Session 4 Something practical to do: Discipleship - How is it reflected at church?

Discipleship - the process of being transformed into the likeness of Jesus.

I was struck by Dr Sri's podcast and the four pillars he identifies from Acts 2: 42;

Teaching, fellowship, sacraments and prayer.

Helpful examples such as praying on the train or his wife dedicating her prayer life by making coffee the night before so she can use it for her quiet time the following morning were quite inspiring.

Listening to podcasts and finding other teaching to listen to fill the mind and the heart with things of the Lord and not the world. I was very struck by the comment that 'what we fill our lives with shapes our lives'. How easy it is to lose so much time mindlessly scrolling social media and yet using bible apps can be a real battle for our time...

At our church we have recorded past sermons and offer live streaming of services. Something to plug into during a commute, the bible study notes are also put on the website regularly. These were so helpful during COVID when we weren't meeting.

We have a prayer chain on email where we can support our fellow church members in prayer.

We have enjoyed bring and share meals once more after church services where we can get more fellowship through being together. This is so important to us as a parish whilst we are in parish vacancy.

The bible study group I lead have started this new year being more intentional about sharing meals together where we can have fellowship before bible study. Other spiritual practices that help us be more like Jesus I have found, include sabbath, fasting, solitude, prayer , scripture, simplicity, generosity, hospitality and community. (From Practising the Way by John Mark Comer https://www.practicingtheway.org/ )

When I look at some of these I feel like we've barely scratched the surface at times, but choose not to be discouraged as nothing can separate us from the love of God though Jesus and he does not bring guilt!