Making Disciples cvr - CHE Network

Making DisciplesWorkshop

05/2015

MAKING DISCIPLES WORKSHOP Introduction This Workshop is designed to create Disciples who multiply what they are doing with other individuals. These people gather together in a neighborhood to form a church with the church becoming a multiplier as well. The ultimate goal is creating a movement of people and multiplying local churches who transform their city, state and nation from the inside out.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

How to Use This Manual 5

Lessons Biblical Basis for Making Disciples 9

To Disciple - The Priority of the Great Commission 13

Selection of Disciples 31

Prayer, Central to Disciple Making 35

Multiplication in Making Disciples 43

Using Groups and Individual Mentoring 47

Disciple Making Movement and Church Planting 51

Disciple Making Using Discovery Bible Studies 61

Personal Application of Discipline of Love 73

Practice of Discovering God Lesson 79

New Ideas and Mindset of Disciple Makers 81

HOW TO USE THIS MANUAL This lesson plan manual is part of an extensive series for use in Community Health Evangelism (CHE) or Neighborhood Transformation (NT). CHE and Neighborhood Transformation Community Health Evangelism (CHE) seamlessly integrates evangelism and discipleship with disease prevention and community based development. The work is wholistic, seeking to meet the whole need of individuals and communities through complete obedience to everything that Jesus commanded. CHE lessons have been written to provide CHE trainers with tools that can be used to assist communities out of poverty while bringing people to faith in Christ. CHE trainers, skilled in participatory learning methods, use these materials to enable communities around the world to escape cycles of poverty and live as followers of Jesus. For information about CHE and how you can be trained as a facilitator, go to http://chenetwork.org/che_traininginfo.php Neighborhood Transformation is a strategy that helps churches minister in a wholistic manner to people in urban poor neighborhoods. It empowers people to take responsibility for their own lives. It helps neighbors to help their neighbors and moves them from welfare and relief to empowerment. It focuses on assets found in the neighborhood, rather than on fixing needs. Neighbors learn to work together and build local ownership, instead of waiting for outsiders to fix their problems. For more information about Neighborhood Transformation, or NT, go to www.neighborhoodtransformation.net. Neighborhood Transformation (NT) and Community Health Evangelism (CHE) work side by side and are based on the same principles. CHE began in rural areas of Africa, and has now spread to more than 105 countries. However, the world is becoming more urbanized. Through Neighborhood Transformation, CHE was adapted to work in urban poor areas in North America. Urban CHE applies the strategies of Neighborhood Transformation to cities around the world. How does CHE/NT training work? CHE/NT training is intended to empower individuals and communities as architects of their own development. The CHE/NT trainer does not deliver pre-packaged solutions in a lecture, but facilitates discussions that involve the people themselves in creating their own solutions. The purpose of this lesson plan material is to enable the trainer to facilitate those discussions. This basic principle must be understood and guide the user of these materials in the training process. The chart below compares the two approaches:

Lecture (Traditional Approaches) Discussion (The CHE/NT Way) Content Focused Learner Centered

Advice giving Awareness raising People listen People create solutions

Outsider owns solutions Insiders own solutions People wait for outsider to resource the project People take action

CHE/NT lessons are formatted to make it easy for the trainer to facilitate discussions and involve the people themselves in analyzing problems, identifying resources, and creating solutions. There are a few simple keys to using this material for its intended purpose:

1. Keep the group small and sit in a circle. Rather than standing in front of participants who are seated in rows, sit with them in a circle. The optimal size for participatory learning is between 15 and 30 people. Never stand up when you speak. Break frequently into smaller groups of 3-6 for more in-depth discussion.

2. Focus on facilitating activities and encouraging discussion. The left column of each lesson plan contains the methods, questions, and activities the CHE/NT trainer will use to facilitate learning. The CHE/NT trainer's primary responsibility is to create a learning environment. The methods, activities, and questions in the left column of the lesson plan are designed for that purpose.

5

3. Value and record the contributions of each participant. When solutions are being brainstormed, always have one member of the group serving as a scribe to record the group's ideas on a large sheet of paper. Post these sheets of paper on the walls of the room for the remainder of the seminar. When facilitating discussion, ask the questions in the left column of the lesson plan and repeat the answers of each participant orally while the scribe is recording their contribution.

4. Contribute knowledge as a participant in the discussion rather than as the expert. The knowledge in the right column of each lesson plan is a list of ideas that the group will likely come up with as they brainstorm together. The CHE/NT trainer compares these ideas with the knowledge in the right column of the lesson plan and contributes important thoughts from that column that have been overlooked only after the group's ideas have been presented and recorded.

5. Be learner centered. Use name tags and call participants by name. Begin where the people are and involve them in the process of topic selection. Use language they can understand. Remember that building relationship is essential to a creative process, and to cooperative efforts that bring about change.

6. Focus on assets. Ask God to help you see what the people have, not what they lack. Help them to see themselves as stewards of resources rather than victims of circumstance. Identify local resources. Help them appreciate and build on their successes.

7. Be action oriented. The purpose of the session is not to transfer knowledge from the trainer to the participants. The purpose of a CHE/NT session is to involve participants in creating solutions that they will own and implement. The process should be one of self-discovery. People are more likely to act on their own ideas, then on ideas presented to them by another.

8. Learn to use starters and the SHOWD questions. Starters are used at the beginning of a lesson to visualize real life situations, and pose a single problem in a clear and concise way. The purpose of a starter is to focus an issue and stimulate the thinking process. Each starter, whether it is a picture, a role play, a case study, a story, or an object lesson, is followed in the lesson plan by one of more of the SHOWD questions. These questions serve as a framework for CHE/NT lessons, but often only the first two or three questions are asked after a starter because the other questions will be answered in the body of the lesson:

• What do you See? (Retell the story, describe the picture) • What is Happening? (Focus the problem or the issue to be discussed) • Does this happen in Our place? (Relate the starter to real life) • Why is this happening? (Identify causes) • What can we Do about it? (Create solutions)

What outcomes are we looking for? The following transformational indicators can measure the success of our training activities. These are the outcomes that we consistently see in mature CHE/NT programs around the world, and what we are looking for in the lives of those we train:

1. Shared vision: The community sees a better future and has hope that it can be achieved. 2. Leadership: Godly Christian leaders are positioned and equipped to lead the community toward

the accomplishment of its vision. 3. Ownership: People are taking responsibility for their own health and well-being. 4. Cooperation: People are united and working together for the common good. 5. Volunteers: People are taking initiative and acting sacrificially to meet the legitimate needs of

others. 6. Dignity: People have recovered their identity as made in the image of God and their vocation as

stewards of creation. Instead of being controlled or victimized by their environment, they are stewards of it.

7. Learning, Skill, and Resources: People are equipped to identify needs and resources, put together a plan, and mobilize volunteers to accomplish their vision. People are continually reflecting on what is happening in order to learn how to be more effective.

8. Christian Community and Witness: People are becoming followers of Jesus. Believers are meeting together for fellowship, prayer, Bible study and worship, and are sharing Christ with their neighbors in word and deed.

9. Multiplication: Knowledge and skills learned are being transmitted to others.

Once the above outcomes are achieved in the lives of people, their communities change. Health improves, infant mortality decreases, agriculture becomes more productive, jobs are created, water systems, roads, schools and clinics are built, and churches are established or strengthened. Peace, justice, compassion, and righteousness are witnessed in the community and God is glorified. All of this will be the result of solutions created and owned by the people, not programs blueprinted and delivered from the outside.

Adapting the lesson to the context It is impossible to create lesson plans that can be used universally without adaptation to the context and culture of the participants. The stories and illustrations used in these lessons are intended to provide a framework for discussion of key issues, but will need to be adapted by the user to the context. The participatory process, however, that involves the participants analyzing problems, identifying resources, and creating solutions, must never be compromised.

7

Created by Collaborative for Neighborhood Transformation for Global CHE Network

BIBLICAL BASIS FOR MAKING DISCIPLES

Date: 06/89 (Rev. 12/13) (1 HOUR) OBJECTIVES: 1. Participants will be able to understand the definition and description of a

disciple. 2. Participants will be able to understand what the process of discipleship involves. 3. Participants will be able to understand the reasons it was important for Jesus to

spend time with his disciples. OVERVIEW FOR TRAINERS: Discipleship is a process and is a vital part of ministry that each student should be involved in. This session gives the introduction for the rest of the sessions. METHOD TIME KNOWLEDGE Role Play: Two people talking.

8”

1st I have heard that discipleship is important but I don’t know what it involves. Do you?

2nd I don’t know either. 1st You know Jesus spent time with

his disciples and maybe that has something to do with it. What do you think?

2nd You may be right! I wonder if there is a way that we can find out more about discipleship.

1st Yeah, I wonder too! ----SHO questions---- S = What do you See? H = What is Happening? O = Does this happen in Our place?

I.

A good disciple.

20”

I.

A Good Disciple is or Does:

A. In small groups discuss what a disciple is. The participants are to give a Bible verse to back up their ideas. Report back.

A. What a good disciple is: 1. Follower, Luke 9:57; Luke 9:1-2 2. Student, Luke 6:40 3. Dedicated, John 8:31 4. Imitator, Ephesians 5:1;

Matthew 28:19; Mark 1:7 5. Passes on what he has

learned, II Timothy 2:2; Luke 9:1,2

6. Taught first, Luke 9:1,2 7. Practices what taught,

Matthew 28:19 8. Learner, II Timothy 2:2 9. Obedient, II Corinthians 10:5 10. A trainer, II Timothy 2:2 11. Ambassador, II Corinthians 5:20 12. Good representative of leader,

II Corinthians 5:20 13. Faithful, II Timothy 2:2 14. Loyal, John 6:66-71 15. Willing to pay price, Luke 14:26

(Self denial) Mark 8:34 9


METHOD TIME KNOWLEDGE 16. Not above master, Luke 6:40;

Matthew 10:24 17. Responsive heart, John 12:26 18. Loving, John 13:35 19. Bearing fruit, John 15:8, 16 B. After the qualities are listed,

give the following definition to the group.

7” B. Definition: a disciple is a learner who follows his leader with the intent to pass on what he has learned as he puts it into practice in his own life.

II.

Discipleship

15”

II.

Discipleship

A. What is discipleship? Have any of you been in a discipleship process/ relationship? Give an example – liken it to a process of influence. Report back. (These two questions can be discussed together instead of breaking into small groups twice.)

A.

Discipleship:

1. Has a core value of discovering where God is at work by finding a person of peace.

2. Places a high level of commitment on the health and welfare of the people; people caring for one another.

3. Is locally led. While often started by outsiders, it is not led by outsiders who intend someday to turn over the ministry to the people of the community.

4. Is family-based. It does not seek to extract individual respondents from their families and communities, re-culturating them and then sending them as semi-outsiders back to their communities.

5. Is powered by ordinary people; unschooled and non-credentialed. Highly trained and credentialed professionals do not drive it.

6. Is about the church emerging from within the culture of the people. It is not about calling the people out of their culture to form a new organization.

7. Is about developing indepen-dent leaders. It is not about building a mass of followers.

8. Is about transformation of individuals, families, and communities by making disciples who make disciples who make disciples.


METHOD TIME KNOWLEDGE

9. Is simple. It is about simple men and women with the simple gospel for simple people. It is not sophisticated and complex.

10. Focuses on making disciple-makers of every member who multiply themselves.

11. It involves obedience. 12. Is a process that takes a

lifetime. 13. Is applying what is leaned into

own life. 14. Involves commitment. 15. Is a process that involves

change in a person’s life. 16. Is a process of making people

disciples of Jesus Christ. III.

Why was it important for Jesus to spend so much time with His disciples? Discuss in small groups and report back.

10”

III.

Why it Was so Important for Jesus to Spend Time with His Disciples:

A. Learning is more effective if caught from observation.

B. Jesus transmitted knowledge through His life.

C. One living sermon is far more valuable than a spoken one.

D. Through their association they learned to know and love one another.

E. Building men requires constant attention.

F. He was able to build into every area of their lives – spiritual, mental, social, and physical.

ATTITUDE:

Facilitator has the desire to be a disciple himself and to disciple others. Multiplication is the key to reaching the world for Christ.

SKILL:

Participants will be able to apply principles of discipleship in their own ministry.

EVALUATION:

Facilitators will know that participants have learned the content of this lesson when they understand the definition of a disciple and what discipleship involves in their own life and ministry. They will also be applying the principles of multiplication in their project.

MATERIALS:

- Newsprint - Bibles - Marking Pens - Masking Tape

This lesson is used in: Program Trainings – Discipleship Workshop,

11


TO DISCIPLE - THE PRIORITY OF THE GREAT COMMISSION

Date: 08/14 (1 HOUR) OBJECTIVES: After working through this lesson, participants will 1. Understand that the Great commission focuses on Discipleship not Evangelism. 2. Be able to articulate the concept to others. OVERVIEW FOR TRAINERS: This lesson is created from a Key talk of Dr. Bob Moffitt, CEO of Harvest Foundation, 702 N. 1st Street, Phoenix AZ “To Disciple – The Priority of the Great Commission:” The key talk is found at the end of this lesson.

METHOD TIME KNOWLEDGE Role Play: Two Participants Talking: 1st We seem to have been taught that the priority of the Great Commission is evangelism, but I hear

we are going to be told the priority is discipleship. 2nd Right, that seems contradictory and possibly a problem. 1st We need to get people into the Kingdom, that’s most critical. 2nd But discipleship is coming alongside people to help them become mature in Christ. 1st It will be interesting to learn what this lesson has to say. ----SHOWD questions---- S = What do you See? H = What is Happening?

I.

Understanding of Evangelism and Discipleship

I.

Understanding of Evangelism and Discipleship

A. What is Your Understanding of Evangelism

A. Your Understanding of Evangelism

Ask Large Group 1. 2. 3. 4. B. What is Your Understanding of

Discipleship B. Understanding of Discipleship

Ask Large Group 1. 2. 3. 4. II.

To Disciple, the Priority of the Great Commission

II.

To Disciple, the Priority of the Great Commission

A. What is Key Problem This Paper Presents

A. Key Problem This paper Presents: Emphasized evangelism rather than discipleship in Great Commission.

B. What are Key Ideas that Struck You after Reading the Article

B. Key Ideas that Struck You from Reading the article.

Ask Large Group 1. 2. 3. 4. III.

Key Ideas found in Article concerning the principle

III.

Key Ideas for Each Principle found in Article

Break into 7 groups assigning each group a different principle that they will answer What are key points?

A. Jesus identified the priority task as making disciples.

13



Each team puts their answers

on newsprint and hangs on wall. Report.

1. A person’s soul is the most important possession.

A. Jesus identified the priority task as making disciples

2. The call to sinners for repentance and subsequent salvation was Jesus passion.

B. In the Bible, service has the same priority as proclamation.

3. Christians see evangelism as priority, but Jesus does not.

C. Evangelism without discipleship produces hypocrisy.

4. Jesus does not even connect the gospel to salvation, but to the good news of the Kingdom.

D. Scripture commands that we are to live in a way that attracts others to Jesus

5. Throughout scripture our flourishing is a consequence of doing God’s will.

E. Disciple making, not evangelism, is the end-goal – the ultimate purpose - of the Great Commission

6. The Lausanne Covenant 0f 1974 was written to clarify the distinction and interface between proclamation and social service.

F. It is primarily our sin that keeps broken people from seeing God’s glory.

G. God’s glory is our purpose. We bring him glory by being like Jesus. Therefore the end goal of Discipleship is simply equipping people to be like Jesus

B. In the Bible, service has the same priority as proclamation.

1. Language of the covenant implies sacrificial service (the demonstration of God’s love) by those who have been born again.

2. Sacrificial service done in the power of the Spirit is just as much a priority as the proclamation or verbal aspect of evangelism.

3. Multiple examples in Bible of sacrificial service without evangelistic outreach.

4. On other occasions Jesus proclaims without physically serving,

5. Neither social service nor evangelism are the main priority alone, they are both required.

6 All efforts need to be infused with His Holy Spirit

7 His people are to live the way He instructs. When they do, God does the heavy lifting.

C. Evangelism without discipleship produces hypocrisy.

1. We are at risk of producing hypocrites – people who profess one thing and do another.



2. Just before his ascension Jesus wanted to be sure his disciples clearly understood his intentions for how He, their Lord, wanted them to carry out the task for which He had come into the world.

3. The task was to make disciples of nations

4. This begins with discipling individuals 5. Discipleship is the priority over

evangelism. 6. Obedience is critical over the

appearance of obedience. 7. Acts of spiritual piety were

appropriate but not without the demonstration of God’s love in Israel

D. Scripture commands that we are to live in a way that attracts others to Jesus

1. True worship attracts the lost. 2. A lifestyle of obedience positively

attracts people. 3. The way we live should attract those

outside community of faith. 4. People should see and praise the

goodness of God. 5. There is no more powerful witness to

God’s love for lost sinners than that of a people who live the ways of God.

