Discipleship Strategies 7th Class Greg Ford
Two Weeks Final
Spiritual Gifts Test Online www.kodachrome.org/spiritgift
God s unfolding plan
Earth filled with people filled with Him ORIGINAL
Divide languages to reach them BABEL
Blessed to be a Blessing Abraham s Top line & Bottom line
Completion Mt 24:14 - all nations (ethne) Rev 5 & 7 - all nations (ethne)
God s Commands Circumcision Follow law of Moses
Jews Gentiles God Old Testament
God s Commands Circumcision Follow law of Moses
Jesus Jews Gentiles Acts 15
Jews Jesus Gentiles Acts 15
Guidelines Don t make it difficult for Gentiles turning to God Avoid food offered to idols Avoid sexual immorality Avoid strangled animal meat Avoid consuming blood
Jars of Clay
Jars of Clay
Jewish Greek Latin Germanic English
Cultures America Coke Porn MTV Other Family values Relationships Simplicity
Christian Believer Blood washed Spirit filled Church 3 M s Missionaries Military Markets
Christianity Jesus Today Hindu Christians Muslim Christians Buddhist Christians Communist Christians
Jesus Commands Repent Be baptized Lord s supper Love God & others Pray Give Disciple
Challenge Share Christ, not our traditions or culture
Church Exam 1. What of eternal significance happens in the lives of your church members? 2. In what ways are you members ministering? 3. What percentage of your members are involved in ministry? 4. Do your members ministries result in the spiritual growth of faith, knowledge, & maturity? 5. Do the lifestyles of your members reflect the principles and character of Christ? 6. What percentage of your member s lifestyles reflect that of a growing Christian? 7. What percentage of your members are easily shaken in their faith and vulnerable to deceitful schemes? 8. Is there spiritual and numerical growth in your church? 9. Do your members mutually edify and build up one another?
How to Develop a Discipling Church? Identify the mission/purpose and vision of the church Lead the church to understand & embrace the strategies and values of the discipling philosophy Identify your present ministries Begin to build people on purpose
Two Models IPHC & AoG
IPHC Making Disciples Reach 3 Plant 3 Disciple 3
Making Disciples
Mission 21 Reach 3 Plant 3
Disciple 3 And now
Making Disciples DISCIPLESHIP is the key to effective ministry. Nothing we do has more potential to change people, our church, and the world.
Understanding the Process The scriptural definition Examining the call How did Jesus select disciples? How did Jesus make disciples? What is important to Jesus?
Scriptural Definition the problem I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? (1 Corinthians 3:1-3, KJV)
Scriptural Definition the solution Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ. (Ephesians 4:13-15, KJV)
Scriptural Definition the commission God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I ll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age. (Matt. 28:18-20, The Message).
Examining the Call Making disciples is not simply making converts. Making disciples involves a redirection of a person s life toward obedience to Christ. Making disciples takes place in the context of close and loving personal relationships. Making disciples is a group process. Making disciples involves helping others respond to Christ s call to service and godliness. The high calling of discipleship is the privilege and the responsibility of every believer.
Discipleship: The Gateway to Ministry Missions Conversion Church Education Men s Ministries Discipleship Women s Ministries Godly Families Calling/Vocation Stewardship
How Did Jesus Select Disciples? Jesus was not afraid to call someone whose reputation would put a strain on the group (Simon the Zealot or Matthew the tax collector). Jesus was not afraid to call someone who He knew would betray Him. Jesus called two sets of brothers. He had an inner circle of 3, then 12, then 70.
How Did Jesus Make Disciples? The best way to learn how to make disciples is to go to school with Jesus. We discover that His school is not like most of the educational methods used in Western culture, which focus on learning information.
The Model Jesus summed up discipleship when He told the Twelve, Everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher (Luke 6:40). Discipleship involves the direction of the Christian s life toward obedience, to become like Jesus.
Jesus Used Two Primary Ways of Teaching: Instruction and Modeling He lectured. He used parables. He demonstrated the power of His teachings through His actions. He gave His disciples opportunities to exercise what they had learned while being with Him.
