Discipleship Strategies7th Class

Greg Ford

Two Weeks

Final

Spiritual Gifts Test Online

www.kodachrome.org/spiritgift

God’sunfolding plan

Earth filled with peoplefilled with Him

ORIGINAL

Divide languages toreach them

BABEL

Blessed to bea Blessing

Abraham’sTop line & Bottom line

CompletionMt 24:14 - all nations (ethne)Rev 5 & 7 - all nations (ethne)

God’s Commands

• Circumcision

• Follow law of Moses

God

Jews

Gentiles

Old Testament

God’s Commands

• Circumcision

• Follow law of Moses

JesusJewsGentiles

Acts 15

JesusJews

Gentiles

Acts 15

GuidelinesDon’t make it difficult for Gentiles turning to God

• Avoid food offered to idols

• Avoid sexual immorality

• Avoid strangled animal meat

• Avoid consuming blood

Jars of Clay

Jars of Clay

Jewish

Greek

Latin

Germanic

English

Cultures

• America

• Coke

• Porn

• MTV

• Other

• Family values

• Relationships

• Simplicity

Christian

• Believer

• Blood washed

• Spirit filled

• Church

• 3 M’s

• Missionaries

• Military

• Markets

JesusChristianity

Hindu ChristiansMuslim Christians

Buddhist ChristiansCommunist Christians

Today

Jesus Commands• Repent

• Be baptized

• Lord’s supper

• Love God & others

• Pray

• Give

• Disciple

Challenge

• Share Christ, not our traditions or culture

Church Exam

• 1. What of eternal significance happens in the lives of your church members?

• 2. In what ways are you members ministering?• 3. What percentage of your members are involved in ministry?• 4. Do your members ministries result in the spiritual growth of

faith, knowledge, & maturity?• 5. Do the lifestyles of your members reflect the principles and

character of Christ?• 6. What percentage of your member’s lifestyles reflect that of a

growing Christian?• 7. What percentage of your members are easily shaken in their

faith and vulnerable to deceitful schemes?• 8. Is there spiritual and numerical growth in your church?• 9. Do your members mutually edify and build up one another?

How to Develop a Discipling Church?

– Identify the mission/purpose and vision of the church– Lead the church to understand & embrace the

strategies and values of the discipling philosophy– Identify your present ministries– Begin to ‘build people’ on purpose

Two ModelsIPHC

&AoG

IPHC Making DisciplesReach 3Plant 3

Disciple 3

Making Disciples

Mission 21

Reach 3 Plant 3

And now…

Disciple 3

Making Disciples

DISCIPLESHIP is the key to effective ministry. Nothing we do has more potential to change people, our church, and the world.

Understanding the Process

• The scriptural definition

• Examining the call

• How did Jesus select disciples?

• How did Jesus make disciples?

• What is important to Jesus?

Scriptural Definition …the problem

“I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?” (1 Corinthians 3:1-3, KJV)

Scriptural Definition …the solution

“Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ.” (Ephesians 4:13-15, KJV)

Scriptural Definition …the commission

“God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I’ll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age.” (Matt. 28:18-20, The Message).

Examining the Call• Making disciples is not simply making converts.

• Making disciples involves a redirection of a person’s life toward obedience to Christ.

• Making disciples takes place in the context of close and loving personal relationships.

• Making disciples is a group process.

• Making disciples involves helping others respond to Christ’s call to service and godliness.

• The high calling of discipleship is the privilege and the responsibility of every believer.

Godly Families

Missions

Men’s Ministries

Conversion

Discipleship

Stewardship

Church Education

Women’s Ministries

Calling/Vocation

Discipleship: The Gateway to Ministry

How Did Jesus Select Disciples?

• Jesus was not afraid to call someone whose reputation would put a strain on the group (Simon the Zealot or Matthew the tax collector).

• Jesus was not afraid to call someone who He knew would betray Him.

• Jesus called two sets of brothers.

• He had an inner circle of 3, then 12, then 70.

How Did Jesus Make Disciples?

The best way to learn how to make disciples is to go to school with Jesus. We discover that His school is not like most of the educational methods used in Western culture, which focus on learning information.

The Model

• Jesus summed up discipleship when He told the Twelve, “Everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher” (Luke 6:40).

• Discipleship involves the direction of the Christian’s life toward obedience, to become like Jesus.

Jesus Used Two Primary Ways of Teaching: Instruction and Modeling

• He lectured.

• He used parables.

• He demonstrated the power of His teachings through His actions.

