6 ~ DISCIPLING, GOD S PLAN FOR KINGDOM GROWTH

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1 6 ~ DISCIPLING, GOD S PLAN FOR KINGDOM GROWTH SUGGESTED READING The Way of the Master by Ray Comfort and Kirk Cameron Connecting: The Mentoring Relationships You Need to Succeed by Paul Stanley and Robert Clinton Disciples of All Nation by John Amstutz THE HARVEST Matthew 9:35-38 Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest. (Luke 10:1-3; John 4:35-38) Matthew 28:18-20 Then Jesus came to them and said, All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. (Acts 2:42-47) Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. 1. Reaching the lost was the driving of the early church, and an integral part of each believer s life. The early church in Acts grew not by addition but by multiplication and with power (Acts 2:42-47). The Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved and the person was transformed and became an active disciple. 2. Discipleship is a activity. Part of being an effective disciple is the ability to clearly communicate the Gospel message to someone else so that they might believe and be saved. And because evangelism is a relational activity, it has to begin with an understanding of how to develop relationships. Take a moment and go through the self-evaluation on the next page Discipleship Development is a ministry of Christian Life Center, A Foursquare Church 9085 California Avenue, Riverside, CA Jack & Jane Lankhorst, Pastors Christian Life Center Discipleship Institute

2 SELF-EVALUATION Honestly answer the following questions with 1 (Yes), 2 (Sometimes), 3 (No). 1. I m excited about my life. Each day is a learning adventure. 2. I can be counted on to carry out commitments. 3. I m a generous person. I give and forgive. 4. I am dependable. 5. It s easy for me to make a friend. 6. I can see things from the other person s point of view. 7. I reveal my true feelings and can be honest without being offensive. 8. People can trust me with confidential information. 9. I build into relationships an allowance for emotional storms. 10. I seek to offer a positive plan in resolving conflict. 11. I model the conviction that the failure of others is never fatal. 12. I can identify people who have contributed to my growth in seasons of my life. 13. I m a good follower. 14. I establish personal goals and hold myself responsible. 15. People say I m a good listener. 16. I welcome constructive criticism. 17. I m able to carry out someone else s vision without having to promote myself. 18. I let a mentor take the credit for our accomplishments. 19. I initiate accountability relationships. 20. I actively mentor others. 21. I develop a sense of significance and potential in others. 22. I consistently push others to make a greater commitment to following Christ. 23. I have a burden for the eternal welfare of people, whether or not I know them personally. 24. I m able to share the important elements of the Gospel. 25. I can see an opportunity to share Christ with someone and then lead them to the Savior. Journaling assignment: Circle the areas needing improvement (the statements with a 3 ). What can you do to improve in those areas? Christian Life Center Discipleship Institute 2

3 STEP 1 THE SKILL OF DEVELOPING FRIENDSHIPS Read about David & Jonathan in 1 Samuel 18:1-4; 19:1-7; 20:1-42 BASIC ESSENTIALS FOR BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS 1. Be able to accept yourself (Matthew 22:39). This requires a knowledge of God and a knowledge of yourself. 2. Understanding relationships (Proverbs 18:24). A. is central to intimacy. B. is unavoidable. C. is essential. D. is inevitable (Proverbs 27:6). E. Put energy into being likeable and treat people the way you want to be treated. (Matthew 7:12) F. Learn to be a person (Proverbs 11:25; 22:9). G. Be slow to anger, quick to forgive (Psalm 86:15; 103:8-10). I. Learn the secret of and focus on the interests of others. J. Learn to communicate. Communication is 7% content, 38% tone, and 55% non-verbal! Confusion happens when the components contradict each other. K. Dedicate yourself to. (Proverbs 20:6) The challenge: Make it your mission in life to develop other people s significance and to help them achieve their purpose. Believe in them as Jesus does and help them get to where they are going in life. STEP 2 LEARN TO BE A SPIRIT-LED WITNESS - ACTS 8:26-40 Sharing the Gospel MUST be a Spirit-led activity. Otherwise, we are simply collecting decision cards without discipleship, a type of disobedience to Jesus command shrouded in spirituality. The decision to follow Christ MUST come from their heart! Also, we are called to make disciples but there will be times when we cannot follow-up on those we lead to Christ. Read the story of Philip & the Ethiopian Eunuch from Acts 8:26-40, a great example of Spirit-led evangelism. Following are observations from that story. Christian Life Center Discipleship Institute 3

