Disciple Study

[SandyLou]

The Hebrew word used there to express Pluralism is Elohim. "in the beginning Elohim created the heavens and the earth". Elohim means Mighty ONES (plural). Had God Almighty inspired Moses to write this singularly He woud have said" In the beginning Elohah created the heavens and the earth." Elohah means Mighty ONE.

REALllllllly?!?!? Omigosh! you are a STAR!

have you studied Hebrew? sorry - THAT was a dumb question!
Thank you thank you!​

 

[kitkat60]

I decided to "re-up" for the original class, since I haven't taken it in 15 years. It starts on Monday.

 

[SandyLou]

I decided to "re-up" for the original class, since I haven't taken it in 15 years. It starts on Monday.

ACKKKK! So you'll be 4 chapters behind me?!?!?
Darn! I could use a good study partner!

Good for you!

 

[kitkat60]

I guess so! I am excited about it, although I wont know a darn person there, it isn't even "my" church!!!

With edit: what bible(s) are they recommending that you use? Any versions in particular? Any study bibles?

 

[Origen]

I guess so! I am excited about it, although I wont know a darn person there, it isn't even "my" church!!!

I'm excited for you. I start Jesus in the Gospels in a couple of weeks.

What bible(s) are they recommending that you use? Any versions in particular? Any study bibles?

The printed Disciple study manual says this:

This study manual is based on the New Revised Standard Version. We recommend The New Oxford Annotated Bible With the Apocrypha because of its simplified language and its easy to use notes, essays, and maps. Other excellent translations are available. Keep one or two handy for comparing difficult verses or passages.

However, the study manuals were written before the publication in 5/03 of the New Interpreter's Study Bible (at Amazon or Cokesbury). And while I've got nothing against the NOAB, I really like the NISB better, not to mention that many Methodists were involved in its creation or that it's published by Abingdon Press, a United Methodist imprint. (The NISB is like a $32 NRSV bible containing the best notes and essays of the world-class, $700, 12-volume New Interpreters Bible.) I highly recommend the New Interpreter's Study Bible, and suspect that that will be the recommendation included in newer Disciple material (it may already be recommended for Jesus in the Gospels).

 

[SandyLou]

I agree with Origen about keeping another version or 2 around to help with the difficult passages. Diff study bibles offer diff notes and htose can REALLY help!

My group is as diverse in bibles as we are in personalities Which makes the "reading aloud in unison" stuff a bit difficult. I'm very "comfortable" with my McArthurs NKJV Study bible, but I also own a Nelson Women's Study Bible and a NIV TruthQuest. the one thing I don't like about the McA's is the lack of a concordance - a feature I use OFTEN in my women's study bible. If I continue with future Disciple courses, I will buy the New Interpreter's Study.

 

[kitkat60]

SandyLou,

I will be coming to you with all my questions, since you will be so far ahead! Will look into the New Interpreters Study Bible too

suzie

 

[SandyLou]

Suzie -
how's your Disciple group???

 

[wvmtnkid]

I was getting ready to PM you SandyLou and ask if you had gotten some of your concerns resolved with your leaders, and decided to read the thread first. Sounds like you are feeling better about things. Is it going better? I decided to take the Disciple 2 class again that our church was offering. It's been a few year's since I took it the first go around. It's interesting to see how much I have grown since I took it the first time.

Origen-I would be interested to hear how you like Jesus and the Gospels. I think we are going to try and do that one next year. I understand it is getting mixed reviews.

 

[AngelAmidala]

Here I am jumping into the conversation way late.

I'm in Disciple 1 right now...we just finished lesson 27. We have a rather small group, 1 man, 4 women (myself included), and our facilitator, also a woman. And I will say there are weeks when there just is so much reading...it's hard to get through it all. And others (like my upcoming lesson 28) when there's not much reading at all.

When I saw your post back in August SandyLou, I just knew you were reading the Genesis stuff. The only thing that helped me get through all of it was because basically at the same time I was taking an introductory Bible class at school, and we were also reading Genesis...pretty much the same chapters as I had to read for Disciple.

