“Spiritual disciplines are provided for our good, not for our bondage. They are privileges to be used, not duties to be performed.” - Jerry Bridges

“There is no shortcut to holiness; it must be the business of our whole lives.”- William Wilberforce

“Making disciples is far more than a program. It is the mission of our lives. It defines us. A disciple is a disciple-maker.” - Francis Chan

““Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ.”- St. Jerome

THE SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES AND THE LIFE OF THE DISCIPLE

COMMUNICATE with God through prayerLEARN to understand/apply God’s Word to your lifeOBEY God’s commandsSTORE God’s Word in your heartEVANGELIZE, or share Christ with othersRENEW yourself spiritually everyday

The goal of the Spiritual Disciplines (C.L.O.S.E.R.) is to glorify Him in our whole lives (word, thought, and action) by moving move from duty to devotion, ultimately to delight in God’s perfect will.

JOHN14:15-21

KNOWINGGOD

LOVINGGOD

OBEYINGGOD

HERE, THEN, IS THE CORE OF DISCIPLESHIP:

Study the Bible, Know God, Obey God, Love God with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind and Love People Repeat.

HOW DO WE CHIEFLY COME TO KNOW GOD? The primary way God has revealed Himself to us is through His Word.

“The spiritual disciplines (i.e. the CLOSER acro-nym) are not an end in and of themselves – they are a means to an end… godliness.”

- Robby Gallaty

THE SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES (C.L.O.S.E.R)

WHEN DO I SEND OUT DISCIPLES TO MAKE DISCIPLES?AAlways begin with the end in mind. Your group should meet for 12 months and should expect the final date from the very beginning. In last 3 months of your time together, train/equip participants by allowing each 1-2 times to act as group leader, and giving constructive criticism after each attempt. Remember, the goal is for group participants to replicate their lives into someone else by starting their own D-Groups.

HOW DO I KNOW IF IT’S WORKING?UUse the MARCS acronym to subjectively assess whether people in your group are spiritually maturing and are ready to lead their own D-Groups. The Spirit will lead in this effort! MISSIONAL: D-Group participants should be living out the Gospel.ACCOUNTABLE: You can’t expect what you don’t inspect.REPRODUCIBLE: The discipleship process is complete when the mentee becomes the mentor.COMMUNAL: Intentionally sharing your life is essential.SCRIPTURAL: The Bible has become the disciple’s textbook.

LAUNCHING D-GROUP LEADERS

HOW DO I CHOOSE DISCIPLES? The first step in establishing a formal DM relationship is choosing disciples. Jesus, our example, spent time in prayer before selecting men (Luke 6:12-16). The word disciple means learner. Begin by asking God to send you a group of men or women who have a desire to learn and grow. Like Jesus with His disciples, ours is a serious relationship; one built on a mutual commitment to Christ and each other. Occasionally, it may become necessary for you to ask someone to leave the group for not following through with that commitment. That talk may go like this: “Listen, I love you, brother / sister. I want to work with you, but at this stage in your life, your actions are telling me this is not a good time. Maybe can try again in the future.” Though this event rarely happens, one should always be careful to handle it in a manner thhandle it in a manner that edifies the uncommitted believer. Your D-Group should consist of F.A.I.T.H. believers: Faithful, Available, Intentional, Teachable, and Humble. Assess a potential disciple’s faithfulness by observing other areas of spiritual life (church and small group attendance and ministry service).

SHOULD I DISCIPLE UNBELIEVERS?It is possible to do D-Groups with both believers and unbelievers present. The preferred method is a gathering of born-again believers (that is, the Holy Spirit has regenerated their hearts and they have converted to Christ through faith and repentance) seeking to grow in their faith. How do you determine if someone is saved or not? Begin every group cycle by asking each person to share their testimony with the others. Next, ask them to explain the gospel. A great resource for anyone struggling with belief in Christ is Greg Gilbert’s boobook, What is the Gospel?

WHAT IF I DON’T KNOW THE ANSWER TO A QUESTION?There is no shame in not knowing all of the answers to every question. Simply confess that you may not have all the answers, but you will find them. Then do so before the next meeting. Ask your pastor or another spiritual leader to help you with the answer. It is less important to know answers than it is to know how to seek them.

