1. Learning Programme Introduction
1.1 Learning Programme Purpose & Description
In this module students should acquire basic discipleship principles and be able to use those skills in dealing with spiritual growth in their own lives. The focus is on authentic situations that may require a decision or problem solving by a student.
Students credited with this module will be able to:
- Understand the Newborn again person
- Describe the diet program for Christian growth
- Explain dependence and prayer life of a Christian
- Explain dangers of the evil force in the world
- Describe the sacraments of the Water Baptism and Communion
- Understand the term “filled with the Spirit”
- Explain the proper behaviour of Christians
- Describe the principle of “voluntary giving”
- Describe the responsibility regarding money and possessions
- Understand the term “Vision Burned for Souls”
- Understand the calling of the Local Church
- Explain relationship with other Christians
- Describe the principles of liberty in Christ
- Understand the will of God in the life of a Christian
- Explain the principle of accountability of Christians
DIAGRAM 1
Personal comment | Spiritual action | Discipleship Dedication | Accountability |
The new you | Obedience | Local Church | Accountable – keep focus on eternal matters |
Diet for Christian growth | Filled by the Holy Spirit | Liberty in Christ | Attitude towards money & possessions |
Dependency & Prayer | Behave like a Christian | Know the will of God | |
Beware of evil danger | Vision for the lost | ||
Love other Christians and your enemies | |||
Life of giving |
1.2 Description of the module
This module is an attempt to bring meaning to discipleship from the practitioners’ perspective. The mandate of the great Commission, making people disciples, is the process of making someone become like Christ. This course shows that as individuals learn from Him and follow the pattern of Jesus’ life, there will be marks of discipleship, such as commitment and being like Him in deeds. The primary purpose of Jesus’ coming to the world was to establish the kingdom of God through His death. This module demonstrates that the kingdom becomes evident in form and practice as people surrender to God’s progressive rule. The strength and influence of the church is shown to be wholly dependent upon its commitment to authentic discipleship; that is, producing transformed lives and seeing those lives reproduced in others. This module concludes that the transformed disciples must together take a journey of transforming communities into the kingdom of God.
1.3 Objectives of Discipleship
The Authority of Jesus
Jesus’ introduction in the Great Commission begins with Him announcing His authority. It is natural to assume that His words were only meant to comfort and deal with the disciples’ lack of faith. Christ may seem to want to establish a more intimate relationship by dealing with their indecisiveness with what they have seen and heard. Therefore, announcing his authority may have appealed to the disciples’ faith enhance and give a lucid picture of who Christ is. Also, this announcement was a preamble of the supreme right of Christ to appoint to office who His chooses that His work of baptizing and teaching could go on. (“A true faith is not chosen by men: it chooses men”)
The “Commission” properly incorporates the imperative verb, “make disciples” of all nations by its object of “baptizing and teaching all nations.” The word nations (all nations or Gentiles), “ethnos” removes the restriction of the early mission of the disciples of only preaching to the Israelite people but stretches beyond the border of a once chosen people. The Interpreters Bible denotes that a Gentile must be discipled because of His being excluded to come to a wedding feast in appropriately dressed. A person must be clothed with righteousness, which is the word used in Jesus’ teachings, to be properly groomed for the banquet.
Baptizing
Baptizing has been known as a symbolic act but should be treated beyond the mere mantra that most symbols convey. Lemmer du Plessis explains baptizing as more than a symbol but an act of spiritual obedience to the Word of God. Baptism and the Lord’s Supper must go beyond tradition; but practiced as a sincere understanding of the true atoning of Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection.
Teaching
Teaching comprises of a disciple’s understanding of righteousness. It is beyond mere words but focuses on lifestyle and is the best confirmation of the authority of Christ according to Chip Ingram “The emphasis in the commission thus falls not on the initial proclamation of the gospel but more on the arduous task of nurturing into the experience of discipleship…” Teaching breathes life into the believer as it expresses the true essence of Christ commands. It means that true discipleship is following Jesus’ teachings as the way of righteousness.
The Promise
The last great proclamation in the Great Commissioning of Jesus’ disciples is the “Promise.” (And surely, I am with you always…) Chip Ingram points out Matthew’s particular attention to the special character of this book, the “Promise,” which He earlier alluded to in Matthew 18:20. The “Promise” reiterates numerous passages in the Old Testament of the “ever presence” of Jesus and how He is always with His people. Jesus stresses the same commitment as a reminder that while the disciples are rendering His assignment, He is with them.
1.4 Programme Target & Entry Requirements
The assessment forms used are restricted to simple quantitive and qualitative methods and participants take part in surveys, appraisals, interviews, community consultations and basic documentary research.
2. Duration of programme
The total proposed duration of this module is as follows:
Total Notional Hours |
22 hours |
Theory/Contact Time | 15 hours |
Practical/Research/ Assessment preparation time | 5 hours |
Outreach/Mentoring | 2 hours |
3. Roles, responsibilities & requirements
What can the student expect from the Facilitator and provider during the module? | What the student is expected to do during the course? |
Outcomes-Based Education | 30% Theory 70% Practical |
4. Learner support pack
Every student will receive at least the following resources during this module learning programme:
- Module learner guide
- Module assessment
- Module portfolio
5. Learner support
Please remember that as the module is outcomes-based, this implies the following:
- Students are responsible for their own learning. They have to make sure that they manage their study research time responsibly.
- This module is a learning activity driven module.
- The Facilitator is there to reasonably assist them during contact, practical work time. The students have to make sure that they have his/her contact details
Conclusion
We encourage every student to enjoy their journey with us.