4 1. Philip was directed by the Holy Spirit to meet a special need. (26) The Lesson: Be available for the Holy Spirit to use you in the salvation of lost people. Has the Holy Spirit ever directed you to share the Gospel? Were you available? 2. The Ethiopian eunuch was searching for truth. (27) The Lesson: Allow God to show you people who are searching for the truth and open to the Gospel. In what ways do you see people around you searching for truth? 3. When the time was right, the Holy Spirit said, Go. (29) The Lesson: Wait for the prompting of the Holy Spirit. How do you hear the Holy Spirit speaking to you? 4. Philip heard the eunuch reading from the book of Isaiah. (30) The Lesson: Watch what people are doing and listen to what they are saying. What is someone you know who is searching for truth saying or doing? 5. Philip asked the eunuch what he was reading. (30) The Lesson: Ask the person what they want or what they are searching for. Be relevant to their need. Can you discern their genuine need? 6. Philip proclaimed the salvation of Jesus. Present the Gospel Truth. (35) The Lesson: Wait for people to give you permission to alter their lives then introduce them to the Living Person of Jesus Christ. Can you condense the Gospel message in your own words without compromising the integrity of the plan of salvation? (Use the hand method) 7. Philip was with the man when he made his decision. Don t push them to make a pre-mature decision. (36-38) The Lesson: Lead people to a decisive action if they are ready and willing. What happens in Heaven when someone accepts Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior? (Luke 15:10; Philippians 4:3) EXERCISE (Use the back of this sheet or your journal to answer the following) 1. Read the account of Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well in John 4:1-42. How the are the accounts of Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch and Jesus with the woman at the well different? How are they similar? 2. How do these approaches compare with the way you lead people o Christ?. Christian Life Center Discipleship Institute 4

5 GOD SUPPLIES THE WHEN YOU SUPPLY THE Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. God the Father draws the person, the Holy Spirit convicts them of sin and Jesus Christ saves! Our responsibility is to people about Jesus, and invite them to trust in Jesus as their Savior. TWO METHODS OF SHARING THE GOSPEL MESSAGE The Four Spiritual Laws by Bill Bright (Campus Crusade for Christ) 1. and offers you a Divine plan for your life. (John 3:16; 10:10) 2. Man is sinful and from God. He cannot know and experience God s love and plan for his life. (Romans 3:23; 6:23) 3. Jesus Christ is God s provision for man s sin. Through Him you can know and experience God s love and plan for your life. (Romans 5:8; 1 Corinthians 15:3-6; John 14:6) 4. We must individually receive Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord; then we can know and experience God s love and plan for our lives. (John 1:12; 3:3; Ephesians 2:8-9; Revelation 3:20) The Gospel Hand. By using your hand, you can easily share the main elements of the Gospel. 1. Thumb (Hitchhiking) Heaven is a gift. It is by God s Grace and cannot be earned or is not deserved. Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2: Index finger (Pointing) Man has broken God s Law and is as a sinner and separated from God. We cannot save ourselves. Psalm 14:3; Isaiah 64:6; Romans 3:23; 1 John 1:8 3. Middle finger (Largest) God is a just and merciful LORD and does not want to punish anyone but must judge sin. Exodus 34:6-7; 1 John 4:9-10 (1 John 1:9) 4. Ring finger (Wedding, love) Jesus, as God and man, died our sins, in our place. Isaiah 53:6; John 3:16; 2 Corinthians 5:21 5. Little finger (Smallest) Salvation requires faith, trusting in Jesus Christ alone and not in our own goodness or strength. Matthew 17:20; Acts 2:38-39, 16:31; Hebrews 11:1,6 Question: Why would lifestyle evangelism be more effective than an evangelistic program? Christian Life Center Discipleship Institute 5

6 A SAMPLE PRAYER OF SALVATION Through prayer we personally invite Him into our life and make Him Lord. (Romans 10:9-10, 13) Here is a sample prayer... Dear Jesus, I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness for going my own way. I believe that you shed Your blood and died on the cross for me and I believe that you rose from the grave in victory! I invite You to come into my life as my personal Saviour. Take away my sin and be the Lord of my life. Fill me with your Holy Spirit so that I can serve you with my whole heart! Thank You for giving me eternal life! Amen. IMPORTANT STEPS AFTER SALVATION A crucial step in leading someone to the Lord is follow up. As a new born believer, they will need assistance in putting their new found faith into practice. Here are areas where they need guidance Lead them into the baptism of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8; 2:38-39; Romans 1:16). 2. Lead them into the baptism in water (Acts 2:38; 8:36). 3. Teach them to talk to Him in prayer (Philippians 4:6-7; 1 John 5:14) and to read God s Word, the Bible (Psalm 119:105; 2 Timothy 2:15; 1 Peter 2:2). 4. Invite them to regularly attend church with you (2 Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 10:25). 5. Teach them the importance of serving Christ and His Church (Ephesians 4:16). 6. Teach them to share their new faith with friends and family (Matthew 28:18-20). STEP 3 EFFECTIVE DISCIPLESHIP Read the story of the mentoring relationship Barnabas had with Saul (later Paul) from Acts 9:27-30; 11:25-26; 13:1-3, Mentoring (or discipling) is a process between a mentor who knows or has experienced something, and transfers that something (resources of wisdom, information, experience, insight, relationships) to a mentoree at an appropriate time, so that it facilitates development and empowerment. Connecting by Robert Clinton We ve all been mentored before. Write the names of the people who have have had a significant impact on you during specific times of your life. (childhood, teenager, adult) Christian Life Center Discipleship Institute 6