Transformational Relationships Jesus took the twelve on a three-year apprenticeship. He poured His mission and life into them. Jesus recognized the future character of followers and gave them new identities. Jesus took the twelve to retreats for times of prayer and teaching (Luke 9:10; 11:1-4). He gave them opportunities to see His ministry and then put that ministry into practice.
What Is Important to Jesus? Abide in My word (John 8:31,32). Love one another (John 13:34). Bear much fruit (John 15:8).
Mapping the Journey Step One: Disciple 3 Prayer Strategy Step Two: Focus the Church (Easter to Pentecost) Step Three: Use the Jesus Model Step Four: A Way of Life
Step One: Disciple 3 Prayer Strategy DAY OF GLOBAL PRAYER AND FASTING A vital part of being a disciple of Christ is prayer and fasting. The International Pentecostal Holiness Church has been called to observe a Day of Global Prayer and Fasting. The Day of Global Prayer and Fasting will be held on the second Wednesday in January each year.
JOIN THE FIRST FRIDAY FAST! Christian leaders around the world have been observing the first Friday of each month as a day of fasting and prayer since the days of John Wesley. It is a day to humble ourselves as we seek God together.
ESTABLISHING MISSION 21 PRAYER WATCHES Pray for the Nations Mission 21 Prayer Watches for the Nations are to be observed in every local church each month by keeping a 12-hour prayer vigil for the nations assigned to you. Prayer Watch Assignments
Step Two: Focus the Church Preparing for the Release of the Spirit Fifty Days: The Journey From Easter to Pentecost
Preparing for the Release of the Spirit Teach and preach about the victory of Christ. Teach and preach about the Holy Spirit. Lead people to grow in knowledge of the Holy Spirit. Lead people to experience the liberty and joy of victory through sanctification. Lead people to receive the baptism with the Holy Spirit. Recognize and release the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Lead people to recognize the purpose of the church, the body of Christ.
Fifty Days: The Journey From Easter to Pentecost Track One: Small Group Studies. Develop special small groups and/or Sunday school classes that will study about the Holy Spirit. Track Two: Sermon Series. Pastors are encouraged to preach about the Holy Spirit during the seven weeks from Easter to Pentecost, with an emphasis upon leading people to the baptism with the Holy Spirit.
Step Three: Use the Jesus Model Making disciples takes place in the context of close and loving personal relationships. Making disciples is a group process in which each participant contributes to the growth in commitment of the others.
THREE LEVELS OF SMALL GROUPS Introductory Groups These groups normally cover the basics of Christianity. Developmental Groups Developmental groups are for your people who have committed their lives to following Jesus Christ and understand the basics of the Christian life. Equipping Groups Equipping groups are geared toward the core leadership or mature believers in your church, challenging them to love and good works, equipping them to use their spiritual gifts.
METHODS OF DISCIPLING New Beginners Class Mentoring Small Groups Long-Term Ongoing Courses New Beginning Ministry Opportunities Sunday School
Step Four: A Way of Life This guide to discipleship is not intended to be only a twoyear emphasis. It is intended to become a way of life. From Easter to Pentecost should become an annual renewal of our commitment to the discipleship process. Each year new discipleship groups should be formed. As discipleship groups multiply over the years, new leaders with pastoral and leadership gifts and skills will emerge, providing leaders for a growing church. Discipleship groups may continue by selecting the next study guide from the Core Components of Discipleship.
Four Core Components of IPHC Discipleship Basic Christian Beliefs Suggested Resource: First Things First, Russell Board Lifestyle Evangelism Suggested Resource: Friendship Evangelism, Evangelism USA and Men s Ministries Spiritual Formation Suggested Resource: The Purpose-Driven Life, Rick Warren You and Your Ministry Suggested Resource: Spiritual Gifts: Ministries and Manifestations, B. E. Underwood
REVIEW Step One: Disciple 3 Prayer Strategy Step Two: Focus the Church Step Three: Use the Jesus Model Step Four: A Way of Life
Remember: Making Disciples is not one of the things the church does; it is what the church does. Making Disciples is God s plan for building healthy churches and His strategy for reaching the world.
