DISCIPLEMakers. Forging real relationships that ignite true transformation

Transcription

1 DISCIPLEMakers Forging real relationships that ignite true transformation Hope in the City 4407 Monterey Oaks Blvd Austin, TX College Ministry: Hope 242

2 DISCIPLEMakers Summary We want to see no, we want to be a movement. Birthed, shaped, inspired and released by our King, Jesus Christ. My life is His because He sold eternity to buy me and you. Now, following Jesus costs everything. Our lives are not our own. God made us His ambassadors, witnesses, priests. We are called DiscipleMakers. Forged with passion for Jesus and compassion for others to transform the world with the gospel by making disciplemakers. Here. Now. For God s glory! Matt Kehn, college pastor at Hope in the City We are a Christ-centered community of college students in Austin with a PASSION for JESUS and COMPASSION for PEOPLE WE ARE COMMITTED TO: v Being family and discovering identity v Forging disciplemakers and serving others v Creating freedom and expressing joy v Embracing diversity and redeeming culture v Thinking global and living local BE SIMPLE: Jesus transformed the world by making disciples. Whether you know it or not, YOU ARE A DISCIPLEMAKER at the first moment of faith in Jesus. It s a part of your new spiritual DNA (not when you ve checked off some maturity box or completed a training). You may or may not know much about disciple making, and perhaps not be excited or experienced. But to be a disciplemaker is not an option for a follower of Christ. It is, instead, a life pursuing the person of Jesus, committed to obedience and lived out in intentional relationships. All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey all that I commanded you; And lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Matt 28:18-20 Why are few people effective disciplemakers? Most, because they ve never experienced it, others, because they misunderstand it, and still others because they are unwilling to make the sacrifices necessary to walk in it. GO DEEP: Disciple making is the most fulfilling, exhausting, heart rending, satisfying and rewarding investment of your life. God is calling us all to be and make disciplemakers. The mission is clear, the strategy is simple, the return is eternal. Join us in the Spirit-led advancement of God s kingdom in Austin and the nations! I AM A DISCIPLEMaker Name: Date:

3 DISCIPLEMakers Basics This DiscipleMakers strategy is simple and deep. The principles can be used by everyone. Jesus is our standard and our substance. Our goal is to make Him supreme in our lives and those around us because our life is not our own. For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf. 2 Corinthians 5: an intentional investment in each other to follow Jesus more fully and to invite and train new followers of Jesus. Disciple Making: DM-Rhythms: HEAR OBEY GO DM-Priorities: Belonging mature faith through truth (HEAR) Identity nurture character through identity (OBEY) Purpose develop influence through experience (GO) DM-Blueprint: 1. Gather 3 disciplemakers into a DM group 2. Meet once a week for a full semester (1 hour) 3. Challenge each other to follow Jesus every day 4. Invite a new person to the DM group (freshmen & int. student) 5. Multiply after 4-5 participants Meeting Ideas: Scripture, Purple book, topics Prayer, worship, fasting Share obedience steps Go activities in community Excellence as a disciplemaker will not depend on great methods but on transformation generated by consistent relationships infused with biblical truth, grace-saturated accountability, and shared experiences that impact others. Full commitment to each other and the DM model is vital, with flexibility in group schedule and format. Every group possesses a unique expression and united mission!

