2021 Curriculum

A2J 2021 Study Curriculum

Welcome to a new year of Apprenticeship to Jesus!

What is Apprenticeship?

Apprenticeship is another word for discipleship. It captures the beautiful process of being with and learning from Jesus in ways that transform our souls to look more like Jesus. We resonate with these words from Galatians 4:19, "My dear children, for whom I am again in pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you..”

May 2021 be a year of growing together in the "grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”-2 Peter 3:18

Overview

This year, we're journeying, with Jesus and each other, through the Gospel of Matthew!

TEACHINGS

First and foremost, we're each encouraged to engage with The Book of Matthew. Scriptures are laid out for each month.

We're also using the wonderful Matthew series by Tim Mackie. You can use the Podcast "Exploring My Strange Bible" or the Youtube videos linked monthly below.

Gospel of Matthew Series
Spiritual Practices Series and Practicing Faith Series

Later in our curriculum, we'll be exploring the history of church divisions, as a way to mature in our understanding of God's heart for unity and reconciliation. We'll be using Danny Malakowsky's 500 Year History Course.

SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES :)
Every month, we'll each engage with one spiritual discipline, of our own choosing, from the Spiritual Disciplines Handbook.

EXAMEN QUESTIONS
We'll each take time to sit, prayerfully, with these Examen questions, and discuss our answers in our small groups:

What stood out in the curriculum this month? Why?
What might God be saying or inviting?
Did I feel resistance or dissonance? Why?
What formation might God be doing in me?

SMALL COMMUNITIES
Each small community will decide how frequently they meet and how they format their times together, focusing on communal prayer, study, mission & simplicity.

LARGE GATHERING dates for 2021/22
Our small groups will come together for a large gathering on the 4th Sunday of each month, where we'll be re-envisioned about the heart of Apprenticeship to Jesus, and celebrate how God is at work among us.
Each monthly large gathering, we'll focus on one of our A2J Pillars. See you there!

March 28 - Mission
April 25 - Simplicity
May 23 - Prayer
June 27 - Study
July 25 - Mission
Aug 22 - Simplicity
Oct 24 - Study
Nov 28 - Mission
Dec 26 - Simplicity
Jan 23 - Prayer
Feb 27 - Study

Month 1

Verses
Matthew 1:18-25

Teachings
Yahweh Saves Gospel of Matthew

Practicing Faith Part 1: Solitude & Community

Spiritual Disciplines Handbook
Start by reading:

pages 1-25
Appendix I - Spiritual Growth Planner - tool to “put you in touch with a longing or desire for God that translates into intentional motivation for the spiritual journey.”

Each month, you'll choose one discipline that stands out to you. Read through the discipline in meditative, prayerful way, and engage with your chosen discipline throughout the month.

Examen Question
(discuss your answers in small community group)

What stood out in the curriculum this month? Why?
What might God be saying or inviting?
Did I feel resistance or dissonance? Why?
What formation might God be doing in me?

Month 2

Verses
Matthew 2:1-19

Teachings
God With Us Gospel of Matthew

Practicing Faith Series Part 2: Feasting and Fasting by Tim Mackie

Spiritual Disciplines Handbook
Choose one discipline to engage this month.

Examen Questions
(discuss your answers in small community group)

What stood out in the curriculum this month? Why?
What might God be saying or inviting?
Did I feel resistance or dissonance? Why?
What formation might God be doing in me?

Month 3

Verses
Matthew 4:1-11

Teachings
Testing Jesus in the Wilderness Gospel of Matthew

Practicing Faith Series Part 3: Praying & Acting by Tim Mackie

Spiritual Disciplines Handbook
Choose one discipline to engage this month.

Examen Questions
(discuss your answers in small community group)

What stood out in the curriculum this month? Why?
What might God be saying or inviting?
Did I feel resistance or dissonance? Why?
What formation might God be doing in me?

Month 4

Verses
Matthew 4:12-25
Matthew 5:1-12

Teachings
Jesus and the Kingdom of God Gospel of Matthew

A Kingdom of Blessing Gospel of Matthew

Spiritual Disciplines Handbook
Choose one discipline to engage this month.

Examen Questions
(discuss your answers in small community group)

What stood out in the curriculum this month? Why?
What might God be saying or inviting?
Did I feel resistance or dissonance? Why?
What formation might God be doing in me?

Month 5

Verses
Matthew 5:17-20
Matthew 5:27-30

Teachings
Jesus and the Torah Gospel of Matthew

Jesus and Sexual Desire Gospel of Matthew

Spiritual Disciplines Handbook
Choose one discipline to engage this month.

