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Discipleship and Ministries Learning NetworkThis booklet has been produced as a resource for the churchesand Circuits across the East Central Region of the Discipleshipand Ministries Learning Network (DMLN). It builds on the workof Robert Foster and the Nottingham and Derby District andthanks go to Robert for his work in the field of ExtendingDiscipleship, Exploring Vocation.Districts within the East Central Region are Lincolnshire,Northampton and Nottingham and Derby. It may be reproducedand distributed as a whole booklet wherever it may be helpfulboth within the region and beyond.Whether groups come into being specifically for Lent 2014, orwere already in existence before using the resources suggestedhere, a natural question to ask after Lent is “what should we donext?” A leaflet that looks at other discipleship resources will beavailable from Lent 2014, but also, please feel free to have aconversation with us about what will work for you. Both DavidSyson and Lorna Valentine have a focus on discipleship as part oftheir role and details of how to contact them are below:Walking with Christin the season of LentLent 2014Discipleship ResourcesDavid SysonRegional Co-ordinatorEmail: sysond@methodistchurch.org.ukTel: 077999000468Lorna ValentineLearning and Development OfficerEmail: valentinel@methodistchurch.org.ukTel: 077999000467The Methodist ChurchDiscipleship and Ministries Learning NetworkEast Central Region12
Other SuggestionsLenten RetreatsIn the minds of many people, the 40 days of Lent are closelyconnected to the 40 days spent by Jesus in the wilderness beingtempted; the traditions of fasting or giving things up for Lentspring from Jesus’ own fasting during that time. Lent maytherefore be a good opportunity to withdraw from daily life for awhile and to participate in a retreat.There are many different types of retreat and a good way to seewhether one of these might be for you is to look at the websiteof The Retreat Association, which is a national ecumenicalChristian organisation set up to help people find ways ofexploring and deepening their journey with God throughspirituality and prayer. The association can help people withfinding retreats, spiritual direction, resources, events andtraining. More information, including details about how to orderthe annual journal listing 230 retreat houses and theirprogrammes, can be found online.Website: http://www.retreats.org.ukLenten WorshipIf you lead worship, preach or work with children and youngpeople, Lent may be a good opportunity to encourage people tothink about their own discipleship as they remember Jesus’ timein the wilderness, Jesus’ priorities for ministry and Jesus’ journeyto the cross. Websites such as Roots will contain some goodmaterial to help with this.Website: http://www.rootsontheweb.com211
Websites that may help with ideas for LentIntroductionDeepening DiscipleshipSeptember 2013 saw the beginning of the Discipleship andMinistries Learning Network. What is important to us is to bealongside the whole people of God, learning and growing asChristian disciples together. We hope that these Lent resourcesmay spark ideas of what you will find useful and there are severalways we might be able to help if you do want to explore a coursein Lent 2014.The Methodist Church Deepening Discipleship website pageshelp to equip us, as Christians, in our life-long journey ofexploration into the heart of God’s love as we follow Jesus inheart, imagination and imitation. The website contains helpfulsections on Bible study resources and discipleship resources, aswell as stories that people have shared.Website: Scripture Union - Bible ReadingReading the Bible is about developing a relationship with God,through dependence on the Holy Spirit. Scripture Union providesa range of tools to help, including its printed daily Bible guides foradults as well innovative wordlive online resource.as for children and young people. Mega makers is the theme oftheir holiday club material for 2014 and Lifepath is a currentproject for working with schools.Website: http://www.scriptureunion.org.ukBible study link including wordlive (correct at time of blereadingguides/164493.idGospel Reflections prepared by Peter EadeThese reflection notes from a Lincolnshire based local preacher,link to the Sunday readings. They are provided to help peopleengage and live with the Gospel in their daily lives. The notes aredesigned for use in