4 DISCIPLEMakers Groups DiscipleMaker Groups are gathering of 3+ people who meet weekly to HEAR God, challenge each other to OBEY Him in daily life, and GO invite others to follow Jesus. DM Reps As the drivers of each DM group, reps have chosen to initiate and represent the group. You must be committed to communicate regularly and prayerfully select the focus of each week. Use the Purple Book material to build honest conversations to grow a healthy relationship with God. You have the privilege and responsibility to your DM group on the adventure of following Jesus throughout a season of life. It s all about relationships, not methods! Rhythms All DM groups use these three rhythms in their relationships. Encourage and challenge each other to work these out in daily life. Below are various tools you can use to follow Jesus. 1. HEAR: imparting God s truth Read, study and memorize specific passages of the Bible together (Models: Lectio Divina, Discovery Bible Study, book expository studies, Keyword discussions, topical studies) Practice listening and prophetic prayer for each other Discuss Christian literature and messages (podcasts, sermons) Worship, fast, confess, pray 2. OBEY: nurturing sonship identity Say Yes to God in one new thing this week ( No to self/sin/world) Remove something significant to give more margin to God Seek what God is calling you to do each day/week Make a plan of action with specific time/date/goals Do it, evaluate it and share it 3. GO: developing mission experience Invite a friend to join the journey of the DM group (freshmen and international students) Get out: Share the gospel, prayer walk, Engage Austin, Treasure hunt Diagnose and address social problems in community with real solutions Make the ask for others to accept and follow Jesus Christ Practical DM Rep Actions v Pray for and regularly encourage each DiscipleMaker. v Determine meeting times, locations and weekly focus. v Facilitate the 1 hour meeting at least once a week. v Report to the Discipleship Coordinator every two weeks. v Strategize for multiplication and GO activities together. (Tips) (set up GroupMe or grext) (suggest 3 specific options) (ask good, open questions) (share testimonies & needs) (take small steps with passion) It is easy to make excuses to ourselves and others. Let s make movements with Christ instead!

5 DISCIPLEMakers Guides DiscipleMaker Groups are gathering of 3+ people who meet weekly to HEAR God, challenge each other to OBEY Him in daily life, and GO invite other to follow Jesus. DM Guides As a guide, the best gift you can give to the DM group is to follow Jesus with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. A healthy relationship with God is a necessary foundation for your effectiveness in disciple making. You have the privilege and responsibility to guide your DM rep on the adventure of following Jesus and making disciples. It s all about relationships, not methods! Focus your attention on being present and supportive of the DM rep as you trust God to use you. Rhythms All DM groups use these three rhythms in their relationships. Encourage and challenge the DM rep to work these out in the meetings. Below are various ways to support them. 1. HEAR: imparting God s truth Offer scriptures to read, study and/or memorize together Share listening prayer tools and prophetic feedback for each other Give your personally impactful resources of Christian literature and messages Worship, fast, confess and pray with them 2. OBEY: nurturing sonship identity Observe the lifestyle actions and decisions Challenge areas to add/remove to give more margin to God Supervise what God is calling them to do each day/week/month/semester Assist creating a plan of action with specific time/date/goals Supervise it, evaluate it and celebrate it 3. GO: developing mission experience Ask who they are inviting to join the journey of following Jesus (make top 5 list) Brainstorm ways and specific people to share the gospel Discover student passions and research opportunities of service in community Follow up with new seekers/believers to visit church v v v v v Practical DM Guide Actions (Tips) Pray for the three members of the DM group daily. Attend the 1 hour meeting once a month. Check in weekly with the DM rep for important updates. Mentor DM rep and troubleshoot group issues Give spiritual and practical support for multiplication (set reminder on your phone) (ask for best time of month) (meet or skype to get person) (affirm, empower & release) (focus on heart, not numbers) You have the God-given influence to change one life that will impact the world, do not waste it!

6 DISCIPLEMakers Framework Three DiscipleMaker Layers In this framework, we will survey the process of disciple making, with the focus on forming a movement of reproducing disciplemakers (Matthew 28:18-20 and 2 Tim 2:1-8). The three layers focus primarily on the model and relevant application of Jesus, Paul and Timothy. Recommended Reading: The Lost Art of Disciple Making Jesus Christ Disciplemaker The Purple Book Basic Discipleship The Cost of Discipleship Master Plan of Evangelism Leroy Eims Bill Hull Rice Brooks/Steve Murrell Floyd McClung Dietrich Bonhoeffer Robert Coleman Resourced Articles: Ron Berrus Caesar Kalinowski Making Disciple Makers 6 Rhythms to Discipleship

