Establishing Hope: Lesson #1
Discipleship Level 2: Reaching Beyond Mediocrity
Establish Hope | Spiritual Growth | Path of Discipleship | Strengthen Hope
Handout | Powerpoint | Podcast | Exercise Hope | Self-evaluation chart
Purpose: Establishing Hope, the first of ten lessons in the Discipleship 2: Reaching Beyond Mediocrity series, shows the importance of hope and how to gain a strong confidence in God's Word so we can move onto the third level of discipleship.
Establish Hope
This Discipleship Level 2 series on Reaching Beyond Mediocrity, I believe, will for many unlock problems that have kept them back from living Christ-filled lives. It is not that we are not trying. Many of us have tried to grow so hard and for so long, but some troublesome questions lack answers. The doubt hovering about these questions hold us back from go forward.
- Why am I not spiritually growing anymore? What should I expect?
- One area of my life holds me back. How can I break through this?
- I want to grow but just do not know what to do next. What steps should I take?
- I feel bad about where I spiritually am right now. I am not sure anything can help me. Should I feel this way?
- I want to disciple others but do not know where to start or what to say. Can you help me?
- I have heard how God blesses others through His Word, but it is not often that way with me. Are there any special things to help me grow in my quiet times with God?
We hope all these questions will be partially if not wholly answered through this Discipleship 2 series. We actually hope to introduce the key thoughts in the first three lessons and then practically illustrate them through the following lessons. This gives us plenty of time to both understand and apply these principles to our lives. 
We hope that you not only have things to take home for yourself but for others too.
As we observe growth occur, it is much easier to share these things with others. Our growth is meant to bring a good effect upon others around us. Before going on, however, let us tie this series into the overall scheme of spiritual growth the Lord has for our lives.