“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”Hebrews 10:24-25

We offer opportunities for everyone to be in a 1:1 discipleship relationship. We see this discipleship and support as vital to the growth of Christian. A recent graduate commented that "having the help and support of an older Christian during a major change in my life has been a real blessing. Thank you.”

Why do you recommend meeting 1:1 with someone? In the Christian community discipleship is often very re-active, i.e. when things go wrong older Christians draw alongside us to help us. Our ethos however is to be more pro-active by investing in individuals on a regular basis so that when the hard times do come there is already a platform for support in place. We all face many changes in life, and these can be times where our faith is stretched and tested. Having the support, wisdom and advice of older Christians can be invaluable during these times.

How often would I meet up with someone? It would be up to you as to how often you meet. Some people like to meet weekly, others fortnightly, others on a more casual basis. Basically, you need to work out what’s going to help, support and encourage you best.

Who would I meet up with? You would meet up with an older Christian of the same sex. They may be an older student or a recent graduate. They would also be receiving 1:1 discipleship from an older person in the group.

What would meeting up with someone involve? This is different for every person, depending on their needs. Some people study the Bible together and help each other apply it while others meet to pray or for a chat over a coffee to talk about what is going on in their lives. Over time most people do a combination of the above.

Is there other support available from the Navs for me? The leadership team of SOTON NAVS is made up of single people, married people, students, working people and those seeking employment. We all have very different backgrounds and life experiences. Therefore, if you would like advice and support on a specific issue then please speak to us and you may well find that one of us has been through a similar situation!

Some thoughts on discipleship

Jesus commands us to “go and make disciples of all nations.” This is a life-long process which is going on in all of us as we strive to become more like Jesus. Helping others to become disciples, rather than simply followers of Jesus takes effort and time. Yet the friendship that is developed by doing this is a great blessing from God. Having someone help and encourage you to grow as a Christian, and then being able to help and encourage a younger Christian yourself is a model which runs throughout the Old and New Testament. If Moses had not trained Joshua; if Elijah had not trained Elisha, and if Barnabas had not trained Paul, stop to consider the great good the entire world would have lost. Now it’s our turn to invest in the lives of others, using Jesus as our example to follow. He invested in a few, and they changed the world for Him!!

We can adopt new Christians like Paul did Timothy, or lead them to Christ ourselves, but disciple-making requires an intentional commitment to spend quality time equipping new and growing believers. May that high privilege be yours and mine as we “…press toward the mark of our high calling in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:14)

We hope that you are excited about this area of our ministry and would like to get involved and benefit from it. Our vision as the SOTON NAVS group is to see people come to faith in Jesus. We then want them to live out their faith throughout life and all the trials that brings, continue to be an effective Christian in whatever context God puts them, and seeing the Gospel advance in and through them as they invest their lives in individuals.

“When a person has produced disciples, he has reproduced himself as a disciple. He has become a labourer. But, when a person has raised up a labourer, he has both reproduced more disciples and himself as a labourer. This kind of reproduction multiplies both the disciples and the labourers.”

SOTON NAVS

Our calling: “To advance the Gospel of Jesus and His Kingdom into the Nations, through spiritual generations of labourers, living and discipling amongst the lost.”