7 Layer 1: The Core of Disciplemaking YOU ARE A DISCIPLEMAKER: Following Jesus means I choose to be relational, missional and influential. REAL RELATIONSHIPS: Life Together To make one, be one. Your effectiveness is dependent on your ability to make and sustain long term, influential relationships. To make a disciplemaker is to model a holy life up close and personal. Jesus said As the Father has sent Me, I also send you John 20:21. Paul said Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ 1 Corinthians 11:1. We transfer it by living it and calling others to do the same. The gospels portray not just the teachings and miracles of Jesus but very significantly they document the ultimate disciplemaker demonstrating the patterns, priorities, and principles of making disciples. Jesus lived his life openly and in full view of others. He invited the disciples to learn both from what he said and from how he lived his life. Floyd McClung, Basic Discipleship What is essential for healthy disciplemakers? Disciplemaking begins with Personal Passion. It starts with me. o Setting aside time to spend with God o Reading scripture o Worshipping God o Prayer and listening o Responding in obedience to what He says (John 14:15) Disciplemaking develops Interpersonal Compassion. It s about loving others. o Discerning verbal and nonverbal cues o Asking open-ended questions that draw others out o Guiding conversations in a gracious way o Taking initiative to meet, share and listen o Inviting others into the community o Building trust and belonging o Working through conflict Disciplemaking flourishes with Community investment. It grows God s family. o Identify potential leaders and entrust them with beginning responsibilities o Cast vision and facilitate multiplication o Ensure size of group is healthy for discussion and community o Lead out with vulnerability and accountability o Direct the global environment of the group (set the tone, manage the time, listen to the Holy Spirit for direction) o Focused prayer

8 Disciplemaking focuses on Jesus It builds on Christ the cornerstone. o Following Jesus and not the leader, taking every opportunity to point them to Jesus. o Helping a person grow in foundational ways of Jesus. o Pointing to Scripture and applying it relevantly to the situation. o Discerning the lies of the Satan/society/self. o Recognizing and casting down idols. o Identifying selfish motivations and confessing sin o Helping people identify a place of serving and sowing along their gift lines. o Listening to God and facilitating prophetic words for one another o Sharing the gospel together with those who don t know Jesus TRUE TRANSFORMATION: the Jesus Apprentice Model And he appointed twelve, that they might be with him, and that he might send them out to preach, and to have authority to cast out the demons Mark 3: Jesus devoted the entire night in prayer before making His selections (Luke 6:12-13). RELATIONAL The first reason Jesus chose these men was relational. to be with Him. True transformation is most complete, effective and enduring through real relationships. God changes people through people. It takes an intentional investment to influence others with Christ. God changes people through people Jesus chose Peter, but he also chose 11 others to be in constant contact with them. It was a transformational small community. They walked together, worked together, served together, struggled together, ate together, learned together, failed together and triumphed together. This intensive relationship was central, as they learned how to relate, submit, rebuke, restore, pray, preach, and change. Jesus made disciples in the context of daily relationships and thousands of teachable moments. When Jesus told the disciples to go and make disciples, they knew what He meant. They had experienced it. It was a continuation of a life learned and lived with the Savior. MISSIONAL The second reason Jesus chose these men was missional to send them. It was known from the outset that this relationship was intended to result in their becoming fishers of men. They expected from the start that Jesus would train them in ministry skills. His life was the model for their lives, and His ministry was the model for their ministries. Again, the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20 expected that these disciples would make other disciples who would be completely obedient to the same expectations and commands of Jesus. INFLUENTIAL The third reason Jesus chose these men was influential. to have authority. Without the power of God, the impact of the disciples would remain minimal. Jesus gave Himself and His authority to empower the disciples to transform lives. It is God s work, we are His chosen vessels.

