Bethesda Discipleship Home Program Overview
Every part of the Bethesda Discipleship Home in
Disciple Intervention Plan
We call the men who participate in the Bethesda Discipleship Home Disciples. The Disciple Intervention Plan will be completed during the initial mentoring session between the Disciple and the Director. This could and is often times the first thing that happens, but is guaranteed to happen within at least 48 business hours from arriving into the BDHome. This Disciple Intervention Plan will be the basis for all Discipleship in the life of the Disciple. The plan is a determination of “areas of concern” to the BDHome Director, the sending church, the family or the Disciple, or all of the above. For each “area of concern” our Director and the Disciple will determine a goal for improvement and plans of intervention if these goals are not being met. These “areas of concern” will include, but not be limited to, concerns with addiction, social concerns, emotional, spiritual, physical and correctional. This plan will be followed and tracked during each of the Disciples mentoring sessions with the leadership of the BDHome. Biblical mentoring is a unique form of Christian Discipleship that brings believers to maturity in the lifelong process of sanctification, of growing to maturity in Christ.
Phase Mentorship
During the Disciple’s time in the Bethesda Discipleship Home, they will be mentored with the Director in one-on-one sessions and group sessions too.
Daily Schedule
The daily schedule determines what the Disciple will be doing on a general basis from day to day. It is to provide a standard for performance of duties when no other urgent needs are pressing. It will demand of the Disciple the discipline they need to structure important things into their day, i.e.: sleep, personal time alone with God, good hygiene, personal study, work, service, rest, play and fellowship. It is subject to change at the request of any staff, levels from steward upward to the Director.
The Quiet Time
The first and most important part of everyday is spent in prayer and study of God’s word the Bible with God. Disciples are taught how to use the Reformers Unanimous “It’s Personal” Daily Journal to develop a dynamic, love relationship with Jesus Christ. The journal shows Disciples how to allow the Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth, how to pray according to God’s will, how to meditate upon Scripture, and to encourage others.
The morning devotions are foundational to our program. If all a Disciple learns while here is to walk with God then that Disciple has gained a treasure of inestimable value, and victory is sure. This isn’t “devotions,” it’s real, it’s personal, it’s life changing, it’s a genuine walk with God.
Chapel Services
Chapel services are held every weekday and are taught by the Director and phenomenal invited guests. It is a highlight of our Disciple’s day and we take this time very seriously. This is a time to hear a warm Bible message, and be encouraged in your spiritual walk. Speakers are those who undeniably know God and who understand what the Bible says about overcoming addictions and the self-will, and living the victorious Christian life.
No Disciple will be allowed to work during this time without prior approval from the Director. This is in keeping of our commitment to program your program first. The Disciple is to bring His Holy Bible, notebook, and writing utensil. This notebook, as well as the Disciple’s Daily Journal should be kept with him at all services. This includes church services and Bible studies.
Lighthouse Baptist Church Bible Institute Classes
Proverbs 19:2 informs us that it is not good for the soul be without knowledge. Also, Proverbs 15:2 teaches us that “the tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.” As we are blessed to be part of a local church that provides many ways for people to learn knowledge and wisdom from God’s Word, we encourage our Disciples to attend the Bible Institute at the Lighthouse Baptist church.
The Lighthouse Bible Institute is a ministry of Lighthouse Baptist Church. It is dedicated to training its students for service to others and the Lord Jesus Christ and a life based on the Word of God. This training is achieved through practical ministry experience and exciting lessons taught by excellent teachers. The college classes give Disciples an opportunity to develop a deeper understanding of God’s word, life skills, and Bible doctrine. The classes also prepare Disciples for greater usefulness to their local church when they return home.
The Bethesda Discipleship Home is not in relationship with the Reformers Unanimous International Program. In conjunction with training and teaching our Disciple’s practical Biblical truth, we, the BDHome staff as well as our Disciples actively participate in the Local San Diego Chapter of the Reformers Unanimous Program in assisting our men. Every Friday night Disciples attend the Reformers Unanimous Addictions Program on the property of the Lighthouse Baptist church. The program is divided into three sessions. The first session involves hearing a Biblical challenge from RU’s founder, Steve Curington. This time is followed by a group prayer meeting and sharing testimonies. The second session is a time men and women meet separately in smaller groups and discuss the overcoming addictions in their own lives. It is a time of letting each person share what is on his own heart in seeking to live a victorious Christian life. There is a detailed curriculum for each member to follow. In the last session everyone comes together to listen to a challenge from God’s Word. Afterwards, there is a time of fellowship and refreshments.