WHEN SHOULD I DIS-INVITE SOMEONE (ASK SOMEONE TO LEAVE THE GROUP)?This happens but This happens but very, very infrequently. Someone should be asked to leave the group for reasons such as these: he/she is not teachable in spirit, not faithful in attending or completing the assigned work. Teachability is an indispensable quality for growth. Additionally, laziness (lack of availability) will breed complacency in the group. Missing meetings, refusing to memorize Scripture, failing to log H.E.A.R. entries, or sitting idly by during discussion times lowers the morale of the others in the group. This type of behavior mumust be addressed immediately. Meet with this individual privately to inquire about his/her attitude and actions. Remind him/her of the commitment made at the outset of the discipleship relationship. Other reasons such as a group member exhibiting a breach of confidentiality or is overly judgmental/critical/ condemning toward others in the group may have to be removed.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS HOW DO I CHALLENGE THEM TO MEMORIZE SCRIPTURE?PProverbs 25:11 says, “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.” How many times has a Scripture come to mind when you needed just the right words in a situation? Those passages of Scripture we have memorized will be brought to our memory at the right moment—but we must learn them. Group members will memorize Scripture if you hold them accountable through reciting verses to one another at every meeting. I highly commend the free app “Remember Me” on iTunes/Google Play for help memorizing Bible memorizing Bible verses (helps create digital flash cards and a number memorizing tricks).

HOW DO I DIG DEEPER INTO THE BIBLE?In order to study the Bible in depth, you will use some study tools, beginning with a Bible dictionary. In addition to a Bible dictionary, it is important to have a good study Bible (ESV Study Bible, MacArthur Study Bible, Nelson NKJV Study Bible, NIV Study Bible all have great commentary on each verse). Also, the MacArthur Study Bible has an app ($5.99 on Google Play & iTunes) with all of Pastor John MacArthur’s study notes from decades of bible teaching. Finally, the bible is available to you for free with the YouVersion Bible App, complcomplete with tons of devotionals.

TOPICAL QUESTIONS AND SUPPLEMENTARY RESOURCES: “Got Questions” Topical Search: https://www.gotquestions.org/ (one-page answers with scriptural references to a vast catalog of topical questions) “The Bible Project” Short Teaching Videos: https://thebibleproject.com/ (a site with a companion YouTube channel and iTunes/Google Play app that uses to 5-10 min videos with narration to teach theology and summarize books of the Bible.) “Remember Me” Scripture Memory App Bible Translations: www.BibleGateway.com Bible Translations: www.Bible.org Bible Study Tools: www.BibleStudyTools.org Discipleship/Evangelism Tools: www.navigators.org/Tools/ A huge database of resources and talks: http://www.discipleshiplibrary.com/ Sermon-based Teaching: www.desiringgod.org/scripture Topical Guidance: www.desiringgod.org/topic

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN D-GROUP AND AWAKEN GROUP:PURPOSE: D-Group’s primary purpose is spiritual maturity through intimate community, accountability and multiplication; Awaken Groups are social platforms for spiritual growth through fellowship and broader community.AACCESS: D-Group is a closed, by-invitation only group; gender specific. Awaken groups are open till they reach numerical capacities and are generally non-gender specific.FORM: Awaken groups are still very evangelistic; helping potentially new believers further understand the Gospel. A D-Group consists of believers who desire a deeper walk with Christ and is not evangelistic in its form or function, but in its fruit (it makes disciples who make disciples).SSETTING: Awaken groups is more like a moderator facilitating a discussion with “town hall” community feel. A D-Group’s setting is more intimate with a handful of like-minded people.

Sociologists use these terms to describe relational networks: a dyad represents 2-people and, alone, is not community. It’s just 2 people in a static relationship, but 3 people that all know each other is what is known as a triad.

BARNABAS APOLLOSPAULDiscip

le-maker/leader

Epaphras Titus Timothy JohnMark

Discip

le-maker/leaderJESUS

Peter James John

TRIAD OF COMMUNITY

SIX REASONS FOR A D-GROUP OF 3-5 PEOPLE1. JESUS’ MODEL: With Peter, James, and John, Jesus demonstrated his inner circle. Think of this also like a diversified investment, rather putting all stock in a single source (Ecclesiastes 11:1-2).

2. BASKETBALL NOT PING-PONG: 1-to-1 conversations can be like ping pong matches with the burden on the leader to keep the ball in play. D-Group meetings are more like give-and-go pass in basketball where all members are engaged early and often.