E. Disciple making, not evangelism, is the end-goal – the ultimate purpose - of the Great Commission

1. Evangelism is a necessary part of the process of disciple making but it is not the goal.

2. The evangelical church has put the cart before the horse.

3. We have churches which do not nor cannot create the conditions for biblical transformation in our cultures

4. Treating evangelism as the goal rather than the first step of our task can lead to the sin of disobedience in not discipling

5. The Great Commandment and the Great Commission and are not in conflict!

6. Conversion should be preceded or immediately followed by teaching Jesus’ followers to obey what Jesus taught

7. At its irreducible minimum, Jesus’ teaching is to show one’s love for God by loving one’s neighbour

8. What would happen if every member of every church were discipled – not to hand out tracts – but to live in such a way that those they talked to about

15



Jesus wanted to listen, and then were taught how to appropriately share what Jesus has done for them in their own lives?

F. It is primarily our sin that keeps broken people from seeing God’s glory.

1. The primary sin that keeps broken people from seeing God’s great love and plan for them is our disobedience – not the corruption of government or society.

2. The antidote is recapturing a biblical understanding of discipleship – living in obedience to Jesus’ instructions.

3. Discipleship should be the primary mission of the local church.

4. Discipleship requires an intentional strategy that sees the goal of discipleship as developing people who increasingly look like Jesus.

5. Church planting should be a good thing but not when it is disconnected from discipleship—equipping people to serve in their world like Jesus served in his

G. The End Goal of Discipleship is simply equipping people to be like Jesus

1. Being Like Jesus means being a servant who humbly and sacrificially places others’ real needs above their own

2. Discipleship is a work of alternative enculturation - to present a new way to understand life and the world in which we live

3. it is possible to argue that Jesus disciples were “converted” in the process of being discipled rather than the other way around

4. Discipling is to help those being discipled learn to abide in Christ

5. Discipling is equipping God’s people as servants to their generation. God has gifted every church leader to equip their people to serve

6. Disciple making is simply the equipping of Jesus-followers to obey Him,

7. Discipleship doesn’t require formal teaching as much as modeling, encouragement and joyful accountability.



IV. Application IV. Application A. Individual Model Discipline

of Love A. Individual Model Discipline of Love

Describe Discipline of Love in Large Group

1. Each week, make a disciplined commitment to find at least one way that is new/fresh to you to show God’s love to someone in your world – family, church or community. Think

through how this can be done in all areas of life, physical, spiritual, wisdom & social.

2. Gather weekly with peers who have made the same commitment where each member will share, discuss and pray for the server and those who have been served.

3. The minimum time commitment for this discipline and sharing should be several months with the goal that it begins to form new a lifestyle.

4. This model can be included as part of already ongoing small groups. However it will take a radical restructuring of small-group schedules to make it happen

B. Corporate Model Seed Projects B. Corporate Model Seed Projects Describe Seed Project

Large Group 1. Disciplines of Love concept is

extended from individuals to the group by using a Seed Project

2. This begins by asking God to show them something they could do as a group to demonstrate His love to their community.

3. They need to choose something small. 4. Done with resources available in the

group or church, 5. Focused on people who need to have

an experience of the touch of Jesus’ love.

6. The ideal small group is one that practices the individual model as a lifestyle

7. Group does 3-4 group activities a year.

References: To Disciple – The Priority of the Great Commission Paper by Bob Moffitt Harvest Foundation, Phoenix, AZ

17


ATTITUDE:

Participants will be open to change in thinking concerning the Great Commission

SKILL:

Participants will teach that the emphasis of the Great Commission is discipleship

EVALUATION:

Are the participants actually these truths

MATERIALS:

-Newsprint, markers, masking tape -Article – “To Disciple – The Priority of the Great Commission:”

To Disciple – the Priority of the Great Commission

Part 1

Declarations I want to begin with two declarations. The first is that I am a convinced evangelical. The National Association of Evangelicals describes evangelicals as those who focus “… on the core convictions of the triune God, the Bible, faith, Jesus, salvation, evangelism, and discipleship.” Webster includes in its definition, “… emphasizing salvation by faith in the atoning death of Jesus Christ through personal conversion, the authority of Scripture …” If this is what “evangelical” means, I am an evangelical. The second is that I love the Church of Jesus Christ and believe God has given me a specific call to serve the local church. The Church is His Bride – the bride for whom He gave His life. I write this paper with more than 30 years of passionately helping local churches prepare their people to be the bride John describes in Revelation 19:7-8 – ….”and his bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean was given her to wear. (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints.)” I am writing because I feel compelled to address two serious errors I see within our tradition that have had serious negative consequences for the role God has given the Church. These errors are clearly being used by our Enemy in his war against Christ’s Kingdom. I find that my brothers and sisters within the evangelical tradition are often so caught up in the paradigms of traditional evangelicalism that they either don’t see the errors or else ignore them. Let me briefly explain what I mean by paradigm. A paradigm is the filter thorough which we see reality. It is shaped by our beliefs and experiences. Sometimes our paradigms can blind us from recognizing what is visible and real. For example, a brilliant scientist like Richard Dawkins operates with a paradigm that prevents him from seeing the overwhelming evidence in creation for the existence of God. Similarly, our evangelical experience and perception of truth can keep us from seeing what Scripture makes abundantly clear. Now, back to the two errors. In short they are: 1) An unbiblical misappropriation which assigns a priority to evangelism, as opposed to discipleship, as the main task of the Church; and 2) The working assumption that teaching biblical truth automatically results in following Jesus. Some of the things I say in this article sound harsh. But I say them because I care so much for the Church and the Kingdom Jesus established to demonstrate His “manifold wisdom and power” (Eph. 3:10). H.A. Williams says, “Our doctrines are not photographs of Reality. They are the attempted descriptions of heavenly things by means of hints and guesses which earthly things provide.” (from Tensions). That captures my attitude as I write this article. I am very aware that my perspective is not a “photograph of Reality” but rather is my attempt, based on my reading of Scripture and experience, to articulate my concerns “by means of hints and guesses.” Please remember that as you read. The Problem In short: the evangelical/Pentecostal church from the period of its origin with the Great Awakenings has often, in practice if not by intention, misplaced the emphasis of Jesus’ Great Commission. We have emphasized evangelism rather than discipleship. I would like to articulate seven principles that support my belief that Jesus’ emphasis was discipleship. Principle A: Jesus identified the priority task as making disciples Scripture is clear. A person’s soul is the most valuable thing they possess. “What shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Mt. 16:26) Heaven rejoices when one soul repents (Luke 15:7). Jesus calls us to repentance so that we might take advantage of the reconciliation, provided at the cross, between a holy God and sinful man (Luke 5:32). The call to sinners for repentance and subsequent salvation was Jesus’ passion. When Christians reflect this passion of Jesus, we use a word that is not in the Bible - “evangelism”. Evangelism is defined as the preaching of the Christian Gospel or the practice of relaying information about a particular set of beliefs to others with the object of conversion (Wikipedia). It is easy to see why many

19

8 Christians regard evangelism as the priority calling/task that Scripture gives to the Church. It is interesting that Jesus doesn’t. Instead He identifies the priority task of his followers as the making of disciples. Most often Jesus doesn’t connect the “gospel” to salvation but to the good news of the Kingdom which He defined as the will of God being done - Matt 6:10. Why is this important? Because we are saved to flourish – to live now and in eternity as God originally designed. Throughout Scripture our flourishing is a consequence of doing God’s will – Deut. 28 and 30; 2 Chron. 7; Isa. 58, etc. The teaching of obedience to (not just knowing about) God’s will is doing discipleship. More on this later. The perspective of evangelism as the priority task of the church is famously articulated in the Lausanne Covenant of 1974: "... in the church's mission of sacrificial service evangelism is primary." This portion of the covenant was written to clarify the distinction and interface between evangelism and social service. The liberal wing of the Protestant church sometimes proclaims that the Kingdom of God comes as Christians simply do good works; a personal, saving encounter with the living Christ is often considered optional. In response we, the Evangelical wing of the church, protested that the Kingdom will not come without a personal experience of being born again. I understand the history and sentiment of this statement in the Lausanne covenant but see it as an expression of a long-standing, overly zealous correction that goes beyond Scripture with tragic consequences. This priority has led to evangelistic enterprises that lack the kind of follow-up that leads to discipleship. We now have seeker-sensitive services that sometimes adapt even to pagan aspects of the prevailing culture in order to draw people in “so they can hear the Gospel.” This has often replaced a focus on equipping members to live the kind of lives that draw those outside the church to the person of Jesus. Let me clarify that I do not minimize the importance of evangelism – including the critical element of proclamation. Sharing the content of the Good News of salvation – our sinfulness, our hopeless condition without the redemption of sin unconditionally paid for by the blood of Jesus sacrificially shed on the cross, our need to confess our sin and accept the promise and assurance of forgiveness of our sin, the glorious hope of eternal life with God, etc. – is an essential part of obedience to Jesus’ commission to his followers. But being born from above is only the initial step in the life-long process of discipleship. The Great Commission’s purpose is clearly stated as discipleship – teaching those who have believed to obey all the things that He taught. That obedience begins – but only begins – with being born again. Principle B: In the Bible, service has the same priority as proclamation. I understand and affirm the priority issue addressed in the Lausanne Covenant if social service is seen only as good works. But the very language of the covenant implies sacrificial service (the demonstration of God’s love) by those who have been born again. If this is what the covenant refers to, then I believe that evangelism (understood in the covenant as necessarily including the communication of content) is not the principal priority. Sacrificial service done in the power of the Spirit is just as much a priority as the proclamation or verbal aspect of evangelism. When I look at the testimony of Jesus’ life, I don’t see a priority of one or the other. There are many times when He sacrificially serves with no record of His delivering "evangelistic” content. Several examples include the following:

• The healing of a dying boy from Cana in John 4:43-54, • The casting out of a demon in Mark 1:21-28 and Luke 4:31-37, • A man cured of leprosy in Mt. 8:2-4, Mark 1:40-45, and Luke 5:12-16, • A blind man given sight in Mt. 8:22-26, • The raising to life of the widow’s son in Luke 7:11-17.

On other occasions Jesus proclaims without physically serving, such as his encounter with Nicodemus (John 3:1-21). Apparently, the manner in which Jesus calls people depends on how his Father directed him, which appears to be based on context rather than on a priority of proclamation versus meeting a physical or social need. Though that primacy was no longer highlighted as “priority” in the most recent Lausanne congress (South Africa 2010), it has been the priority of many Western evangelical churches, especially since the first two Great Awakenings (1730s-1740s, and 1790s-1840s) and the revivals of the nineteenth century. I have increasingly wondered if the current and growing demise of the church’s influence on Western culture is one of the consequences of this priority. Personally, I affirm the Lausanne

9 Covenant of 1974, except for this one statement, which I believe is not scriptural. As a matter of fact, I think this emphasis is the opposite of Jesus’ intentions. So then, what do I say about the millions who have come to faith in Christ through the evangelistic efforts of generations of evangelical missionaries? Or through Youth for Christ, Campus Crusade for Christ (now CRU) and Billy Graham crusades and other similar groups? With the angels of heaven I shout with joy! But at the same time I deeply grieve for the lack of emphasis on discipling those who truly are born again to follow or to be like Jesus. Also, I want to be clear that I reject the idea that social service is the main priority. Some current movements speak of “mission as transformation.” I think this way of speaking risks giving the impression that transformation is something people do rather than something God does. The effects of the fall are so profound that even redeemed humans are incapable of understanding, much less healing, their brokenness. In 2 Chronicles God makes it clear to Solomon that our healing is something He does in response to our living in obedience to His commands. That doesn’t mean that God won’t use the gifts He gave us in that process. He clearly does. We see that multiple times in the lives of Old Testament heroes and in the Church. But what Scripture does imply is that the best human efforts that are not infused with His supernatural power will fail to bring healing/transformation to our broken lives and/or communities. Biblical transformation is the result of God’s supernatural intervention in human affairs. (See also Deuteronomy 28 and 30 and Isaiah 58.) Even the best efforts of men do not result in transformation. Our role in transformation is simply obedience (read “discipleship”). God’s role is healing the brokenness that results from sin. It strikes me that our healing/transformation is relatively straightforward – for us. His people are to live the way He instructs. When they do, God does the heavy lifting. Principle C: Evangelism without discipleship produces hypocrisy. Most of us have revulsion toward hypocrisy. When we evangelize without discipling we are at risk of producing hypocrites – people who profess one thing and do another. After 70 plus years of life and many interactions with multiple cultures, I believe hypocrisy in Christianity is a major reason, if not the primary reason, that societies have rejected the only path toward true and sustainable human flourishing. When someone realizes he is about to leave those he loves, he shares with his loved ones what is most important. Jesus knew He was about to leave his closest friends. He wanted to be sure they clearly understood his intentions for how He, their Lord, wanted them to carry out the task for which He had come into the world. What was that task? Making disciples of nations. Nations, of course, are discipled beginning with individuals. So yes, we must disciple individuals, but with the goal of discipling nations. Here’s the big question: Why is discipleship the priority? In his final instructions to his disciples, why didn’t Jesus make evangelism the priority? Though Scripture doesn’t explicitly say, the reason is clear in both testaments. God is interested in obedience rather than the appearance of obedience. Consider, for example, one of the most poignant references to His concern for living out obedience, i.e. the instructions and intentions in Isaiah 58. In the first five verses God tells Isaiah that the people of Israel are so deaf to His intentions for how they are to live as His people that Isaiah will have to shout the message like a trumpet blast in the ears of his listeners to get their attention. Every time I read this passage I am reminded of an experience I had counseling a group of junior-high boys at summer camp. One of them delighted in waking me every morning by blowing his trumpet directly in my ear. He got my attention! What was the message God wanted Isaiah to shout like a trumpet? Very simply, that the appearance of piety in their worship, prayer meetings, and study of Scripture wasn’t sufficient to please God. In addition to the appearance of religion, Israel needed to demonstrate God’s character of compassion and justice in their response to those in need. Acts of spiritual piety were appropriate but not without the demonstration of God’s love. I’ve attended many “worship” services in evangelical churches that remind me of God’s message to Israel through Isaiah. Worship services can be impressive, entertaining and emotional. In the bulletins distributed during these services I’ve seen offerings of Bible studies, prayer ministries, and other “discipleship-related” programs. In Isaiah 58 God is speaking to His people who were apparently impressed with their own liturgy, prayer and study of Scriptures. He tells them that these things, by

21

10 themselves, are not sufficient to qualify as worship. “If you want these things to count, you must also demonstrate my character of justice and compassion to the disenfranchised in your world … what you actually do with your time outside the cloistered service must match the spiritual pietism of your religious gatherings.” Principle D: Scripture commands that we are to live in a way that attracts others to Jesus. True worship attracts the lost. Deuteronomy 4:1-8 shows that a lifestyle of obedience positively attracts the attention of those who are outside the community of faith. I Peter 2:12 tells us that we should live in such a way that those outside the community of faith will praise God, even though they don’t like our “religion.” In Matthew 5:13-16 Jesus tells us that we should live in such a way that people see and praise the goodness of God. In other words, we are to live in such a way that outsiders are attracted to the Author of Life. There is no more powerful witness to God’s love for lost sinners than that of a people who live the ways of God (Deut. 4:5-8). America was largely founded on biblical principles. Much of that has eroded, but the mere legacy has made America a “promised land” in the eyes of many people of the economically developing nations where I work. Principle E: Disciple making, not evangelism, is the end-goal – the ultimate purpose - of the Great Commission. Evangelism is a necessary part of the process of disciple making but it is not the goal. It is one of the first steps in the process of making disciples. In terms of emphasis, I believe the evangelical church has put the cart before the horse. As a consequence we have a church of immature believers who often discredit God’s name and neglect His intentions for the world. We have churches which do not nor cannot create the conditions for biblical transformation in our cultures (2 Chron. 7:14). Treating evangelism as the goal rather than the first step of our task leads to the sin of disobedience. It keeps us from accomplishing the primary task Jesus gave us, i.e., discipleship. The Great Commandment and the Great Commission and are not in conflict! To some people, reversing the priority of evangelism and discipleship may seem like a small matter. But I believe this reversal has had huge and disastrous consequences in delaying His Kingdom coming. Conversion should be preceded or immediately followed by teaching Jesus’ followers to obey what Jesus taught. At its irreducible minimum, Jesus’ teaching is to show one’s love for God by loving one’s neighbour (Mat. 22:36-40; 7:12; 1 John 4:20-21). A pastor friend I love and respect includes discipleship under the category of evangelism. I believe I understand why. But to my thinking, including discipleship under the category of evangelism weakens Jesus’ call to the primary task He gave us of preparing disciples. It is not that the evangelical church doesn’t believe in discipleship (or at least what it understands as discipleship). Mostly, it does. But, in today’s church I see several problems that mitigate against making disciples. Here are three. The first problem is the often unspoken feeling that biblical discipleship requires salvation as a first step in the process. (Above I said that “being born from above is only the initial step in the life-long process of discipleship.” My contention here is that salvation is not the necessary first step. Many people begin a discipleship process before they are actually regenerated. More on this below.) Here’s a second problem. Focusing on evangelism as a first step leaves less energy for equipping believers to be witnesses to the glorious transforming work of the Spirit. This is especially true in light of the sheer number of people who need to be saved. Three, in practice if not necessarily in theory, discipleship is understood as learning a set of spiritual disciplines like prayer and Bible study rather than the discipline of obedience to the rule of Christ in every area of life. Leslie Newbigin said, “A preaching of the gospel that calls men and women to accept Jesus as their Savior but does not make it clear that discipleship means a commitment to a vision of society radically different from that which controls our public life today must be condemned as false.” Foolishness to the Greeks, p. 132.

