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Principles of Biblical Discipleship

What is and what is not biblical discipleship? What must I do in order to disciple someone?

What must I become if I am to be a disciple-maker?

Biblical discipleship is the act of one person intentionally impacting the life of some other person in the direction of Christlikeness (2 Timothy 2:2).

Biblical discipleship is…

• Intentional: Discipleship is not simply someone learning about Christ. It is not accidental. It is intentional. It is not a function of the learning of the learner but of the teaching of the teacher. Someone must intend to do it.

• Impacting: Discipleship has not happened simply because a student is excited about or impressed by a teacher. Discipleship happens when there is a change in virtues, values, beliefs, and lifestyle.

• Personal: Discipleship is not covering material. Neither is it being part of a group (a class, congregation, family, etc.). Discipleship is one person dealing with another person personally.

• Christlike: Discipleship is not just a mentee modeling a mentor. The modeling must be moving in the direction of Christlikeness.

Nine Principles of Biblical Discipleship 1. Biblical discipleship is incarnational or “In the flesh”

• In person, face-to-face • Association- spending time with them • Building a foundation to the relationship leads to trust

Scripture: John 1:14, 1 John 1:1, 1 Thessalonians 2:7-8

2. Biblical discipleship is reproductive • Multiplication (as they grow, they should find a person to disciple) • Quality, NOT quantity (numbers are not as important as true growth)

Scripture: Matthew 28:18-20, 1 Thessalonians 1:6-8

3. Biblical discipleship invites personal discovery • No “canned” answers • Asking questions sets them up to discover truth for themselves

Scripture: John 2:19, John 3:7, John 4:10, John 6:53

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4. Biblical discipleship reasons, persuades, and gives evidence

• The disciple-maker gives supporting evidence after personal discovery begins Scripture: Isaiah 1:18, Acts 18:4, Acts 17:24 5. Biblical discipleship counts the cost

• Count the cost concerning others • Count the cost concerning ourselves

Scripture: Luke 14:26-28, Malachi 2:1-4, Matthew 10:39 6. Biblical discipleship is impartation (giving)

• Extravagance, NOT stinginess • Sharing what God has given (resources, wisdom, knowledge, gifts, experiences) • Expect nothing in return

Scripture: Luke 6:38, John 5: 13, John 3:16, Ephesians 5:25 7. Biblical discipleship is demonstration

• Showing them how to live a Godly life (prayer, reading the Word, sharing the Gospel, obedience)

Scripture: Luke 11:1-4, 2 Timothy 2:15, Ephesians 4:12-13, 2 John 1:6 8. Biblical discipleship means challenging the disciple

• to use their gifts for God’s kingdom • to find another to disciple • to spread the Good News • to find people to do life with

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:10, Romans 10:14-15, Hebrews 10:25 9. Biblical discipleship has an eternal perspective

• Pointing people toward God • Doing what God is doing • Seeking God’s will • Judging only with God’s judgment

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:1, John 5:19, John 5:20, John 5:30 Training material adapted from:

DeWitt, Dr. David A. “Seven Priciples of Biblical Discipleship.” Relational Concepts, Inc. (http://www.relationalconcepts.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=vk8IFGdozJ4=&tabid=73)

Coleman, Dr. Robert Emerson. The Master Plan of Evangelism. Westwood, NJ: F.H. Revell, 1964. Print.

Coleman, Dr. Robert Emerson. The Master Plan of Discipleship. Old Tappan, NJ: F.H. Revell, 1987. Print.

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Discipleship Model Based on 2 Timothy 2:2 The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.

Who should I disciple? After evangelism teams encounter/share the Gospel with people on the street, they will submit the information for those who are interested in more follow up. The discipleship team in the reviveCITY will pair you with someone who is interested. Women should disciple women and men should disciple men. The person I chose to disciple won’t call me back or has already been contacted by someone else. What should I do? Sometimes a person that was encountered by an evangelism team isn’t ready to be discipled or has already been contacted. Use discernment, and keep praying for that person and for God to open a door to disciple them at a later time. Don’t overwhelm them with contact, but let them know that you will still be available when they are ready. In either case, you can try choosing another person to disciple. What if the person I’m discipling has difficult questions or circumstances? Discipleship is messy. It’s okay if you don’t have all the answers. The “Timothy” that will be encouraging and keeping in contact with you can help you, and so can your pastor. Remember that growing in Christ is a process. It takes time. Be patient, pray continually, and be encouraged by your “Timothy.” What curriculum will we use? You will teach through the Project 52 guide provided by Time to Revive. In it, you’ll find the “Replicate” guide, which expounds on the orange tab in the back of the blue Bibles, explaining what it means to be New In Christ, to Grow in Christ and how to Share Christ. Following the Replicate guide are 52 Bible stories from the Old and New Testaments. Read the Scripture, go over the short devotion, then you and your disciple will answer and discuss the questions together.

