Discipleship Strategiesvbidiscipleship.weebly.com/uploads/1/1/5/0/11508283/discipleship... · – Focused on discipleship in small groups using a systematic approach with relationship

Discipleship Strategies3rd Class

Greg Ford

Monday, April 23, 12

vwmtc



@embarknow

/embarknow


Embark2012.com



2 Timothy 2:2

• 2 And what thou have heard from me through many witnesses, these things commit thou to faithful men who will be competent to teach others also.

• Paul received the Gospel from Jesus• Paul taught Timothy• Timothy taught faithful men• Faithful men taught others to be like Jesus

• 4th Generation fruit proves 1st Generation discipleship


Traits of Spiritual Babies

• Highly dependent, high maintenance

• Poopy and Stinky

• Noisy and irritable

• Hungry

• Self-centered

• Eph 4:13 - 16Monday, April 23, 12

Traits of Spiritual Babies

• Highly dependent, high maintenance• Poopy and Stinky• Noisy and irritable• Hungry• Self-centered

• Eph 4:13 until we all arrive at the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, at the full-grown man, at the measure of the stature of the fullness of the Christ; 14 in order that we may be no longer babes, tossed and carried about by every wind of *that* teaching which is in the sleight of men, in unprincipled cunning with a view to systematized error; 15 but, holding the truth in love, we may grow up to him in all things, who is the head, the Christ: 16 from whom the whole body, fitted together, and connected by every joint of supply, according to the working in its measure of each one part, works for itself the increase of the body to its self-building up in love.


The State of Discipleship in America

George Barna report


Discipleship Statistics of Churchgoers

• 60% of Americans attend church monthly• 12% read the Bible regularly• 25% admit they never pray• 35% never read the Bible• 60% never give to missions• 70% never volunteer in the Church• 85% never invite anyone to Church• 95% never lead anyone to Christ


Ministry Success

• “Research shows that when pastors evaluate the success of their church, they measure attendance, dollars raised, number of staff, number of programs and square footage. All of those are logical measures to explore. The only problem is that Jesus did not die a horrible and unjust death on the cross to fill sanctuaries, generate cash, populate programs, hire religious professionals or build out campuses.”

– George Barna

12


Believer vs Disciple• Student of the Bible

• Learns what the teacher knows

• Knows about God

• Talks to God

• Takes Jesus with him wherever he goes

• Salvation is free

• Takes place in 1 instant of believing

• Burdens removed at the cross

• Emphasis on what God has done

• “Come unto me”

• Apprentice of Jesus

• Becomes like the teacher

• Knows God

• Talks with and hears from God

• Follows Jesus wherever He leads

• Discipleship is costly

• Takes a lifetime of faith

• Bears others burdens for Christ’s

sake

• Emphasis on what you do

• “Come after me”


stopped here


Making Disciples

• Not converts• Redirect one’s life goals• Requires close, personal relationships• Is a group process in which each contributes

something to the growth of others• Helps others fulfill their callings• Is every believers responsibility


Addition vs Multiplication

• 50 years of ministry• 100 converts brought to the

Lord each year

• 5000 won to Christ in a lifetime

• 50 years of ministry• 1 person reached and

discipled to do the same every other year

• 16,777,216 won to Christ in a lifetime


George Whitefield vs John Wesley

• England in the 1800’s• Whitefield was the greater preacher and reached larger

numbers of people• Wesley had a greater long term impact;

– Focused on discipleship in small groups using a systematic approach with relationship and accountability

– “methodists” from their method of discipleship• Whitefield said of himself at the end of his life that he

had “woven a rope of sand”.


Healthy Discipleship Group

• Close family atmosphere• Life application of Bible principles• Individual care• Opportunities to share personal testimonies• Encouragement and edification• Unlimited opportunities for meaningful service• Relational evangelism• Intensive care and discipling of new converts• Spiritual growth• Leadership development


Key Development Principles

• Focus training to influence character and conduct• Adapt your style and methods of equipping to the student’s

characteristics, circumstances & needs• Master the basics before attempting to develop advanced skills• Encourage students more frequently during early training• Train until students have successfully mastered the skill and can

function independently• Focus more intensely on those most committed• Motivate with meaningful relationship, recognition, & reward• Realize that training is most effective when it includes both

teaching and practice• Affirm the student’s value independent of their performance


Build an Apprenticeship Strategy

• Analyze• Assign• Coach• Evaluate• Praise• Promote


Build an Apprenticeship Strategy

• Analyze - determine gifts, abilities, interests, passion, personality, commitment, energy, & time availability

• Assign - give specific task assignments that are challenging, but attainable. Design the level of difficulty around the team members skills and experience. Think through the progression of tasks you assign to ensure that the level of challenge steadily and consistently increases.

• Coach - Provide vision, adequate resources & consistent support for your team members to stand on as they seek to achieve each task.

• Evaluate - schedule regular reviews iin which to evaluate experiences, summarize results, and discern areas of improvement

• Praise - acknowledge your team members unique contributions, affirm their intrinsic value to the team, & celebrate all victories

• Promote - create and provide continuing opportunites for personal and professional growth, renewal, and challenge


IPHC Making Disciples

• Reach 3• Plant 3• Disciple 3


Documents

Discipleship Strategiesvbidiscipleship.weebly.com/uploads/1/1/5/0/11508283/discipleship... · – Focused on discipleship in small groups using a systematic approach with relationship