situations where people can talk togetherabout how that Gospel passage speaks into their life. The designis such that the leader does not need any particular backgroundknowledge so can be used for personal or group reflection as wellas offereing a starting point for service preparation.Website: http://www.gospelreflections4u.org.uk/10 We can offer ideas on methods of promoting a course.We would love to work alongside you to enable and equip.We are happy to discuss what material might be suitablefor your group.We want to listen to your needs so please talk to us if thesecourses do not meet them. Details are on the back page.The courses all have the theme of Discipleship. Much has beenwritten about it, particularly in recent years, as the GeneralSecretary of the Methodist Church, Martyn Atkins hasencouraged us to reflect on Methodism as a discipleshipmovement shaped for mission. Yet discipleship is more thanwhat others may write about it.Each of us has a unique understanding of our journey as aChristian Disciple. We’ve experienced what it means to followChrist in good times and in bad. Along the way we’ve connectingwith others, formed relationships, shared moments, struggledwith one another, cared for one another. In other words weeach have our own story of Christian discipleship.That sense of story is important. Our prayer therefore is thatthese resources offer opportunities for us to write anotherchapter in our story as Christian disciples, reflecting on what thatmeans in our lives, Churches and communities.David and Lorna3
Lent Study ResourcesChrist and the ChocolaterieHilary BrandThis book contains a five-week course designed around the filmChocolat. As the course progresses, the attitudes and prejudicesof individuals and of the Church in a fictional French communityare examined which, in turn, enables the participants to examinetheir own attitudes and prejudices. The five sessions are:1) giving up - the prelude to change;2) giving out - the power of a gift;3) getting wise - the possibility of change;4) getting real - the power of acceptance;5) growing up - the process of change.There are also some very helpful leaders’ notes and otherresources at the back of the book. An additional resourceneeded to run the course will be the film Chocolat itself preferably on DVD for easy access to the required scenes - as wellas the facilities to show excerpts of it to the whole group.Kingdom DiscipleshipDavid Bagwell (2009)This is a celtic-inspired course on discipleship in daily life. It is notsimply a study group to learn more about the Christian faith, butan opportunity to put our faith, such as it is, into practice. It’s avery practical course as it involves each person in making a commitment, of their choosing, to try and live out some of the thingsdiscussed in the group sessions.The five sessions are:1) Creating goodness;2) Love when it’s tough;3) An open door;4) The gift of freedom;5) A new heaven and a new earth.Available online at www.methodist.org.uk, search for KingdomDiscipleship.The following direct link was valid at on: Darton, Longman and Todd Ltd (2002)Build on the Rock: Faith, Doubt and Jesusfeaturing Bishop Richard Chartres, Dr Paula Gooder, Revd JoelEdwards and Revd David GambleA 5-week ecumenical course which starts by looking at faith anddoubt. Is it wrong – or is it normal and healthy – for a Christian tohave doubts? Is there any evidence for a God who loves us? Wehear from many witnesses. At the heart of a Christian answerstands Jesus himself. We consider his ‘strange and beautifulstory’ and reflect upon his teaching, his death, his resurrectionand his continuing significance.York Courses, PO Box 343,York YO19 5YB, UK Tel: 01904 466516www.yorkcourses.co.uk49
Faith at WorkSpirituality & discipleship for today’s world.Lincolnshire Chaplaincy ServicesA six week small group study course produced by Chaplains fromLincolnshire Chaplaincy Services which will be available fromJanuary 2014. As well as traditional study material, the sessionswill use video clips of a variety of people in their contexts rangingfrom a dentist to a full time mum. This is being launched as aLent resource for 2014, but the course is suitable for use at anytime of the year.The 6 sessions are:The CALLING - to be a disciple throughout the weekThe CHALLENGE - remaining faithful despite everythingThe CLOCK - ticks on how do we fit it all in ?The moral COMPASS - how do we keep our integrity ?Showing COMPASSION - spirituality