Could ‘discipling communities’ be a missing piece in God’s picture of movement in Australia and the Western World?
Rob and Catherine travelled across Australia from Perth to Canberra for their first Praxeis Tribe Time. They were inspired as they heard stories of other discipling communities*. On their return home they decided to have a go reaching out to others in their neighbourhood.
“Taking the first step to start the group felt like the biggest risk.” – Rob
Having taken that first step, Rob and Catherine now host a fortnightly gathering of believers and non-believers. When people ask them what they are doing, they simply say “Come and see”. With a core group of 12, numbers have swelled up to 25. They have created a space not only for those new to the journey of discipleship, but also for those who have fallen away to discover God’s word and truth for themselves.
“…we shouldn’t be surprised by what God will do if we continue to just make space.” – Catherine
*Discipling communities are key to the vision as we aim to model what we want to multiply. They assist many in transitioning from passive Christianity to active disciple-making.
Praxeis teams are initiating these ‘discipling communities’ where individuals gather in homes and other settings. They share food, enjoy the company of family and friends and engage in scripture reading and prayer. These communities often provide a safe space for those embarking on their discipleship journey or for individuals who are familiar with Jesus but seek to rediscover how to be disciples on mission.