7 MENTORING STYLES 1 A. Discipler A more experienced believer of Christ shares with a newer believer the ability to follow Christ. B. Spiritual Guide A mature believer shares deeper knowledge and understanding and facilitates maturity at important times of life. C. Coach A process imparting encouragement and skills in a task through a relationship. 2 A. Counselor Timely advice and impartial perspective on the mentoree s view of self, others, circumstances, and ministry. B. Teacher Imparting knowledge and understanding on a particular subject, motivating the mentoree to continue learning and links them with resources. C. Sponsor Imparting resources and development to increase effectiveness and influence in an organization. 3 A. Contemporary Model A living person whose life and work/ministry is used to indirectly impart skills, principles, and values. B. Historical Model A person now dead whose life/ministry is recorded and that information is used to indirectly impart skills, principles, and values. WHEN YOU ARE BEING MENTORED BY SOMEONE Clarify your expectations. The goal of mentoring is improvement not perfection. Do not have expectations higher than can be met. 2. Ask the right questions. Prepare the questions beforehand. 3. Adopt a learning posture. Don t let ego get in the way. Trying to impress your mentor will set up barriers and prevent you from receiving what he is trying to give you. Christian Life Center Discipleship Institute 7

8 4. Respect the mentor but don t idolize him. God is faithful to allow you to see your mentor s weakness, setting you up for possible disappointment. 5. Immediately what you are learning. 6. Be disciplined. Arrange for ample time, select the subject matter in advance, and do your homework to make the sessions profitable. 7. Reward your mentor with. Your progress is his reward. 8. Don t threaten to quit. Let your mentor know that you are a determined winner. 9. Mutually agree to bring closure. 10. Teach someone else what you have learned. WHEN YOU ARE MENTORING OTHERS... This activity is either overlooked in the American church or used as a means of control. But, this is the means by which God has commanded us to expand the Kingdom in our generation. Below are the steps every believer can follow to be an active mentor. Determine to make this a lifestyle in obedience to the Lord s Great Commandment. 1. Establish the relationship. The Holy Spirit will show you who He wants you to disciple. One of the goals of mentoring others is that you disciple someone TO Jesus so that when the relationship has completed its goal, the mentoree will continue to grow in his/her relationship with the Lord. 2. Jointly agree on the. Clarify it in writing if necessary. 3. Determine how often you will meet. People are busy and may not be able to be impromptu. Be faithful to each other s schedules. 4. Set the. Mutually establish the length of time for the mentoring relationship and avoid open ended mentoring! Life cycles require a beginning and closure. 5. Adjust the mentoring if necessary to meet the expectation of both parties. Modify where mutual expectations are not being met. Make changes to accomplish a mutual purpose. 6. Bring. When the life cycle is finished and expectations have been met, bring closure, or set a new life cycle. 7. Evaluate. Has the relationship accomplished its purpose? There should be honest feedback. Christian Life Center Discipleship Institute 8

9 THE MENTORING CHART A Paul is someone more spiritually mature and willing to help you build character. A Barnabas is a someone who is your peer and will hold you accountable. They are in your church ( inside ) and outside the church ( outside ). A Timothy is someone you are discipling in their Christian life. In each of the boxes below, write the person or people who currently fit the descriptions. Paul INSIDE Barnabas Inside OUTSIDE Barnabas Outside YOUR NAME Timothy 1. Identify an area you need to work on. What must be done to see that in everyday life? 2. What can you do today that will enable you to begin a lifestyle of discipling others? Christian Life Center Discipleship Institute 9

10 DECISIONS OR DISCIPLING? If we were to win one soul to Christ every day (without discipling) vs. discipling one person per year who in turn disciples one person per year, the conversions outnumber the discipling until the 12th year, then discipling outnumbers conversions. DECISIONS Winning one person to Christ every day of the year... DISCIPLING Discipling one person each year who, in turn, disciples one person per year , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,048,575 Matthew 28:18-20 Then Jesus came to them and said, All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. Christian Life Center Discipleship Institute 10

11 ANSWERS DISCIPLING, GOD S PLAN FOR KINGDOM GROWTH purpose relational Honesty Risk Trust Confrontation generous perspective loyalty POWER tell God loves you separated only free condemned for little OBEDIENCE relational Intensive Occasional Passive Subordinate put into practice progress purpose life cycle closure Christian Life Center Discipleship Institute 11