Discipleship
of First Year Missionaries
Radical discipleship for college students
wanting to follow Jesus' model
Becoming a
Disciple and a Disciple Maker
The
FYM program is a life-changing experience. We desire to go beyond
good information into actual spiritual formation in students’
lives. As such, we start with teaching and modeling a principle,
then move on to walking it out together. Jesus did things the same
way (See Jesus' Model of
Discipleship). Many Christians don’t really have a good grasp on discipleship,
or even what it means to be a disciple. The FYM program will help
you to learn these things, and walk in your identity as a disciple
maker.
Group discipleship
happens in a classroom-style environment several mornings a week.
This is the main ‘formal’ time where FYMs and leaders
gather to discuss the ideas they’ve been reading and how to
apply them, as well as what God’s been up to in and through
their lives. Take a look at what FYMs
have to say about what they’re learning, and at last year’s
student evaluations of discipleship.
One-on-ones
are the weekly time between a First Year Missionary and his or her
discipler. Family leaders and support staff pray together over each
FYM’s application, history, personality and preferences, and
students are matched with the best-suited same-sex leader. Relationships
often last long past ‘graduation.’ Students say this
opportunity to be real with their mentor, challenged and encouraged
by this person as they go, is one of the most important and appreciated
contributors to their growth.
Discipling others is where the walking it out comes in. Students have lots of opportunities to meet and develop relationships around their home community, in ministry or in their internship itself. You’ll be taught how to recognize a potential disciple, build an intentional mentoring relationship with them, and start to share what you’ve experienced of people pouring into you.
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