{"id":13065,"date":"2018-04-25T14:53:47","date_gmt":"2018-04-25T19:53:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.anglicandioceseja.org\/?p=13065"},"modified":"2018-04-25T19:04:23","modified_gmt":"2018-04-26T00:04:23","slug":"intentional-discipleship-training","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.anglicandioceseja.org\/copy\/intentional-discipleship-training\/","title":{"rendered":"Intentional Discipleship Training"},"content":{"rendered":"

Intentional Discipleship is a deliberate yet empowering and flexible relationship of trust in which one individual assists or works along with another to understand and appropriate the grace of God in their lives – Rev. Douglas Barnes<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

TRAINING DATES:\"\"<\/h3>\n

Montego Bay Region: Hillcrest Diocesan Retreat Centre <\/span><\/span><\/span>May 4-6, 2018
\n<\/span><\/span><\/span>Mandeville Region: Auchtembeddie Camp Site, Manchester <\/span><\/span><\/span>May 11-13, 2018
\n<\/span><\/span><\/span>Kingston Region: St. Thomas Aquinas Archdiocesan Retreat Centre <\/span><\/span><\/span>June 15-17, 2018
\n<\/span><\/span><\/span>See link to registration forms below<\/em><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Intentional Discipleship is a functional yet flexible relationship of trust, which has as its primary characteristic, the willingness and ability to meet Jesus, and remain with Jesus in order that we will be \u201cchanged [so deeply] that the way we see and experience the world changes. It is about living and walking together with others as we focus on living the \u2018<\/span>Jesus Shaped\u2019 <\/i><\/span>life. This \u2018<\/span>Jesus Shaped\u2019<\/i><\/span> life is one that reflects Jesus\u2019 character of compassion, mercy, justice, hope and resistance to systems and structures that perpetuate evil and sin in the world. To live the \u2018<\/span>Jesus Shaped<\/i><\/span> life\u2019 (<\/span>a life formed through prayer, a deepening of our relationship with Jesus by seeking to remain<\/i><\/span>1<\/sup><\/a> in His presence, modelling Jesus\u2019 principles and embodying his teaching)<\/i><\/span>, is to personify our faith and devotion to Jesus in our normal rhythm of life; in our words and actions. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

There are many examples of Intentional Discipleship in scripture, such as: Moses and Joshua <\/span>(<\/i><\/span><\/span>Joshua 1:1-9)<\/i><\/span><\/span>, <\/span>Elijah and Elisha <\/span>(<\/i><\/span><\/span>2<\/i><\/span><\/span>nd<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/sup> Kings)<\/i><\/span><\/span>, <\/span>Barnabas and Paul <\/span>(<\/i><\/span><\/span>Acts 14)<\/i><\/span><\/span>, <\/span>Paul and Timothy <\/span>(<\/i><\/span><\/span>2 Timothy)<\/i><\/span><\/span> and <\/span>Jesus and the Disciples <\/span>(<\/i><\/span><\/span>Matthew 4:18\u201322, Mark 1:16\u20132, Luke 5:1\u201311<\/i><\/span><\/span>). Using Jesus as our prototype, d<\/span>uring His public ministry, He spent precious time making disciples – teaching and training His chosen few. He spoke to crowds, but often Jesus drew the disciples aside privately to teach them the deeper meanings of His parables and miracles. Like Jesus and the apostles we cannot leave discipleship to chance. Instead, with joy and confidence we invite others to come to Jesus; to meet, stay with; learn from, grow with and witness for Jesus. Let us see it as, and live into our Christian birthright to come alongside and journey with others as they make their commitment to follow and walk with Jesus until they come to his everlasting kingdom. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

You see, making disciples is important because it is the Lord\u2019s chosen method of spreading the Good News of salvation. As Intentional Disciples, let us \u201cevangelize because we have really good news to share, share our faith with their children, and care for the poor and work to alleviate inequality and injustice, although these may be risks taken for the Kingdom of God.<\/span>2<\/sup><\/a> <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

I am excited about this journey and hope that we will be strengthened to not just pay lip-service to discipleship, but we will dare to be in the company of Jesus sharing with the people whom Jesus seeks to be present to. As we live our rhythm we become a place where others encounter God in Christ. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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1<\/a>\u0002<\/sup> Being Disciples: Essential of the Christian Life \u2013 Rowan Williams<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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2<\/a>\u0002<\/i><\/span><\/sup> Forming Intentional Disciples: The Path to Knowing and following Jesus \u2013 Sherry A. Weddell<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

The Goal<\/h3>\n

Discipleship isn\u2019t a sudden condition of spiritual maturity. It is a process of growing and learning as a student at the feet of Jesus. The goal of discipleship is a constant multiplication of disciples, which requires leadership<\/p>\n