9 Disciplemakers are called to live and grow in public Initially, the twelve had many misperceptions. Some of these missional misunderstandings lasted longer than others. Every disciple brings his own baggage into the journey. The longer we walk with Jesus, however, the clearer our missional understanding becomes as our character and purposes become more and more like Christ Himself. The book of Acts is filled with names ever noticed that? Names of people. Ordinary people with an extraordinary purpose. They were connected with the original disciplemakers, who made disciplemakers, who then made still more disciplemakers. And here we are today. Jesus trained Paul Paul trained Timothy and Titus and many others and Timothy trained still more. This training was relational, missional, and influential. The Jesus model requires all. LIFE TOGETHER principles for disciplemakers. 1. Never do anything in ministry alone that you can do with someone else. 2. Life requires doing, not just knowing. 3. Change is most effective when it is seen in a life lived up close and personal. 4. The most effective growth moments occur in ordinary life spent together. 5. Failure is the best opportunity for lasting change to take place. 6. Trust and honesty is built over time in genuine relationships. 7. Growth is made most effectively when failure is acknowledged and help given immediately. Summary Jesus call to His disciples was: follow me and I will make you Matthew 4:19. His purpose and strategy in Mark 3:14 was to choose twelve men to be with Him and to send them forth to preach and to heal. He selected individuals to move into daily experience with Him so that in the mix of daily exposure, example and exhortation they might be transformed and prepared to go and declare truth, demonstrate compassion and make disciples among all the nations. The essence of disciple making is life together on mission. Disciplemakers are called to live and grow in public. We are not perfect but we must be trustworthy, on the journey with God. (He will) remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus which agrees with what I teach everywhere in every church 1 Corinthians 4:17. Brethren, join in following my example as you have us for a pattern Philippians 3:17. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do Philippians 4:9. You have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance 2 Timothy 3:10. The success of your impact depends on your ability to build and sustain long term relationships and the power of your influence that results from them. Begin with the following worksheet.

10 WORKSHEET FOR DISCIPLE MAKING STRATEGY WHO POTENTIAL DISCIPLE MAKERS Men Women WHAT AREAS FOR GROWTH DEVELOPMENT BIBLE STUDY v Personal Devotions v Bible Study Methods v Bible Survey v Biblical Theology v Names of God v Attributes of God v Will of God CHARACTER v Teachability/Humility v Discipline/Diligence v Respect/Listening v Integrity/Honesty v Commitment/Loyalty v Acceptance/Flexibility v Forgiveness/Grace v Conflict Resolution v Accountability MINISTRY SKILLS v Evangelism v Public Speaking v Teaching v Disciple Making/Mentoring v Intercession v Healing v Leading Teams v Service PRIORITIES Step by Step HOW METHODS TO EMPLOY One on One DM Groups Hope Communities Hope Council Leadership Team Pastoral Coaches MATERIALS TO USE The Purple Book Bible Blue Letter Bible App Verse of the Day My Utmost for His Highest Other: WHEN Time Options? Days of the Week Length of Sessions Number of Sessions Frequency People Involved WHERE Options?

11 Layer 2: Three Qualities of a Disciplemaker Teacher helping the disciple to know and believe it s about BELONGING Father helping the disciple to grow and belong it s about IDENTITY Coach helping the disciple to develop and serve it s about INFLUENCE The Jesus model of a disciplemaker includes three major characteristics: the teacher (Hear: TRUTH), the parent (Obey: CHARACTER), and the coach (Go: EXPERIENCE). THE TEACHER Truth sets us free (John 8:32). Information, while insufficient, is absolutely essential. God s Word possesses the power to save and transform anyone. Truth well taught by a life well lived is a powerful tool. Biblical illiteracy is a worldwide epidemic. When truth is absent, deception reigns; where deception reigns, destruction results. Give followers of Jesus a strong biblical knowledge and skills to mine that knowledge for themselves. This is inherent in the great commission, teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you Matt 28:20. Disciplemakers instruct others formally (studying God s word) and informally (spiritual conversations) in the whole counsel of God Acts 20:27. Foundational truths must be communicated clearly with practical application for godly living. The on-going disciplemaking relationship allows instruction and action to take place immediately. Adding relationships among believers at various stages of growth to generate maximum influence in the body is important. Being and making a disciplemaker necessitates working in partnership with those who are able to work with others as well. This is the blessing and benefit of integrating disciples into a family of believers where they can benefit from all spiritual gifts. Truth well taught by a life well lived is a powerful tool THE PARENT To know God s will for the future, we must first obey what we already know in the present! Floyd McClung, Basic Discipleship Disciplemakers provide an example of godliness coupled with the necessary responsibility of loving rebuke and correction. Like a parent, the disciplemaker recognizes that immaturity always precedes maturity. The disciplemaker must apply difficult and painful truth with grace and love, while sharing stories of past failure, victory and growth. If a disciple is convinced that his disciplemaker is committed to him, seeks his best, believes in him and unconditionally loves him, he will usually respond with humility and repentance. Repentance is always the fruit of the Spirit, so it must be preceded by and accompanied with fervent prayer, and a spirit of grace, patience and love (2 Tim 2:22-26; 4:1-2). The goal of gentle rebuke is always renewed motivation to walk in obedience. The combination of positive example with the corrective application of truth is at the heart of the parental role. Disciplemakers must ever be mindful that the disciple is accountable for his own decisions, that God alone can cause transformation in the heart, and that the fruit of growth is a process that takes time to mature.

