Discipleship Guide & Toolkit
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Discipleship Guide & Toolkit Table of Contents This is Mosaic 4 What is Discipleship? 6 How do we make Disciples? 7 What are the elements of Intentional Discipleship? 12 Recommended Resources 15
This is Mosaic What we do We demonstrate our passion for God and His passion for people How we do it Love God, Love people, Serve the World Why we do it The good news of the Gospel that Jesus came for us. In and through the work of Jesus Christ on our behalf, our souls have been rescued, our future has been redeemed, and our purpose has been restored. Our Organizational Purpose Equip the Saints Facilitate growth in devotion to God and mission for His kingdom. Impact the World Facilitate engagement locally and globally for the saints. Expand the Story Facilitate the gospel growth of the saints to accomplish the mission. Our Values Get Loud - Our primary goal has never been numeric growth, but we do want to be loud. We actually believe that together, we can change the world and leave our mark for the Gospel on the fabric of humanity. Surprise and Delight - We strive to exceeding expectations. It s why we will often give out a small gift at the end of a gathering or go out of our way to greet someone and make them feel welcome. Details Matter - We care deeply about excellence in the little things. It s why we buy the more expensive softer toilet paper rather than the cheaper industrial toilet paper. It s why we plan out what happens in our gatherings. Page 4
Fearless Generosity - We strive to serve others even when it costs us something, even when it is risky. We will always choose to serve at the cost of surviving, rather than surviving at the cost of serving. It s why we give generously of our time, treasure, and talent to serve others. It s why we celebrate when someone is living on mission locally or globally or leaves our church to go be a part of a church plant. Vulnerability - We care deeply about authenticity. It s why we share stories that show both the struggles and the redemption that comes with following Jesus. It s why we encourage people to engage in Biblical Community. Connect, Discover, Respond - We believe everyone has a story and that our stories matter. It s why we encourage getting to know each other s stories. It s why Mosaic was built over cups of coffee. Heart Transformation vs. Behavior Modification - What we measure as success matters greatly. It s why we are intentional about calling people to believe the Gospel rather than just modifying their behavior. It s why in our preaching and discipleship we challenge people to let the truth of the Gospel inform how they live. Relational, Transformational, Missional - We believe that God invites us into a journey of discipleship and sanctification. It s why we want our Gatherings to be a place where people can have an authentic experience with God. And It s why we encourage everyone to be a part of a Missional Community where they can connect with one another in relationship, help one another to apply the Gospel to everyday life, and spur one another on to love and good deeds. Soul Care - We believe that real life is not found in what we can produce, but in the depth of our devotion and intimacy with Jesus. God invites us to live in a consistent rhythm of devotion and mission through the practice of the disciplines of the faith and Sabbath rest. It s why we build margin into our lives and pursue spaces where we can grow in our intimacy with God, with our spouse and/or deepest friendships, and with our Biblical community. Page 5
What is Discipleship? If we are going to demonstrate our passion for God and His passion for people, we need to learn how to Love God, Love people, and Serve the World. This is why discipleship is a vital part of a healthy church. To make disciples is to lead others into becoming active followers of Christ. Discipleship is about helping people trust and follow Jesus. It is a process of journeying with someone from where they are to where God wants them to be. Discipleship is an invitation to follow Jesus: To trust in Him as both Savior and Lord To learn from His words and His ways To learn how to Love God, Love people, and Serve the World To find real life and freedom To choose His glory over your own, and His ways over your own ways. To reorient your life around His story, His Mission The word disciple refers to a student or apprentice. Disciples in Jesus day would follow their rabbi (which means teacher) wherever he went, learning from the rabbi s teaching and being trained to do as the rabbi did. - Francis Chan, Multiply Discipleship means personal, passionate devotion to a Person our Lord Jesus Christ. There is a vast difference between devotion to a person and devotion to principles or to a cause. Our Lord never proclaimed a cause He proclaimed personal devotion to Himself. To be a disciple is to be a devoted bondservant motivated by love for the Lord Jesus. - Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest Luke 6:40; 9:23-25, Mark 10:42-45, Matthew 11:28-30; 28:18-20 Page 6
