Peer to Peer discipleship

What?

Why?

How?

What is Peer to Peer discipleship?

"Peer to peer" is simply us; us learning from and sharing with each other. None of us has all the answers. None of us has deep experience of all things. But each of us can share what she or he has learned and experienced with others.

"Discipleship" is a word that different parts of the church use in very different ways. We mean nothing more by it than that Christ tells us to follow him.

Why should we do it?

Biblically the idea of inter-dependence runs through all New Testament teaching about the church.

Hebrews 10:24 (Amplified Bible) "Let us consider and give attentive, continuous care to watching over one another, studying how we may stir up (stimulate and incite) to love and helpful deeds and noble activities."

The writer of Hebrews tells us to encourage - incite, provoke! - each other to move together towards a goal that we can share and the whole church moves forward as each of us helps others to take the next step forward.

How will it work?

We are not yet sure! But we know some things; there will be small groups, the size and makeup to be suggested by the proposer of each group. Each group will have their own private thread visible only to them and confidentiality will be a key feature.
The "one another" in Hebrews 10:24 makes clear that we are not talking about one person setting a goal and driving everyone towards it, these groups will provide a supportive environment for shared learning.

People will be able to sign up to groups proposed on here - and propose their own. The P2P team will help clarify and help sort out aims and purpose if needed.

So, have you any ideas for specific ways in which we could spur each other on to love and good deeds? If so please add them to the "Sounding Out" thread and if you want to sign up for any proposed groups - use the "Signing up" one.

To kick things off, here are some headings:-

Love for God

• Workshops to help us get acquainted with the Bible
• Workshops to teach us new ways to pray and worship, (or maybe to encourage us to use old ways)
• Workshops on practical spiritual disciplines

Love for God's people

• Our (church) history (the good and the bad bits)
• Doctrines - where they came from and how different people view them today
• Different expressions of Christianity today
• Ways to help and learn from the persecuted church around the world
• Ways to help and learn from the church in the developing world 

Love for the world

• Telling the Christian story
• Telling our own faith stories
• Answering questions
• Providing gentle ways into Christian faith and practice for seekers

Good deeds

• Support groups
• Advocacy on specific issues
• Fundraising for specific projects
• IT "life skills"

These people are your hosts:-

Kailex (Coordinator), Pat, Jools, Mark, Steven.

We are here to help in any way we can. Please feel free to contact us.