11 I attended a Lausanne congress on evangelism in Manila in 1989. One speaker was tasked with the subject of effective evangelistic strategy. Before listing the strategies being highlighted at the congress–crusades, tracts, street preaching, radio, TV, et al–he asked participants to stand (and remain standing) when he mentioned the method through which they had come to Christ. When he finished listing these strategies, about 15 to 20 percent of the audience was standing. The rest remained seated. Then he asked about a strategy that was barely highlighted at that congress: “How many of you came to Christ through a relationship?” At that point most of the remaining audience of several thousand global evangelical leaders stood to their feet. Point made! Most people agree that evangelism outside relationship tends to be unfruitful. My wife and I receive uninvited sales calls, both door-to-door or telephone. We resent these as intrusions, and they are an apt metaphor for the kind of evangelism that proclaims the good news of the Kingdom outside of relationships. Yes, a small percentage of cold calls score a “sale.” But, such repeated intrusions are resented by most people. Many Americans become reluctant to answer the phone or the door fearing it is a salesman instead of a friend. Another metaphor is inoculation against disease. To prevent polio, we inoculate a person with a dead virus which keeps them from getting the real thing. Evangelism outside of relationships can be problematic. It can inoculate unbelievers with what appears to be “dead” Christianity and keeps the “to be evangelized” from receiving the real thing. Gandhi is reported to have said, “I like your Christ. I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.” Preoccupation with evangelism is also exacerbated by “sales appeal” to see as many as possible “come to Christ.” Donors want to know how many came to Christ because of their last donation. Those involved in the task, of course, report numbers as high as possible. There is a joke in mission circles that more people have come to Christ in Argentina than the population of Argentina. How? Many in crusade meetings have raised their hand to indicate they want to follow Christ. Those same people go to multiple crusades and are counted at each one. Evangelicals have become addicted to numbers in both evangelism and church planting. Oswald Chambers in My Utmost for His Highest says in his October 27 entry, “There is a passion for souls that does not spring from God but from the desire to make converts to our point of view.” I would paraphrase this to say, “There is a passion for souls that does not spring from God but from a desire for numbers that make the preacher look good in the eyes of donors.” A friend from Romania just wrote to tell me that at a recent conference statistics reported that the number of Romanians who had received Christ in the last 2000 years was about 47 million, notwithstanding that the current population of Romanians is only 22 million. He concluded with the observation, “Those who do not chase numbers lose their support!!” A young evangelist/pastor I am mentoring in eastern India asked to spend time with me when I was in Malaysia a few years ago. As he shared his story, he told me how Americans were funding his evangelistic crusades at which thousands of people attended and hundreds put up their hands to indicate an interest in following Christ. He said he began to recognize many of the same people attending meetings held in different venues and repeatedly raising their hands. But he saw little if any long-term change. At the conclusion of his sharing he said, “Bob, India will never be reached for Christ this way.” He withdrew from this kind of evangelism at substantial cost because he told the American donors that he couldn’t continue this strategy. He is now engaged in a wholistic approach to evangelism and discipleship. The Pastor Emeritus of my home church told me the following story when I approached him about my concern about evangelism without discipleship. He had served as interim pastor of a significant church in a university town on the west coast of California. Each spring break a beach-evangelism program was conducted by a well-known organization. Many of the young people working with this organization attended his church on Sundays. He heard their testimonies of the number of college kids who “came to Christ.” But, he told me; he almost never saw any of these new believers in church. So he decided to find out why. The pastor put on a bathing suit, took a sun umbrella and a book, and sat down on the beach to see what would happen. Before long a young man came by, said “Hello” and started a conversation. My pastor friend recognized this young man as one of the college students in his church who was involved in this evangelistic program, but the young man didn’t recognize the pastor out of context. The pastor showed interest in talking and the young man quickly moved toward sharing the Gospel. At the conclusion of his presentation he asked if the pastor would be interested in giving his life to Christ. The pastor told the young man that he already had and that he had been a follower of

23

12 Jesus for many years. The college student was surprised and embarrassed and asked why his new friend didn’t tell him earlier. The pastor introduced himself and told the young man that he recognized him from church, and that he was there to observe the evangelism that this young man and his friends were giving testimonies about at the church. The pastor then asked the young man if he could ask him a question. He agreed. It went something like this: Pastor: “Tell me how you do your evangelism.”

Student: “Well, I share the Gospel with any one I can like I did with you.”

P: “If they are interested and make a decision for Christ, what do you do then?”

S: “I give them some literature, find out where they live and give them a church contact in their home area. And then I encourage them to go there and ask to be discipled.”

P: “Could I ask you a personal question?”

S: “Sure.”

P: “As we have been sitting here I notice a lot of attractive young women looking in our direction. It’s clear that they are not looking at me but you. You’re a handsome guy. Do you think you could get one of these girls pregnant?”

S: “Oh, sir, I would never do that.”

P: “I didn’t ask if you would. I asked if you think you could?”

S: (Blushing) “I guess so.”

P: “If you did, what would you do?”

S: “I would get out of town as quickly as I could!”

P: “Would you really!? Isn’t there a parallel between what you are doing here and that scenario? You bring people to faith. They are baby believers and then you give them a list of orphanages where they could get their diapers changed and a bottle of milk.” A high percentage of those who appear to come to Christ through non-relational means seem to disappear. Two years after a major evangelistic crusade in his city, a friend of mine decided to contact the churches in his community to find out how many people the pastors of those churches knew of members who had come to their church as a result of the crusade. He contacted many churches. Not one pastor could identify one person who fit this category. Think of the relationships you have. Some are people you know and trust. Others are people you know and don’t trust, or people you don’t know well enough to trust. To which of these are you most likely to listen? What would happen if every member of every church were discipled – not to hand out tracts – but to live in such a way that those they talked to about Jesus wanted to listen, and then were taught how to appropriately share what Jesus has done for them in their own lives? My Romanian friend concluded his note with this observation about the young people he pastors: “My youth have few to no models in the discipleship process. They have been exposed to very good teaching but it was not combined with models to follow. Sad! Obedience, serving, and living a Christ-like life paves the road to evangelism. As God the Father moves people’s hearts toward Jesus, they see what it means to be born again as they watch us and desire Him! Then, evangelism takes place.”

Principle F: It is primarily our sin that keeps broken people from seeing God’s glory. One of the lessons I teach is called “The Church as a Window.” See the diagram on the next page.

13

We see broken man standing in front of a wall of sin that keeps him from seeing God’s intentions in either the future or in the present. Instead of seeing this sin as the corruption, violence, etc. of the world, I explain that the first sin that keeps people of the world from seeing God is the disobedience of God’s people. I do that by looking at how we live in relationship to God’s clear instructions in the following areas: In our personal lives

Acts 14:22 – Endure hardship Eph. 5:17-20 – Be sober, Spirit-filled, singing and thankful 1 Thes. 4:3,11 – Live holy, pure, and productive lives

With our families, Eph. 5:22 to 6:2 – Be submissive, honor and give respect Eph. 6:4 – Train children in holy living

With our brothers and sisters in Christ, Jn. 13:34 – Love each other Jn. 17:20-23 – Live in unity

With our neighbors, Rom. 13:9 – Love our neighbors Jas. 1:27 – Care for widows and orphans Jer. 22:3, 15-16 – Advocate for those in need

With our government, employers/employees, Col. 4:1 – Be fair to those under our authority 1 Pet. 2:13-15 – Respect those in authority Rom. 13:1 – Submit to those in authority

With our enemies, Luke 6:27, 35-36

As my students explore these areas of God’s intentions, it is abundantly and embarrassingly clear that the sin that keeps broken people from seeing God’s great love and plan for them is primarily our disobedience – not the corruption of government or society. I then explain that God has put something in the wall of the sin, which will be there until Christ returns. Jesus has put a window in the wall. That window is the Church. See the diagram below. But for the church to be a window through which a broken world can see God’s intentions in all areas, the church must demonstrate God’s concern for brokenness - not only in the spiritual domain but in the domains of wisdom, physical, spiritual and social need.

25

14

What is the antidote? I think it begins by recapturing a biblical understanding of discipleship – living in obedience to Jesus’ instructions. Second, discipleship should be the primary mission of the local church. Third, discipleship requires an intentional strategy that sees the goal of discipleship as developing people who increasingly look like Jesus. In my opinion, an emphasis on the non-biblical priority of evangelism versus discipling actually leads to sin. “What?!” you say, “Never!” Here's why I say that. Suppose you ask your child to clean his room – make his bed, put his clothes and toys away. He understands your instructions but only hangs up a few clothes. What would you call that? Disobedience! Disobedience may be either unintentional – in the case of misunderstanding, or intentional – in the case of not fulfilling what is understood. What does God call it when we carry out the first step of his Commission (evangelism) but omit the priority of his instruction for how we should live (making disciples)? It is disobedience, whether intentional or unintentional. Our culpability may be less in the second than in the first, but according to Leviticus 4-5 we are still culpable. Whether intentional or unintentional, God requires repentance for not fulfilling his intentions followed by a change in behavior that reflects obedience. Not only can the priority of evangelism lead to sin, it can encourage irrelevance. Church planting often follows evangelism. Church planting should be a good thing. But when it is disconnected from discipleship—equipping people to serve in their world like Jesus served in his—such churches often turn people away from the very God these churches supposedly worship. Outsiders look at this kind of church as irrelevant to the brokenness of their community. They see a local church that seems to be concerned only about spiritual things and in a future by-and-by. If we believe the Gospel is not only the power to save souls but to transform – to bring healing to individuals, families, communities and whole societies – something must be wrong. Over more than 30 years of global travel I have visited many countries where tens of thousands of churches have been planted in the last 50 years. Instead of being agents that actively work to bring God’s present intentions for shalom in those communities, many of these churches are seen by their communities as isolated, irrelevant and defensive conclaves. In light of this reality I think that the triumphalism often connected to the reported numbers of people saved, baptized, and churches planted in many of our agencies’ publications and public pronouncements is dishonoring to our Lord. Again I ask, it is possible that the consequence of this misunderstood priority between evangelism and discipleship, and the way this misunderstanding is carried out in much of evangelicalism is a key – perhaps the key - reason that the Church of the last few generations is losing the battle for the soul of Western and other cultures?

15 Is it possible that a major reason the church in the West is losing the “culture wars” is the Church itself? The church is supposed to be comprise of people who hold themselves to a higher standard of integrity, love, and service, etc., yet many studies show that there is little difference between the lives of the people in the church and in the wider culture. Though I love the Bridegroom and His Church, and though I have passionately given my vocational and avocational life to serve it, my own kids who love and serve the Lord in their private lives tend to avoid it because they are so turned off by the discrepancy between what the church says it is and what it is in reality. I know many readers of this paper will identify with my experience. Principle G: Discipleship is simply equipping people to be like Jesus Jesus taught his disciples to so abide in Him that they naturally obey what He commanded and do so in His supernatural strength. When others see them, they see Jesus. What does it mean to be like Jesus? It means to be a servant who humbly and sacrificially places others’ real needs above their own (Phil. 2). It is important to note that this is something different than many evangelicals practice. Rather than something that one assents to but doesn’t practice, biblical discipleship is an obligation to conform to the truth of how God calls his people to live in every area of life. In biblical discipleship, obedience is not optional. At the macro level, Ken Myers defines discipleship this way: “Discipleship is not engaging with another culture to present a small set of new propositions. Rather, discipleship is a work of alternative enculturation - to present a new way to understand life and the world in which we live, that is, a new way to understand ‘what is real.’ And this new way of understanding life is incarnated in alternative cultural forms that are sustained across generations and, when possible, shared with our neighbors.” https://marshillaudio.org/node/345 I believe that the Bible teaches that discipleship, not evangelism/conversion, is the primary mission of disciples. It is teaching others to obey – to be like – Jesus. When discipleship is our passion, evangelism will largely be a by-product of God’s people living the way he calls them to live. This is not conversion first which is then followed by learning to be a disciple. It is learning to follow Jesus from the beginning. I think it is possible to argue that Jesus disciples were “converted” in the process of being discipled rather than the other way around. I think the strategy for discipling has two major components. First, it is to help those being discipled learn to abide in Christ. Oswald Chambers (June 19, My Utmost for His Highest) reminds us that Jesus’ strength came from obedience to His Father – dwelling in Him, and that our strength comes from abiding in Jesus. If we don’t have this supernatural strength we will soon be exhausted in our attempts to be like Jesus. Second and simultaneously, discipling is equipping God’s people as servants to their generation. God has gifted every church leader (Eph. 4:11-13) for the purpose of equipping God’s people to serve. You don’t have to be a Bible whiz to be a servant. Yes, it is important to have sound and thorough Biblical teaching. It is my observation that, by itself, teaching biblical content doesn’t produce many disciples. Evangelism that is real, that lasts, mostly comes from serving others in the strength that comes from abiding in Jesus. I don’t mean to discount the importance of learning what the Bible teaches. It is essential! But, many local churches I know teach biblical content as though it automatically leads to obedience. In my seventh decade of living in and observing evangelical churches, I can say that this assumption is faulty. Yes, ideas have consequences. But only if they are acted on. God promised Solomon if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land, (2 Chron. 7:14). The abiding principle of that specific promise remains: when we equip God’s people to live as He calls them, His blessing follows. It is then that the church can fulfill Paul’s prophetic vision of the Church being the fullness of Christ, which is love (Eph. 1:23; Eph. 4:17-19; Eph. 4:13), and the administration of His “manifold wisdom” of reconciliation and restoration displayed to the observing principalities and powers (Eph. 3:9-10). The bottom line is that disciple making is not rocket science. It is simply the equipping of Jesus-followers to obey Him, i.e., to give verbal witness to what He has done in their lives, and to

27

16 demonstrate God’s love, mercy, justice, and holiness as a lifestyle. This doesn’t require formal teaching as much as modeling, encouragement and joyful accountability. The beauty and winsomeness of a (biblical) disciple’s practice attracts unbelievers to the Kingdom. Rodney Stark, a respected historical sociologist, describes “witness” primarily in terms of lifestyle. His study of the early church brought him to the conclusion that it was early Christian’s lifestyle more than their message that was the major factor in the transformation of a pagan Roman Empire to one that named Christianity as its reigning cultural paradigm. If the mandate for biblical discipleship is so clear in Scripture, why is discipleship such a conundrum - a logical postulation that evades us? We have already discussed what I think are two of the three principal reasons: 1) A faulty understanding of Jesus’ priority in the Great Commission (evangelism rather than discipleship); and 2) The practice of teaching discipleship as the knowledge of Jesus’ instructions rather than teaching a lifestyle of humble, sacrificial servanthood. I believe the third reason for the conundrum is not a lack of desire to equip disciples, but a lack of knowing how. So much of the “how” that is practiced today focuses on the first two misperceptions above. First, when you think discipleship is equivalent to evangelism, you train people to evangelize for the purpose of conversion. Sound familiar? The long-term intent may be to disciple but so much effort and focus is on evangelism that the “disciplers” seldom move beyond evangelism. If you understand that the priority of the Great Commission is evangelism, discipleship will mean equipping the new converts to evangelize. This is like equipping teenagers to have babies and training those babies to have more babies, who have more babies - without much thought and energy invested in the much more difficult and long-range task of helping those babies to grow to mature, responsible adulthood. Second if you think discipleship is the knowledge and practice of traditional spiritual disciplines you will equip the new converts in Bible knowledge, prayer, fasting, tithing, meditation, etc. without equipping them to love others through humble and sacrificial service. I have met many, many church leaders who say something like, “We are discipling our people to serve others!” Then I ask them where the time, funds, and energy of their leaders is spent in that kind of equipping. The response almost always reflects things like Bible study, small groups, Sunday School, and projects that involve a small percentage of the congregation in an occasional few hours of community service, etc. These activities are assumed to lead people to live out a lifestyle of being Jesus hands and feet. Such typical church activities seldom lead to producing vigorous disciples who look like Jesus. What is absent is a strategy that systematically takes these “trainees” by the hand as observers to see the how of serving by coaching, mentoring and cheerleading them to be servants, and then holding them joyfully accountable for that service. Individual Model In our ministry at Harvest, we give this general category the name, Discipline of Love. (The link will take you to a somewhat complex presentation of the concept.) It is appropriate for mentoring people who literate, linear thinking and serious. But it works equally well as a very simple idea. For example, “Each week, make a disciplined commitment to find at least one way that is new/fresh to you to show God’s love to someone in your world – family, church or community Think through how this can be done in all areas of life, physical, spiritual, emotional & social. Then gather weekly with peers who have made the same commitment where each member will share, discuss and pray for those who have been served.” The minimum time commitment for this discipline and sharing should be several months with the goal that it begins to form new a lifestyle. This model can be included as part of already ongoing small groups. However it will take a radical restructuring of small-group schedules to make it happen. Most small groups have about 1 ½ to 2 hours for their meetings that include food, fellowship, study, discussion and prayer. Most of this activity is focused inward. Very little ends up in tangible outward demonstration of Christ’s love. All this inward-focused activity leaves little time for something new. To incorporate a Discipline of Love-type activity into a group like this will require setting aside sufficient time for each person to share their experience of serving since the group last met, group debriefing, discovery and encouragement, and prayer for those who have been served. This could easily take 30 minutes to one hour.

