St Johns leadership has adopted Gospel Based Discipleship as part of our spiritual practice. When the vestry (St. John’s leadership council) or staff meets, we begin with an intentional study of Scripture according to the GBD model (known in other parts of the world as African Bible Study), and we encourage others do to the same.  GBD comes to us from the spiritual practices of our Native American congregations of the Episcopal Church.

Gospel Based Discipleship is not a program. It is not Bible Study. It is an encounter with the Gospel, designed to engage people with the Gospel appointed for the day, or the Sunday proper. It depends on participants being willing to share responses to the three questions:

What words or ideas did you hear?
What is Jesus (the Gospel) saying to you?
What is Jesus (the Gospel) calling you to do?

Format
Gospel Based Discipleship may be used by any group. An experienced leader is not required. Normally the group gathers by using the gathering prayer at the top of the card or the beginning of one of the selections from A Disciple’s Prayer Book. Someone volunteers to lead the group. It’s good to rotate the leadership.

GBD may be used by a regular study group, to begin a meeting of a vestry or other group, as a form for worship, or as a personal devotion. Normally the appointed Gospel for the day is used.

Method
The questions: What words or phrases did you hear? What is Jesus (the Gospel) saying to you? What is Jesus (the Gospel) calling you to do? are designed to elicit personal reflection, sharing and discussion. It is important for people to know there are no right or wrong answers. The group is seeking the truth by hearing what the Gospel says to them individually and corporately. Statements like :that’s not what we believe; or you’re wrong about that are not helpful. Statements that elicit response such as Could you say more about that; or I’ve never thought of that before keep the discussion going. Persons who do GBD regularly find new insight and revelation are the rewards.

GBD in a Meeting
Starting a meeting with GBD grounds participants in Scripture and focuses the energy of the group. It also is a good way to get people sharing with one another at a spiritual level. Normally a copy of the Scriptures remains on the table, or in the room, with the understanding that at any time during the meeting anyone may call for the reading of the Gospel again. This often helps refocus the group when it’s been distracted or conflicted.

Expectations and Outcomes from GBD
Groups that use GBD regularly should expect to begin to see their call to mission differently. Some congregations use GBD as a way to focus on what God is calling them to do in their community.

Spiritual friendship is another outcome of GBD. As people become familiar with the process and each other, spiritual journeys are shared and people know one another in a new way, not based merely on similar likes or dislikes, but as disciples on a journey together.

The entire faith community encounters the Gospel as peers, whether ordained or non-ordained. This leads to a vision of the community gathered around the Scripture. The Sunday sermon is the place where critical commentary and teaching can be applied to the Gospel.