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Eager that this transformation should continue in their churches, close to 100 people gathered Aug. 15 at the Baltimore-Washington Conference for a train-the-trainer seminar that will enable them to teach others to lead the Disciple program.

The Rev. Wade Martin, of Montgomery UMC in Damascus, knows first hand the power of this resource. In August 1999, he was studying the sacraments in Disciple’s Christian Believer study and his call to ordained ministry was confirmed.

“It’s the Holy Spirit,” Martin said. “People’s lives are changed by Disciple. People will respond to a vision that is not a lukewarm program. The impact is visible and sometimes not so visible, but it changes lives, attitudes and how people conduct themselves at work, home and church. I’ve seen joy come to their lives.”

Martin responded positively when Bishop John Schol invited him to bring Disciple training to the conference in an effort to renew the program in local churches.

“We thought we’d be lucky if we got 35 people coming out for a full day on a Saturday,” he said. But he also wasn’t surprised by the turnout. “This is an important Bible study because it is one that allows people to connect faith and life. It has a proven track record.”

According to Mark Hicks, of Disciple Bible Outreach Ministries in North Carolina, who led the training event, Disciple Bible study was developed by an 18-member team led by Bishop Richard Wilke and his wife Sarah in 1986 in Flower Mound, Texas.

Over the years, four studies, which explore different portions of the Bible, were developed.

During the first 34-week study, participants read 80 percent of the Bible.

“No one tool is as comprehensive,” Hicks said. The reading, the video commentary by biblical scholars and the group dynamics, as learners teach learners, all allow people to apply Scripture to life in meaningful ways.

“It gives you the power to live the purpose,” said Martin.

“The Word becomes alive for them,” Smothers said. “They share a common journey.”

The Rev. Adrienne Terry, pastor of Christ UMC in Washington, took Disciple Bible study in 1996. Thirteen years later, she is still thinking about it and will be using it to bring the leadership of her church together on the same page so that they might set a new course on their discipleship journey, she said.

“This commitment to common learning hits at the core of what it means to be a disciple,” said Terry.

The Rev. Rodney Smothers, of St. Paul UMC in Oxon Hill, which sent six people to the training, said he believes Disciple Bible Study enriches people’s practical understanding of the Bible.

“Disciple is the church’s premiere small group ministry,” he continued. “We don’t call it that, but that’s what it is. It’s been transformative — that’s the key word.”

Richard Ulrey of St. Paul UMC in Lusby agrees. He’s taught Disciple I six times. “You can see the changes in people’s lives,” he said. “It’s brought me closer to God.”

The fact that everyone in Disciple are co-learners and the effectiveness of the retreat at the end of the study, which compels people to put their faith into action, are the key elements that have allowed Ulrey and those in his groups to step out on faith.

“When I introduce them to it, I tell them there is good news and bad news about Disciple Bible Study,” he said. “It’s 34 weeks long. But when it’s over, you don’t want it to stop.”