deep
discipleship
COURSE

There is an urgent need for deep discipleship in the church.

We believe every Christian should be trained in the essentials of their faith, so that they can know God and make him known.

The primary place for discipleship is the local church. 

It is the responsibility of the local church to be living out obedience to Christ’s command to make disciples, see them baptised, and teach them all that Christ has commanded. This is core to the mission of God’s church.

The local church is where Christ is the head, and God brings together and builds up the body with varying members and gifts. Each member coming under God’s Word and empowered by His Spirit, so that each would be presented mature in Christ and the whole would witness to the world of His glory. This is what discipleship is all about.

How do we do that here at CityReach West church? 

We seek to have every ministry space as a discipleship opportunity. Whether you are learning to serve in a team, or being fed through a bible study. Whether you are being discipled and being a disciple maker of others in a small group, team, creche room or home. The desire to make and mature disciples of Christ is embedded into who we are as ambassadors for Christ, being made into the image of Christ. 

Discipleship –

The formation of us as God’s people is happening in all these spaces and many more through friendships, families and workplaces. But we rarely learn humble awe and delight at the glorious depth of the riches of God’s greatness by accident. It takes time and intentionality, and flourishes best when done in the community of Christ’s body – His church.

WHAT ARE WE PLANNING TO DO ABOUT IT?

We see a need to incorporate a layer of intentional discipleship that brings into one space in the local church the basics of the Christian story (the Bible), foundational doctrines and beliefs, and the habits that help form us as we grow as disciples. To meet this need, we are extending an invitation to apply to be part of a cohort who will utilise the Deep Discipleship curriculum developed by JT English, Jen Wilkin and Kyle Worley of "Training the Church". The cohort will commit to 8 weekly meetings per term, over 3 terms (9 months), with readings and reflection activities required to be completed between sessions.

At the completion of the course we pray participants will have known the joy of seeing God’s glory and redemption through the unified story of Scripture, grown deeper roots into core doctrines that expand love and worship, and learnt to practice and delight in habits of the church.

What will the cohort cover?

God’s story, revealed through His Word the Bible: How does it compare to the stories our current culture tells? What is the message being revealed through the story? What are the key events and how are they tied together from Genesis to Revelation?

1.

Christian beliefs and the doctrines central to faith: What is at the basis of what we say we believe? Do we know how the Bible reveals the truth of doctrines about salvation, the fall, the trinity, the Holy Spirit or the Church? Doctrines aren’t boring! Delving the depths of riches of the glorious things of God grows awe, and delight to be on about His mission!

2.

Christian formation and the practices of life with God: What we believe is core to how we behave. As Christians our beliefs in God, and of God and His Gospel are to ‘form’ us by changing us and what we do. Habits that align with the Gospel that has saved us are vital to living not just with head knowledge, but yielding to God’s truth and Spirit who transforms us.

3.

Who is it for?

Believers keen to go deeper in understanding and living out the theology that forms the foundation of our faith. Whether you feel like it is something you have missed along the way on your discipleship path, or something you are ready for right now. This is not just for leaders, but we pray that it would help strengthen current leaders and equip leaders for the future. But we also pray that any member of the church body wanting help to go deeper in discipleship of Christ wouldn’t need to go outside the church to do it.

What you need to know?

  • Sunday May 11, 2025

  • $95. This includes your course workbook, x3 books that are required reading, and all other course materials.

  • Thursday July 24, 7-8:45pm (runs every week, for 8 weeks during school terms)

  • Thursday March 26, 2026

    • 1x 90minute group meeting, every week for 8 weeks/term, for x3 terms.

    • Weekly required readings, reflection questions and project work.

  • Prayerfully consider the opportunity, commitment required, and your circumstances and if you would like to apply please complete the application form through the button below.