Discipleship
What is Discipleship?
Discipleship is the lifelong process of following Jesus Christ, becoming more like Him, and helping others do the same. A disciple is not just a believer in Jesus but someone who actively learns from Him, imitates Him, and obeys His teachings.
Here at C3 Cheltenham, we run an Equip Discipleship Course to help people on this journey—growing in faith, deepening intimacy with God, and being equipped to live as mature disciples who can also encourage others in their walk with Christ.
What is Equip?
Equip is an 8 session discipleship training course, spread over 8 months, designed to support growth and maturity in following Christ as a disciple.
We have three goals:
Impartation of knowledge and understanding
Personal development (turning knowledge into wisdom and character)
Spiritual growth (leading to increasingly effective ministry)
Each month will be a mixture of teaching session, mentoring session, and individual work and reading to help the student engage with the material. It is not intended to be an ‘in depth’ theological course but to be a practical interaction with the Word of God that is accessible to anyone regardless of background or experience.
The teaching sessions will be led by different tutors each month and include a mixture of teaching, and individual and group work. The individual work will be designed to both increase knowledge but also give opportunity for practical engagement. Wherever possible we will seek to accommodate those for whom traditional academic study has not been easily accessible.
The church will provide a selection of mentors to assist students during the course ,however, the choice of mentor rests with the student, and we will seek to support a students’ choice as far as possible
Course Format:
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A. Our Inward Foundation
Session 1 - Cross Centred - The importance of the lordship of Christ as the foundation of Christian living and service, its blessings and challenges.
Session 2 - Word Founded - The importance of studying the word of God, and knowing how to apply it to life.
Session 3 - Spirit Anointed - The baptisms and gifts of the Spirit. How do we live an empowered life, hearing God, and in the fellowship of the Spirit?
Session 4 - Formed in the Secret Place - Worship, word, prayer, contemplation, meditation. The need to be in the presence of God and how to make the most of those times.
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B. Our Outward Discipleship
Session 5 - Formed for Relationship - The importance of community, church & family. How to maintain good relationships, and what to do if they go wrong. How to live a life that honours others.
Session 6 - Formed for Mission - The need to be engaged in mission –evangelism, lifestyle, witness, social action, justice. Missio Dei.
Session 7 - Formed to Serve - We are called to service, to be others centred whether in giving time, money, or talents. The importance of the ministry of the body of Christ, and the need for personal sacrifice.
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C. The Ongoing Life
Session 8 - The Onward Journey - We are called to constant purposeful personal growth: allowing God to heal our souls, refine our characters and form his nature in us
FAQ’s
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The Cost for the course will be completely free.
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You will be expected to attend each monthly teaching session, as well as Sunday services and not be expected to miss more than 2 teaching sessions. All students will be expected to attend their mentoring sessions, and to complete their personal study whether they attended a teaching session or not. Students who cannot complete these requirements will not be considered to have passed. Generally we would expect 3 or 4 evenings per month (including the teaching and mentoring sessions) will be needed to complete the course.
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The dates for the next discipleship course are not yet confirmed, but it is expected to take place towards the end of 2025.
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The application form for the discipleship course can be found below. If you would like a printed copy, please email sally@c3cheltenham.org.uk