AoG We Build People
Discipleship Components 1. Diamond of Spiritual Growth 2. Non-negotiable Values 3. Five levels of Commitment
Diamond of Spiritual Growth 1. Membership 2. Maturity 3. Ministry 4. Mission
Stages : Commitments 1. Membership 2. Maturity 3. Ministry 4. Mission 1. Include 2. Instruct 3. Involve 4. Invest
Membership (Include) Identify needs and minister to them Build informal relationship with individuals Include the unchurched in church related groups Share the gospel with the unconverted
Maturity (Instruct) Enroll the believer in a discipleship group Teach spiritual disciplines Establish a mentoring relationship Model a Biblical life-style
Ministry (Involve) Help identify the person s ministry gifts Establish a ministry apprenticeship Provide leadership training Model servant character
Mission (Invest) Provide cross-cultural experiences Provide Leadership experiences Provide opportunities to disciple others Provide continued leadership training
Membership Processes & Events Sunday School Small group Bible study Guest follow up Assimilation strategies Outreach ministries Outreach groups Church/Class social activities Sequence Evangelism seminars Outreach groups Support/Recovery groups Parenting Seminars Parents night out Children's events Cradle roll day Children's day Baby dedication Big Day activities Christmas Easter Life Issue Seminars Money management Stess management Parenting
Maturity Processes & Events Sunday School Growth/Discipleship groups Bible Institute New Convert classes Recovery/Support groups Elective classes Divorce Recovery Support groups Life Issue Seminars Money management Stress management Parenting Spiritual Development Retreat
Ministry Processes & Events Sunday school Ministry Discovery class Ministry Development class Basic Leadership training Training & Apprenticeship for all ministries Mentoring opportunities Ministry Fair Leadership Development seminar Ministry Development seminar
Mission Processes & Events Sunday school Mission teams Cross-cultural mission opportunities Ongoing Ministry /Leadership training Church-focused ministry Ushers Music Drama Children, Youth Men s, Women s Community-focused ministry Outreach seminars Homeless Unwed mothers Outreach campaigns Vacation Bible school TESLA Backyard Bible clubs Short-term task groups Recovery/Support groups Crisis intervention Unwed Mother s home
Discipleship Components 1. Diamond of Spiritual Growth 2. Non-negotiable Values 3. Five levels of Commitment
Non-negotiable Values 1. Every person has a right to a presentation of the Gospel at his/her level of understanding 2. Every person needs a Biblical moral compass to guide and protect them 3. Every believer has unique gifts to be developed and used to strengthen the church 4. Every believer has a purpose in advancing the global mission of the church
Discipleship Components 1. Diamond of Spiritual Growth 2. Non-negotiable Values 3. Five levels of Commitment
Five Levels of Commitment 1. Community I think I ll go to church. It s Christmas 2. Crowd I think I ll go to church. I haven t gone the last few weeks. 3. Congregation I know that I ll be missed if I don t go to Bible study 4. Committed I want to grow in my faith and relationship with God 5. Core I want to please God, serve others, & achieve His purpose for my life
A View of the Discipling Church 1. Diamond of Spiritual Growth 2. Non-negotiable Values 3. Five levels of Commitment
Base 1 Individual commits to a personal relationship with Christ & to the local church Church implements ministries that build relationships with unconverted Identifies needs & ministers to them Builds informal relationships with individuals Includes the unchurched in church-related groups Shares Gospel with unconverted
Base 2 Person becomes committed to spiritual growth by developing Disciplines Values Characteristics Life-style of a disciple Church implements Instructional strategies Enroll in a discipleship group Teach spiritual disciplines Establish mentoring relationship Model a Biblical lifestyle
Base 3 People discover and develop their God-given gifts and calling The Church implements strategies that: Help identify ministry gifts Establish a ministry apprenticeship Provide leadership training Model servant character
Base 4 People invest in the global mission of Christ and the church, thus fulfilling their life purpose The Church implements strategies that provide: Cross-cultural experiences Leadership experiences Discipleship opportunities Leadership training