This is “Timothy.” He was recommended by his pastor to oversee, instruct and encourage disciple makers.

These are the “faithful men.” Each of them is

discipling a new believer, leading them through the

Project 52 book. !

COMMON DISCIPLE MAKER QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 1. When should I call my disciple?

Right away! The disciple-maker should seek to contact them within 24 hours of accepting the assignment. We cannot delay because Jesus taught that Satan moves against the new believer immediately and is successful “if they do not understand” what they have heard (Matthew 13:19).

2. What should I say when I call?

You may start by contacting the person who led them to the Lord to learn as much as you can about their initial contact (info found at the bottom left section of sheet). Mention the person who initially talked to them on your first call. Your goal must be to not leave your disciple confused, but try and set up an opportunity to get together somewhere as soon as possible to establish a friendship. Just speak really simply and from your heart.

3. What happens if the person doesn’t answer on the first try? Hopefully, if the contact information was properly recorded you will have at least one phone number, an email address, and a physical address. Leave a clear message of who you are and your purpose in wanting to talk to them. Give them your call back information and try again later that same day. If you remain unsuccessful, pray, then wait a week or two and call them again

4. What happens if they don’t want to be discipled?

Lack of response can mean many things. They may be busy – they may be afraid – they may have family or friends who are pressuring them to stay as they were, etc. If they tell you they don’t want to be discipled, we obviously don’t want to be forceful, but because eternity is in the balance, you may ask if you could just meet for coffee and get to know one another. If the answer remains “no,” then I would tell them why discipleship is important and ask if it would be okay for you to call them in several weeks in case they change their mind. You might call them once a month thereafter until the Lord releases you. Satan works hard so we must work hard.

5. What happens if the “under 20 year old” I picked is in elementary or middle school?

First, we must always respect the minors’ parents or guardians. Seek to meet with the minor and their parents to propose discipling them within the family. This also gives the parents a chance to hear the Gospel. If this is not conducive, connect the child with an active local children’s ministry where they can be taught and discipled.

6. How often should I meet with my disciple? That is a question the Holy Spirit will answer, but you may seek to meet once a week if possible. You should maintain regular contact so they can ask questions and keep you updated on how they are doing. You also need to understand that making disciples means being available when they need you. You must share phone numbers and email addresses and simply respond when they contact you. This relationship must be two-way not one-way.

7. How does the Project 52 fit in?

Disciples makers will take their disciple through the Project 52 book. Project 52 is new, although it has been in the works for a very long time. Project 52 is a ling-term lesson plan, which will take a new believer through the whole Bible to give them the foundation they need. Obviously, the Holy Spirit may direct you to also use other materials, but Time To Revive wants to give you materials right away that focus solely on the Scripture.

8. What is a “Timothy”? A local from your area has volunteered to encourage and help you through the process of discipling. If you sign up as a disciple maker, Time to Revive will assign you to a Timothy, who will reach out to you on a regular basis.

9. What do I do if they ask me for money? As a standard instruction, we ask that you not give money but rather direct them to a place where their needs can be fulfilled well (ex. Church, local ministry, counseling center, etc.) If you absolutely feel led by the Spirit and have a go-ahead from wise counsel from your team, invite them for a meal and take them somewhere you can eat together that will not be an embarrassment because of their dress or economic situation. Seek to love and listen by asking about how they arrived in the circumstances in which they find themselves. Pray for discernment to see the truth of what they need and be prepared to respond as God directs. Remember what your true mission is—to help them grow up in Christ and address any issues with love and listening. You should be prepared to use that time to share (or clarify) the Gospel and begin discipleship using the lessons provided by Time to Revive.

8. What do I do if they have questions I can’t answer?

The fact that a new believer is asking questions should encourage you that God is at work in their lives. Never duck a question and never pretend to know the answer. Tell the new believer that you don’t know, but that it is a great question and you will get an answer, which you can discuss at your next meeting or phone call. If you need help, contact your Timothy or your Pastor, or you can feel free to contact Time to Revive to get help.