DISCIPLE AND NURTURE
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Word of God
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DISCIPLE & NURTURE
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DISCIPLE AND NATURE |
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Hear God Speaks
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DISCIPLE Bible Study series used by Methodist churches, particularly the four-phase DISCIPLE programme. I checked the current descriptions from Wesley Methodist Church and Faith Methodist Church in Singapore. The four stages form a deliberate progression: understand the whole Bible → practise the Word → recover Christian identity → live toward God's final kingdom. DISCIPLE D1–D4 at a glance
The programme is designed as four phases rather than four unrelated Bible courses. D1 is the foundation, and completion of D1 is normally required before moving into D2–D4.
Main question:"What is the big story of the Bible, and where do I fit into God's story?" D1 is the foundation course. It covers the Bible broadly, giving approximately equal attention to the Old and New Testaments. Wesley describes it as a 34-week study following the biblical story chronologically from Creation to the New Jerusalem, covering about 80% of the Bible. Major areas covered1. God's creation
2. God's covenant with His people
3. Israel's history
4. The prophets
5. Jesus Christ
6. The early Church
7. The hope of completion
Key lesson from D1
D1 therefore changes the way we read Scripture. Instead of asking only "What does this verse mean to me?", we begin asking: "Where does this passage fit in God's larger story?"
B D2 — INTO THE WORD, INTO THE WORLD Main question:"How do I take what I learn from Scripture and live it out?" D2 moves from knowledge to practice. It concentrates particularly on:
It emphasises the movement:
In other words, we come to God through Scripture and then go out into the world to live and serve. Two particularly important themes1. Spiritual disciplinesD2 asks: How do I develop habits that help me remain close to God? These include practices such as:
The objective isn't simply to know more about spiritual disciplines, but to allow them to transform our habits and lives. 2. SabbathSabbath receives special emphasis. It teaches that discipleship isn't simply about doing more for God. It is also about: stopping → resting → remembering God → being renewed → returning to serve. Key lesson from D2
So D1 asks: "What does the Bible teach?" D2 asks: "What am I going to do about it?"
C D3 — REMEMBER WHO YOU ARE Main question:"Who am I as a person and as part of God's people?" D3 focuses particularly on:
This is a very important transition because D3 deals strongly with identity. The central idea is:
Wesley identifies four recurring themes: remembering, repentance, renewed vision and community. 1. RememberIsrael repeatedly forgot:
Paul likewise reminds Christians of their identity in Christ. 2. RepentRemembering God leads naturally to repentance. The prophets repeatedly call God's people away from:
3. Renewed visionGod doesn't merely say: "Stop doing wrong." He gives His people a renewed vision of what they are called to become. 4. CommunityChristian identity is not purely individual. We are:
Key lesson from D3
So the progression is: D1 — Know God's story ↓ D2 — Live God's Word ↓ D3 — Remember who you are
D D4 — UNDER THE TREE OF LIFE Main question:"Where is God taking His people, and how should I live while waiting for the completion of His purposes?" D4 brings the four-year journey toward worship, maturity, perseverance and hope. It covers: Old Testament writingsIncluding the wisdom and poetic books, with particular emphasis on the Psalms. Gospel of JohnThe Gospel presents Jesus with particular emphasis on:
Johannine letters
Themes include:
JamesA strong emphasis on:
JudeA warning about:
RevelationThis brings the entire DISCIPLE journey toward its climax:
Wesley describes the emphasis as living toward completion, with Revelation providing the climax and promise. The deeper progression from D1 to D4I think this is the most useful way to remember the whole series: D1 — STORYWhat is God's story? You learn the biblical narrative. ↓ D2 — PRACTICEHow do I live God's Word? You develop spiritual disciplines and learn to serve. ↓ D3 — IDENTITYWho am I? You remember your identity as God's people and your calling. ↓ D4 — DESTINYWhere is God taking us? You learn to worship, persevere and live in hope of God's completed kingdom. One simple diagramThe four big questionsIf you are preparing a D1–D4 summary presentation, I would put these four questions on four slides: D1 — What is God's story?The Bible D2 — How should I live God's story?Discipleship D3 — Who am I in God's story?Identity D4 — Where is God's story going?Kingdom / New Creation This captures the fundamental purpose of the DISCIPLE programme: it is intended not merely to make people more knowledgeable about the Bible, but to move them toward becoming committed disciples whose lives are transformed by Scripture. If you are using this for your Bible study group, I can also turn this into a D1–D4 teaching presentation with about 20–25 slides, including the key books of the Bible covered, major themes, key people, key verses, and the spiritual lessons from each D1–D4.
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