To follow

I have been thinking about what it means to try and build a church around discipleship. What would it look like? How do you go about facilitating it? What about those people who would find it uncomfortable? Is it something that, like an iceberg, is glimpsed but largely goes on under the surface? Or should it be integral to everything we do?

I know that one of the most valuable influences on my Christian growth has been firstly as a 14 year old being in a bible study group of young 20s, I may not always have understood everything but it was fascinating to see debate and passion about what the bible said. It also led to relationships where people could challenge me about my Christian living, just what I needed in my later teen years.

Then at uni I met for a reading group with the UCCF staff worker and some other students, then later on 1-2-1 with another Christian, both significant influences. I needed people to debate and discuss with, to bounce ideas off, to work out my theology and Christian living with.

I guess that's partly why I think discipleship is so important, it has played a huge part in my growth as a Christian. Its why I have met with 4 young men over the last 4 years for 35-60 mins a week to study the Bible, encourage one another and pray for each other. I get as much out of it as they do, if not more.

But would it be possible to get everyone in a church involved in just such a relationship? I guess one fear we all have is what do we do. In my experience it needs to be kept fairly simple - read a passage of the Bible together and chat about what surprises you, what makes you say wow, what does it teach us about God, what about Christ and what about yourself? What does it mean to put it into action? Spend time together chatting about your week, pray for each others needs, families, and spiritual health (prayer, leading family, bible reading, evangelism). Or alternatively use the same bible reading notes and then discuss what you have read in the last seven days.

You don't have to challenge the socks off each other every week, but be ready to issue a challenge when it comes. Above all such things must be built on relationship - give it time, do things together, and keep the things you pray about between the two of you unless you agree otherwise.

Is it possible to see a whole church built around relationships like this? Yes. How do you make it happen? You find someone and ask them if they want to meet up and then you commit to it.