17 One small group that developed a simplified version of the Discipline of Love as its main focus grew from two people to four groups of about 15 each in two years. Almost all the new people had been recipients of this group’s “love actions.” And, the new member’s discipleship was primarily learning to extend the love they had received to people in their respective worlds. Corporate Model In our ministry we call this model Seed Projects. A planning guide can be found here. Some of our groups use the term Seed Action for this kind of activity. It doesn’t matter what it is called. What matters is that the Disciplines of Love concept is extended from individuals to the group. The links above will show the more complex side and planning of corporate actions of love. They need to be contextualized to fit the context of each group and its culture. The concept is that a group begins – not by looking around for needs they can meet – but asking God to show them something they could do as a group to demonstrate His love to their community. They need to choose something small, done with resources available in the group or church, and focused on people who need to have an experience of the touch of Jesus’ love. For me, the ideal small group is one that practices the individual model as a lifestyle, and does 3-4 group activities a year. Literally thousands of these group seed actions have been done in a broad range of cultures around the world with incredible impact for God’s Kingdom. Some of them have grown from small projects to ongoing ministries. But they should not begin with the intention of starting an ongoing ministry. They should begin as actions that are an end in themselves. If God provides for the seed to grow, that is wonderful. You can review some of these stories of Disciplines of Love and Seed Projects at www.harvestfoundation.org. It is important to conclude this section with a reminder that being a disciple is impossible without the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit. What Jesus asks of his disciples is impossible in human strength. That strength comes from moving out into obedience from the strength that comes from abiding in Him. I want to emphasize to pastors or other local church leaders the following: If you want to introduce the concept of discipleship we have discussed here in your context, you must model it in your own life – preferably for some time – before you introduce it to those you shepherd.

29

Created by Neighborhood Transformation for Global CHE Network

SELECTION OF DISCIPLES

Date: 07/89 (1 HOUR) OBJECTIVES: 1. Participants will understand how to select disciples who will multiply. 2. Participants will understand the qualities to look for in potential disciples. 3. Participants will understand how to challenge someone to further commitment. OVERVIEW FOR TRAINERS: This is the 3rd session in the Making Disciples Workshop. Selection is a key principle in the development of a multiplication ministry. Without the proper kinds of people, nothing will happen. METHOD TIME KNOWLEDGE Role Play:

10”

Follow-up groups are important for observing people and to find those who are ready to go farther. It is not programs but people who will fulfill the Great Commission. Success of multiplication is dependent on the Holy Spirit and then on proper selection.

A person chooses someone to be a disciple without really knowing him and what he is like. The ‘disciple’ agrees, but does not turn up for appointments and fails in many areas. The person who chose him wastes much time. ----SHOWD questions---- S = What do you See? H = What is Happening? O = Does this happen in Our place? W = Why does this happen? D = What will we Do about it?

I.

What did Jesus do to select His disciples? Give examples when possible.

10”

I.

Selection of Multiplying Disciples

A. Mark 1:16-20 A. Calling people to follow Christ. Mark 1:16-20

B. Mark 1:21,29-31 B. Personally be a model of what you are looking for. Preaching and healing. Mark 1:21,29-31

C. Mark 1:21,29,32,37; Mark 2:1,2; Mark 3:1 (Who did Jesus spend time with?)

C. Need to give the ministry time to find these people. Jesus chose a few people from many possibilities to spend extra time with James, John, Peter, and Andrew. Many healed, many came. Mark 1:21,29,32,37; Mark 2:1,2; Mark 3:1

D. Luke 6:12-16 D. Praying for wisdom in who to pour your life into on a long-term basis. (Jesus spent all night in prayer before he chose the 12 disciples.) Luke 6:12-16

II.

Give each group one verse to discover the important qualities to look for in a potential disciple. How would you recognize one that has the quality you found in your verse? Report back!

30”

II.

Qualities to Look for in Potential Disciples

A. Philippians 3:8-10 A. Heart for God – Philippians 3:8-10 (Paul talking about past life versus the new.)

1. Hunger for scripture and prayer.

31



2. Willing to share what they are learning.

3. How they respond to rebuke. 4. Waits on the Lord. 5. Asking questions shows what

they know. 6. Give assignments. 7. How they relate God to their

everyday life. B. Galatians 5:16 B. Dependent on the Holy Spirit -

Galatians 5:16 (Paul talking to those who became legalistic or misused their freedom.)

1. Watch to see how they respond in difficult situations.

2. Do they quickly confess sin when they realize it?

3. See Fruit of the Spirit. 4. Spiritual growth. 5. Forgiveness towards others. 6. Demonstrate trust in God and

reach beyond their circle of confidence.

C. Matthew 4:19, 20 C. Availability and Obedience - Matthew 4:19, 20

1. Has both time and willingness to be discipled and to disciple others.

D. Acts 17:10, 11 D. Teachable – eager to learn – Acts 17:10,11

1. Is he teachable in other aspects of life?

2. Asking good questions? 3. Willing to follow instructions? 4. How does he relate to others

above and below him? 5. Response to criticism. 6. Willing to be flexible about

meeting together. 7. Applies teaching to life. 8. Avoids unnecessary arguments. E. I Thessalonians 2:7, 8 E. Willing to build relationships. Willing

to care for and love people – I Thessalonians 2:7, 8

1. Listens to other people. 2. What are his other friendships

like? 3. Willing to spend extra informal

time with others. 4. Looks for ways to help others. 5. Willing to give without

expectations of return. F. Matthew 25:21 F. Faithfulness - Matthew 25:21

“His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave; you were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things, enter into the joy of your master.’ ”


METHOD TIME KNOWLEDGE G. John 17:4 G. Knows where he is going and what

God wants him to do. He evaluates everything in light of that purpose. John 17:4

1. Puts other things aside to be at Bible study

2. Willing to be accountable 3. Past record 4. Stable 5. Has goals and knows how to

readjust 6. Disciplined H. II Timothy 2:2 H. Able to multiply – II Timothy 2:2 1. Is leading people to Christ 2. Leading Bible studies 3. Following up new believers 4. Taking people witnessing 5. People they are working with

are doing what they do Emphasize everyone will not have every

quality including weaknesses which need to be developed.

III.

Share these points with the group as a way of summary.

5”

III.

What to Do When Challenging or Calling Someone to Further Commitment

A. Always let people choose their own level of involvement.

B. Make sure our motivation and communication is “I want to help you and serve you to help you know how to become all that God wants you to be.”

C. Communicate the attitude that you want the Holy Spirit to work in that person’s life.

ATTITUDE:

Facilitator is aware that selection is one of the most important parts of a successful multiplication ministry.

SKILL:

Participants will be able to understand how to select disciples who will multiply; understand the qualities to look for in potential disciples; understand how to challenge someone to further commitment; and be able to select capable, committed people to disciple.

EVALUATION:

Facilitators will know that participants have learned the content of this lesson when they are working with others who meet the qualities discussed.

MATERIALS:

- Newsprint - Masking tape - Marking pens - Bibles

This lesson is used in: Program Trainings and Making Disciples Workshop

33


PRAYER, CENTRAL TO DISCIPLE MAKING

Date: 04/15 (1 HOUR) OBJECTIVES: After working through this lesson, participants will: 1. Understand the importance of individual and group prayer, which is central to

disciple making. 2. Understand and practice the importance of individual prayers. 3. Understand and practice creating prayer groups. OVERVIEW FOR TRAINERS: Contents for this lesson come from Chapter 12 of Contagious Disciple Making by David Watson and Paul Watson 2014, Thomas Nelson, Nashville TN

METHOD TIME KNOWLEDGE Role Play: Two people talking 1st I understand we are supposed to pray when we are making disciples, are you praying for

disciples? 2nd Sure. Doesn’t everyone involved? 1st How often and long do you pray for disciples? 2nd Whenever I think about it, with no specific time scheduled. 1st Do you do it often? 2nd Not so often… ----SHOWD questions---- S = What do you See? H = What is Happening?

I.

Becoming a Person of Prayer Give out Becoming Person of Prayer HO and have them read one section A.B, C and respond to what they have found in that section.

I.

Becoming a Person of Prayer

A. Importance of Prayer A. Importance of Prayer 1. Leaders pray 3 hours a day 2. As a group, the team prays 3 hours a

week 3. Leaders spend I day a week in prayer

and fasting 4. Team spent 1 weekend a month in

fasting and prayer 5. They took off when they had 1500

people praying 1 hour a week for them B. Becoming a Person of Prayer B. Becoming a Person of Prayer 1. Talk to God like he is your best friend. 2. Tell Him your success, failures and

disappointments. 3. Ask God for his opinion on everything. 4. Remember God rescues us from the

enemy. 5. God cuts the sin that binds us. 6. God knows everything we ask before

we say it but he wants to hear us. 7. We must develop a way of life of prayer. 8. Prayer is about spending time with God

to see his vision for our place. 9. We need to spend time in small bites

walking the neighborhood.

35



C. Praying for Others C. Praying for Others 1. Instead of asking people to pray for

them, disciple makers ask people how you can pray for them.

2. Make a list of 30 days and put a persons name for each day that you will pray for on that day every month.

3. Call them and say you are going to pray for them and ask how can you pray for them.

4. Pray for them during the phone call. 5. Pray throughout the day for that person. II.

Praying for Location

II.

Praying for a Location

A. Pray for God’s Kingdom to come and His will be done. Give out Praying for Location HO. Ask what each section says?

Praying for God’s Kingdom to Come and His Will be Done

1. Jesus prayed that His Kingdom would come here on earth and in the future in heaven.

2. There are a number of verses talking about the Kingdom of God.

3. Kingdom of God is place based. 4. There are a number of parables found

in Matthew about God’s Kingdom. 5. We need to pray one set of Kingdom

verses on a parable each day. 6. B. List of Kingdom Parables 7” B. List of Kingdom of Parables Give out Kingdom of God List Briefly explain C. Listen to the Lost C. Listen to the Lost 1. Disciplers must listen to people they

plan to serve. 2. Disciplers need to listen to and discern

the felt needs and assets found in the place.

3. There is no substitute to living in the place.

4. Walk your place regularly and systematically.

5. Eat and shop in the neighborhood. 6. Greet people as you walk. 7. Learn to listen to people and not

depend on what you think they need. 8. Schedule a ride-along with the police. 9. When you want more information ask,

“Help me understand” not “Why”. 10. By learning about a place you will have

lots of things to talk to God about. D. Individual Prayer Walking D. Individual Prayer Walking 1. Walk your neighborhood, praying for it. 2. Do it regularly and systematically. 3. Ask God to show you what he wants

you to see and learn.



4. When see something, pray for what

you see right then as you walk. 5. Dress appropriately. 6. Take pictures unobtrusively. 7. Speak into an ear microphone or

cellphone to make notes. 8. Record information after you get home. III.

Mobilize Other People to Pray Give out Mobilizing People to Pray. Work through each of the 3 sections, one at a time.

III.

Mobilize Other People to Pray

A. Teaching People to Pray A. Teaching People to Pray 1. Prayer is key. (Review Section 1. A.) 2. A program does not become a

movement until large numbers (1500) are praying one hour a week for the ministry.

3. The role of a disciple maker is to recruit, train, and mobilize an extensive prayer network.

4. You must be an example of prayer before mobilizing prayer networks.

5. Remember that Christ gave his disciples an example of prayer.

B. Process for Teaching B. Process for Teaching 1. People need to pray together, as a

group. 2. Invite friends to come together for a

night of prayer. 3. First 30 minutes, mingle. 4. Call people together to pray scripture

back to God using the Prodigal Son the first time.

5. Have a person read a natural portion of the scripture.

6. Organizer then prays back that portion 7. Have another person read the next

portion. 8. Have another person pray it back. 9. Stop praying after 60 minutes. 10. Spend 30 minutes talking about what

God was impressing on them as they prayed.

11. Remember that prayer is all about getting to know God.

C. Group Prayer Walking C. Group Prayer Walking 1. Remember what we just learned

about individual prayer walking. 2. Schedule a time and place to start. 3. Plan the route splitting people into

groups of two to walk different parts of the neighborhood.

4. Remind people about what was learned about individual prayer walking.

5. Plan to meet for refreshments along the way in a local meeting place.

37



6. Come together after the walk to talk

about the experience and what God was impressing on each person.

7. Consolidate what was found, in one place.

References: Chapter 12 of Contagious Disciple Making by David Watson and Paul Watson 2014, Thomas Nelson, Nashville TN

ATTITUDE:

Participants know that without prayer disciple making will not take off.

SKILL:

Participants will have the skills to develop their own prayer life and to raise prayer groups.

EVALUATION:

Do the participants have a strong individual prayer life and depend on many prayer groups to support their movement?

MATERIALS:

-Newsprint, markers, masking tape -Handouts Becoming a Person of Prayer Praying for a Location Mobilize Other People to Pray Be a Disciple Who Makes Disciples

This lesson is used in: Disciple Making Movement Workshop

Becoming a Person of Prayer HO Importance of Prayer in Disciple Making As Paul Watson was looking for common elements at a meeting of 100 disciple-makers that could be shared with new people he came up with the following thoughts about the importance of prayer, found in Chapter 12 of his book, Contagious Disciple Making. He found that the leaders spent an average of three hours per day in personal prayer. They spent another three hours per week in prayer with their team. The leaders were not full time, some held full time jobs. They took the time for prayer. The high performers spent one day a week in fasting and prayer and the whole team spent one weekend per month in fasting and prayer. He also found that ministry did not really take off in a place until they committed to prayer and fasting. They also found that places that had over 1500 people committed to spend an hour a week, approximately 10 minutes a day in prayer for that place, for a disciple making movement to take off. Becoming a Person of Prayer Paul Watson continues talking about prayer. He says talk to God the way you talk to a very personal friend sharing your victories, failures, strengths and weakness, your needs and desires. Say things like “I am disappointed or angry in what took place today with!” We need to ask God for his opinion and his guidance after we have seen or done something. We need to remember that God rescues us from the evil one. God cuts the ties that bind us if we ask knowing that he knows everything we ask before we ask but realizing God wants us to ask. We must develop a life of prayer if we want to become a disciple maker. Prayer is about spending enough time with God to see His vision for His city and the neighborhoods in it. We need to spend time in small bites walking the streets of our neighborhood and city looking at what we see through God’s eyes. Praying for Others Instead of recruiting people to pray for them, they would pray for others. Therefore he created a list of people to pray for by taking a piece of paper and numbering it from 1 to 30 for each day of the month. He then filled in a different Christian friend or co-worker for each day of the month to pray for, for that day. Then on that day he would call them and say Hi ---You are on my prayer list for today which means I am going to pray for you throughout the day, is there anything specific you would like me to talk to God about today on your behalf? After they give you their prayer request you can ask to pray for them right there and then. You continue to do this for the same 30 people month by month.

39

Praying for Location HO Pray for God’s Kingdom to Come and His Will Be Done Jesus prayed “Your kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven” in Matt 6:10. Here he is praying for His Kingdom here and to come as well as here on earth and in heaven. There are a number of verses talking about His Kingdom but how many times do we pray for God’s Kingdom? People need to pray through His Kingdom verses that are found heavily throughout Matthew. So they suggest that we take the list of Kingdom verses and pray through one each day focused around the location people are working in. List of Matthew Kingdom Parables Parable of the Sower (13:1-23) Parable of the Weeds (13:24-30) Parable of the Mustard Seed and the Leaven (13:31-33) Parable of the Hidden Treasure (13:44) Parable of the Pearl of Great Value (13245-46) Parable of the Net (13:47-50) Parable of the New and Old Treasures (13:51-52) Parable of the Unforgiving Servant (18:21-35) Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard (20:l-16) Parable of the Two Sons (2I:78-32) Parable of the Tenants (71:33-46) Parable of the Wedding Feast (22:1-14 Parable of the Ten Virgins (25:1-13) Parable of the Talents (25:14-30) Listen to Lost People People must tune in to the people they plan to serve. They need to find out what is going on and to listen to and discern the felt needs and assets found in their neighborhood. There is no substitute for living in the neighborhood you are ministering to. Whether you live in the neighborhood, you need to systematically and regularly walk the neighborhood. Eat and shop in the neighborhood. Watch the people and what you are seeing as you walk. As you walk, greet people you meet along the way. You may think you know what people need until you listen and learn from the people there. Schedule a ride around with the police department. Don’t ask the question “Why” because that can be confrontational. State it “Help me understand”. Understanding does not mean agreement but it will give you a lot to discuss with God as you pray for your neighborhood. Prayer Walking They suggest that you walk your neighborhood by yourself. Do it regularly and in different parts of the neighborhood. They suggest that you Prayer Walk once a week. You need to dress appropriately for the neighborhood you’re walking. Ask God to show you things that he wants you to see. Keep walking and don’t stop to pray. Take a camera with you to unobtrusively take pictures of things that are important. It is good not to take a form or notebook with you but you do want to record information as you go therefore a blue tooth that you can speak quietly into to record information. When you return home, record information into a form.

