The Discipleship Pathway
The Discipleship Pathway… is our system of “Consistent Teaching” and “Continual Service” that structures our communal life to help us all become more like Jesus Christ. Our journey through life is a cyclical pathway of continual growth. Structured by four stages of spiritual growth, the Pathway is our system and guide to foster community engagement and Christian education at Davis Street United Methodist Church.
The Pathway is a process for sanctification within our Wesleyan worldview. This system is built on the reality that life is a journey with different stages of spiritual growth. We are seek to be a church for all people therefore we must be ready to meet all people where they are. The Discipleship Pathway provides our church with multiple classes and stages of growth where servants within the body of Christ can move and breath and grow closer to the Lord Jesus. Through this journey together as one church we hope to meet all people where they are on their spiritual journey and help them to move forward!
Discovering Stage
A Time to ask questions about faith and finding meaning in life.
Discovering groups geared toward new seekers of the faith. These groups look at the questions like, “Why should I become a disciple” and “What does it mean to be a Christian believer” We hope, through the discovering discipleship groups, to invite new believers and the unchurched into our community of faith.
Exploring Stage
The Time to build a foundation of beliefs and practices.
The exploring stage focuses on building a foundation of faith. These groups help us to learn Bible basics and develop spiritual practices. In this stage we are being prepared for a life of faith! A few examples in this stage would be confirmation classes for youth and young adults where we come to understand questions like, “What is Baptism” and “What is the significance of our Holy Communion.”
Growing Stage
The Time to move and progress in the daily Christian life.
Growing groups ask a central question, “how do I live fully into the life of discipleship?” This stage provides time for classes and groups where a disciple self identifies his or her spiritual gifts. These groups can foster our engagement with financial stewardship or help us to understand what it means to share our faith and be more involved in service and witness.
Serving Stage
A Time to help others grow in the faith.
Serving closes the loop of the Discipleship Pathway and shifts our focus from our own spiritual growth to leading a life of helping others to grow. These groups are less class focused and more experientially driven. In serving, we are led to fully become the hands and feet of Christ as we lead and invite others into the pathway of our Christian community.
“To every thing there is a season…
and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
A time to be born, a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
A time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
A time to cast away stones,
and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to get, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
A time to rend, and a time to sew;
a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
A time to love, and a time to hate;
A time of war, and a time of peace.”
-Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
Step Onto The Pathway
According to Kenneth Carder, “Methodism was not a response to doctrinal controversy but set out with the goal to teach people to experience and live the grace of God and to grow in their knowledge and love of God.” We are called to follow Jesus, in 1 Corinthians 11:1 the apostle Paul says, “Be imitators of me as I am of Christ,” That is our call to discipleship. Be imitators of our Lord Jesus Christ. Join us on the Discipleship Pathway.
Get in Touch. Get Involved.
We would love to see you tied in at Davis Street United Methodist Church. The Discipleship Pathway offers multiple avenues for spiritual growth to meet you where you are.
Contact us today and get on the Pathway.