Is your church really prepared to lead visitors or transform your members into faithful, fervent, radical disciples of Jesus Christ?

Transcription

1 Total-C: = Total COMMITMENT COGIC Leadership Conference 2015 Topic: Transforming Members/Visitors into Faithful Disciples Dr. Kenneth Hammonds, Discipleship Thinker-Teacher-Doer, Director of Discipleship (Perfecting Believers), West Angeles COGIC x 2251; khammonds@westa.org I. Thought-Filled Starter Questions Are all the church members in your local church disciples of Jesus Christ? If not, why not? Are all the visitors to your local church disciples of Jesus Christ? Why do they visit? Before you can lead them into discipleship to the Lord Jesus Christ they will need some information? What s the first thing they (visitors) need to know about your church? THE HARDEST QUESTION Please be brutally HONEST. Is your church really prepared to lead visitors or transform your members into faithful, fervent, radical disciples of Jesus Christ? If the answer is No. or Not really. or Maybe. OR any answer that is not a full and confident Yes. Then this workshop is for you and your church. If your answer is, Yes, but we want to do a better job. Then this workshop is for you too. II. The Task/Mission of the Church of Jesus Christ So, exactly what is the task of the Church of Jesus Christ? Some people in the church don t really know what it is. Here are two primary views: The Purpose of the Church: Two Primary Views: (The second view is fully correct.) * To HAVE Church * To BE the Church, DO its Mission AND IT S MISSION IS TO MAKE DISCIPLES (Indeed, our purpose includes worship and praise, but is certainly NOT limited to this one thing.) So, we ve said the PRIMARY task of the Church is to MAKE DISCIPLES. But, how do we know this is our task/job/assignment/mission? Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior told us the task just before His ascension. Matthew 28:18-20 (KJV) Verse 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. It is and should be well-known that the English word in translated in the KJV as teach is literally, MAKE DISCIPLES. (See nearly all modern translations, NKJV, NIV, and many more.) So there we have it. The TASK, the MISSION of the church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ. The making of disciples includes Evangelism AND Discipleship (mentoring, teaching). In our (West A) Discipleship program we call our certified disciplemakers Christian Life Mentors (CLMs). DISCIPLESHIP = MAKING DISCIPLES

2 What is a disciple? KH Note: My study of the word disciple has led me to a very interesting approach. The word, disciple in the Gospels and Acts is best understood by seeing it as a fusion of six integrated meanings: Follower, Learner, Adherent, Apprentice, Trainee and Student [FLAATS]. Whose responsibility is it to transform a member into a disciple who is faithful, fervent and radically committed to Jesus Christ? Are they to do it themselves? Or is it the responsibility of the bishop, administrative assistants, national, jurisdictional, local department leaders, the superintendents, local church pastors, teachers, evangelists, or missionaries? WHO? Question for Thought: Is preaching to a disciple the same as making a disciple? COGIC Mission Themes and Discipleship 2014 Denominational Theme: We are called to Minister and Witness to a Deeply Distressed and Troubled World, Acts 26: Denominational Theme: Christ s Extreme Sacrifice Calls for Our Extreme Commitment, 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 III. Transforming a Christian Believer into a Faithful Disciple of Jesus Christ How Do You MAKE, TRANSFORM, PERFECT a Disciple of Jesus Christ in the 21st century with all its challenges, traps, and lures? We call our West Angeles Discipleship program, Perfecting Believers. The quick view of the reason for this is that the word disciple does not appear in the epistles, but the powerful concept is still there. This process is in the epistles called perfecting believers or saints. So, we added to our discipleship ministry, Discipleship (Perfecting Believers) or Perfecting Believers Discipleship Ministry. Note the Scriptures where Jesus first hints at this and it is picked up by the apostles in the epistles. See KJV Luke 6:40, 1 Thessalonians 3:10, Ephesians 4:12, Colossians 1:28, James 1:4, 2 Timothy 3:17. Perfecting believers/saints means maturing them (spiritually and in every way) and preparing them for service to Christ so they might then properly serve their families, the Church, the community, and the world. MY WEB RESOURCE: I have foundational document on the perfecting believers discipleship concept entitled, Foundations for Discipleship. You can read or download it and other resources at kenhammonds.com/leadership2015.htm. Disciple = DISCIPLINE/A DISCIPLINED ONE The English words disciple and discipleship are related to the word discipline. Thus, another concept in mentoring disciples is to empower them with spiritual and life disciplines. We must now move aggressively and boldly to help all COGIC congregations to develop and maintain spiritual disciplines and holiness of life in their Christian walk and witness. Our Purpose, Our Role in the Christian Formation and Transformation of the Body of Christ is that of: Perfecting believers holistically, so that each of us might cultivate the spiritual disciplines necessary for spiritual maturity and successful Christian Living as God s representatives on Earth. Our Distinctive Role (what we do, our purpose) in Perfecting Believers is to:

3 Two Key Christian Formation (Discipleship) Scriptures: Galatians 4:19; Colossians 1:28 Galatians 4:19 (KJV) My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you. Colossians 1:28 (KJV) Whom [Christ] we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect [NRSV, everyone mature] in Christ Jesus. Disciple = COMMITMENT/A COMMITED ONE (COGIC 2015 Theme s Discipleship Personal Entreaty: Our Extreme Commitment ) Why Discipleship (make disciples)? 1. Jesus said it. That settles it. 2. It is the ONLY way to really call yourself a church. Otherwise, you are just another non-profit organization doing good in the community. Take COGIC off the sign and put, Doing Good Community Center. 3. It is the ONLY way to mature your congregation and develop spiritual members and leaders and families. 4. It lowers the amount of strife, bickering, and the sinful lifestyles of your members. 5. It helps you to fulfill the Mission of Jesus Christ and your local church. 6. What are some other reasons why we should or must make disciples? IV. How to Make Disciples Below is merely a listing of possible ways a church might go about making disciples. You must think and pray over all the possibilities for your local context. These are only thought-starters. Teach And Mirror These Discipleship Two Concepts To Everyone: 1. As a disciple, give your full commitment to Jesus Christ and His Word. 2. Every disciple should want to and strive to please God in every area of his or her life. Remember this: Discipleship is for a lifetime and beyond. An Intentional Discipleship Curriculum Track for Teaching Disciples (A Five-fold Design) ACTION-POINT ONE: Teach disciples how to live out and practice three Key spiritual disciplines. The Three Key Disciples are: Being Committed To: Having a Daily Quiet Time with God Psalm 63:1; 68:19; Matthew 6:11 Being Committed To: Having an Active Prayer Life (Personal and Small Group) Mark 1:35; Luke 6:12; 18:1 Being Committed To: Studying and Living in the Word of God 2 Timothy 2:15; Psalm 1:2; 119:105; 119:127; Job 23:12 Yes, there are many more spiritual disciplines, but starting with these three will get believers on the right track. MY WEB RESOURCE: I have developed a sheet listing the Top Ten Spiritual Disciplines. You can read or download it and other resources at kenhammonds.com/leadership2015.htm. ACTION-POINT TWO: Teach them core doctrines (theological concepts) in these areas. God, Sin, Salvation, Workshop, Personal Holiness, How to Use the Bible (its contents, history, and message) ACTION-POINT THREE: Offer MANY opportunities within the local church for disciples to learn. Offer classes, workshops, seminars, small groups, outings, and every other means possible to reach and teach.

4 ACTION-POINT FOUR: Offer Relevant Discipleship Curriculum Think on these levels of growth tools and kinds of curriculum that help disciples to mature. Their Own Personal Growth and Personal Bible Study (Help them to find materials for personal study.) COGIC Curriculum Sunday School, Bible Band, Y.P.W.W.,other COGIC Publishing House Curriculum A Focused Discipleship Curriculum There are several. We (West A) use a fantastic curriculum that is applicable for new believers and seasoned saints called, MasterLife from LifeWay Publishers. We have helped COGIC pastors and churches learn about implementing MasterLife classes in their congregations. Contact me for information. We can use teleconference and video conferences resources. (NO, not a sales pitch. We make no money or kickbacks for doing this. We just believe it is a powerful curriculum that the COGIC will find useful.) ACTION-POINT FIVE: Some Idea Starters for Pastors to Consider Audio CDs of Bible Teaching Note: Everybody s got the preaching CDs out. But how about recording a Bible series on important topics? Bible Keys to Successful Living, What the Bible says about Families, What the Bible Teaches about the Trinity, Why We don t. Teach a series going through EVERY Book of the Bible, at least some of the key Books. Take the disciples through the Books theme by theme or if you want to take your time, go verse by verse. You may be surprised how much Christians love the Bible and good Bible teaching. If you do it, consistently, accurately and with spiritual power, you ll really have very little competition. Find the gifted teachers in your local church and ask them to search out curriculum. For the more experienced teachers, ask them to develop a curriculum for you. Actually, these individuals are just waiting for you to ask them to help. They are called to do this. Have every leader over a ministry tell you how they will assist the church in making disciples. Well, you need to tell them the vision first and ask them to fill it in. Do a preaching series on Making Disciples. Give it a nice strong title and teach the series for at least four weeks. (Using Matthew 28:18-20, Luke 9:23, Colossians 1:28, and other Scriptures) Place posters up everywhere with the Discipleship phrase the Lord has given to you. For example: We Make Disciples or Developing Disciples for the Kingdom. In your series include the three Key spiritual disciplines and let your members, visitors, and listeners know about the Top Ten Spiritual Disciplines. (Follow up by teaching a series on Spiritual Disciplines.) Pray and ask the Lord the best ways to make disciples and perfect believers in your ministry. You will find He ll give you Divine Ideas because He wants this disciple perfecting to happen. It is His command. Once you make faithful disciples, they will become more spiritual and faithful members and more effectively serve your ministry and community. Some Discipleship Resources, Curriculum, and Books Bibles COGIC Discipleship Bible Church of God in Christ Discipleship Bible, Centennial Edition, Bishop J.W. Macklin, Executive Producer. Dr. Kenneth Hammonds, Chief Editor. Excellent front material with a COGIC perspective on Discipleship and COGIC history and spirituality. Discipleship Devotional Bibles I have not personally examined in detail any Discipleship Devotional Bibles, but from a glance, some of them may be useful to those seeking a Study Bible to enhance their personal devotional life. Go to the website: and place in the search box Devotional Bible. Several results will show. Curriculum MasterLife, Dr. Avery Willis, LifeWay Publishers

