Disciples Are……..

For the past year we have explored what it means to be called by God….a natural move is to now explore in great depth the outcome or result of God’s call, which is Discipleship.  The call we answer is to a specific form of Discipleship…..as we are Disciples of Jesus Christ.  Jesus’ charge from God is to transform the world, to actualize God’s Kingdom (though the word ‘Kindom’ is perhaps a more understandable metaphor for Gospel-hearers in 21^st Century America), and thus our Discipleship is not an inwardly focused, individualized activity…..but is focused on others…..we are Disciples on behalf of the world!

January

 Theme: Disciples Are….Gift-Sharers & World Changers

          In the great gift of Jesus Christ, his disciples receive spiritual gifts and

          are charged to share these gifts with others for the good of the world. 

          How do we know and name and claim and share these gifts?  Can

          the sermons function in part as an  abbreviated gifts inventory?  Is

          there a tie to Every Member in Ministry, and the opportunity EMM

          provides for Central folks to share their gifts?  How do we recognize

          and call forth gifts in ourselves and others?  How does the church

          help people feel empowered to share the gifts they understand

          themselves to have?  Disciples share their gifts to make a difference

          in the world, to make it a better place, to follow Jesus – whose goal in

          sharing his gifts was to make God’s Kingdom a reality on earth.                

          Christmas charges up God’s people with love and hopefulness.     

            These services have the opportunity to provide some focus for

          these feelings of goodwill.