Discipleship Team Determines Framework for Adult Classes

Phil Maynard is consulting with our
Intentional Discipleship Team

The team charged with creating a structure for intentional discipleship development at Brighton First has announced its first step in developing a comprehensive plan. Classes offered at Brighton First will cover six different areas. All courses will be offered in a three-year cycle. Decisions were made based on the needs of the congregation, the resources that are already in use, and the great potential for growth as disciples for Jesus Christ.

The team began by defining the characteristics
of a disciple and then asking "How do we assist
people in growing as disciples of Christ?"

This is the first finalized portion of a comprehensive plan that will include small groups and intentional leadership development, as well as study groups and classes. The group is adapting its framework for classes from Phil Maynard's Membership to Discipleship: Growing Mature Disciples Who Make Disciples. In addition to using the materials written by Maynard as a guide, Brighton First has engaged Phil Maynard to coach the team through development of an intentional discipleship plan. Maynard is a United Methodist pastor who has created strong discipleship programs in the Florida churches he has served and now works with churches to strengthen their discipleship ministries.

Book and Bible studies will develop disciples
in these six areas. Studies will be offered
in a three-year cycle.

 The six categories into which classes will fall are a life of worship, a life of hospitality, a life open to Jesus, a life obeying Jesus, a life of service and a life of generosity. Some of the curriculum that will be used is already part of our faith formation classes, including Disciple Bible Study. We will also be offering Financial Peace University as part of the curriculum. As we have practiced in the past, there will also be all-church studies offered in the seasons of Advent and Lent.

The first cycle of classes will be offered in the fall. Please hold the Discipleship Team in your prayers as they continue their work through the summer.