• He gave His disciples opportunities to exercise what they had learned while being with Him.

Transformational Relationships

• Jesus took the twelve on a three-year apprenticeship.

• He poured His mission and life into them.

• Jesus recognized the future character of followers and gave them new identities.

• Jesus took the twelve to “retreats” for times of prayer and teaching (Luke 9:10; 11:1-4).

• He gave them opportunities to see His ministry and then put that ministry into practice.

What Is Important to Jesus?

• Abide in My word (John 8:31,32).

• Love one another (John 13:34).

• Bear much fruit (John 15:8).

Mapping the Journey

• Step One: Disciple 3 Prayer Strategy

• Step Two: Focus the Church (Easter to Pentecost)

• Step Three: Use the Jesus Model

• Step Four: A Way of Life

Step One: Disciple 3Prayer Strategy

DAY OF GLOBAL PRAYER AND FASTING• A vital part of being a disciple of Christ is prayer

and fasting. The International Pentecostal Holiness Church has been called to observe a Day of Global Prayer and Fasting.

• The Day of Global Prayer and Fasting will be held on the second Wednesday in January each year.

JOIN THE FIRST FRIDAY FAST!

Christian leaders around the world have been observing the first Friday of each month as a day of fasting and prayer since the days of John Wesley. It is a day to humble ourselves as we seek God together.

ESTABLISHING MISSION 21 PRAYER WATCHES

Pray for the Nations Mission 21 Prayer Watches for the Nations are to

be observed in every local church each month by keeping a 12-hour prayer vigil for the nations assigned to you.

Prayer Watch Assignments

Step Two: Focus the Church

Preparing for the Release of the Spirit

Fifty Days: The Journey From Easter to Pentecost

Preparing for the Release of the Spirit

• Teach and preach about the victory of Christ.• Teach and preach about the Holy Spirit.

• Lead people to grow in knowledge of the Holy Spirit.• Lead people to experience the liberty and joy of

victory through sanctification.• Lead people to receive the baptism with the Holy

Spirit.• Recognize and release the gifts of the Holy Spirit. • Lead people to recognize the purpose of the church,

the body of Christ.

Fifty Days: The Journey From Easter to Pentecost

• Track One: Small Group Studies. Develop special small groups and/or Sunday school classes that will study about the Holy Spirit.

• Track Two: Sermon Series. Pastors are encouraged to preach about the Holy Spirit during the seven weeks from Easter to Pentecost, with an emphasis upon leading people to the baptism with the Holy Spirit.

Step Three: Use the Jesus Model

• Making disciples takes place in the context of close and loving personal relationships.

• Making disciples is a group process in which each participant contributes to the growth in commitment of the others.

THREE LEVELS OF SMALL GROUPS• Introductory Groups These groups normally cover the basics of

Christianity.

• Developmental Groups Developmental groups are for your people who have

committed their lives to following Jesus Christ and understand the basics of the Christian life.

• Equipping Groups Equipping groups are geared toward the “core

leadership” or mature believers in your church, challenging them to love and good works, equipping them to use their spiritual gifts.

METHODS OF DISCIPLING

• New Beginners Class• Mentoring• Small Groups • Long-Term Ongoing Courses • New Beginning Ministry Opportunities• Sunday School

Step Four: A Way of Life• This guide to discipleship is not intended to be only a two-

year emphasis. It is intended to become a way of life. • From Easter to Pentecost should become an annual

renewal of our commitment to the discipleship process. • Each year new discipleship groups should be formed.

• As discipleship groups multiply over the years, new leaders with pastoral and leadership gifts and skills will emerge, providing leaders for a growing church.

• Discipleship groups may continue by selecting the next study guide from the “Core Components of Discipleship.”

Four Core Components of IPHC Discipleship

• Basic Christian Beliefs • Suggested Resource: First Things First, Russell

Board

• Lifestyle Evangelism • Suggested Resource: Friendship Evangelism,

Evangelism USA and Men’s Ministries

• Spiritual Formation • Suggested Resource: The Purpose-Driven Life, Rick

Warren

• You and Your Ministry• Suggested Resource: Spiritual Gifts: Ministries and

Manifestations, B. E. Underwood

REVIEW

• Step One: Disciple 3 Prayer Strategy

• Step Two: Focus the Church

• Step Three: Use the Jesus Model

• Step Four: A Way of Life

Remember: Making Disciples is not one of the

things the church does; it is what the church does.

