Discipleship Communities

Unit 1 - The Biblical Story

Class Information

Location & Time

Cornerstone MPR/Homes ➔ Every other Sunday from 5:00-7:00 PM (usually)

Class Description

In Discipleship Communities, our desire is that upon completion, every person will see themselves as a disciple of Jesus Christ and will be growing as one who is readied to make disciples of Jesus Christ.

Group Leaders

Unit 1 Resources

  1. ESV Bible

  2. The Discipleship Pathway of Cornerstone (PDF)

  3. Core 4: Foundational Discipleship for the People of Cornerstone (PDF)

  4. Shared Life and Service at Cornerstone (PDF)

  5. God’s Big Picture: Tracing the Storyline of the Bible by Vaughan Roberts (book)

  6. Excerpt of The True Story of the Whole World, by Michael Goheen and Craig Bartholomew: “Interlude: A Kingdom Story Waiting for an Ending,” (PDF, used by permission).

  7. Excerpt of Cornerstone’s Doctrinal Statement: Doctrine of the Church Section (Website or PDF) 

  8. Selected Bible Project Theme Videos, bibleproject.com

  9. Journal (paper or digital provided by you)

Objectives & Expectations


Objectives

After engaging in the environment that the Discipleship Communities create, each person should:

  1. Possess competency in Scripture in four ways: (1) The Biblical Story (Core 4), (2) Gospel Transformation, (3) Basic Doctrine, (4) Mission/Evangelism;

  2. Possess competency in Shared Life in four ways: (1) Shared Identity, (2) Biblical Practices, (3) One Another’ing, (4) Significant Moments;

  3. Possess competency in Service in four ways: (1) Church Family, (2) Our Community, (3) The Nations, and (4) Our Enemies.

Expectations

This community will require a deeper level of commitment. First, there will be about 2-3 hours of homework a week. Second, each disciple will make a concerted effort not to neglect to attend the evenings that are planned. Third, each disciple will display a willingness to practice openness with other disciples. Fourth, each disciple will demonstrate a desire that makes time to join Jesus in being and making disciples. If you feel that right now you can’t make this commitment, you may want to consider joining a Discipleship Community at another time.

Unit 1 Class Schedule

Meeting Intro – August 27, 2023 · MPR

Topic: Introduction to Unit 1 - Discipleship Pathway - Community

  • Short 30-minute meeting to introduce group leaders and Unit 1 syllabus

  • Hand Out Schedule

  • Answer Questions

  • Homework Due at Next Meeting:

Meeting #1 – September 10, 2023 · South MPR (Old Jack’s Shoes) - Lunchtime Meeting after Sunday Service

Topic: Introducing a Discipleship Community

Homework Due at Next Meeting:

  • Read the Introduction and Chapter 1 in God’s Big Picture (GBP)

  • Do the “Bible Study” questions for Chapter 1 in GBP

  • Watch The Bible as Ancient Jewish Meditation Literature from The Bible Project: (Below)

  • Practice Shared Life by meeting with at least one person from the group to learn their story and to tell yours.

Meeting #2 – September 24, 2023 · MPR 5pm - 7pm

Topic: Core 4: The Story of God in Discipleship

Homework Due at Next Meeting:

  • Read Chapters 2 and 3 in GBP

  • Do the “Bible Study” questions for chapters 2 and 3 in GBP

  • Watch The Covenants from the Bible Project: (Below)

  • Watch the Teaching Videos: “Rebellion” and “Covenants” (Below)

  • Practice Shared Life by meeting with at least one person from the group to learn their story and to tell yours

  • Complete “Christian DISC” Assessment (sent to your email account)

Meeting #3 – October 8, 2023 · Locations:

Steinwender/Kreycik - meeting in the MPR 12:00pm

Nighswonger/Hoagan - meeting in South MPR 12:00pm

Topic: Core 4: The Story of God in Discipleship

Homework Due at Next Meeting:

  • Read Chapter 4 in GBP

  • Do the “Bible Study” questions for chapter 4

  • Watch The Law from the Bible Project (Below)

  • Watch the Teaching Videos: “Israel pt. 1 & 2” (Below)

  • Practice Shared Life by meeting with at least one person from the group to learn their story and to tell yours

Meeting #4 – October 22, 2023 · Locations:

Steinwender/Kreycik - meeting in the MPR 12:00pm

Nighswonger/Hoagan - meeting in South MPR 12:00pm

Topic: Core 4: The Story of God in Discipleship

Homework Due at Next Meeting:

  • Read Chapter 5 in GBP

  • Do the “Bible Study” questions for Chapter 5

  • Read “Interlude: A Kingdom Story Waiting for an Ending” (pdf)

  • Watch The Way of the Exile from the Bible Project (Below)

  • Practice Shared Life by meeting with at least one person from the group to learn their story and to tell yours

Meeting #5 – November 5, 2023 · Meeting in MPR - 5:00pm - 7:00 pm (Both groups)

Topic: Core 4: The Story of God in Discipleship

Homework Due at Next Meeting:

  • Read Chapter 6 in GBP

  • Do the “Bible Study” questions for Chapter 6

  • Watch The Messiah from The Bible Project (Below)

  • Watch Teaching Video: “The Work of Christ” (Below)

  • Practice Shared Life by meeting with at least one person from the group to learn their story and to tell yours

Meeting #6 – November 19, 2023 Locations:

Steinwender/Kreycik - meeting in the MPR 12:00pm

Nighswonger/Hoagan - meeting in South MPR 12:00pm

Topic: Core 4: The Story of God in Discipleship

Homework Due at Next Meeting:

  • Read Chapter 7 in GBP

  • Do the “Bible Study” questions for Chapter 7 in GBP

  • Read excerpts of Cornerstone’s Doctrinal Statement: “The Church’s Identity and Mission” and the “The Church in the Biblical Story” (PDF)

  • Watch Colossians from The Bible Project (Below)

  • Prepare for tracing a theme for transformation through the Biblical Story

  • Practice Shared Life by meeting with at least one person from the group to learn their story and to tell yours

Meeting #7 – December 3, 2023 · Meeting in MPR - 5:00pm - 7:00 pm (Both groups)

Topic: Core 4: The Story of God in Discipleship

Homework Due at Next Meeting:

  • Read Chapter 8 and Epilogue in GBP

  • Do the “Bible Study” questions for Chapter 8 in GBP

  • Watch Heaven and Earth from the The Bible Project (Below)

  • Prepare for tracing a theme for transformation through the Biblical Story

  • Practice Shared Life by meeting with at least one person from the group to learn their story and to tell yours

Meeting #8 – December 17, 2023 · Meeting in MPR - 5:00pm - 7:00 pm (Both groups)

Topic: Core 4: The Story of God in Discipleship

Homework Due at Next Meeting:

  • Prepare for tracing a theme for transformation through the Biblical Story

  • Practice Shared Life by meeting with at least one person from the group to learn their story and to tell yours

Meeting #9 & 10 - Group Leaders will coordinate dates & times

Topic: Presentations on tracing a theme for transformation through the Biblical Story.