Mobilize Other People to Pray HO Mobilizing People to Pray They continue on in Chapter 12 of Contagious Disciple Making about how to mobilize people to pray. Remembers earlier we said that the ministry did not really take off in a place until they committed to prayer and fasting. They also found that places that had over 1500 people committed to spend an hour a week, approximately 10 minutes a day in prayer for that place for a disciple making movement. This is all about mobilizing people in large numbers to pray for the specific ministry. The role of the Disciple Maker is to recruit, train and mobilize an extensive prayer network. Teaching People to Pray People do not know how to pray for you nor for your neighborhood therefore the Disciple Maker must do so. Jesus taught his disciples to pray. He taught several things, first Jesus prayed therefore you must be an example of prayer. Therefore cultivate you prayer life. Jesus then gave his disciples an example. Later they talk about a prayer gathering. Lastly Jesus talked about the disciples’ attitude toward God as they prayed. The Process People need to get together to pray therefore invite a few friends to come to a specific place at a time and that the majority of the time would be spent in prayer. When they come together, spend the first 30 minutes for mingling. Then call everyone together to start your prayer time by using scripture to help guide the prayer time. For the first time use the Parable of the Prodigal Son, Luke 15:11-45. Have someone start reading the parable to a natural break and then the convener prays about what has been read. Keep rotating, reading a portion of the parable and someone else praying it back to the Lord. Do for no more than one hour. Spend the last 30 minutes talking about what God said to the people as they prayed. Don’t forget that prayer is about getting to know God’s will for the neighborhood. Group Prayer Walking with You Remind them of what they learned earlier in the class in regard to individual prayer walking. In addition to that, schedule a time to go out together. This time plan the route people will travel on. It is good to send people out 2 by 2 along different streets within the neighborhood. Don’t forget to remind people to dress appropriately. Plan for refreshments by stopping along the way at a local meeting place. Remember points taught earlier about prayer walking. Last but not least, come together and talk about the experience and consolidated what they saw in one place.

41


MULTIPLICATION IN MAKING DISCIPLES

Date: 06/89 (Rev 04/15) (1 HOUR) OBJECTIVES: 1. Participants will understand the principles Jesus used in discipleship. 2. Participants will understand the difference between addition and multiplication. OVERVIEW FOR TRAINERS: This is the 5th lesson in the Making Disciples Workshop. I.

Case Study:

20”

I.

Case Study

A. Imagine the following situation: Paul meets Jesus Christ and is saved on the Damascus Road, as we read in Acts 9. Although the Christians are fearful of him at first, he eventually is accepted into the body of new believers in Jerusalem. Paul is thrilled with his newfound faith. He is encouraged by the friendship and fellowship of the local friends. Paul is offered a job as a tentmaker. For 40 years Paul lives and works in Jerusalem at his trade. He becomes a respected Christian because of his knowledge of the Scriptures and matures to the point of leading Bible studies. He is faithful in attending worship services. Paul dies at age 65 in Jerusalem.

Answer the following two questions, assuming God would not have raised up someone else to take Paul’s place.

A. An imaginary story of Apostle Paul.

B. If this had been the story of Paul, what do you think the consequences would’ve been for the first-century world? Ask the class to share their answers to question one. (Summarize the ideas listed under Knowledge, if the class members have not mentioned them previously.)

B. Suggested answers to question one. 1. Paul wound not have become

involved in the lives of men. Thus, he would not have multiplied spiritually, and many would never have heard about Jesus.

2. Acts 9-28 would never have been written.

3. The Pauline epistles would not have been written.

4. Much of the New Testament church would not have been established outside the boundaries of Jerusalem.

5. The Christian religion would have excluded, for the most part, the Gentiles. Most of us would probably be non-Christians today.

43



C. If our story of Paul were true, assuming that God had not supplied anyone else, would the Great Commission of our Lord have been fulfilled? Why or why not?

C. Suggested answer for question 2. 1. Assuming that God had not

supplied anyone else, the Great Commission would not have been fulfilled, because God’s servant Paul would not have been involved in making disciples (winning, building, sending) in order to reach the world for Christ.

II.

In small groups, have them come up with 5 ways or principles to disciple according to scripture. Back up each with a Bible verse. This can act as a summary for the discipleship series. Most points should have come out previously.

20”

II.

Principles Used by Jesus in Discipling

A. Mark 3:13 He selected His disciples. B. Mark 3:14 He spent time with them.

Sent them out to do ministry. C. Matthew 16:24 He required

commitment from them. D. Luke 8:22-25 He used real life

situations. E. John 13:15 He set an example. F. Mark 6:7 He delegated responsibility

to them. G. Mark 6:30 He supervised them. H. Matthew 28:19-20 He commissioned

them to reproduce themselves. I. John 17:4 He glorified God. J. II Timothy 2:2 Disciples to multiply. K. Colossians 3:16 Admonish when

needed. L. I Timothy 2:8, Matthew 6:9 Pray for

and with disciples. M. Colossians 6:2 Bear one another’s

burdens. N. I Timothy 4:12 Respect disciples. O. John 13:34,35 Show love. III.

Addition vs. multiplication

20”

III.

Comparing Addition and Multiplication

A. Addition example: Tell story __________ shares his faith occasionally and is a wonderful teacher of the Word. He leads Saturday night Bible study, which has grown to include 20 people. The Bible study members really look up to _________ and hope he won’t stop leading the group.

A. Addition

1. Is this addition or multiplication?

1. This is an addition ministry.



2. Why? 2. Because ___________ is involved in winning and building people in the Word, but he is not building them in other areas. He is not sending them to win, build and send others. They see him only once a week and are not able to learn, by observing him, how to live the Christian life. He is not able to help them with their individual needs.

3. What will happen to the group?

3. The group will stagnate after awhile if they only take in knowledge and don’t share it with others.

4. What will happen if the leader leaves?

4. If ___________ stopped teaching the group, it would disband because it was centered around __________, and he did not equip anyone to take his place.

B. Multiplication B. Multiplication 1. How was Paul involved? 1. Paul’s involvement: a. Paul was constantly

involved in making disciples and by winning, building and sending.

b. He was helping to fulfill the Great Commission.

2. Paul’s ministry 2. Let’s examine Paul’s ministry: a. Acts 11:22, 25, 26,

29, 30 a. Paul was discipled by

Barnabas. (Acts 11:22, 25, 26, 29, 30)

b. Acts 14:1; 17:2, 3, 17 b. Paul won many people to Christ. (Acts 14:1; 17:2, 3, 17)

c. Acts 15:40; 16:1-3 c. Paul built into the lives of a few. (Acts 15:40; 16:1-3)

d. II Timothy 2:2 d. Paul sends his disciples to multiply. (II Timothy 2:2)

IV. Importance of Multiplication 10” IV. Importance of Multiplication A. Read II Timothy 2:2.

Demonstrate the process of multiplication by having several people act out the verse. Start with Paul who selects Timothy who in turn selects others. Disciples line up behind each of their disciplers. Each person selects 3 people who in turn each select 3 more people. You may want to draw the process as follows in the knowledge column:

A. Multiplication process: 1. See four generations 2. This is called multiplication 3. Paul did not know the men in the

fourth generation but he knew they were good because he trusted his disciples.

4. Jesus left behind 11 faithful men. He entrusted them with the work of continuing and spreading His work.

45



B. Is Multiplication only for

Individuals or does it include a group? Why?

B Multiplication for 1. Both 2. Why -- If want a movement can’t just

stick with individuals -- Multiplying groups critical to

rapid church planting -- Want rapid multiplication

ATTITUDE:

Facilitator is aware that multiplying disciples is our goal, as well as leading others to Christ.

SKILL:

Participants will be able to understand the principles Jesus used in discipleship; understand the difference between addition and multiplication; and multiply, not just add, people to the Kingdom of God.

EVALUATION:

The facilitator will know that participants have learned the content of this lesson when they have a vision for multiplying themselves through their disciples and they understand how multiplication works.

MATERIALS:

- Newsprint - Masking tape - Marking pens - Bible

This lesson is used in: Program Trainings and Multiplication in Making Disciples Workshop


USING GROUPS AND MENTORING Date: 01/91 (Rev 04/15) (1-1/2 HOUR) OBJECTIVES: 1. Participants will be able to understand the Biblical Basis of groups. 2 Participants will be able to understand what it is to be a mentor. 3. Participants will be able to understand how members can care for one another. OVERVIEW FOR TRAINERS: This is the 6th session in Making Disciples Workshop. It is designed to help the participants realize that they need other Christians to care for them and for them to care for other Christians. This can be done through a Small Group. METHOD TIME KNOWLEDGE Show Onion Picture

10”

--Like an onion, can’t see inside of group. --Must cut group open and dig to see the inside. --The longer you work in a group the more layers you peel away thereby seeing more and more.

Ask them to describe what they see. Then ask what this has to do with a group?

----SHO questions---- S = What do you See? H = What is Happening?

I.

Biblical Basis of Groups. Break into 4 small groups with each group looking up two verses for the Biblical Basis for Groups.

20”

I.

Biblical Basis of Groups

A. Acts 5:42 A. Acts 5:42, Disciples met daily in teaching and proclaiming Christ.

B. Acts 2:41-47 B. Acts 2:41-47, Both large and small groups, 3,000 added.

1. Devoted selves to teaching. 2. Apostles held things in common. 3. Met in temple courts. 4. Ate together. C. Colossians 3:16 C. Colossians 3:16, Teach and admonish

one another. D. I Peter 4:10 D. I Peter 4:10, Employ your gifts for one

another. E. Hebrews 3:13 E. Hebrews 3:13, Exhort one another

every day. F. Galatians 6:2 F. Galatians 6:2, Bear one another’s

burdens. G. James 5:16 G. James 5:16, confess sins to one

another, pray for each other. H. Hebrews 10:24-25 H. Hebrews 10:24-25, Stir one another up

for good works, meeting together, encouraging one another.

II.

Small Groups

II.

Distinctions of Small Groups

A. What are the distinctions of a small group?

5” A. Small group distinctions: 1. Feel cared for and important. Do in Large Group 2. Personal 3. Focus on others in the group. 4. Obedience/Service/Accountability B. Why is it Important to use

small groups instead of individuals? Do Large group

5” B Importance to Use Small Groups 1. Remember more than individuals

47

USING GROUPS AND MENTORING


2. Learn faster than individuals 3. Replicate faster than individuals 4. Replicate more often than

individuals 5. Are protection against bad

leadership and heresy 6. Self correct 7. Keep individuals accountable III.

Extraction or Affinity (Silo) Groups when Doing Evangelism and Discipleship

III.

Extraction or Affinity (Silo) Groups when Doing Evangelism and Discipleship

A. What does Extraction mean when doing Evangelism?

A. What Extraction means when doing Evangelism

1. People from outside win a person to Christ without any consideration to the Silo, relational groups, they are in.

2. The individual decision for Christ is more important than the potential for reaching all people in the particular silo group the new believer belongs to.

3. People come to Christ and stop being involved with friends and peers of before Christ.

4. They become baptized and start spending all their time with people from the church.

5. In some societies they may be kicked out of their old society.

6. Come into very new society that they know nothing about and have to learn about.

B. What does It Mean Affinity (Silo) when Doing Evangelism

B. What Affinity (Silo) Means when Doing Evangelism

1. People known along affinity lines such as socioeconomic, family, racial, sometimes called their silos.

2. Encourages discipleship with and within the existing family or communities.

3. Family or affinity group finds Christ together.

4. Focuses in planting the Gospel in every existing community rather than creating a new silo, the church.

5. Eventually multiple groups are meeting within a silo, affinity.

C. Which Type, Extraction or Silo Approach, does NT Favor and Why?

C. Extraction or Silo, Which Approach Does NT Favor?

1. Silo/affinity 2. Why IV.

Jesus’ Strategy for Working With His Disciples

10”

IV.

Jesus’ Strategy for Working With His Disciples



A. What is Jesus’ strategy for

working with His Disciples according below Bible verses? Do Large Group

A. Biblical view of Jesus’ Working with His Disciples

1. Matthew 4:19 1. Matthew 4:19: Called them to follow Him.

2. John 13:15; Acts 10:39-42

2. John 13:15; Acts 10:39-42: Jesus walked with His people constantly and had them do what He did.

3. Matthew 13:10,11; 16:1,10,11; John 21:15-18

3. Matthew 13:10,11; 16:1,10,11; John 21:15-18: He invested in them by intentionally teaching them.

4. John 13:34 4. John 13:34: He loved them unconditionally.

5. Matthew 10:1-42; John 20:21; John 15:27

5. Matthew 10:1-42; John 20:21; John 15:27: He sent them out to minister without Him.

B. We call this Mentoring 5” B. Mentoring 1. Think about someone

that came alongside you in the past. Think, what did they do? How did it work?

1. What someone did who mentored you:

- Met with regularly - Worked together through a

paper or study - Had fun together - Held me accountable to do

things C. Read John 15:12-15 and

discuss how you would describe Jesus’ definition of mentoring.

5” C. Jesus’ definition of mentoring: 1. Willing to take risk with the person 2. Jesus was vulnerable and

transparent with them 3. Accept who and where they are

at in life 4. Love them 5. Encourage all the good things

they did D. What can you do to help

mentor someone? Discuss in small groups. Report back.

20” D. How to mentor someone: 1. Be a model for them 2. Ask them what they need 3. Guide them to the sources that

will help them 4. Spend individual quality time with

them 5. Do fun things together 6. Caring for them as needed 7. Intentionally teaching them 8. Listen to them 9. Ask their opinion and take it 10. Give them responsibility 11. Give them message that you

trust them 12. Let them do things on their own 13. Be positive in interactions with

them 14. Give them respect and praise

publicly 49



15. Realize they may be better than

you 16. It is your responsibility to develop

the relationship

ATTITUDE:

Facilitator has learned the importance of Groups and being a Mentor and how they can enable Christians to learn to care for one another with Biblical perspective.

SKILL:

Participants will apply what they learned about Groups and being a mentor, and how they can care for one another.

EVALUATION:

Facilitator will know that participants have learned the content of this lesson when they are applying how to lead a group and being a mentor with disciples.

MATERIALS:

- Bibles - Newsprint - Marking Pens - Masking Tape - Picture of Onion

This lesson is used in: Making Disciples Workshop


DISCIPLE MAKING MOVEMENT AND CHURCH PLANTING

Date: 12/13 (Rev 04/15) (1 HOUR) OBJECTIVES: After working through this lesson, participants will be able to: 1. Know the key characteristics in Church Planting, which is a result of the Disciple

Making process. This will lead to a multiplying movement that takes on a life of its own.

OVERVIEW FOR TRAINERS: Some of this lesson is based on City Team, Disciple Making Ministry, San Jose, CA 2010

METHOD TIME KNOWLEDGE 7” Role Play: Two Friends Talking 1st We have been talking a lot about making disciples, which is interesting and I am learning a lot. 2nd Me too, but I understand that making disciples has something to do with planting churches. Do

you know anything about that? 1st No, nothing. It would be interesting to learn more but I also think that if discipleship is about

planting churches it should lead to a movement that keeps going and going. 2nd I agree. I hope we learn about church planting and movements. 1st Let’s hope so! ----SHOWD questions---- S = What do you See? H = What is Happening?

I Observations Churches in Your

Neighborhood I. Observations of Churches in Your

Neighborhood A. What have you observed

about churches in poor neighborhoods as you walk around the community or enter churches?

10” A. What you have observed about churches in poor neighborhoods:

1. Many storefront churches. 2. Generally small, 50 members or

less. Discuss as large group. 3. Vast majority of churches are

commuter churches therefore spread all over large geographic area.

4. They have different ethnic back-grounds with foreign names, pastors and members.

5. Most members no longer live in the neighborhood, including the pastor.

6. Churches are only open on Sunday. No one is there during the week.

7. Therefore they are called commuter churches.

8. Pastors do not know each other. 9. Since spread out, no impact in any

area to see change take place. II.

Making Disciples and Church Planting

II.

Making Disciples and Church Planting

A. Elements Needed to Plant Churches

20” A. Elements Needed to Planting Churches

Planting Break into four Small

1. 2.

Starts, continues and ends in prayer. Has abundant gospel sowing.

51

DISCIPLES MAKING MOVEMENT AND CHURCH PLANTING


Groups Report Back

3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15.

Worship is found in the heart language. Evangelism is an integral part of everything that the church does. Is intentional church planting. Built on and around scriptural authority and it is decentralized. There is a rapid incorporation of new converts into the life and ministry of the church. Built on local lay leadership. There is passion and fearlessness found throughout the whole church. On the job training is the way to equip church leadership, not going away to school. Outsiders keep a low profile and are in the background. Churches are planting other churches. There is rapid reproduction of individuals and from church to church. There is an emphasis on speed. The churches are healthy churches.