33. PUTTING THE LEADER ON A PEDESTAL: In a one-to-one, the mentee may tend to look at the mentor as a lofty example, saying, “I could never do what you did with me with another person.” This inhibits reproducibility. With a group, it’s more like all members (leader included) going on a journey together.

44. ACCOUNTABILITY NOT COUNSELING: One-to-one relationships can quickly take on a counseling flavor, with the leaders spending most of the time each meeting solving the mentee’s personal problem. Conversely, a group gives access to a small prayer-soaked, Spirit-driven community of accountability.

55. BUILT IN ACCOUNTABILITY: If a D-Group participant does not do his/her assignment (reading, HEAR journal, scripture memory, etc…), the side-by-side accountability of the group spurs him/her to do it.

6. BUILT IN COMMUNITY: See below:

4 TOTAL PEOPLE (1 X LEADER/MENTOR, 3 X DISCIPLES/MENTEES)

The addition of a “3rd wheel” turns ‘a a 1-to-1 static relationship into the smallest scale version of dynamic community.

“When Christ calls a man, He bids him come and die.” - Die trich Bonhoeffer

“All who are called to salvation are called to discipleshipno exceptions, no excuses!” - Bill Hull

“Christ did not come to make Christians. He came to make disciples.” - J.D. Greear

"When I talk about discipleship I am simply saying you must preparepeople for war." - Thabiti Anyabwile

D-GROUPS DNA

1. PRAY about whom God would have you ask to be in your D-Group2. APPROACH those individuals and invite them into your D-Group3. COVENANT with them to be committed and accountable to each other4. INVEST your life into your D-Group participants for the next 12-18 months

Open with prayer.Have a time of intentional conversations.Share celebrations and praises.Share HEAR Journals with each other: 1. The goal of studying the Bible is to apply the Word of God. 2. Knowledge without application is useless information.GGood application questions to utilize: 1. What are you hearing from God, and what are you doing about it? 2. What is God teaching you, and how is it affecting your life?Quote your scripture memory verses for the week.Spend a few moments keeping each other accountable.Share prayer requests and close with prayer.

Ask each participant to present one prayer request at the start of each meeting. Assign a person to pray over the requests, and ask the Lord to sharpen each of you through your relationship.

START A D-GROUP

STRUCTURE YOUR D-GROUP

ACCOUNTABILITY QUESTIONSHave you spent time in the Word and in prayer?Have you shared the gospel or your testimony with an unbeliever?Have you spent quality time with your family?How’s it going loving the people that Jesus has given you to love [family, friends, and neighbors (physical neighbors, co-workers, classmates)]?HHave you viewed anything immoral this week?Have you had any lustful thoughts or tempting attitudes?Have you lacked financial integrity or coveted?Have you damaged another with your words, either in person or behind their back?Have you engaged in any addictive behavior?Have you given yourself over to fits of rage, lost self-control in ungodly anger?Have you told any lies/half-truths to put yourself in a positive light before others?HHave you secretly wished for another’s misfortunes?Have you participated in anything unethical this week?Did you finish this week’s Bible reading?

THE BIG WHY?

VISION: To instill in the Awaken congregation a shared belief and assumption (i.e. culture) that disciple-making is what we do at Awaken using a specific and reproducible strategy.

VISION FOUNDATION: To glorify God by growing the depth of His church and allow the Holy Spirit to grow the breadth/width… not to make much of us, but to grow us deep so we can continue making much of Him!

BEING DISCIPLES OF JESUS Be conformed to the image of His Son (Romans 8:29) Be presented mature in Christ (Colossians 1:28)MAKING DISCIPLES OF JESUSJesus’ Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20)

Luke 9:23 2 Timothy 2:2 Luke 14:33 John 15:8

Ephesians 4:11-17

WHAT IS OUR END GAME?