Making Disciples is God’s plan for building healthy churches and His strategy for reaching the world.

AoGWe Build People

Discipleship Components

1. Diamond of Spiritual Growth2. Non-negotiable Values3. Five levels of Commitment

Diamond of Spiritual Growth

1. Membership

2. Maturity

3. Ministry

4. Mission

Stages : Commitments

1. Include

2. Instruct

3. Involve

4. Invest

1. Membership

2. Maturity

3. Ministry

4. Mission

Membership (Include)

• Identify needs and minister to them• Build informal relationship with individuals• Include the unchurched in church related groups• Share the gospel with the unconverted

Maturity (Instruct)

• Enroll the believer in a discipleship group• Teach spiritual disciplines• Establish a mentoring relationship• Model a Biblical life-style

Ministry (Involve)

• Help identify the person’s ministry gifts• Establish a ministry apprenticeship• Provide leadership training• Model servant character

Mission (Invest)

• Provide cross-cultural experiences• Provide Leadership experiences• Provide opportunities to disciple others• Provide continued leadership training

Membership Processes & Events

• Sunday School• Small group Bible study• Guest follow up• Assimilation strategies• Outreach ministries• Outreach groups• Church/Class social activities

• Sequence Evangelism seminars• Outreach groups• Support/Recovery groups• Parenting Seminars• Parents night out• Children's events

– Cradle roll day– Children's day– Baby dedication

• Big Day activities– Christmas– Easter

• Life Issue Seminars– Money management– Stess management– Parenting

Maturity Processes & Events

• Sunday School• Growth/Discipleship groups• Bible Institute• New Convert classes• Recovery/Support groups

• Elective classes• Divorce Recovery• Support groups• Life Issue Seminars

– Money management– Stress management– Parenting

• Spiritual Development Retreat

Ministry Processes & Events

• Sunday school• Ministry Discovery class• Ministry Development class• Basic Leadership training• Training & Apprenticeship for

all ministries• Mentoring opportunities

• Ministry Fair• Leadership Development

seminar• Ministry Development

seminar

Mission Processes & Events

• Sunday school• Mission teams• Cross-cultural mission

opportunities• Ongoing Ministry /Leadership

training• Church-focused ministry

– Ushers– Music– Drama– Children, Youth– Men’s, Women’s

• Community-focused ministry– Outreach seminars– Homeless– Unwed mothers

• Outreach campaigns• Vacation Bible school• TESLA• Backyard Bible clubs• Short-term task groups• Recovery/Support groups• Crisis intervention• Unwed Mother’s home

Discipleship Components

1. Diamond of Spiritual Growth2. Non-negotiable Values3. Five levels of Commitment

Non-negotiable Values

1. Every person has a right to a presentation of the Gospel at his/her level of understanding

2. Every person needs a Biblical moral compass to guide and protect them

3. Every believer has unique gifts to be developed and used to strengthen the church

4. Every believer has a purpose in advancing the global mission of the church

Discipleship Components

1. Diamond of Spiritual Growth2. Non-negotiable Values3. Five levels of Commitment

Five Levels of Commitment

1. Community• I think I’ll go to church. It’s Christmas

2. Crowd• I think I’ll go to church. I haven’t gone the last few weeks.

3. Congregation• I know that I’ll be missed if I don’t go to Bible study

4. Committed• I want to grow in my faith and relationship with God

5. Core• I want to please God, serve others, & achieve His purpose for

my life

A View of the Discipling Church

1. Diamond of Spiritual Growth2. Non-negotiable Values3. Five levels of Commitment

Base 1

• Individual commits to a personal relationship with Christ & to the local church

• Church implements ministries that build relationships with unconverted– Identifies needs & ministers

to them– Builds informal relationships

with individuals– Includes the unchurched in

church-related groups– Shares Gospel with

unconverted

Base 2

• Person becomes committed to spiritual growth by developing– Disciplines– Values– Characteristics– Life-style of a disciple

• Church implements Instructional strategies– Enroll in a discipleship group– Teach spiritual disciplines– Establish mentoring

relationship– Model a Biblical lifestyle

Base 3

• People discover and develop their God-given gifts and calling

• The Church implements strategies that:– Help identify ministry gifts– Establish a ministry

apprenticeship– Provide leadership training– Model servant character

Base 4

• People invest in the global mission of Christ and the church, thus fulfilling their life purpose

• The Church implements strategies that provide:– Cross-cultural experiences– Leadership experiences– Discipleship opportunities– Leadership training