B. Church Planting Built on Multiplying Disciples and Groups

8” B. Church Planting Built on Multiplying Disciples and Groups

Give out Handout Church Planting Built on Making Disciples Discuss Large Group

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.

Focuses on making obedient disciples. It is not focused on winning converts. It is a strategy to launch Disciple Making movements. Occurs naturally and spontaneously when the right principles are applied. It is ongoing, unstoppable and out of control. It is not hierarchical, systematic, or highly structured and managed. Is a rapid multiplication of groups and churches. It is not slow, sequential, methodical addition. Is simply about churches rapidly planting new churches. It is not primarily about expansion of denominations, or growth of organizations. Focuses on replication. Not about grow-ing large, highly program based organiz-ations but rapidly multiplying small groups. Has a core value of discovering where God is at work by finding a person of peace. It is not about starting church services, and inviting people to come. Is about the church emerging from within the culture of the people. It is not about calling the people out of their culture to form a new organization. Is locally led. While often started by outsiders, it is not led by outsiders who intend someday to turn over the ministry to the people of the community.



10. 11.

Churches never emerge without a heavy commitment to prayer. Has a saturation commitment. It believes in a church for every people. Is not about planting a denominational brand of church in every community.

III.

Movements

III.

Movements

A. Definition of Church Planting Movement

5” A. Church Planting Movement Definition

Share definition, found under knowledge.

A Church Planting Movement (CPM) is a rapid and exponential increase in indigenous churches planting churches within a given people group or population segment. Evangelism that results in churches is not CPM, it part of a CPM. CPM is more than a revival of a church. A CPM results in churches planting other churches. CPM is not an end in itself; the end is to glorify God.

B. Characteristics of a Movement 10” B. Characteristics of a Movement Large Group 1.

2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13.

People have a common vision. A cellular structure with diffuse organization leadership. It is carried out through relationships and influence not authority. There is a personal commitment for success, which is tied to an act or experience. There is a shared ideology that forms the basis for unity among a network of groups. There may be a real or perceived opposition from the society or another group. Control stifles growth. A person does not need to be a master of his work, just be one step ahead of the one he is helping. In a spiritual movement a disciple is required to become discipler. But all along the “making disciples chain” the disciplers needs to have continuing input. When groups get too large they need to divide and start a new group. This is normally at 10 to 15 people. Help people realize that reproduction is healthy and desired. All people in the chain must have a servant attitude, which everyone qualifies for. There is an apostolic pattern to growth. The starter begins the work and moves on quickly leaving local lay people in charge.

53



14. 15.

There needs to be a leadership cell that is constantly preparing new leaders. The work continues when outside input is no longer given.

C. What Kills a Movement 7” C What can kill a movement Large Group 1.

2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

Syncretism Control – centralized, power based, organization Centralization When title becomes important Power Compromise replaces convictions of distinctive or core values Not invented here – NIH syndrome

IV.

Be a Disciple Who Makes Disciples. Be a Multiplier Give out Be a Disciple Who Makes Disciples. Work through each of the 3 sections, one at a time

IV.

Be a Disciple Who Makes Disciple Be a Multiplier

A. Creating a Core Group A. Creating a Core Group 1. Find an inner core of people (2-4),

who know and love you, to pray for you and encourage you.

2. Call and email them regularly about what you are learning.

3. Also how they can pray for you and hold you accountable.

4. Make sure you share with them how God is answering their prayers.

B. Process for Making Multiplying Disciples

B. Process for Making Multiplying Disciples

1. Creatively engage lost people. 2. Engagement can be as simple as

getting to know your neighbors. 3. Ask your Core Group to ask God to

give you good contacts. 4. Find a Person of Peace to begin the

process. 5. Have Person of Peace invite their

friends to learn about God. 6. Start a Discovery Group Knowing

God (Learn more later). 7. Pray that Discovery Group members

will share with their family and friends 8. Pray that their friends will want to be

involved and a person in the 1st group will lead the group made up of their family and friends.

9. Remember there will be Spiritual warfare.

10. As members of the group make commitments to Christ make sure they become baptized.



11. As you begin to identify leaders begin leadership development with them

ATTITUDE: It is important to create disciples that obey God’s Word.

SKILL:

Participants will be obedient to God’s word and be able to plant churches, which lead to a movement.

EVALUATION:

Are the participants able to plant churches, which lead to a movement?

MATERIALS:

-Newsprint, markers, masking tape -Handouts: Church Planting Built on Making Disciples HO What is a Church Planting Movement HO Be a Disciple Who Makes Disciples


55

Church Planting Built on Making Disciples HO

Prayer. Just as prayer is an essential element of movements, prayer is also a critical element of groups. From the first meeting, we embed prayer in the group process. Remember, we never ask lost people to bow their heads and pray. We don’t explain what prayer is. We don’t have a lecture about this being an important part of group DNA. Instead, we introduce a simple question, “What are you thankful for today?” Each person in the group shares. Later, after they choose to follow Christ, we say, “You remember how we open each meeting with the question, “What are you thankful for?” Now, as followers of Christ, we talk with God the same way. Let’s tell Him what we are thankful for?”

Intercession. All intercession is prayer, but not all prayer is intercession. That is why we separated intercession and prayer as parts of the DNA of groups that replicate. Intercession involves sharing personal concerns and stresses as well as the concerns and stresses of others. A simple question, “What things have stressed you out this week?”

Ministry. “God using His people to answer the prayers of the lost and of the saved.” As any group – lost or saved – shares needs, there is going to be a group desire to make a difference. All the group needs is a little nudge. Ask the question, “As we shared things that stressed us out, is there any way we could help each other during the coming week?” Follow it up with, “Do you know anyone in your community that needs our help?” Embed this DNA from the beginning and you won’t have to worry about motivating the group to transform their community when they become Christian.

Evangelism/Replication. Did you know that lost people can evangelize? Well, they can if you keep it simple enough. Evangelism, at its core, is sharing the Gospel with someone else. When working with lost people, they don’t know the whole Gospel. That is totally ok. We just want them to share the story they just heard with someone who wasn’t in the group. We get them to think this way with a simple question, “Who do you know that needs to hear this story this week?”

Obedience. Like I said before, obedience is a critical element of Gospel Planting Movements. Obedience has to be present even at the small group level, even with groups of lost people. Now, we don’t look at groups of lost people, shake our finger, and say, “You must obey this passage.” Instead, we ask, “If you believed passage is from God, what would you have to change in your life?” Remember, they don’t believe in God yet, so “If” is totally acceptable.

Accountability. Building accountability into the group DNA starts in the second meeting. Look at the group and ask, “You guys said that you were going to help (fill in the blank) this week. How did it go?” Also ask, “Several of you identified things that needed to change in your life. Did you make those changes? How did it go?” If they didn’t do anything, encourage them to give it a try this time and be ready to share what happened the next time you get together. Emphasize that it is important for the group to celebrate everyone’s accomplishments.

Worship. You can’t ask lost people to worship a God they don’t believe in. You shouldn’t force them to lie by singing songs they don’t believe. But, that being said, planting the seeds of worship into the group DNA is possible. When they talk about things they are thankful for, it will become worship. When they talk about the changes they made in their lives as they respond to Scripture, it will become worship. When they celebrate the difference they made in their community, it will become worship.

Scripture. Scripture is central to the meeting. The group reads Scripture, discusses Scripture, practices recalling Scripture with each other, and is encouraged to obey Scripture. Scripture does not take second chair to any teacher. Scripture is the teacher.

Discovery. When working with lost people, we have to avoid falling into the role of explaining Scripture. If we do, we become the authority rather than allowing Scripture to be the authority. If we are the authority, replication is limited by our leadership capacity and the time we have to teach every group. Consequently, shifting from Scripture being the authority to the teacher being the authority, will keep groups from replicating like they should. The discovery process is essential to replication. If groups do not learn to go to Scripture and rely on the Holy Spirit to answer their questions, they will not grow like they should and they will not replicate much, if at all.

Group-Correction. A vast majority of our group leaders and church leaders have no institutional Biblical training. When people hear this, they ask, “What about heresy? How do you keep your groups from going crazy?” This is a great question. As leaders, we should ask this question.

7

First of all, all groups have the tendency to be heretical in the beginning. They don’t know everything about God’s Word. They are in a process of discovering God, which moves them from disobedience to obedience, but it is impossible for them to know everything from the beginning. As the group reads more together, as they discover more about how God wants them to relate to them, they become less heretical. That is part of discipleship.

Priesthood of the Believer. New Believers and Not-Yet Believers need to realize there are no intermediaries standing between them and Christ. We have to embed DNA that removes the barriers and perceived intermediaries. That is why Scripture must be central. That is why outsiders facilitate rather than teach. That is why the group is taught to self-correct based on what Scripture says.

Yes, leaders will emerge. They have to emerge. It is natural. But leadership is identified by functions that define a role. Leaders are not a different class of spiritual or a special status. If anything, leaders are held to a higher level of accountability, but their accountability doesn’t give them special status.

If the DNA for the Priesthood of Believers is not present, you will never have a church. The discipleship process must establish this DNA.

57

8

What is a Church Planting Movement (CPM)? A Church Planting Movement (CPM) is a rapid and exponential increase in indigenous churches planting churches within a given people group or population segment. Evangelism that results in churches is not CPM, it part of a CPM. CPM is more then a revival of a church. A CPM results in churches planting other churches. CPM is not an end in itself; the end is to glorify God. In research into what makes a movement it has been found that there are certain characteristics that cause massive movements in most situations which includes: People have a common vision with a cellular structure with diffuse organization leadership. It is carried out through relationships and influence not authority. There is a personal commitment for success, which is tied to an act or experience. There is a shared ideology that forms the basis for unity among a network of groups. A person does not need to be a master of his work just be one step ahead of the one he is helping. In a spiritual movement a disciple is required to become disciple but all along the making disciples chain the disciplers needs to have continuing input. When groups get to large they need to divide and start a new group. This is normally at 10 to 15 people. Help people realize that reproduction is healthy and desired. All people in the chain must have a servant attitude, which everyone qualifies for. There is an apostolic pattern to growth. The starter begins the work and moves on quickly leaving local lay people in charge. There needs to be a leadership cell that is constantly preparing new leaders. The work continues when outside input is no longer given.

9Be a Disciple Who Makes Disciples

Creating a Core Group In Chapter 12 of Contagious Disciple Making the authors explain how to become a disciple that makes more disciples. Finding an inner core of people, maybe two to four who know and love you and will pray for you and encourage you does this. Call or email them weekly letting them know what you are learning and what struggles you are encountering. Make sure you let them know how God is answering their prayers. Process Engaging lost people requires creativity. Engagement activities can be a simple as paying attention to your neighbors and developing relationships among them. Ask your prayer network to ask God to give you contacts with the right people. Find a person of Peace, which is an act of God. Then start a Discovery Group with a person asking friends to come and learn about God, which we have studied already. As you meet with the Discovery group that you will engage God’s word deeply and that God’s Word will address the Discovery Group members that they have about life. Also pray that what they learn they will share with their family and friends and that these family and friends will want to start another Discovery Group. The Core Group should also pray that members of the group will change their lives as they read Scriptures. Remember you will face spiritual warfare. It is important as Discovery Group members make a personal commitment to Christ and begin to obey him that they become baptized. Then as you identify leaders begin a leadership development program.

59


DISCIPLE MAKING USING DISCOVERY BIBLE STUDIES

Date: 12/13 (1 HOUR) OBJECTIVES: After working through this lesson, participants will be able to: 1. Lead a Disciple Making Movement Bible Study. 2. As they lead the class, be modeling what is expected of the students. OVERVIEW FOR TRAINERS: This lesson comes from content based on City Team, Disciple Making Ministry, San Jose, CA 2010

METHOD TIME KNOWLEDGE 8” Role Play: Two friends talking. 1st It’s been interesting being in this series on Disciple Making. Great content and I have learned a

lot, but are there some materials we can use in the neighborhood to put this into practice? 2nd I sure hope so because unless they give us something concrete I am afraid I won’t do anything

with what we have learned. 1st I might do my own Bible study but I wonder how can I do this in a group because they keep

talking about multiplication, church planting movement, etc., but unless we can do it with a group of people so what?

2nd Hopefully we will learn something in this last class. ----SHOWD questions---- S = What do you See? H = What is Happening?

I.

Disciple Making Movement

I.

Disciple Making Movement

A. List the Principles Underlying Disciple Making Movement

20” A. Disciple Making Movement Principles 1. Prayer undergirds everything

Give HO, Break into small groups to identify points Report Back

2. Intercession is asking what we can pray for them

3. Ministry, where everyone wants to make a difference

4. Evangelism through keeping it simple. They tell others what they have just heard

5. Obedience is critical, putting into practice what just learned

6. Accountability, telling others in the group I will do something and being asked if did at next meeting

7. Worship is when they talk about things they are thankful for or need and it happens, they begin to sing

8. Scripture is central, having them write it out or retell it is central to multiplication

9. Discovery Let people discover for themselves, never tell them the answer

10. Group Correction eliminates wrong answer and heresy

11. Priesthood of believers, local, normal lay people become the leaders

B. Process of doing Disciple Making Movement Process and go over 8 Steps in HO

7” B. Process of doing Disciple Making Movement

1. Experienced disciple goes to new area 2. Begins living normal life, being

conspicuously spiritual while meeting others needs

61

DISCIPLE MAKING USING DISCOVERY BIBLE STUDIES


3. Disciple attracts others 4. Begins casual discovery bible study 5. As interest grows start formal study 6. Discipler approaches spiritual leader

of area and challenges him to start a group study

7. On acceptance, disciple and leader start coaching relationship

8. The Discovery group takes people from not knowing God to falling in love with Jesus

C. 3 Colum Work Sheet 5” C. 3 Column Worksheet Give out 3 Column 1. What do verses say, Write or retell Worksheet and go over 2. Put in own words 3. Committee to be obedient, I Will Do II.

Meetings

II.

Meetings

A. Process for Holding a 8” A. Process for Holding a Meeting Meeting 1. Give Out HO on 2. Process Ask what 3. See. Explain Briefly 4. B. What Questions are asked

in Meetings 8” B. Questions Asked in Meetings

Give out question HO 1. Discuss Briefly 2. 3. 4. C. Template Lesson Plan 7” C. Lesson Plan Template Give out Template LP And go over III.

Content of Lessons

10”

III.

Topic Lists for study

A. Give out Topic List of Bible A. Two topic Lists Stories used Discovering God Obedience References: Comes from content based on City Team, Disciple Making Ministry, San Jose CA 2010

ATTITUDE:

It is great to discover Gods word and then be able to tell someone else the Bible story. At the same time I commit to do something before we meet again.

SKILL:

Participants will be able to tell someone else the Bible story. At the same time commit to do something before we meet again.

EVALUATION:

Are the participants able to be able to tell someone else the Bible story? At the same time do something before we meet again.

MATERIALS:

-Newsprint, markers, masking tape -Handout - Key Principals of DMM HO - DMM Process HO - Questions to Ask HO - Template of Lesson Plan - Topic List Discovering God & Topic List Obedience

This lesson is used in: Disciple Making Movement Workshop

Key Principals of Disciple Making Movement HO

Prayer. Just as prayer is an essential element of movements, prayer is also a critical element of groups. From the first meeting, we embed prayer in the group process. Remember, we never ask lost people to bow their heads and pray. We don’t explain what prayer is. We don’t have a lecture about this being an important part of group DNA. Instead, we introduce a simple question, “What are you thankful for today?” Each person in the group shares. Later, after they choose to follow Christ, we say, “You remember how we open each meeting with the question, “What are you thankful for?” Now, as followers of Christ, we talk with God the same way. Let’s tell Him what we are thankful for?”

Intercession. All intercession is prayer, but not all prayer is intercession. That is why we separated intercession and prayer as parts of the DNA of groups that replicate. Intercession involves sharing personal concerns and stresses as well as the concerns and stresses of others. A simple question, “What things have stressed you out this week?”

Ministry. “God using His people to answer the prayers of the lost and of the saved.” As any group – lost or saved – shares needs, there is going to be a group desire to make a difference. All the group needs is a little nudge. Ask the question, “As we shared things that stressed us out, is there any way we could help each other during the coming week?” Follow it up with, “Do you know anyone in your community that needs our help?” Embed this DNA from the beginning and you won’t have to worry about motivating the group to transform their community when they become Christian.

Evangelism/Replication. Did you know that lost people can evangelize? Well, they can if you keep it simple enough. Evangelism, at its core, is sharing the Gospel with someone else. When working with lost people, they don’t know the whole Gospel. That is totally ok. We just want them to share the story they just heard with someone who wasn’t in the group. We get them to think this way with a simple question, “Who do you know that needs to hear this story this week?”

Obedience. Like I said before, obedience is a critical element of Gospel Planting Movements. Obedience has to be present even at the small group level, even with groups of lost people. Now, we don’t look at groups of lost people, shake our finger, and say, “You must obey this passage.” Instead, we ask, “If you believed passage is from God, what would you have to change in your life?” Remember, they don’t believe in God yet, so “If” is totally acceptable.