WHY? SCRIPTURAL CALLING TO DISCIPLESHIP:

YEAR123456678910

DISCIPLE-MAKER24816326641282565121,024

WITH A D-GROUP OF 439278122437292,1876,56119,68359,049

EVANGELIST3657301,0951,4601,82522,1902,5552,9203,2853,650

MULTIPLICATION, NOT ADDITION

ACCOUNTABILITY & OBEDIENCE: THE GAME CHANGERS

COMMUNITY1Pet4:10, Col3:16, Eph 4:32, Gal6:2,1Cor12:25, Heb 10: 24-26, Eccl 4:9,12

CONFIDENTIALITYLuke 17:2

COMPASSIONGal 6:1-5, 1Cor10:12, 2Cor13:11, Eph4:32

CONFRONTATIONGal 6:1-5

CONFESSIONJames 5:16; 1John 1:195 C’S OF

ACCOUNTABILITY

MINIMUM MEETING FREQUENCY: Bi-weekly MINIMUM MEETING TIME: 60-90 minutesMINIMUM SPAN OF TIME PER D-GROUP CYCLE: 12-monthsRemembeRemember, discipleship is about the relationship between you and your group members, You are not prohibited from calling/texting/emailing your group throughout the week or coming by for counsel when needed. Disciple-making is a culture and way of life, not a program or ministry.

WHEN?

MEETING LOCATION: Anywhere you want! But… …should be an intimate setting that invites conversation. …should be easily accessible, flexible, and convenient for the group.MEETING OUTSIDE OF THE CHURCH: Encourages your group members to publicize their faith! Restaurants, coffee shops, bookstores, diners, and homes are all good options.

WHERE?

HOW DO I LEAD A D-GROUP? The only absolute requirement for leading a D-Group is that you be intentionally pursuing Christ. You do not need to be a master teacher or have all of the answers. Format is not one of a teacher-student, but a round-table discussion. “...a teacher says, ‘Listen to me,’ while a disciple-maker says, ‘Follow me.’” - Joel Rosenberg & T.E. Koshy This blueprint, sketched by Jesus Christ through His personal example, is how discipleship is accomplished in the lives of believers, and, ultimately, within the local church. When this plan is followed, those involved will participate in three dynamics that result in growth in their personal lives, as well as in the Kingdom: community, accountability, and multiplication.

HOW?

Total Number of People: 3-5 people (including leader) 1 leader-mentor w/ 2-4 mentees (4 total is the desired “sweet spot”) Gender-specific Closed group (by-invitation only)Is there an attendance requirement? Yes, and it is not negotiable. Since we’re going to spend our lives together for the next twelve months - commitment is necessary. Allow potential disciples to opt out of the group on the front end, after understanding the expectations spelled out in the DM covenant. Remember, you are looking for people who want to be discipled. An unwillingness to commit reveals that they are not ready to be in a D-Group. It’s the example Jesus set for us.

WHO?

D-GROUP LOWDOWN Sharing the Gospel (Good News) of Jesus Christ with someone to help them know and follow Jesus as Lord through repentance and faith.

EVANGELISM IS:

“One who is following Jesus, being changed by Jesus, and is committed to the mission of Jesus.” OR “A devoted follower of Christ; a student, learner or apprentice of Jesus; one who forsakes his/her very essence to know and become like another”

A DISCIPLE IS:

“Intentionally equipping believers with the Word of God through account-able relationships empowered by the Holy Spirit in order to replicate faith-ful followers of Christ.”

DISCIPLESHIP IS:

“Intentionally entering into someone’s life to help them know and follow Jesus (Evangelism = REACH) and to teach them to obey His commands (Discipleship = GROW) in order to live holistic lifestyles of worship (LIFT).”

DISCIPLE-MAKING (DM) IS:

MATTHEW 4:19 “And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”

LUKE 5:10 “And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.”

FOLLOWINGBEINGCHANGED

COMMITTED TO THE MISSION+ +

BASED ON THESE VERSES, WHAT DEFINES A DISCIPLE?

SO... A DISCIPLE IS SOMEONE WHO IS FOLLOWING JESUS, BEING CHANGED BY JESUS, AND IS COMMITTED TO THE MISSION OF JESUS.

Jesus (head) Jesus through theHoly Spirit (heart)

Jesus’ mission to befishers of men (hands).

THE 3 ASPECTS OF A DISCIPLE

I WILL COMMIT TO THE FOLLOWING :1. I pledge myself fully to the Lord with the anticipation that I am entering a time of accelerated spiritual transformation.2. I will meet with my D-Group for approximately one and one-half hours every week, unless providentially hindered.3. I will complete all assignments on a weekly basis before my D-Group meeting, in order to contribute to the discussion.4. I will contribute to an atmosphere of confidentiality, honesty, and transparency for the edification of others in the group as well as my own spiritual growth.5. I will pray every week for the other men/women who are on the discipleship journey with me.6. I will begin praying about replicating the discipleship process upon completion of this group.

THE DISCIPLE-MAKING COVENANT: