"Discipleship Reclaimed" - Discipleship Guide - Week 5
- Sean Stanfield
- May 25
- 2 min read
DISCIPLESHIP RECLAIMED: WALKING IN THE WAY OF JESUS
Rev. Nancy Varden
Week Five
Spiritual Leadership
True leadership is rooted in servanthood, faithfulness, and guiding others in their journey with Jesus, whether in the church, workplace, community, or home. A disciple grows into a leader who nurtures others in faith, integrity, and purpose, both formally and informally. Jesus modeled leadership by investing in his disciples, equipping them to continue the work after he was gone. This priority calls us to invest in mentoring, education, and the ongoing formation of leaders who will not only guide the church but also influence the world in transformative ways.
Questions for Reflection—
1. The Bible calls us to focus our thoughts on that which is excellent, admirable, true, holy, just pure, lovely, and worthy of praise. How does a daily practice of reading scripture help us keep that focus? How are spiritual leaders distracted or what struggles arise when we are servants lack focus and calling?
2. John Wesley in his Preface to Sermons on Several Occasions shared the phrase “let me be homo unius libri”[a person of one book]. Why is scripture to remain the primary source of and criterion for Christian doctrine and discipleship? In what ways is the Bible central to your life and faith?
3. Who are the people in your own life whom you share conversation about faith, scripture, reading, and the movement of the Holy Spirit? Who are the people that shepherd you and in turn whom are you shepherding? Are you feeling called to widen that circle?
4. Can you name places where you use your gifts to Spiritual lead? Do you have others that you can talk to about ways to lead or share what you learn from being a homo unius libri? (You can always reach out to one of the Vine UMC pastors for conversation).
5. How does Philippians 4 encourage you to live and share boldly about your own life of being shepherd by the Word and Spirit? How will you be a part of equipping others and calling them to a life in Christ?
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