How it works ...

Rooted in Jesus is a practical discipleship programme for use in small groups. Designed specifically for Africa, Rooted in Jesus covers the basics of Christian faith and ministry from an African cultural perspective, using only resources that are commonly and freely available.

Rooted in Jesus is inspired by the Great Commission, the command to go and make disciples (Matt 28.18-20). It is not a study course, but a whole-life programme: a disciple of Jesus is a person who is learning to become like Jesus, in life and in ministry. Disciples of Jesus learn from Jesus, minister in the name of Jesus, and help others to do these things too (2 Tim 2.2). Discipleship is not just one of many things that we do: it is the core from which everything else flows.

Where Rooted in Jesus is used as part of an intentional strategy of disciple-making, remarkable things happen. We have seen the lives of individuals transformed through being part of a Rooted in Jesus group. We have seen churches grow and their members become active in ministry. We have seen new leaders grown and nurtured into ministry. We have seen whole dioceses move into spiritual, numerical and financial growth.

What we offer to you

Rooted in Jesus is published and supported by the Mathetes Trust and, in South Africa, by Growing the Church. There are two programmes, one for adults and one for children. Our commitment to you is as follows:

• We provide full training for group leaders (clergy, evangelists, catechists, Sunday School teachers)

• We provide the Rooted in Jesus booklets for the first generation of leaders, free of charge

• We provide ongoing support and encouragement to those appointed to coordinate the programme

• We come back to see how you are getting on!

 

What we ask from you

• The active support and engagement of the diocesan bishop or denominational leader is the key to the success of the programme

• We ask that you arrange translation of the leader's booklets into your local language (we will format and print them)

• We ask that you provide a simple venue for the conference, and accommodation for participants

• We ask that you appoint a coordinator who will oversee the programme and support the group leaders
  

 

THE DETAILS

The conferences

• Rooted in Jesus is introduced through a four day training conference for clergy and lay leaders. Each conference is led by experienced facilitators, and provides theological teaching, practical training, and prayer for personal needs. A conference can be run just once for a whole diocese, or repeated in two or more centres. To find out more about the conferences click here.

• Conferences can be held in a church or simple conference centre. No special resources or equipment are needed.

• The best number for a conference is up to 100 people, to allow for effective small group work; a realistic maximum is 150.

• Each conference participant is expected to lead a group when they return home. Subsequent leaders are trained, apprenticeship style, by being part of a Rooted in Jesus group. This is the best way to build a strong platform for future growth.
  
  

Books

• Rooted in Jesus may be used by people of any educational background; only the group leader needs to be able to read and write, It is based on scripture memory, and only the leader needs the course books. Group leaders will also need a Bible.
  

• Rooted in Jesus groups are led in whatever language group members are most comfortable with. Once the booklets have been translated, we will format, illustrate and print them for you. Further books may be either printed locally or ordered from us.
  
  

Finance

• A Rooted in Jesus team covers its own travel costs, but we ask that you offer hospitality to the team whilst they are with you (simple accommodation and food).

• The conference is hosted by the inviting diocese, with simple accommodation in a church, school or diocesan centre, and local food cooked by volunteers.
  
  
• The diocese should set a small annual travel budget for the programme coordinator.
  
  
• Anglican Dioceses may apply to the Anglican Communion Fund for a grant to help them to introduce and support Rooted in Jesus as part of their discipleship strategy. The Anglican Communion has launched a 10 year focus on Intentional Discipleship.
  
  

Local support and implementation

• Rooted in Jesus can be used for small discipleship groups within parish churches, for confirmation preparation, for evangelism and churchplanting, and for Sunday Schools. It is often also used within theological colleges.

• Rooted in Jesus is most effective in those dioceses where one person is given clear responsibility for overseeing the programme within a diocese. The bishop appoints a diocesan coordinator, who may work with additional regional coordinators.

• The job of the coordinator is to support the group leaders by keeping in regular touch with them, visiting or calling them together. As each group completes a book, he will hear the testimonies of group members, ask them to recite the memory verses, and award them a certificate (available from the Rooted in Jesus office)
  
  

Follow up

• Rooted in Jesus develops best if a follow up conference is arranged after one year. A follow-up conference enables everyone to come together to share experiences, encourage one another and receive further training. New leaders may also be trained. It is often at this one year point that Rooted in Jesus becomes firmly established.
  

Rooted in Jesus Junior

Having introduced the adult programme, many dioceses choose to follow it up with a Rooted in Jesus Junior conference, at which Sunday School teachers are trained to use the Junior version with their classes. Rooted in Jesus Junior provides a simple curriculum for teaching the Christian faith to children, and works on the same principles as the adult programme - the aim is that the children become disciples of Jesus. The Junior programme is most effective if the Sunday School teachers are already themselves part of an adult Rooted in Jesus group. To find out more about Rooted in Jesus Junior click here.

What do do next

• Download our brochure here

• To download or print this page click here.

• To explore the possibility of introducing Rooted in Jesus, or if you would like more information, please contact us.
  

 

Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age."
Matthew 28.19-20.

Be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus; and what you have heard from me through many witnesses entrust to faithful people who will be able to teach others as well. 2 Timothy 2.2.