1. The Purpose of Discipleship

The BCM of Georgia Tech believes that God wants to bring about redemption in every part of us. We embrace the salvation that Jesus offers as the only hope for the healing of our relationships with God, each other, ourselves, and creation. We believe that all of life is spiritual. All of our fears, failures, and brokenness can be restored and made whole through the healing power of Jesus Christ. We value the journey, because we want to be fully integrated people. Peoples whose mind, body, soul, emotions, and experiences are all offered together to God [Colossians 2.6-7]. We want to be fully mature disciples of Christ.

At the Georgia Tech BCM, we understand that within the context of smaller groups this discipleship process can more readily happen. Therefore, we will create safe small group environments that allow freedom to grow into maturing believers. We commit to intentionally pray, train, and encourage one another in becoming reproducing disciples. We will continually look for fresh ideas and new ways to build these small groups to best meet the needs of Georgia Tech students. At the same time, we will seek to expand our definition of discipleship and not limit it to a small group experience. We believe that whole life discipleship is a lifestyle, a journey, a process.

II. A Discipleship Multi-Year Strategy at the Georgia Tech BCM

A. 1^st Year Students

1. Discipleship for 1^st year students will start with small groups that discuss foundations of the Christian faith & concentrate on building quality friendships that will develop into genuine community

2. Other avenues of discipleship for freshmen will include

a. attending the fall freshmen retreat

b. helping with the Youth Winter Retreat at Ridgecrest

c. shadowing Vision Team members

d. serving on the freshmen Vision Team

e. one-on-one mentoring with an upperclassman

f. accompanying CM’s in talking with high school students about college

g. serving on a domestic mission experience (spring break, summer)

h. helping with freshmen summer orientation (FASET)

B. 2^nd – 3^rd Year Students:

1. Discipleship for 2^nd and 3^rd year students will center on small groups (Journey groups) that

a. deepen an understanding of the Bible, outreach, spiritual gifts, talents, and personality

b. encourage genuine community through accountability and service

2. Other avenues of discipleship for 2^nd and 3^rd year students include:

a. serving on the Vision Team

b. being a freshmen small group leader

c. participating in one on one mentoring with a freshman

d. serving on the planning team for retreats, mission trips, etc…

e. hosting dorm prayer meetings

f. serving as an upperclassmen small group leader (Journey group)

g. serving in a domestic and/or international missions experience

h. summer mission interview weekend (if recommended)

C. 4^th – 5^th Year Students:

1. Discipleship for 4^th – 5^th year students will wrap around small groups (Journey groups) that

a. continue to deeply study the Bible, growing in understanding

b. discuss the importance of finishing well, cross-cultural witnessing and friendships, leadership, transitions, integrity, having a truly individual relationship with God (instead of a corporate relationship with God)

2. Other avenues of discipleship include:

a. freshmen small group leaders

b. BCM President

c. Vision Team member

d. participating in one on one mentoring

e. hosting dorm small groups

f. participating in an international missions experience