When I went back to college later in life, I was told that I had a “math deficiency.” I ended up having to buy an introductory mathematics book and re-teaching myself some basics.
Everyday I worked through a portion of that pitifully boring math book—
alone.
However, once a week I met with a tutor who monitored my progress (or lack thereof) and tried to answer my many questions. (“Why would anyone plant a garden in the form of a triangle and then use the Pythagorean Theorem to measure the hypotenuse?”)
One day I asked my tutor, “Help me understand integers”—and I pronounced it exactly like it’s spelled: “in-TEG-ers.” My tutor smiled and said, “You mean, integers”—and she pronounced it “IN-ti-jers.” Sensing my embarrassment, she said, “It’s okay. You couldn’t have known this simply by working through the book by yourself.”
Right then and there I realized this: S
olo book learning is a good start, but a fuller, deeper learning happens in community.
In my math community—with a tutor and few other struggling students—I learned to correctly pronounce mathematical terms I’ll probably never need—such as “integer.” (My math is up to speed these days, but you may have noticed that I still have a significant math deficiency in my attitude.)
In Jesus’ day, this fuller, deeper, communal learning was known as
havering. And as it turns out, haver learning is a critically important part of the disciplemaking genius of Jesus. Why? Because
you will never fully come to know and experience Jesus or disciplemaking by simply working through the Book by yourself.
(The above was taken from the introduction to the Disciplemaker's Living Guide.)
Announcing:
The Disciplemaker's Living Guide
This
Disciplemaker's Living Guide is a tool for transforming
friendships into
disciplemaking friendships.
Who?
It's great for families, students, small groups, networks, leadership meetings, discipleship groups, Sunday school classes, elder’s meetings, staff meetings, disciplemaking learning communities, mission trip teams, and even improving your marriage.
What’s New?
* A refreshed size and design.
* A helpful introduction on WHY and HOW to use it as a dialogue rather than merely a devotional resource.
* The Disciplemaker’s Prayer and a challenge to pray it daily.
* Various images and graphics that promote reflection, study, and dialogue.
* Language that clearly ties this resource to the disciplemaking priorities and practices spelled out in the Disciplemaking Is Relationships training.
5 Ways to Use this Living Guide
1. With Volunteers and Students:
Use the
Disciplemaker's Living Guide to help your adult staff and student leaders grasp and own the value of disciplemaking friendships as the conduit for gospel ministry.
2. In Small Groups:
Once your team—adults and students—understands and starts living the values, bring it to your entire ministry. This is a great series for small groups.
3. For Retreats:
This living guides is a great summer camp or fall or winter retreat experience. Cadre offers a four-session training experience called Disciplemaking Is Relationships.
4. Family Discussions:
Consider doing a family night using this living guide to explore what it looks like to live a disciplemaking way of life together. Invite other families to share this living guide experience.
5. Starting Meetings:
Instead of just starting meetings in prayer, take 15 minutes to have people get into pairs and work through one of the 25 disciplemaking studies/adventures. This will drip essential disciplemaking values into your elder, staff, and team meetings throughout the year.
But wait. There's more.
We're taking pre-orders right now along with a special limited time deal: Buy 2 and get 1 FREE. Complete details here.
