Paignton (Palace Avenue) Methodist Church
Palace Avenue, Paignton, Devon, UK.

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Jesus' first followers were called disciples. There were the group of twelve whose names we know and a much larger group of both men and women, some of whose names we know, but most are now lost to us. They all travelled with Jesus learning from him and eventually many of them became believers, teachers and proclaimers of the gospel themselves. 

The purpose of  this modern 'Disciple' course is to develop strong Christian leaders today through regular in-depth study of the Bible. Disciple making and Christian nurturing are its goals and it is hoped that all participants will find themselves guided into new forms of ministry both within the church and within the community.

How does this happen? 

For six days each week Bible passages have to be read and thought about individually (in Disciple 1 about 70% of the Bible will have been read over the year!); and then on the 7th day we meet together to share our thoughts, ideas and questions and also to think about that week's 'Mark of Discipleship'. This is really the core of the course that helps us relate what we have read to our daily lives as Christian disciples and is frequently very challenging.

If you wish to know more about the Disciple course click here to contact us.

Disciple 1 - Becoming disciples through Bible study

This 34 week course takes participants through the biblical story from Creation to the New Jerusalem

So far 55 people have completed the Disciple 1 course at Palace Avenue some of whom came from other Methodist Churches in the Circuit and we have also had a couple of ladies from Brixham Community Church share with us.

DISCIPLE 1 COURSE PARTICIPANTS
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Left to right
Sue, Anna, Debbie, Kina, Paul, Marion, John

Disciple 2 - 'Into the Word, into the World'

Disciple 2 is a 32 week study of Genesis-Exodus and Luke-Acts which builds on knowledge gained in Disciple 1 with the added elements of spiritual disciplines and personal ministry. 22 members of Palace Avenue and the Circuit have now completed Disciple 2.

DISCIPLE 2 COURSE PARTICIPANTS
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Left to right
Ann, Jill, Linda, Viv, Susan, Stan, Margaret, Christine, Barbara

Disciple 3 - 'Remember who you are'

This 32 week study of the Prophets and the Letters of Paul again builds on the knowledge gained in Disciple 1, but this time helps us to look at both our discipleship and at the Christian community. The only pre-requisite to participating in Disciple 3 is to have previously taken Disciple 1.

Phew!  We've completed the task before us and studied Prophets and the Letters of Paul.  At times it all seemed somewhat daunting and at others so rewarding.  We have all learned so much but now have so many more questions.  Well that's what it's all about.  The group has become very close and shared joys and sorrows over the past year.

We ended the course with an 'Away-day' at the Society of Mary and Martha at Sheldon in the Teign Valley.  The day was a very fitting end to a busy year and we all benefited from a day of quiet, peace and sharing our thoughts of Prophets and Paul and how we have been challenged for the future.

So what of the future.  We have felt challenged to initiate a 'Pray for Roads' scheme, and to continue meeting as a small group open to any others who may wish to join us.  Study in the next few months will take on a much more informal structure with a large element of worship and prayer.
 

DISCIPLE 3 COURSE PARTICIPANTS
(PHOTO TAKEN ON OUR AWAY DAY)
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Back row, left to right
Susan G, Nick, Sue, Rebecca
Front row, left to right
Sylvia, Irene, Frances, Susan Q.

If you wish to know more about the Disciple course click here to contact us. 

See also Alpha Course; Small Groups; Prayer Fellowship and Worship pages.

Click here to contact our Minister – Revd Paul Saunders
Click here to contact us with a General Enquiry
Click here for our other e-mail addresses
Click here to download the Plymouth and Exeter Methodist District Training Calendar 2007/2008
(This file is in .pdf format - you will need Adobe® Acrobat® Reader to open the file)

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Copyright © Paignton (Palace Avenue) Methodist Church 2008 - All Rights Reserved
Music - Copyright © Derek Elson 2000 - Paignton (Palace Avenue) Methodist Church
Last modified: August 2008