in actionMaking CONNECTIONS - we’re all in this together!Produced by Lincolnshire Chaplaincy Services in consultation withthe major denominations. Commended by the Bishop of Lincolnand other church leaders for use by churches and groups of alldenominations.For more information:E-mail: faithatwork@lincschaplaincy.org.ukWebsite: www.lincschaplaincy.org.uk and follow the ‘Faith atWork’ link.Please note, this resource is being produced on a not for profitbasis, but there may be some charges to cover costs.Exploring Spiritual PracticesThe Inspire NetworkA Lent course of seven sessions developed by the Inspire networkof the Methodist Church.The aim of this course is to draw closer to God, through learningabout - and using - the basic spiritual practices of Christiandiscipleship.Session 1 : Hunger and Thirst for GodSession 2 : Exploring FastingSession 3 : Exploring Using ScriptureSession 4 : Exploring Prayer 1Session 5 : Exploring Prayer 2Session 6 : Exploring FellowshipSession 7 : Exploring Bread and WineAvailable online cesCan we print this for you?As a Learning and Development Officer, I am really well awarethat online resources have their place, but for some it meansthey are not accessible. For this particular online resource wewould be happy place a print order for the region in order tomake life easier for folk.Please let me know by the end of 2013 if you would like copies ofthis printing for your Church or Circuit. Please include details ofhow many you need and who I can send them to.Our aim is to be cost effective so low uptake may affect howprinting is handled.Lorna85
From the Ram to the LambMarjorie Austin (Scripture Union 2008)This is a five-part study for individuals and small groups whichlooks at how Jesus fulfils Old Testament prophecy and thesacrificial system. It is written primarily with small groups inmind, but can also be used by people studying alone. Thematerial can also be used as the basis for a sermon series for awhole church. Session 1 is about the promises and mercy of God: thestory of Abraham and Isaac and the substitute sacrifice.Session 2 is about glimpsing the glory of God and has itsfocus on Moses, the Passover Lamb, and the protectionafforded by the blood of the lamb.Session 3 is about the grace and righteousness of Godand takes a closer look at the sacrificial system.Session 4 is about gaining a deeper appreciation of thelove of God and looks at John the Baptist as forerunnerof Jesus and the identification of Jesus as Lamb of God.Session 5 is about the death of the Lamb (Jesus) – thepermanent solution to the problem of sin – and whatthat reveals of the holiness of God.The aim of the course is that, as people look at Scripture, theywill not merely read or listen, but will experience it by: walking in the story or passage we they listening towalking with God’s people in the passagewalking with Godexperiencing God at workapplying what they hear to their livesAvailable online : Exploring Christian Faith TogetherCompass is a short interactive course that introduces theChristian faith for those who wish to explore its meaning. Likeany compass, it relates to a particular map and the one intendedis Christian Discipleship in the Methodist Church.Compass is intended as a guide in the journey of faith that willappeal to the beginner and also the we-travelled. It offers aprocess of learning and discovery, helping people to explore thesignificant aspects of Christian faith and to anchor them in theirexperience of life. At all points there is a chance to discuss,reflect and question in the context of a small group. The coursewill therefore work well at Lent or at other times of the year.Sessions are as follows:Session 1:Session 2:Session 3:Session 4:Session 5:Session 6:Session 7:Session 8:Glimpses of GodMeeting Jesus todayThe difference Jesus makesEmpowered by the Holy SpiritLife TogetherEngaging with ScriptureFollowing JesusCalled by nameFor more information and to download a sampler go hip/small-groups/keyresources/compassCompass can be ordered from Methodist PublishingTel: 0845 0178220Online: www.methodistpublishing.org.ukLink correct at time of publication.67
London: Darton, Longman and Todd Ltd (2002) Build on the Rock: Faith, Doubt and Jesus featuring Bishop Richard Chartres, Dr Paula Gooder, Revd Joel Edwards and Revd David Gamble A 5-week ecumenical course which starts by looking at faith and doubt. Is it wrong - or is it normal and healthy - for a Christian to have doubts?
