Discipleship

True Christianity is not just professed: it is lived out.  Following the example of those such as Moses, Naomi, Elijah, Jesus, Paul, and so many more, we seek to pair mature believers with younger believers in a process called "Discipleship."

Discipleship is a type of spiritual mentorship where the wisdom, life experience, and passion of an older believer can be passed on to maturing younger believers.  Disciple-makers are not merely positive role models, but actively seek to help develop and refine younger disciples.  They are not merely tutors teaching facts, but rather brothers and sisters in Christ sharing the Gospel along with their lives (1 Thess 2:8).  Discipleship fills the gap left when fulfillment of the Great Commission stops at evangelism--we are commanded not only to baptize, but also to teach new believers "to obey everything I have commanded you." (Matt 28:16-20).

For the Jews, discipleship happened when willing students sought out qualified rabbis (teachers).  We believe this to be an effective model of forming discipleship relationships, as it guarantees the student's willingness to put in the time and effort to connect with those mentoring them in the faith.  As a result, the Bethel Discipleship program begins with a basic personality profile through which we can offer students a list of possible mentors to contact.  Students take the first step in approaching a mentor.  While the primary focus of the relationship is to develop the younger believer, these arrangements go both ways: disciple-makers can expect to be challenged, encouraged, and stretched through the sharing of their lives with students.

While this program is not strictly structured in terms of schedule or topic, the following are guidelines that ought to underly each discipleship relationship each week.

• Meetings will take place at least once every two weeks.
• Mentors and disciples will spend time in prayer together during each meeting.
• Mentors and disciples will spend time discussing Scripture, whether directly (ie. reading Scripture together) or indirectly (ie. reading a spiritually-oriented book together).
• Mentors and disciples should develop a relationship that goes beyond simple Bible study.  Sharing activities, meals, and life is highly encouraged!
• Mentors and disciples are highly encouraged to memorize Scripture together.
• Mentors may choose to meet with between 1 and 3 students--this is a life-on-life program, not another small group!

If you have been a believer for more than a year, are passionate about Jesus Christ, and agree with the Bethel Church statement of faith, I urge you to consider becoming a Disciple-maker!  Your first step is to fill out the short Disciple-Maker profile, after which you will be contacted with further instruction.

Prospective mentors, fill out this form.

If you are a younger believer and would like to be mentored, fill out this form.