Church
Bethesda Discipleship Home’s goal is to direct the intemperate (undisciplined) believer and the unregenerate to God’s intended support group-the local church. As such, all Disciples attend all services at the
God designed the local church to be a support group for hurting people, whether they are in need of salvation, restoration, or growing in the Christian faith. This support group gives these individuals godly counsel, encouragement, and challenges to overcome the strongholds in their lives. We believe that continued Church attendance is a key catalyst to continuing victory.
Prayer Groups
We believe there is incredible power when people meet together and pray. Matthew
The Work Program
All Disciples in the Discipleship Schools are required to maintain employment in the ministry. If a Disciple does not have employment, then his job is to spend the hours each day searching for a job. These jobs enable Disciples to learn, working “as unto the Lord,” obeying authority, and walking in the Spirit in various environments. If a Disciple arrives without a strong work ethic, he will receive one while in this program. It may be one of the most important ingredients missing in a Disciple’s recovery.
Also, each Disciple will serve as a volunteer in some fashion each week. All work is considered donated community services. Please understand that if you do not work as unto the Lord, a Disciple will not remain in the home. Proverbs
BDHome Family Meetings
Occasionally within the BDHome there will be times that arise in which all participants of the BDHome need to come together for a Family Meeting. This includes the Disciples and as well as the staff. Such reasons for hosting a Family Meeting are either for a briefing, debriefing, explanation of a report, group questioning, and many other reasons. A Family Meeting is an occasion in which all participants can in an orderly fashion have an opportunity to voice their concerns and/or questions in a public way. Family Meetings are also another way for the Director to input information to the Disciples and for the Director to learn information that might relate to something within the BDHome
BDHome Activities
On Saturdays and perhaps sometimes on other weekdays there will be BDHome activities planned so that the Disciples always have something positive to do. Also, different activities will be planned for Disciples to get involved with in order to assist the Disciples to demonstrate character development in areas of love, joy, peace, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faith patience, longsuffering, and temperance.
BDHome Family Meals
All Disciples and the Director are very strongly encouraged to eat meals together at the dinning room table. No one is permitted to eat their meals outside of the Kitchen and the Dinning room areas. Seclusion is not an option at the BDHome. Breakfast and dinner meals are prescheduled for all to know when food is being served.
Household chores
Each Disciple is given the responsibility of maintaining certain tasks and chores at the BDHome. This may include vacuuming, dusting, taking out the trash or recycling, washing windows, and/or raking leaves. Chores are designed to teach Disciples to practice and have superior responsibilities in their lives and homes in order to implement the same type of responsibility outside their home in church, work, and the community.
Library
The BDHome follows the principles from the Holy Bible that it is not good for a soul to be without knowledge. Therefore the BDHome has a built in library for the Disciples to borrow reading material for their personal development in knowledge and wisdom. The library only contains materials in relation to Truth, knowledge, and understanding. There are no controversial, fictional, or sci-fi books. The majority of the materials, such as, books, will have been written by holy men of God who have expounded upon biblical doctrines that pertain to growth and maturity in a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. The materials and books are about the MAJORS of Christianity. BDHome is here to assist men to know God and to make Him known through their individual lives. Biblical minor doctrinal subjects are not permitted in the library. If a Disciples desires to study a minor doctrinal subject of the Holy Bible, he is encouraged to do so outside of the BDHome and on his on time at another date. For now, BDHome encourages the Disciples to read, study, and seek knowledge in order to know Jesus in a dynamic intimate way.
THE CURRICULUM used at BDHome
2 Timothy 2:15
The Disciples at the BDHome are required to educate themselves to learn new knowledge, and especially knowledge from the Holy Bible. One particular source of education that they are required to participate in the Curriculum of the Reformers Unanimous International Program. We require the RU Curriculum participation in order to assist the Disciples to:
A. Build a dynamic love relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ
B. Get them into the Bible everyday
C. Assist in overcoming their addiction and sinful habits
D. Experience a longevity of life altering changes