12 THE COACH Disciplemakers have the purpose of influencing the growing disciple in the investment of their time, energies and abilities in making other disciples. To accomplish this, the coach equips others to discover their spiritual gifts and talents, assess skills and resources, and embrace obligations to invest everything in the lives of others for Jesus sake. Again, the life together approach will organically bring exposure to various ministry opportunities as they live and serve alongside of the disciplemaker. Serving early is critical. New followers of Jesus are usually eager and excited about their Serving early is critical relationship with disciplemakers, and with opportunities to serve God by serving others. The disciplemaker must remain alert and eager to involve the disciple in various venues of ministry, taking them from observer to participant to leader in the process. Afterward, evaluate the experience of serving together and so improve the next opportunity. Faithfulness is like the hinge on a door. It is only a small thing yet without it even the largest of doors will not open. By being faithful in everything God has presently spoken to us, we make a hinge on which he can swing the door wide open for us in the future Floyd McClung, Basic Discipleship Layer 3: Six Habits of an Effective Disciplemaker Often whenever we think of discipleship, it's this crazy disjointed program, "I don't know how I'm going to fit it into my life. All this missional stuff. I'm so busy!" We need to change our thinking about disciplemaking. We need to move from a mindset of something additional to one of intentional. What if God has actually given us this amazing way of seeing life that would make all of life one big huge opportunity for discipleship and mission? He has.

13 It's the rhythm of life that he's placed us in. Discipleship is not this set of activities or classes that we need to take. God has actually built the world, and everything we're about and everyone you know is in the same rhythm. It is perfectly setup already for us to live this way. Here are the six habits of effective disciplemaking. Once you see these it opens up your whole world. You re already living in these rhythms. Now you can move from additional to intentional. You can bring a gospel intentionality to them and join the dance with God in the way He has created us. We all have a story KNOWING THE STORY First one is "Know the story." We all have a story. Is our story a part of God's story, or are we believing a different story that's been told to us by our parents, our boss, people growing up, the culture. Do we know God's story as a story? We need to. If we're going to be living as disciples who make disciples we need to know God's story, we need to get to know each other's story deeply enough to apply the gospel in absolutely every area of life. LISTENING We're always listening to someone, but are we listening to God? We say it this way, "We need to listen backwards through the word of God. Who is God, how has he always been. We need to listen forward through the Holy Spirit." My prayer times are mostly filled up with me telling God what to do then I shoot off into my day. But to cultivate a habit of listening to God and in community. That's how you get to know people's stories and following the direction of the Lord in everything you do. CELEBRATING Life is living in a lifestyle of celebration. Think about all the holidays that are just coming around and birthdays, everybody you know has one, and anniversaries, and graduations. We need to join those celebrations and be the bringers of the better wine. Like Jesus was (John 2). They're going on, it's low hanging fruit. Join that event, throw the best parties. The church should be the most celebratory people on the planet. We get to live forever. Hey! Awesome! Party! People in your city should go like "I don't know if I believe what they believe, but whoa do they party! Yeah, I'm in!" EATING We're already eating 21 times a week or more. Just start thinking, "What if I was to have three meals a week with people that I'm trying to make disciples of? Not yet believers. I'm eating these meals anyway." Let's just intentionalize that. BLESS Ask the spirit to reveal to you three people that you could bless intentionally each week through either words, action, or gift. Imagine a community of people in a neighborhood like 10 or 12 all blessing three people a week. You think that neighborhood would notice? It'll transform the place. RECREATE Then this last habit is recreate. It's this idea of rest in Christ's completed work and then out of that we create beauty and we work and we create value. Resting on what Christ has done for us. Not to earn, but then we work. It's the idea of Sabbath. If you feel like your life is so jam packed that you cannot do discipleship and live on mission, you get a different rhythm? God has given you all perfect rhythm to join Him in His dance.

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