Michelle J. Morris – författare

Spring Theme:Discipleship and MissionMatthew | Luke | Romans

This ongoing day-by-day Bible study series is presented in quarterly segments. Bible-based, Christ-focused, and United Methodist-approved, this resource helps individuals develop the discipline of studying the Bible every day. It coordinates with the lesson themes of Adult Bible Studies. Each lesson includes: a one-page Bible study for each day of the quarter, along with introductory reflection questions and Commentary on the daily Scripture passage, Life Application, and a concluding prayer. Available in print and eBook format.

Therewas a time when discipleship was taken for granted. It was assumed thatpeople could be persuaded to believe and that each person would stepinto the path that took them to Jesus. That assumption is no longervalid. As early as the Gospels, Jesus and his biographers recognize thateach person brings experience to the journey, which travels throughdifferent times and places. The discipleship path for each individualdisciple is assessed and determined through this Gospel Discipleship Participant Guide while the Gospel Discipleship Congregation Guide serves as the implementation guide for church leaders. It also assesses the discipleship path for the congregation as a whole.

Byunderstanding what type of disciple you are, participants in GospelDiscipleship can clarify the path they need to walk. Some people love togo on mission trips; some people really thrive learning from a greatteacher; some people connect to God through painting and music; and somepeople just want to have a cup of coffee and talk about life andeventually get around to talking about Jesus. Participants in GospelDiscipleship can be set free from the guilt of not feeling like a "real"disciple because they don''t feel called to experience the journey thesame way as everyone else. Instead, participants can become the discipleJesus wants them to be. They can spend their valuable time and energyliving and walking on the path where Jesus is calling them to follow.

Each congregation has a unique mission field. Several tools for developing disciples and for engaging in discipleship are available to churches; however, the resources assume that the churches using them are similar to the church that created them. With Gospel Discipleship, individuals and churches learn how to engage in self-reflection, which then defines a path that fits their context. The discipleship path for each individual disciple is assessed and determined through the Gospel Discipleship Participant Guide while this Gospel Discipleship Congregation Guide guides the implemntation of the program and assesses the discipleship path for the congregation as a whole. Therefore, the program leader(s) needs the congregation guide while individual particpants need their own participant guide. With Gospel Discipleship, churches can identify a pathway for discipleship applied from one of the four Gospel storytellers: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Each had a distinct approach to discipleship which can be applied to a given church''s identity, vision, and mission. As disciples are encouraged by the church to step beyond the door and engage the needs of people, they can be sent forth confidently with an awareness of personal, unique gifts, and insights into the actual mission field where they participate with God in changing the world. 

Let Jesus, not the world, set the priorities of your heart in this Lenten season.Toward the Cross challenges each of us to answer the question that lies at the heart of discipleship, at the heart of our priorities: Is following Jesus the most important thing to you? Is it your priority? When you follow Jesus, how does it change the way you think, speak, and act?Jesus told would-be followers to count the cost. The chapters and daily readings in this book help you do that by developing a disciple’s perspective on yourself, others, and things. They encourage you to let go of the past, guilt, and things that weigh you down and cling tightly to Christ in genuine discipleship.This seven-week study guides you through Lent and Easter, helping you explore qualities and characteristics of Christian discipleship that lead you to claim Jesus as your highest priority. Each week includes a group session based on the traditional Gospel texts with supporting daily readings for Ash Wednesday through Easter Monday. Group Sessions have questions to spark discussion as you strengthen your commitment to making Jesus your priority during the Lenten season, Easter, and beyond.