Being the youngest in my group (by at least 10 years from whoever's the youngest other person in the group) there are times when I feel my answers would be looked at as "wrong" or "silly" but I can say I'm never treated that way by my classmates or the facilitator. So that's been a real encouragement to me.

Our group of members who had been through all 4 Disciple levels now just started on Jesus & the Gospels. The facilitator for my Disciple 1 class is in that group and says she really, really enjoys it so far.

As far as Bibles....I'm using the Life Application Study Bible - NIV. But I have several other versions around me when I'm working on it from home, mostly using the NKJV. In our group, a few of us use the NIV, but there is someone who uses the RSV and someone else who uses the NLT....so when we read outloud in the group we get to hear a variety of versions.

 

[SandyLou]

I was getting ready to PM you SandyLou and ask if you had gotten some of your concerns resolved with your leaders, and decided to read the thread first. Sounds like you are feeling better about things. Is it going better?

I am. . . .thanks to you & Origen! Found out the facilitator who said the Bible was wrong - - this is his first time facilitating a Disciple course. He tends to want to TEACH / lecture rather than allow us to discuss. Totally opposite style from the other guy (the one I talked things out with). I'm in Exodus and it's PLAGUING me ( sorry - couldn't resist!) to understand some of the questions but overall I'm not dreading Sunday evenings anymore and not coming home from them madder than a wet cat.

Ya'll's encouragement and sharing experiences has really helped.

 

[SandyLou]

Okay, I've notice several folks asking about this. . .and no one's really answered the queries. .. . .

a review from those who have or are taking it? What does it all entail?

 

[kitkat60]

Sandy, after I talked to the facilitator, I decided to put it on hold until next year. I had already committed to doing a Beth Moore study with a different group, and the facilitator had done that one too, and she said it would be too much. I still am excited though because now I have a plan for next year! She was soooooooo nice and I can't wait to work with her!

Don't know what Jesus and the Gospels is about .

 

[Origen]

Okay, I've notice several folks asking about [JESUS IN THE GOSPELS]. . .and no one's really answered the queries. .. . .

a review from those who have or are taking it? What does it all entail?

I've heard some folks call "Jesus in the Gospels" the Disciple V, but the publishers are framing it as the first course in a second series of Disciple studies. Here's some information from Cokesbury.

JESUS IN THE GOSPELS

DISCIPLE
Second Generation Studies​

JESUS IN THE GOSPELS invites believers to look at Jesus in each of the four Gospels and ask the question "who is the Jesus that you see?" This study will deepen discipleship through better understanding of the biblical texts and their message.

Two questions frame this study -- "Who is the Jesus you bring with you to this study?" and "Who is the Jesus you take with you from this study?" JESUS IN THE GOSPELS takes participants on a journey from one question to the other.

While distinct in format and approach, this Bible study builds on the foundation and carries forward the philosophy and ideals that shaped DISCIPLE -- high commitment, long-term, disciplined study that fosters community and builds toward transformation.

Completion of DISCIPLE: BECOMING DISCIPLES THROUGH BIBLE STUDY (Disciple I) is prerequisite for JESUS IN THE GOSPELS.

JESUS IN THE GOSPELS is different from DISCIPLE Bible Study in its approach to Scripture -- it looks more closely at the Gospel texts, in the kind of daily preparation and study required of the participants, in lesson layout and design, and in the nature of the study and discussion that takes place in the weekly group meeting.

JESUS IN THE GOSPELS focuses on the portraits of Jesus found in the four Gospels -- Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. The word in used in the title signals that this study takes an approach different from the familiar "life and teaching of Jesus" approach of reading stories and accounts of what Jesus said and did in order to draw conclusions about their meaning and about who Jesus was. This study looks at the way each Gospel writer presents events and teachings and at the picture of Jesus that emerges in each of the Gospels.