Examen Questions
(discuss your answers in small community group)

What stood out in the curriculum this month? Why?
What might God be saying or inviting?
Did I feel resistance or dissonance? Why?
What formation might God be doing in me?

Month 6

Verses
Matthew 5:33-37
Matthew 5:43-48

Teachings
Jesus, Truth & Spin Gospel of Matthew

Love Your Enemy Gospel of Matthew

Spiritual Disciplines Handbook
Choose one discipline to engage this month.

Examen Questions
(discuss your answers in small community group)

What stood out in the curriculum this month? Why?
What might God be saying or inviting?
Did I feel resistance or dissonance? Why?
What formation might God be doing in me?

Month 7

Verses
Matthew 6:5-14
Matthew 7:1-6

Teachings
The Lord’s Prayer Gospel of Matthew

To Judge, or Not to Judge Gospel of Matthew

Spiritual Disciplines Handbook
Choose one discipline to engage this month.

Examen Questions
(discuss your answers in small community group)

What stood out in the curriculum this month? Why?
What might God be saying or inviting?
Did I feel resistance or dissonance? Why?
What formation might God be doing in me?

Month 8

Verses
Matthew 7:7-10
Matthew 8:1-4

Teachings
Ask and You Will Receive Gospel of Matthew

Make Me Clean Gospel of Matthew

Spiritual Disciplines Handbook
Choose one discipline to engage this month.

Examen Questions
(discuss your answers in small community group)

What stood out in the curriculum this month? Why?
What might God be saying or inviting?
Did I feel resistance or dissonance? Why?
What formation might God be doing in me?

Month 9

Verses
Matthew 8:23-34

Teachings
Storms and Swine Gospel of Matthew

Church Divisions Course: Lesson 1 Introduction by Danny Malakowsky

Spiritual Disciplines Handbook
Choose one discipline to engage this month.

Examen Questions
(discuss your answers in small community group)

What stood out in the curriculum this month? Why?
What might God be saying or inviting?
Did I feel resistance or dissonance? Why?
What formation might God be doing in me?

Month 10

Verses
Matthew 9:9-17

Teachings
A Jesus-Centered Community Gospel of Matthew

Lesson 2 – Hostility and History

Spiritual Disciplines Handbook
Choose one discipline to engage this month.

Examen Questions
(discuss your answers in small community group)

What stood out in the curriculum this month? Why?
What might God be saying or inviting?
Did I feel resistance or dissonance? Why?
What formation might God be doing in me?

Month 11

Verses
Matthew 9:1-7

Teaching
Who Can Forgive Sins? Gospel of Matthew

Lesson 3 – Signs of Hope and Obstacles in our Present

Spiritual Disciplines Handbook
Choose one discipline to engage this month.

Examen Questions
(discuss your answers in small community group)

What stood out in the curriculum this month? Why?
What might God be saying or inviting?
Did I feel resistance or dissonance? Why?
What formation might God be doing in me?

Month 12

Verses
Matthew 9:27-34

Teachings
An Open-Minded Faith Gospel of Matthew

Lesson 4 – The 4th Major Division: The Reformation

Spiritual Disciplines Handbook
Choose one discipline to engage this month.

Examen Questions
(discuss your answers in small community group)

What stood out in the curriculum this month? Why?
What might God be saying or inviting?
Did I feel resistance or dissonance? Why?
What formation might God be doing in me?

Additional Study Resources

Further Biblical Study on Matthew
bible.org
search for “Matthew Outlines”

RT France’s Commentary on Matthew
Dan Wallace’s Greek Grammar Book
Dallas Willard – Divine Conspiracy for Sermon on the Mount

Spiritual Formation by Dr. John Coe
https://www.biblicaltraining.org/transcriptions/spiritual-formation-dr-john-co

Bible Project Matthew Theme Videos
Temple, Heaven and Earth, Gospel of the Kingdom,. Exile, Tree of Life, Sabbath
Study notes available on all videos

Children's Resources

Life with God for Children Curriculum
https://renovare.org/books/life-with-god-for-children-curriculum

Buy the selected items together $119.00

This item:Life with God for Children: Preschool and Kindergarten (Volume 1) by Lacy Finn Borgo Paperback $39.99
· Life with God for Children: First and Second Grade (Volume 2) by Lacy Finn Borgo Paperback $39.99
· Life with God for Children: Third and Fourth Grade (Volume 3) by Lacy Finn Borgo Paperback $39.99

Godly Play – training and materials

Welcome to a new year of Apprenticeship to Jesus!

Overview

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