that reality. These means of grace will be family interaction, events, dinner table routines, nightime prayers, etc.

"The first and most basic thing we can and must do is to keep God before our minds. This is the fundamental secret of caring for our souls. Our part in thus practicing the presence of God is to direct and redirect our minds constantly to Him. In the early time of our "practicing" we may well be challenged by our burdensome habits of dwelling on things less than God. But these are habits — not the law of gravity — and can be broken. A new, grace-filled habit will replace the former ones as we take intentional steps toward keeping God before us. Soon our minds will return to God as the needle of a compass constantly returns to the north. If God is the great longing of our souls, He will become the pole star of our inward beings." -Dallas Willard

Life of a Disciple is Transformational

Now as you follow the teacher around, hopefully you become like them. You develop the skills and vision that they do. Except as Christians, we believe this is not just a metaphorical expression, but that we can actually become like Christ.

1 Peter 2:21 NIV

21 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.

Discipleship has been equated with bible study and service and some other things along the way. Those are included. But discipleship is suppose to be helping us to live the way of Jesus. It isnt just learning stuff.

Life of a Disciple is Missional

As we become like him, then we are able to do his work in the world.

Look at Mark again....

Mark 3:14–15 NIV

14 He appointed twelve that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach 15 and to have authority to drive out demons.

He appointed them, that they would be with him and that as an outpouring of that very reality....they would go out and preach and to have authority to drive out demons.

Later on in Mark 6:6-7, he sends them out giving them authority over evil. In Matthew, they have authority to heal every kind of disease and illness.

And of course Matthew 28:18-20

Matthew 28:18–20 NIV

18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Go and make disciples: Mathetes .... go and call people to follow him. To learn to be with him.

Designing a Discipleship System

Everyone on a spectrum from Exploring Christ to Christ-Centered

(Ascending Leaders Language)

Quadrants of Discipleship:

Exploring Christ

Growing in Christ

Close to Christ

Christ-Centered

Show picture (Canvas)

Class Meeting

Simple definition:

A Class Meeting is a transformational small group of people who meet weekly to give testimony to their life in God and encourage one another in the pursuit of becoming more like Jesus.

men and women

intergenerational

diverse

So much of our discipleship is Christian education that can inspire and inform, but Wesleyan discipline like the class and band internalizes and empowers, through practices of accountability, mentorship, prayer, etc.

Nuts and bolts:

10-12 people | Weekly for 1.5 hours | In a home

Shepherded by 1-2 Class Leaders (preferably Lay)

Focused on the transformed life:

How is your life in God?

How is your life in prayer?

How is your life in mission?

Saturated in prayer

Starting Classes in your church

Keys to success for starting class meetings:

Start somewhere

Resist the temptation to over-program this

Identify potential leaders and show them how

Continued support

Small Church:

Gather together at least 6 people that will commit to exploring a “new” way of discipleship

You lead to begin but identify early someone that can become the class leader in the future

Familiarize yourself with 2 things:

Kevin Watson’s The Class Meeting

Wesleyan “Way of Salvation”

Teach them the Class Meeting using Kevin Watson’s book

Repeat

Medium/large churches:

Recruit potential class leaders (8-12)

Commit to 10 weeks

Become their class leader

Showing them how to pray for people in meeting and outside

Asking questions (versus giving advice)

Listening for the Holy Spirit

guiding the work of holiness with accountability and giving language to what they are experiencing in God

Teach them with Kevin Watson’s book

Supplement with Absolute Basics of the Wesleyan Way (Unit 2)

Conclude with invitation:

Will you lead a group?

Will you help start a group?

Will you take what you have learned and bring it to other aspects of the church?

New leaders begin prayerfully recruiting who will be in their group

Preach about it

Testify!

Repeat

Spiritual Formation

Knowledge: Develop an understanding of the means of grace, the spiritual formation of the minister, and the calling of pastors to lead others in spiritual formation

Skill: Understand a basic Wesleyan framework for the means of grace

Skill: Understand the vitality and avenues for seeking spiritual formation as a ministry leader (e.g., the importance of accountable discipleship in Band Meetings and the vitality of walking with God through the means of grace)

Skill: Understand a vision for effectively leading others in spiritual formation

Show video from Andrew Thompson from 7 minute seminary.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9ye0SafE2Y

Instituted Means of Grace:

Prayer

Searching the Scripture

Holy Communion

Fasting

Christian Fellowship

Prudential Means of Grace:

Class Meetings and Band Meetings

General Means of Grace:

Attitudes, dispositions, habits that bring us into an awareness of God’s constant practice

The exercise of the presence of God

Taking up your cross

Classes and Bands

Staying with Jesus and living the life that is devotional and leads to transformational and thus, missional.