Accountability. Building accountability into the group DNA starts in the second meeting. Look at the group and ask, “You guys said that you were going to help (fill in the blank) this week. How did it go?” Also ask, “Several of you identified things that needed to change in your life. Did you make those changes? How did it go?” If they didn’t do anything, encourage them to give it a try this time and be ready to share what happened the next time you get together. Emphasize that it is important for the group to celebrate everyone’s accomplishments.

Worship. You can’t ask lost people to worship a God they don’t believe in. You shouldn’t force them to lie by singing songs they don’t believe. But, that being said, planting the seeds of worship into the group DNA is possible. When they talk about things they are thankful for, it will become worship. When they talk about the changes they made in their lives as they respond to Scripture, it will become worship. When they celebrate the difference they made in their community, it will become worship.

Scripture. Scripture is central to the meeting. The group reads Scripture, discusses Scripture, practices recalling Scripture with each other, and is encouraged to obey Scripture. Scripture does not take second chair to any teacher. Scripture is the teacher.

Discovery. When working with lost people, we have to avoid falling into the role of explaining Scripture. If we do, we become the authority rather than allowing Scripture to be the authority. If we are the authority, replication is limited by our leadership capacity and the time we have to teach every group. Consequently, shifting from Scripture being the authority to the teacher being the authority, will keep groups from replicating like they should. The discovery process is essential to replication. If groups do not learn to go to Scripture and rely on the Holy Spirit to answer their questions, they will not grow like they should and they will not replicate much, if at all.

Group-Correction. A vast majority of our group leaders and church leaders have no institutional Biblical training. When people hear this, they ask, “What about heresy? How do you keep your groups from going crazy?” This is a great question. As leaders, we should ask this question.

63

First of all, all groups have the tendency to be heretical in the beginning. They don’t know everything about God’s Word. They are in a process of discovering God, which moves them from disobedience to obedience, but it is impossible for them to know everything from the beginning. As the group reads more together, as they discover more about how God wants them to relate to them, they become less heretical. That is part of discipleship.

Priesthood of the Believer. New Believers and Not-Yet Believers need to realize there are no intermediaries standing between them and Christ. We have to embed DNA that removes the barriers and perceived intermediaries. That is why Scripture must be central. That is why outsiders facilitate rather than teach. That is why the group is taught to self-correct based on what Scripture says.

Yes, leaders will emerge. They have to emerge. It is natural. But leadership is identified by functions that define a role. Leaders are not a different class of spiritual or a special status. If anything, leaders are held to a higher level of accountability, but their accountability doesn’t give them special status.

If the DNA for the Priesthood of Believers is not present, you will never have a church. The discipleship process must establish this DNA.

The DMM Process HO

1. A well-trained Disciple is sent to a new area to start work. (Teaching and practice is involved)

2. The Disciple practices his/her life in the new community, being conspicuously spiritual while meeting felt needs in the community. (Felt needs may include business.)

3. The spiritual life and ministry of the Disciple attracts those who may be spiritually seeking.

4. Casual Discover Bible Studies are introduced and the seeker is encouraged to share these with family, friends, neighbors, and workmates. For example: I verbally introduce a passage of Scripture and ask the seeker what he/she thinks. Then I ask them to share it with family/friends/neighbors/workmates to see what they think. The person who engages the process and introduces me to their family/friends/neighbors/workmates is called a Person of Peace. (These studies may be on a variety of topics of interest to the audience: family, parenting, debt, wealth, etc.)

5. As interest in the topics increase, there comes a time when it is appropriate to move from an informal to a formal Discovery Bible Study within the context of a Discovery Group. By this point the Disciple-maker should know who the spiritual leader of the group is. It may or may not be the Person of Peace.

6. The Disciple-maker then approaches the spiritual leader of the family/group/neighbors/workmates, and suggests that he/she should lead the group in discovering more about God.

7. Upon acceptance, the Disciple-maker begins a relationship with the spiritual leader and coaches him/her to lead a Discovery Group. Coaching includes teaching and the practice of skills until they are perfected. At this point you may want to review Small Groups that have the DNA of a Gospel Planting Movement.

8. The Discovery Group takes people from not knowing God to falling in love with Jesus. Later, the same process is used to master any topic in the Bible. It establishes the DNA of the emerging church.

65

Process for Holding a Small group Disciple Making HO

Getting Started The Discovery Bible Study begins with the Person of Peace or a close existing

relationship The purpose of the DBS is to lead a person/family/group to discover God and His

salvation. The method used is simple Inductive Bible Study The Text Repeat the Text in your own words What have you learned about God from this Text? DO NOT TEACH, FACILITATE DISCOVERY

Group Interaction - Leads to Prayer, Ministry, and Worship What are you thankful for this week? (Prayer) What needs do you or others have? (Intercession) How can we help meet the needs expressed? (Ministry)

Accountability With whom did you share last week’s lesson? (Evangelism) How did you apply what you learned last week? (Obedience)

Bible Study – 1. Just read or listen to the focal verses (Don’t explain or teach)

For pre-believers you will start with Creation and work through Bible to Christ, focusing on the attributes of God

For new believers you will start with commands of Christ Focus is on the Scripture, not human opinion

2. How would you restate this in your own words? (Understanding the Scripture) If they significantly miss state anything important – ask where did the scripture

say that…? Your hope is for the group to start asking these questions as you go further in the process. (Group Self-correction)

3. What does this teach us about God? (Knowing God) 4. If this is true, how would we have to obey? (Obedience) 5. With whom do you plan to share what you just learned? (Replication/Evangelism)

Order of Meeting 1. Opening (This becomes prayer time)

What are you thankful for this week? (Prayer) What needs do you or others have? (Intercession) How can we help meet the needs expressed? (Ministry)

2. Review of last lesson What did we learn last week? Did last week’s lesson cause any changes in behavior or thoughts?

3. Reports about sharing during the week 4. New Lesson 5. Plans for sharing in the coming week 6. Plans for meeting the needs expressed in the coming week

Questions Asked in Meeting HO

• Ask: What are you thankful for this week? (Prayer/Worship) • Ask: What has stressed you out this week? What do you need for things to be better?

(Intercession) • Ask: What are the needs of the people in your community? (Ministry) • Ask: How can we help each other with the needs we expressed? (Ministry) • Ask: What did we talk about last week? (Accountability) • Ask: Did you change anything in your life as a result of last week’s story? (Accountability/

Obedience) • Ask: Did you get a chance to share the story with [the person they identified]? (Accountability/

Worship) • Ask: We identified several needs last week and planned to meet those needs. How did it go?

(Accountability/Worship) • Say: Let’s see what the Bible teaches us this week. Read this week’s passage. (Scripture) • Ask for someone to retell the passage in his or her own words. Like they were telling a friend

who wasn’t there. (Accountability/Evangelism) • Ask the Group: Do you agree with their retelling? Is there something they added or left out

that they shouldn’t have? As long as the group doesn’t miss a key component of the passage, continue. If they miss something, read the passage again. If someone states something that isn’t in the passage, ask, “Where did you find [what they said] in this passage?” Reread the passage, if necessary. (Priesthood of Believers/Group Correction)

• Ask: What does this passage teach us about God? (Discovery/Scripture/Priesthood of Believers)

• Ask: What does this passage teach us about humanity? (Discovery/Scripture/Priesthood of Believers)

• Ask: If we believe this passage is from God, how must we change? (Discovery/Scripture/ Obedience/Priesthood of Believers)

• Ask: Who are you going to share this passage with before we meet again? (Evangelism/Replication)

• Ask: When do you want to meet again? This is a practical question. You will never get someone to commit to a 26-week study. But, you can give them the option to meet again next week. If they are really seeking and if the meeting is filling a need, they will tell you they want to meet again.

67

DISCOVERY BIBLE STUDY HO Date: 12/13 (1 HOUR) OVERVIEW FOR TRAINERS: Tell this as a Story. Do Not Read It. This series is based on City Team, Disciple Making Movement, San Jose CA 2010 City Team, Disciple Making Movement multiple articles, San Jose CA 2010 http://cityteam.org/dmm/about/dmm.php

METHOD TIME KNOWLEDGE I. Review of Last Week I. Review of Last Week A. Who Did You Share Last

Week’s Passage With A. Who You Shared with Last Week

1. 2. 3. 4. B. Did you do anything different

since our last Meeting? B. Anything Different You did Since our Last

Meeting 1. 2. 3. 4. C. Have you experienced God

Since the last time We met? C. Experienced God Since Last Meeting

1. 2. 3. 4. II.

Discover What’s Happened In Your Life this Week

II.

Discover What’s Happened In Your Life this Week

A. What Are You Thankful for this week

A. Thankful for: 1. 2. 3. 4. B. What problems did you

have this week B. Problems Had This Week

1. 2. 3. 4. C. Is there anyway the group

can help you C. Anything Group Can Help You With

1. 2. 3. 4. III.

Tell Bible Story Gen 2:4-24

III.

Bible Story Genesis 2:4-24

A. Have Someone Retell the Story

A. Retelling the Story 1. 2. 3. 4. B. Would anyone Like to

Make any Corrections To the Story

B. Retelling the Story with Corrections 1. 2. 3. 4.

DISCOVERY BIBLE STUDY HO

METHOD TIME KNOWLEDGE IV. Discover from Story IV. Discovery From the Story A. What Happened in this

Story A. What Happened in this Passage

1. 2. 3. 4. B. What does this passage

Tell us about God B. What this Passages Says About God

1. 2. 3. 4. C. What does this passage

Tell us about People C. What this Passages Says About People

1. 2. 3. 4. V.

Obeying this Passage

V.

Obeying This Passage

A. How Does this Passage Change How we See God

A. How this Story Changes How We See God 1. 2. 3. 4. B. How does the Passage

Change How we See Others

B. How This Story Changes the way we see People

1. 2. 3. C. How Does This Passage

Change the Way we Live

C. How This Story Changes The Way we Live 1. 2. 3. 4. D. Other Questions You Have

on This Passage D. Other questions on Story

1. 2. 3. 4. VI.

Share Story with Others

VI.

Share Story With Others

A. Do You Know Anyone You Can Share This Story With

A. Someone to Share Story With B. Do You Know Anyone

Who Needs Help B. Someone Who Needs Something

1. 2. 3. 4. C. What Can the Group Do

To Help them C. How Can our Group Help

1. 2. 3.

69

DISCOVERY BIBLE STUDY HO

References: Discovery Bible Study

ATTITUDE:

It is great to discover God’s word and then be able to tell someone else the Bible story. At the same time I commit to do something before we meet again.

SKILL:

Participants will be able to tell someone else the Bible story. At the same time commit to do something before we meet again.

EVALUATION:

Are the participants able to tell someone else the Bible story? At the same time do something before we meet again.

MATERIALS:

-Newsprint, markers, masking tape -

This lesson is used in: Discipleship Making Movement Workshop Resource City Team, Disciple Making Movement multiple articles, San Jose CA 2010 http://cityteam.org/dmm/about/dmm.php

Topic List Discovering God

God Creates Genesis 1:1-25 God Creates Man and Woman Genesis 2:4-24 Man and Woman Eat the Fruit Genesis 3:1-13 God’s Curses Genesis 3:14-24 God Regrets His Creation Genesis 6:5-8 God Saves Noah and His Family Genesis 6:9-8:14 God’s Covenant with Noah Genesis 8:15-9:17 God’s Covenant with Abram Genesis 12:1-8, 15:1-6, 17:1-7 Abraham Gives His Son as an Offering Genesis 22:1-19 God Spares His People Exodus 12:1-28 The Commands of God Exodus 20:1-21 The Sin Offering Leviticus 4:1-35 God’s Righteous Servant Isaiah 53 Jesus is Born Luke 1:26-38, 2:1-20 Jesus is Baptized Matthew 3; John 1:29-34 Jesus is Tested Matthew 4:1-11 Jesus and the Religious Leader John 3:1-21 Jesus and the Samaritan Woman John 4:1-26, 39-42 Jesus and the Paralyzed Man Luke 5:17-26 Jesus Calms the Storm Mark 4:35-41 Jesus and the Man with Evil Spirits Mark 5:1-20 Jesus Raises a Man from the Dead John 11:1-44 Jesus Talks about His Betrayal and the Covenant Matthew 26:17-30 Jesus is Betrayed and Faces Trial John 18:1-19:16 Jesus is Crucified Luke 23:32-56 Jesus is Resurrected Luke 24:1-35 Jesus Appears to the Disciples and Ascends to Heaven Luke 24:36-53 Enter into the Kingdom God John 3:1-21

Topic List Obedience Matt 4:1-11 Facing temptations Luke 5:1-11, Matt 4:18-22, Mk 1:16-2 Immediate obedience John 1:35-51 Introduction obedience Matt 10:16-23 Relating to unbelievers John 15:18-25 Persecution is normal Matt 10:23-31, Mk 13:9-13 Don’t fear persecution Matt 10:18-22, Mk 13:11-13 God’s provision in persecution Matt 5:10-12 Rejoicing in persecution Matt 5:13-16 The life that make a difference Matt 5:17-23 Reconciling a relationship Matt 7:17-23 Nature of sin Matt 19:1-6 Marriage for life Matt 5:33-37 Keeping our word Matt 5:38-42 Revenge Matt 5:43-48; Luke 6:27-36 Loving our enemies Matt 7:12 Relating to others Luke 6:27:38; Matt 5:38-42 Giving to others Matt 6:1-4, Luke 12:33-34 Do good to please God Matt 6:5-8 Praying with sincerity Matt 6:5-13, Luke 11:1-4 God as Father Matt 6:5-13, Luke 11:1-4 Worshiping God in prayer Matt 6:5-13, Luke 11:1-4 Surrender Matt 6:5-13, Luke 11:1-4 God is my provider Matt 6:5-13, Luke 11:1-4 Surrender Matt 6:5-13, Luke 11:1-4 Forgiveness Matt 6:5-13, Luke 11:1-4 God is our protector Matt 18:21-22 Forgive always

71

Medical Ambassadors International and Global CHE Network

PERSONAL APPLICATION DISCIPLINE OF LOVE Date: 06/01 (Rev 07/14) (1 HOUR) OBJECTIVES: 1. Participants will understand Jesus and Paul’s purpose for life. 2. Participants begin to become a ‘development agent’ in a simple way. OVERVIEW FOR TRAINERS: This lesson is taken from Harvest materials, Scottsdale, Arizona. Adapted with permission from Darrow L. Miller and Bob Moffitt, Disciple Nations Alliance www.disciplenations.org METHOD TIME KNOWLEDGE Role Play: Two people talking:

10”

1st What does it mean to be a developed person? I hear people talking about it.

2nd I don’t know, maybe it means you have all the money you ever need?

1st I don’t think so. Maybe it means you have the best education?

2nd That may be part of it but that’s not the whole thing. I wish I knew so I could be a developed person.

1st Me too! ----SHO questions---- S = What do you See? H = What is Happening? O = Does this happen in Our place?

I.

“Developed” Person

10”

I.

“Developed” Person

A. In a large group discuss what it means to be a “developed” person?

A. Participants’ answers.

B. Read Luke 2:52. Jesus as a developed person:

B. Jesus as a developed person:

1. What are the four ways that Jesus developed and in common terms describe these four kinds of growth?

1. Ways Jesus showed development:

- Wisdom = Wisdom - Stature = Physical - Favor with God = Spiritual - Favor with man = Social 2. What were the physical/

material living conditions in which Jesus grew?

2. Conditions Jesus lived in: - Not affluent but adequate - No running water or electricity - Village level education - Had all he needed to know 3. Did Jesus have the

resources necessary to fulfill God’s purposes for him? How or how not?

3. Jesus and needed resources: - Yes - God provided all he needed

and he grew with God’s purpose in mind

II.

Jesus’ Purpose in Life

10”

II.

Jesus’ Purpose in Life

A. Read Luke 4:18-19 A. Luke 4:18-19

73

PERSONAL APPLICATION, DISCIPLINE OF LOVE

METHOD TIME KNOWLEDGE 1. Why did Jesus come? 1. Why Jesus came: - Preach the Gospel to the poor - Release the captives - Sight to blind - Free the oppressed - Proclaim year of our Lord 2. What areas of life did

Jesus come to deal with?

2. Areas Jesus came to deal with:

- All areas - Spiritual - Social - Physical - Emotional - Social B. Read Matthew 20:25-28. B. Matthew 20:25-28 1. How did Jesus deal

with man? 1. Jesus dealt with man by

serving others not being served.

C. From the scripture above, what was Jesus’ purpose in life?

C. Jesus’ purpose in life: 1. Jesus came to deal with the

whole man. 2. Jesus came to serve others so

they could develop. III.

Paul’s Purpose in Life

10”

III.

Paul’s Purpose in Life

A. Read Colossians 1:28-29 A. Colossians 1:28-29 1. To whom did Paul

minister? 1. Paul ministered to the

Gentiles. 2. What was Paul’s goal

for people’s development?

2. Paul’s goal was that every man be mature and complete in Christ.

3. Who provided the model and strength for reaching Paul’s goal?

3. Jesus provided the model and strength for reaching Paul’s goal.

B. Present the idea that human development = movement towards God’s intentions.

B. Human development = movement towards God’s intentions

1. What does this mean? 1. What this means: - Man is intended to grow in all

areas of his life: physical, social, emotional, and wisdom.

