Don Davis

I thought I would move this discussion to a more appropriate formate.
Yes I would like to try again. First I am certain that what I am needing, namely a workable definition of Discipleship is in the resources I already have. Just as, the planning of a church theme for the body to focus on each year is in the sacred works workshop material. I ran across it last night. I say that to thank you for your patience and grace. It is allot to process. I still don't quite get the whole.

Reading something in a book or article allows you to follow the train of thought and is comprehended while you are reading in that resource, but take the same paragraph and read it by itself and questions arise to its meaning. So if you have the time I want to break your definition down into crumbs from the table.


"Discipleship is incorporating new and immature believers into the baptized life of the Church where the Spirit empowers them to mature and bear fruit in Christ to the glory of God."

Q: Saying "new and immature believers" suggests you will reach a level where no discipleship is needed? Or is it because the formal process ends with the full participation with in the body allowing continued maturity?

Q:"baptized life of the Church" What does this mean? If Baptism into Christ is "joining by faith the communion of the saints in Christ" Is the baptized life of the Church our identity and pattern you talk about

Q: What does a mature believer look like? Fully functioning within the Body? If so what does that mean/look like?

Q: Bear fruit: meaning displaying the fruit of the spirit and bearing witness to the story?

Christian growth occurs in the midst of the Christian assembly where the apostolic Story of God's Kingdom life in Christ is both our identity and pattern, our shared spirituality and pilgrimage rooted in the canonical Scriptures, which is truly confessed in our theology, joyfully expressed in our worship, faithfully indwelt in our spiritual formation, and boldly displayed in our witness."

Q: God's Kingdom life in Christ: Maning the life that Christ lived was the perfect representation of Kingdom living and we should pattern our life after it?

Q: Is our pilgrimage as Christ's pilgrimage to Jerusalem to be crucified?

Don, thank you so much for your help with this.
Robert