We must position people into this work of spiritual formation but it begins with us.

Starting classes and bands:

We have already talked about classes, I position people in bands much more organically.

What are some ways that you can position people in the means of grace?

Ongoing resources:

Thompson, Andrew C. The Means of Grace: Traditioned Practice in Today’s World. Wilmore, KY: Seedbed Publishing, 2015.

Catechesis

Knowledge: Develop an understanding of how to lead both adults and children through confirmation, affirmation, and catechesis

Skill: Understand the value and practical use of the GMC Catechism

Skill: Understand a Wesleyan theology of confirmation, especially connected to a Wesleyan theology of infant Baptism

Skill: Understand basics of Christian education across the lifespan (i.e., children, youth, adults, etc.)

You should have gotten this resource:

A Catechism of Christian Faith and Doctrine for The Global Methodist Church. Franklin, TN: Seedbed Publishing, 2023.

Definition: Catechesis is the church’s ministry of grounding and growing God’s people in the Gospel and its implications for doctrine, devotion, duty, and delight.

J.I. Packer and Garry Parrett

I will provide and overview of the claims of catechesis from their book: Grounded in the Gospel

First they claim there are three stages of catechesis:

3 stages of Catechesis

Procatechesis (or protocatechesis)

Catechesis proper

ongoing catechesis

Catechesis is a thoroughly biblical idea and practice

The practice of rigorous catechesis has proven to be essential and effective

Many forces have conspired to distract most of today’s evangelicals from the biblical business of catechizing

There are a number of new movements to retrieve this work

Catechesis involves instruction that is both ancient and essential

Catechesis involves instruction that is holistic

Catechesis involves instruction that is highly relational and interactive

Catechesis involves instruction that is timely and culturally relevant

Catechesis involves instruction that is foundational for faith development throughout one’s life

Introducing the GMC Catechism

The Nicene Creed:

The Nicene Creed, also known as the Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed, is one of the most significant and widely accepted statements of Christian faith in the history of Christianity. It is named after the First Council of Nicaea (325 AD) and the First Council of Constantinople (381 AD), where it was formulated and officially adopted. The Nicene Creed is considered a fundamental doctrinal statement for many Christian denominations, including the Roman Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, and many Protestant traditions.

The Nicene Creed serves as a concise summary of key Christian beliefs and doctrines. It is recited or confessed during Christian worship services, especially in liturgical traditions, to affirm the core tenets of the Christian faith.

This creed addresses key theological topics, including the nature of God, the deity of Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, the incarnation of Christ, His crucifixion, resurrection, and His future return for judgment. It also affirms the unity of the Church and the hope of the resurrection.

The Nicene Creed played a pivotal role in resolving theological controversies and establishing a unified Christian doctrine in the early centuries of Christianity. It continues to be a foundational statement of faith for millions of Christians around the world today.

The Articles of Religion, Confessions of Faith, and the Wesleyan Way of Salvation

United Methodist Church

I will spare you the long historical drama of determining and identifying the doctrines of the UMC. As a matter of fact, much of the heartache of early UMC debate about what they believed as a church stems from the fact that very little thought was given to this idea in the 160 years between its inception as a movement and then the joining of the Evangelical United Brethren (EUB) and the Methodist Church.

The Articles of Religion and the Confession of Faith… too long to cover, but adopted as authoritative. What you see in the catechism when it comes to Wesleyan faith is found in these confessions.

Restrictive Rules

¶ 17. Article I.—The General Conference shall not revoke, alter, or change our Articles of Religion or establish any new standards or rules of doctrine contrary to our present existing and established standards of doctrine.40

¶ 18. Article II.—The General Conference shall not revoke, alter, or change our Confession of Faith.

……..

Wesleyan Quadrilateral, General Conference 1972

Because of the restrictive rules, there is no way to alter or change this doctrinal stance. It is protected. To change these confessions of faith would be to leave the church body.

