“DC” initially stood for “Discipleship Curriculum”. Then, it stood for “Developing CoLaborers/Co-Leaders”. Now, it stands for a “Disciple-Making Curriculum”. (We think we’re done switching it now!) DC is a program for “higher-end” discipleship with a focus on lay-leadership development and creating “thoroughly equipped” disciple-makers.
“Thoroughly Equipped” is our goal—that “the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (I Tim 3:17). What does that take? Knowledge, experiences, and skills; better theology, spiritual disciplines, and walking with the Spirit.
DC is a 21-month program of Bible study, Bible reading, and Bible memorization—in a sequence of seven “semesters”—from DC101’s foundations to DC403’s concluding
topics (with Bible reading, service projects, and socials during three “semester breaks”).
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- Bible Memory: Over the 21 months, DC’ers memorize at least 70 verses.
- Bible Reading
- The first 9 months, DC’ers read all of the New Testament—and some of
the Old Testament (Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon, and a
significant sampling of the Psalms). On average, DC’ers read about 11
chapters per week, with weekly reading in Proverbs. - Over the final 12 months, DC’ers read the rest of the Old Testament at a
somewhat faster pace, with weekly readings in the Psalms. - During the three “semester breaks”, DC’ers read (and do light studies of)
Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Isaiah.
- The first 9 months, DC’ers read all of the New Testament—and some of
- Bible Study
- DC101: The Foundation—basic doctrine and Bible study tools
- DC201-202: Building on the Foundation—standard applications
- DC301: An Intro to Building Leaders—a more intimate look inside the heart; and building the heart and skills of a teacher
- DC401-403: Building Leaders—deeper applications and thornier doctrinal issues
DC is meant to be a guided self-study—studying on one’s own and then working with a facilitator-led group—through material designed to enhance one’s walk with Christ and empower one to be a more effective leader within the kingdom of God.
DC is a systematic walk through a set of topics, skills, and experiences that will encourage you to become a more effective apprentice of Jesus—a program to transform how you see God and how others see Christ in you, rather than simply a set of good lessons or a good Bible course.
Through DC and Holy Spirit, we hope to develop competence and confidence—and to promote a vision of living and working in God’s Kingdom.
The only pre-requisites for DC are a hunger to walk with Christ, an availability to attend weekly meetings for 10 weeks (to see if they would like the 21-month program), and a willingness and ability to do about 4-5 hours of “homework” per week.
Different people get different things out of DC, depending on where they are in their walk with Christ. DC empowers and equips people to do (more effective) ministry of many sorts. Some people who complete DC take the opportunity to co-lead their own groups through the same material-really learning it and developing shepherd/deacon skills by shepherding their own flock.
Two of our goals with DC are to develop leaders and to multiply disciples. DC is what Kurt and I would teach and do with a group over a 21-month period in order to disciple them toward effective lay-leadership—equipping them to be disciple-makers.