- God has intentions for us. - We are to serve others to

become mature and developed in all areas of their life.

- Therefore we are called to be ‘development agents’ in all areas in other people’s lives.


METHOD TIME KNOWLEDGE IV. Application 10” IV. Application A. Pass out Luke 2:52

Discipline of Love handout. A. Explanation of Discipline of Love

handout. 1. Explain the four

columns and the four rows on the chart.

1. The chart is divided into categories. The top line lists the four areas of Jesus’ growth in Luke 2:52. The side lists four categories of people from whom we can call ‘development agents.’

2. Practice doing a development plan in one area.

2. Choose one area of growth: wisdom, physical, spiritual, or social that you want to do for your family, church, or community. Identify what you will do.

3. Hand out the second half of the handout that gives examples.

3. Briefly go over the example handout.

4. Share with another person and they share theirs with you.

4. Share with another person and pray with them.

5. At the next meeting, share with your same partner how you did and what took place.

B. What Discipline of Love is to Accomplish

B. Explanation of what Discipline of Love is to Accomplish

1. Refer to bottom of blank chart/

1. Greater sensitivity to (awareness of) the multidimensional needs of others

Increased balanced response to the multidimensional needs of others

More creativity in responding to others’ needs

Enhanced ability to sensitively direct attention to God as the Source of response to others’ needs

Greater naturalness and grace fullness in responding to others’ needs

Increased consistency in demonstrating Christ's love to others

Deeper understanding and awareness of God’s love for yourself and for others

Increased closeness to God through obedience to his greatest command

75



ATTITUDE:

Facilitator understands development from Luke 2:52.

SKILL:

Participants will be able to understand Jesus and Paul’s purpose for life. They will also begin to become a “development agent” in a simple way.

EVALUATION:

Facilitators will know participants have learned the content of this lesson when they become “development agents.”

MATERIALS:

-Newsprint -Marking pens -Masking tape -Bibles -Luke 2:52 Discipline of Love handout

This lesson is used in: Spiritual – Harvest, Spiritual – Mobilizing the Church Wholistic Ministry Workshop and Making Disciples Workshop.

Luke 2:52 – Discipline of Love

Context

For Growth

Areas of Growth

Wisdom

Physical

Spiritual

Social

Family

Church

Neighborhood

Distant Community

To help manage this exercise, the four categories of need and the four levels of response have been placed into a matrix, thereby defining sixteen areas of ministry of love to others. The matrix will be used to plan and to evaluate the implementation of this exercise in the discipline of love.

This discipline is designed to develop the following: • Greater sensitivity to (awareness of) the multidimensional needs of others • Increased balanced response to the multidimensional needs of others • More creativity in responding to others’ needs • Enhanced ability to sensitively direct attention to God as the Source of response to

others’ needs • Greater naturalness and gracefulness in responding to others’ needs • Increased consistency in demonstrating Christ's love to others • Deeper understanding and awareness of God’s love for yourself and for others • Increased closeness to God through obedience to his greatest command

77

Luke 2:52 – Discipline of Love

Context

For Growth

Areas of Growth

Wisdom

Physical

Spiritual

Social

Family

Discuss applying

two Proverbs with my family

Wash dishes

after family meal

Lead my family

in a daily devotion

Take spouse on a “date” (without

the children)

Church

Do Monday

devotions on applying

Sunday’s sermon

Repair the

walkway in front of the church

Pray each day for pastor and elders of the

church

Invite different

church members to our home for

coffee

Neighbor- hood

Discuss

community problem with a

community leader

Walk around neighborhood

and pick up trash

Invite neighbors to a Christmas

celebration at our home

Play soccer with

neighborhood kids

Created by Neighborhood Transformation for Global CHE Network

PACTICE, DISCOVERING GOD LESSON 1 God Creates (Genesis 1:1-25)

Date: 12/13 (Rev. 06/14) (1 HOUR) OVERVIEW FOR TRAINERS: These materials come from City Team, Discovery Bible Study of San Jose, CA. In this series of Discovery Studies, responses under Knowledge heading are open ended, with no suggested questions. This is a practice lesson used in Making Disciples Workshop.

METHOD TIME KNOWLEDGE I. Look Back I. Look Back, Review of Last Week A. How have you experienced

God this past week? A. Experienced God Since Last Meeting:

1. 2. 3. 4. B. What Are You Thankful for? B. Thankful for: 1. 2. 3. 4. C. What is stressing you out

this week? C. Problems stressing you out this past week:

1. 2. 3. 4. D. How can we help? D. Anything Group Can Help You With: 1. 2. 3. 4. II.

Looking Up the Bible Story

II.

Looking Up the Bible Story

A. Read the Bible Story A. Read the Story God Creates Genesis 1:1-25 B. Have one person tell the

story in their own words B. Retell story In own words:

C. Would anyone want to modify what has been told

C. Modification to story told:

D. What did you discover

about God in this story? D. What you discovered about God in this story:

E. What does this passage

teach you about people? E. What is learned about people from this story:

1. 2. F. Ask each person to tell a

partner the story in his or her own words.

F. Tell the story in your own words to a partner

III.

Obeying this Passage Looking Forward

III.

Looking Forward by Obeying This Passage

A. If this is really who God is, how do you need to change in this week?

A. How we need to change based on this story: 1. 2. 3. 4.

79

PACTICE, DISCOVERING GOD LESSON

1 God Creates (Genesis 1:1-25)


B. Create “I Will Do” Statements Based on the Passage in your Notebook.

B. “I Will Do” Statements Based on Passage: 1. 2. 3. 4. C. Fill Out Discipline of Love

for how you will share; either physical, spiritual, social, or emotional ways.

C. Do Discipline of Love for someone based on the story:

1. 2. 3. 4. D. Who will you apply this

story with this week. D. Who you will apply this story with this week:

1. 2. 3. 4. IV.

Evaluation of the Method and Approach in Discovering God

IV.

Expectation of the Method and Approach in Discovering God

A. What is your reaction or Observations towards this lesson which represent the 26 lesson series

A. 1. 2.

3. 4. References: Discovery Bible Study, City Team, San Jose CA.

ATTITUDE:

It is important to know God’s Word and then apply it in your life.

SKILL: Participants will be able to tell the story to others that they learn each week and apply it in their own life.

EVALUATION:

Are the participants able to putting into practice what they are learning?

MATERIALS:

- Bible - Newsprint, markers, masking tape



NEW IDEAS & MINDSET FOR DISCIPLE MAKERS

Date: 04/15 (1 HOUR) OBJECTIVES: After working through this lesson, participants will be able to: 1. Articulate the uniqueness of the Disciple Making Movements. 2. Apply these principals in their ministry. OVERVIEW FOR TRAINERS: Contents for this lesson come from the 1st nine chapters of Contagious Disciple Making by David Watson and Paul Watson 2014, Thomas Nelson, Nashville TN.

METHOD TIME KNOWLEDGE Role Play: Two friends talking 1st This series of lessons on Making Disciple has been very interesting and taught some new and

older ideas. 2nd I hear that making disciples in a group is very different then just plain old multiplication. 1st I really wonder what is different. We have learned about multiplying groups not just individuals. 2nd I even hear that this might cause some people some concerns. 1st I wonder what are the new ideas? 2nd Maybe we will learn in this next lesson. ----SHOWD questions---- S = What do you See? H = What is Happening?

I.

New Ideas and Mindsets of Disciple Makers

I.

New Ideas and Mindsets of Disciple Makers

A. Divide participants into 9 groups and assign each one concept (A-I) from the HO

A. Disciple makers reproduce disciple makers and groups.

Their role is to present their concept in an innovative way and give implications for their concept.

1. Innovative Presentation 2. Application -- Obedience base discipleship is

central to this happening -- Must invest heavily in key people -- CPM is the results of the cause of

making multiplying disciples B. Disciple makers deculturalize, not

contextualize. 1. Innovative Presentation 2. Application -- Discipler presents the Gospel without

comment. -- This needs to lead to asking what

must I do to obey God’s word? -- Our lives are changed not just our

thinking. C. Disciple makers plant the gospel rather

than reproduce their religion. 1. Innovative Presentation 2. Application -- This is all about developing and

multiplying our spirituality not our religion.

-- Our friends and families see a difference in the way we act.

81

NEW IDEAS & MIND SET FOR DISCIPLE MAKERS

METHOD TIME KNOWLEDGE D. Disciple makers realize how hard

completing the great commission will be using strategies and organizations built around branded Christianity.

1. Innovative Presentation 2. Application -- This is for lay people who do not have

special education. -- It is all about applying and obeying

immediately what you are learning. -- Allowing people to apply the Gospel

in their own context and way. E. Disciple makers realize the structure of the

community determines the strategy used to make disciples.

1. Innovative Presentation 2. Application -- Spread needs to be rapid into other

neighborhoods. -- Structure of the neighborhood will

determine the strategy used there. F. Disciple makers realize their culture and

religious experience can negatively influence their disciple making unless they are very careful.

1. Innovative Presentation 2. Application -- Don’t bring your culture or religion into

a place, just the Gospel. -- The place and the gospel in that place

will determine what the Gospel looks like there.

G. Disciple makers understand the importance for obedience.

1. Innovative Presentation 2. Application -- Obedience to the gospel is central, no

obedience no change in the place. -- There are a number of advantages to

being obedient. H. Disciple makers make disciples not converts. 1. Innovative Presentation 2. Application -- The goal is to see people become

multiplying doers of the word, which changes lives.

-- Being a convert is first BUT only the tip of the iceberg, doing what God commands is what makes the change.

I. I. Disciple Makers Understand the Importance of the Priesthood of Believers

1. Innovative Presentation

NEW IDEAS & MIND SET FOR DISCIPLE MAKERS

METHOD TIME KNOWLEDGE 2. Application -- There needs to be leaders to move a

movement forward. -- Leaders need to be helped in

developing their leadership. References: Contagious Disciple Making by David Watson and Paul Watson 2014, Thomas Nelson, Nashville TN

ATTITUDE:

Ideas presented in this lesson may be counter to what has been taught at some other point, but if it is from God, multiplication will take place.

SKILL:

Participants will apply these ideas in their life.

EVALUATION:

Are the participants applying these ideas in their ministry?

MATERIALS:

-Newsprint, markers, masking tape -Handouts New Ideas and Mind-Sets of Disciple Makers


83

New Ideas and Mindset of Disciple Makers HO

The ideas presented here come from Contagious Disciple Making by David Watson and Paul Watson 2014, Thomas Nelson, Nashville TN.

A. Disciple Makers Embrace Lessons that Reproduce Disciple Makers and Groups David Watson who created Church Planting Movements defines the movement as indigenously led Gospel planting and obedience-based discipleship process that results in a minimum of 100 new initiated and led churches, four generations deep within three years. As believers obey Christ, they train men and women to be contagious Disciple Makers who pray, engage lost communities, find Persons of Peace, who help them discover Jesus through Discovery Groups which cause people to love Christ, then baptize new believers, as they help them become communities of faith called churches who then mentor the emerging leaders. CPM is the result of obedience-based discipleship that sees disciples reproducing disciples, leaders reproducing leaders and churches reproducing churches. If these things are not happening they are not CPM. A Disciple Making Movement invests heavily in people and is causative while CPM is the natural results.

B. Disciple Makers Deculturalize, not Contextualize Cross-cultural is presenting Jesus in the same way the Holy Spirit would. Contextualization normally makes Jesus acceptable to others by a change of clothes to look like local people, use their language and follow their customs. The authors say this doesn’t work, there needs to be another way.

God has prepared men and women in every culture who can meet those who love Jesus from another culture, who learn to love Jesus from them, stripping away the cultural baggage and present Jesus in their own culture in loving and caring ways that results in lives changed and the Kingdom enlarged. When David taught people worship, he taught the elements of worship and not a particular style or form. When he introduced prayer he ask the people how would they pray therefore they began to pray in a way that was familiar to them.

Their focus in discipleship is on obedience to the Gospel, not adherence to a doctrine. With a doctrine centered discipleship, a person must be taught everything to ensure person has the knowledge to be obedient. With obedience-centered discipleship the emphasis is on how we can be obedient to Christ in every part of our life in every circumstance. The role of a cross cultural worker is to deculturalize the Gospel presenting the Gospel without commentary but with the question “How will we obey what god has said?” This leads to what must we do to change our lives to be obedient to the commands of Christ.

C. Disciple Makers Plant the Gospel Rather than Reproduce Their Religion A disciple makers job is to present the Gospel as honestly and a culturally as possible, as families, affinity groups and individuals come to Christ. We teach and guide them by example and word to discover what the Bible has to say and obey it. We must do our best to not transfer our Christian culture, denomination or doctrine.

Religion is about how we do church. Spirituality is about how we live our relationship with God and people in such a way that we our families and our communities are transformed. In disciple making we try to be less religious and to grow and demonstrate our spiritually.

D. Disciple Makers Realize How Hard Completing the Great Commission Will be for Strategies and Organizations Build Around Branded Christianity Organizations that promote a particular brand of Christianity will have difficulty completing the Great Commission. Historically promoting branded Christianity has been the focus of denominations and their affiliated educational institutions. Only less then 5% if the population will appeal to people to any one brand of Christianity.

In branded Christianity leaders must go through extensive education and indoctrination process before they are qualified to lead. This bottleneck precludes any hope of completing the Great Commission before any one generation dies.

Jesus led 11 uneducated men, some of whom doubted him. Some were illiterate, some rebels. All would be considered ill prepared to fulfill the task. DMM is about doing what Christ did in the first century. Giving people the Gospel, teaching them to obey, seeing they become faithful disciples of Christ, leaving them to be obedient to God’s word in their own context, allowing them to develop their own unique practices for worship, leadership of governance within the confines on biblical obedience.

E. Disciple Makers Realize the Structure of the Community Determines the Strategy Used to Make Disciples Structure determines strategy and tactics not the other way around. Most people are not aware of this and believe it is the other way around. An urban society requires different tactics then rural villages. A tribal society requires a different strategy and tactics then a nomadic society. The author says that there few tactics in the urban setting that have been intentionally designed have started self-replicating churches in the varied neighborhoods in a megacity. There are literally thousands of community structures in a large city.

F. Disciple Makers Realize their Culture and Religious Experience can Negatively Influence their Disciple Making Unless They are Very Careful Churches have two major functions, teaching the Bible and secondly, cultural expressions of obedience that have been developed over times. When we focus on catalyzing Disciple Making Movements, they define success by reproduction.

In a seminar, David asked, “Who are the people I am training?” and the students responded, “Us”. But David said, “No I am here to train your trainers.” His goal for a movement to get started is that there needs to be four generations. Churches grow from the culture where the seeds of the Gospel are planted. Hopefully this leads to churches that can reproduce. Disciples reproduce disciples.

G. Disciple Makers Understand the Importance for Obedience Jesus equated Obedience to Love in the Gospel. In John 14:15 as one of many verses, “If you love me you will obey what I command.” The Bible also teaches that obedience to commands and teaching of God has direct benefits to those who believe, sometimes to the corporate bodies and other times personal and individual. The book lists 10 such examples. Jesus will ask the Father to give us a Counselor who will be with us forever. Another is Christ’s joy will be in us.

H. Disciple Makers Make Disciples Not Converts A “Disciple” is one who embraces and obeys all the teachings of Christ and endeavors by word and deed to make more disciples. A “Convert” is one who practices a religion into which he or she was not born and may or may not encourages others to convert. Jesus commands us to make disciples not converts.

Making disciples is about having a relationship with Christ that results in lifestyle of obedience. Christ commands disciples to make more disciples. Disciples teach people the Word of God so they will know how to obey. They will be trained in the skill set necessary to be an obedient follower of that and they will knowhow to obey. Disciple makers equip people to fulfill their capacity to serve God and others so they demonstrate lives of consistent obedience and make more disciples.

The primary characteristic of a disciple is change demonstrated by growth in character that requires increasing knowledge, appropriate attitudes, right thoughts, improving relationship and obedient action. Christ does not change he is perfect. The disciple’s responsibility is to become more like Christ. When he falls short of the mark that is sin, which is to fall short or miss the target.

85

I. Disciple Makers Understand the Importance of the Priesthood of Believers

The doctrine of the Priesthood of Believers as it affirms the ministry potential and responsibility of believers and it empowers all believers to function as needed for the church to minister to people who are not part of their body. It moves Christianity from a profession to a lifestyle. It empowers the ordinary to do the extra-ordinary. It makes the church relevant and essential to a healthy community.

Scripture makes it clear that the role of leadership in the church is to equip the Saints for the work of ministry. Position is a result of fulfilling the servant-leadership role, not as a result of going to school, having a degree, being ordained or being called a pastor. The role of the pastor should be to equip the saints to do all that Christ commands.

www.neighborhoodtransformation.netPhone: 623-412-0184

[email protected]

COLLABORATIVE FORNEIGHBORHOOD TRANSFORMATION

Making Disciples cvr - CHE Network

Documents

Transcript of Making Disciples cvr - CHE Network