However, because of some influences at work very quickly in this new denomination. Influences that we will talk about briefly if we have time. In 1972, there is a monumental addition to the discipline that in many historians believe, put us in a difficult place. The addition of the Quadrilateral was born to help navigate differences in theology, interpretation, doctrinal differences. The Quadrilateral itself was a noble move from one of the greatest Methodist leaders in our modern time, Albert Outler:

Show Picture

Scripture, Tradition, Reason, experience

But here is the kicker:

Since “our present existing and established standards of doctrine” cited in the first two Restrictive Rules of the Constitution of The United Methodist Church are not to be construed literally and juridically, then by what methods can our doctrinal reflection and construction be most fruitful and fulfilling? The answer comes in terms of our free inquiry within the boundaries defined by four main sources and guidelines for Christian theology: Scripture, tradition, experience, reason. These four are interdependent; none can be defined unambiguously. They allow for, indeed they positively encourage, variety in United Methodist theologizing. Jointly, they have provided a broad and stable context for reflection and formulation. Interpreted with appropriate flexibility and self-discipline, they may instruct us as we carry forward our never-ending tasks of theologizing in The United Methodist Church (¶ 70, p. 75).

Confirmation and Infant Baptism

We have confirmation currently in 6th grade but will be assessing this and considering changing to 8th grade in the coming years. Confirmation is an entire school year.

Book of Doctrines and Disciplines:

Through the Rite of Confirmation, we personally renew the covenant declared at our baptism, witness to God’s work in our lives, affirm our commitment to Christ and His Holy Church, and receive the outpouring of the Holy Spirit through the laying on of hands enabling our lifelong journey toward holiness. The Apostles prayed for and laid hands on those who had been baptized.

It is the duty of pastors to prepare confirmands, teaching them the basic tenets of the historic Christian faith, the history and theology of the Wesleyan revival movement, and the practical meaning of church membership in agreement with the Transitional Book of Doctrines & Discipline and approved catechism.

We believe and practice infant baptism (paedobaptism). This is rooted in our belief in prevenient grace.

What is prevenient grace?

A: It is the grace that goes before the human response of faith.

Wesleyans believe in the universal atonement of Christ. That Christ died for all and baptism is the proclamation of that truth over the child.

J.S. Whale says “Infant baptism proclaims that Christ has done something for me, without ever consulting me or waiting for my approval; before ever I was born or thought of he died to redeem me.”

“Prevenient grace is not conveyed by infant baptism but proclaimed by it.” -Rob Staples, Outward Sign and Inward Grace

A child is incorporated into the body and there will be a time when they must decide for themselves to choose what was chosen for them. Thus, confirmation.

There are plenty of good curriculums out there. We currently have modified our own using parts of the Catechism and Seekers of Truth from Seedbed.

Ongoing Catechesis

Ongoing Catechesis:

Sunday Schools working through catechesis

Pastor led study

Sermon series on the Apostle’s Creed

Membership

Knowledge: Develop a theological and practical understanding of church membership and the responsibilities of members, including how to shepherd members in upholding their membership vows

Skill: Understand both practically and theologically the church membership vows of the GMC

Skill: Understand how to pastorally administer church membership vows in the life of the church, including new membership orientations

Skill: Understand the pastoral responsibility and practicality of holding local church members accountable to their vows

From the Book of doctrine and discipline:

In addition to taking the vows of baptism (¶ 316) those wishing to become professing members of the Global Methodist Church shall be asked the following questions before being received into the church:

Do you believe in God the Father, Jesus Christ the Son, and the Holy Spirit?

Do you confess Jesus Christ as Savior, put your whole trust in His grace, and promise to serve Him as your Lord?

Do you receive and profess the Christian faith as contained in the Scriptures?

Do you promise, according to the grace given you, to keep God’s holy will and commandments and walk in the same all the days of your life as a faithful member of Christ’s holy church?

Will you be loyal to Christ through the Global Methodist Church and joining with your brothers and sisters around the world do all in your power to fulfill its mission?

Will you be a faithful member of the [Name] Global Methodist Church (or alternatively the [Name], a Global Methodist local church), doing all in your power to strengthen its ministries through your prayers, your presence, your gifts, your service, and your witness as Christ’s representative in this world?

Bringing People into Membership

An Example of what we are doing at FMC. I know every church will be different and you want to find sustainable and contextual things to practice in your church. But our focus was to constantly provide on ramps and diverse ways to get connected.

Connecting Schedule: Fall - Winter 2023

8/27 - CWTP

9/17 - Joining Sunday

9/20 - 10/11 - Connect Class

9/24 - CWTP

10/1, 5pm - Sweets and Conversations (in the Lobby)

10/22 - CWTP

11/12 - Joining Sunday

Connect Class

4 weeks:

Who we are? In Introduction to FMC

Worship and What We Believe

How we grow together

How we serve together

We recorded these 4 videos in a professional way so we can reuse them at different times. You can invite key leaders to be a part of this class.

Accountability to the vows

Onboarding and setting the expectation early is critical

Teaching, preaching, and continually inviting people to be a part of what is going on at the church

Utilizing leadership in small groups to “watch over one another in love.”