5 Books The Cost of Discipleship, Dietrich Bonhoeffer Touchstone; 1st edition (September 1, 1995) Transformational Discipleship: How People Really Grow, Eric Geiger, Michael Kelley, Philip Nation As Iron Sharpens Iron: Building Character in a Mentoring Relationship, Howard Hendricks The Radical Disciple: Some Neglected Aspects of Our Calling, John Stott Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American, David Platt Living By the Book: The Art and Science of Reading the Bible, Howard Hendricks, William Hendricks Books Empowering Christian Teachers Teaching to Change Lives: Seven Proven Ways to Make Your Teaching Come Alive, Howard Hendricks The Christian Educator's Handbook on Teaching, Kenneth O. Gangel, Howard Hendricks Video Teaching Series Not a Fan, Kyle Idleman (Powerful program, we get wonderful responses when we teach this series.) The Easter Experience Movie, with Discussion Guide DVD, Kyle Idleman Google or Internet Search Engine If you just want to get dozens of resources and research them yourself, an Internet search will give you hundreds However, here are some resources to help narrow down your search. Many of these will lead you to still other useful resources. LifeWay Publishers (Placing Discipleship or Bible Studies in the search box will yield many resources.) Discipleship Tools (discipleshiptools.org) Radical, with David Platt (radical.net) If you really want to be radical for Jesus, check out his programs. Discipleship-Blog Directory, Networked Blogs by Ninua, A listing of several discipleship blogs. Bonhoeffer Agent of Grace, An award winning Christian movie about the life, death, and legacy of a key figure in modern Christian discipleship, Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Available at christianbook.com. We showed it and had a discussion on the Cost of Discipleship today in America and the world. We got an excellent response. YouTube has many good video resources about this modern Christian martyr. One of Bonhoeffer s oft-quoted statements is, Christianity without discipleship is always Christianity without Christ. BibleGateway Newsletters has a nice daily devotional series called, 40 Day Journey with Dietrich Bonhoeffer You can sign up at biblegateway.com/newsletters. Scroll and check the box to receive the series every day for 40 days. Be Perfect, Andrew Murray s powerful 30-day devotional classic. But its depth of spiritual insight will take you longer than 30 days. It is available as a paperback book at Amazon.com, or as a PDF all over the Internet. Just search Be Perfect Andrew Murray PDF you ll get many hits. I just completed a Perfecting Believers Edition of this Christian classic. See me for any details to get this FREE, PDF version. Of course, any work by Murray will deepen your spiritual walk. If you really want to keep informed about discipleship happenings, sign up for Google Alerts where you can keep up with web Discipleship happenings. Google Alerts says its purpose is to monitor the web for interesting new content. I have only one Alert. It is for new discipleship happenings on the web. The content comes nearly every day. It comes as an with one or two links to the discipleship information. Go to google.com/alerts and type in the box discipleship. I think you need to have a Google account to get the Alerts. But, the is easy to start and it s free. Finally, you can go to our Discipleship webpage disciple.westa.org for the information we have. Our Discipleship website resources and information will be growing rapidly in 2015.