WALDORF, Md.—The Potomac Baptist Association presents a “Getting Serious about Spiritual Growth” conference on April 4-5 at First Baptist Church of St. Charles.
Our calling, regardless of size or number of years as a church, is not to “make” church attenders; but rather to make disciples. This conference offers fellowship, worship, testimony, and breakout sessions to encourage your heart and provide a renewed look at discipleship
The conference, which is free, includes: music, worship, breakout sessions, and Friday dinner and Saturday breakfast. The keynote speaker is Rick Howerton, discipleship and small group specialist.
The following sessions will be offered:
Becoming a Disciple Making Church
Rick Howerton, Discipleship and Small Group Specialist
Many churches believe they are making disciples when in actuality they are assimilating church members. If we want to turn a post-Christian world into Christ-centered world we must make disciples that make disciples.
Disciple Making 101: The Role and Responsibilities of a Disciple Maker
– Led by Rick Howerton, Discipleship and Small Group Specialist
Seeing someone move from spiritual babe to spiritual parent is the primary responsibility of all believers. If you’re a Sunday school teacher, small group leader, or just someone who wants to know the basics of disciple making, this session is for you.
Help! We Need Teachers!
– Led by Pastor Fred Caudle, First Baptist Church, St. Charles
In every church, large or small, is the need for teachers… those capable of sharing the doctrines of our faith. In many cases, churches behave as if teachers will appear out of nowhere and all will be fine. The Bible teaches there is an “entrusting to the faithful” who shall be able to teach others also (2 Timothy 2:2).
In this breakout session, Pastor Fred Caudle of FBC, St. Charles will share an outline of an effective way to expose the Bible to a small group over an intentional period of time and material, in order that the small group takes what is learned and then shares with others. It is not possible to share (at all, accurately, or with passion) what we have not yet learned ourselves… and so Church; we must share with those who will be also be able to teach others also.
Materials and follow up to your church will be provided for those who attend this break out session
Extending the Sermon into the Classroom
– Led by Pastor Mark Dooley, Leonardtown Baptist Church
Sometimes it feels like the Sunday morning message competes with the Sunday morning Bible study topic. They can complement one another as the passage to be preached also used as the passage to be studied in Sunday school. There are intentional steps to make this approach successful. This session will explore the benefits of extending the sermon into the classroom.
Discovery Bible Study
– Led by Pastor Rick Hancock, Dunkirk Baptist Church
What if I told you that there is a method of studying God’s Word in Sunday school or Small Group ministry that includes the major disciplines of Spiritual growth, engages everyone in the group and it cost absolutely nothing? Free!!! You would think I was nuts? In one breakout session I will introduce the Discovery Bible Study process and equip you to begin using this discipleship strategy in your church. Every Sunday school class or small group session could include gratitude, challenges, prayer, accountability, Scripture, active listening and retention, engaging group discovery, transformation, evangelism, care for one another and leadership development. The DBS process uses the Bible as its text and depends upon the Holy Spirit as the teacher.
Churches spend thousands of dollars every year on curriculum and teacher’s resources. Are you really making disciples or just doing church? Are you making disciples or just learning a little more about God with no evidence of life transformation? Maybe it’s time for a change. Maybe it’s time to consider the Discovery Bible Study method of making disciples.
The church is located at 136 Stoddert Avenue in Waldorf, Md. There is no cost for this event, but registration is required. RSVP to Kay.Caudle@potomacbaptist.net or (301) 274-5116 by April 1, 2014.