Lessons 1-22 concentrate on the Matthew, Mark, and Luke with some related passages from John. Lessons 23-30 concentrate on the Gospel of John with supporting passages from other parts of the New Testament and the Old Testament. In the course of the thirty weeks, participants will read the four Gospels and considerable amounts of Scripture from other parts of the Bible.

I'm starting this month, so I'll post more when I've experienced more of it.

 

[AngelAmidala]

The facilitator for my Disciple group I think really likes Jesus in the Gospels...because she's thinking of having us go to do that next instead of Disciple 2 when we're done with Disciple 1.

 

[SandyLou]

Sandy, after I talked to the facilitator, I decided to put it on hold until next year. I had already committed to doing a Beth Moore study with a different group, and the facilitator had done that one too, and she said it would be too much. I still am excited though because now I have a plan for next year!

Which Beth Moore study? Those usually aren't very long in time. I love her studies!!!
Yes, I'm doing the Disciple 1 and a 13 week study of Acts. I haven't found the Disciple readings that bad - just the journaling and questions are very time intensive.

 

[SandyLou]

I've heard some folks call "Jesus in the Gospels" the Disciple V, but the publishers are framing it as the first course in a second series of Disciple studies. Here's some information from Cokesbury.



I'm starting this month, so I'll post more when I've experienced more of it.

Hmmmm . . .. wondering why then our church is saying that Disciple 1 is a pre-req for taking Jesus & the Gospels then. I've read that same promo and still wondering - - unless they only what people who are committed to long term studies? It sounds as if it would stand alone- totally diff from Disciple.

 

[Origen]

Hmmmm . . .. wondering why then our church is saying that Disciple 1 is a pre-req for taking Jesus & the Gospels then. I've read that same promo and still wondering - - unless they only what people who are committed to long term studies? It sounds as if it would stand alone- totally diff from Disciple.

Requiring Diciple I as a prerequisite for JITG may be partly to measure commitment, but I suspect it has more to do with the fact that Disciple I covers 80% of the bible in 32 weeks, providing great foundation for later studies; in other words, JITG (or Disciple II, III, or IV, for that matter) offer the most to folks with at least some intensive, previous bible study such as Disciple I. Our church also mentioned that Disciple I was a prerequisite for JITG and the other Disciple classes, but if someone felt strongly about it, we let them know the level of work and time involved, and then waived the prerequisisite (don't tell the Cokesbury police).

 

[Origen]

(I) suspect that (the New Interpreter's Study Bible) will be the recommendation included in newer Disciple material (it may already be recommended for Jesus in the Gospels).

I mentioned in post #25 that I expected the New Interpreter's Study Bible to become the recommended bible for Disciple.

I can confirm that with Jesus in the Gospels, the New Interpreter's Study Bible is the recommended study bible. The leader's guide goes into some detail why they make this recommendation, but in a nutshell they offer four criteria for choosing the New Interpreter's Study Bible: 1) the introductory articles to each book and groups of books, 2) the verse notes, 3) the maps, charts, and illustrations, and 4) supplimental materials.

My guess is that the New Interpreter's Study Bible excels in these areas because it is like a one-volume, $32 study bible version containing the best notes and essays of the world-class, $700, 12-volume New Interpreters Bible.

 

[SandyLou]

Our church also mentioned that Disciple I was a prerequisite for JITG and the other Disciple classes, but if someone felt strongly about it, we let them know the level of work and time involved, and then waived the prerequisisite (don't tell the Cokesbury police).

Well, in reading all the brochures for JITG and Christian Believer, there is no "official Cokesbury" pre-req mentioned. And I'm chomping thru Disciple - - couldn't have class last night because of the hurricane - - can't meet with my ALPHA group tonight because of the power outtages (like my house!) all over town & a dusk / dawn curfew.

Drove thru town trying to find a fast food place open at lunch today - YIKES - Lakeland FL seriously looks like a war zone! trees on top of houses, power lines down, giant oak trees laying across streets, tree debris, twisted metal and boards everywhere! Omigosh! No traffic lights tell the Cokesbury police to come direct traffic!