How do we make Disciples? First, we must look to how Jesus made Disciples When we look at Jesus ministry, we find him making disciples in several different contexts of relationship. Context Major Expression Gospel Passages What Happened Public Jesus and the Crowds Matthew 5:1-2, John 6:1-2, Mark 6:34 Social Jesus and the 70 Luke 10:1, Matthew 9:9-13, Luke 19 Personal Jesus and the 12 John 13, Matthew 8:23-27, Mark 8:27-33 Transparent Jesus and the 3 Luke 9:28-36, Mark 10:35-45, Matthew 26:36-38 Sermon on the Mount, Feeding the 5,000, Compassion for the shepherd-less The 70 are sent out, Eating with Matthew s tax collector friends, Party at the home of Zacchaeus Washing the disciples feet, Calming the storm, confession (and rebuke) of Peter Transfiguration, James and John s request, Looking for prayer support at Gethsemane Divine Jesus and the Father Mark 1:35, Luke 6:12, John 5:19 Waking early to pray, Before calling the Twelve, Jesus does only what he sees the Father doing. *Table Source: Discipleship that Fits - Bobby Harrington & Alex Absalom It is clear from Jesus life and ministry that discipleship is all about relationship The context for discipleship is not simply a pulpit, a classroom, or a coffee shop, but rather relationships in all these environments. When Jesus tells His Disciples to Go therefore and make disciples of all nations he assumes they know how to do that because they had just spent three years following Jesus, watching Jesus, and being discipled by Jesus. Just like Jesus first Disciples, we are called to learn the Gospel, live out the Gospel, and lead others into the Gospel. Our job is to learn from Jesus, our Savior and then put it into practice, to live it out. And then we teach others what He has taught us. Page 7
How does this translate into Ministry at Mosaic? Context Size Focus Learning from Jesus Church Expression Outcomes Public 100s Preaching Truth Worship Jesus and the Crowds Gatherings Events Inspiration Celebration Movement Social 20-70 Shepherding Equipping Mobilizing Jesus and the 70 MiC Collectives Ministry Teams Equipping Classes Multiplication Mission Impact Personal 12-18 Support Challenge Practice Jesus and the 12 Missional Communities Men/Women s Groups Support Groups Devotion Mission Community Transparent 2-5 Vulnerability Accountability Growth Jesus and the 3 Deepest friendships Marriage Intentional Discipleship Intimacy Transformation Maturity Divine Alone with God Being with your Creator and Redeemer Jesus and the Father Personal Walk Intimacy Identity Devotion All of these contexts of relationship make up our Biblical Community which is a means by which we are equipped and by which we demonstrate our passion for God and His passion for people. Community is not a goal unto itself, but the Christian life was never mean t to be lived alone. Page 8
Rhythm vs. Balance A word of caution here, you may look at those 5 contexts of relationship and think, no way do I have time for all that. Or we may be tempted to think we just need to try and balance all of those relationships giving equal time to each one. But actually, what God invites us into is to live in a healthy rhythm of engaging in work, community, and Sabbath rest Prioritizing our Investment As leaders, we must prioritize our level of investment in others for the sake of making Disciples. We start with the most intimate and work our way out. Remember, the goal is for all of us to be disciples who makes disciples. 1. Divine Relationship - Am I consistently getting alone with God to grow in my intimacy with my Creator and Redeemer? Do I prioritize time to allow His Spirit and His Word space to shape my identity and devotion in Him? 2. Transparent Relationships - Am I living in vulnerability and openness with a few people? Do I prioritizing time with my spouse and/or deepest friendships to walk in intimacy and openness for the sake of gospel driven transformation in my life and theirs? 3. Personal Relationships - Am I doing life with a community of people that will support and challenge me to live in greater devotion and mission with Jesus? Do I prioritize being a part of a team of people focused on knowing and living out the Gospel? 4. Social Relationships - Am I regularly giving of my time, treasure, and talents to serve the church and advance the Kingdom? Do I make time to participate with others in God s mission to rescue the lost, redeem and restore the broken in our world? 5. Public Relationships - Am I regularly participating in the corporate gathering of my local church family to be inspired and equipped by the preaching of God s Word? Do I regularly participate in worship to celebrate what God has done and is doing in me and through the larger movement of His church? Page 9
Ministry Teams, Events, and Classes. Holistic Discipleship Gatherings Personal Walk with God Intentional Discipleship Relationships Missional Communities Page 10
How do we help move people towards deeper Discipleship at Mosaic? Page 11
What are the elements of Intentional Discipleship? Information: What do they need to know? Learning as Disciples If we are going to journey with someone in an intentional process of Discipleship, where do we start? First, we need to ask, what do they need to learn? What information does someone need to know as a disciple of Jesus? As disciples, we need know and understand the Gospel. We need to understand how God has rescued our souls, redeemed our future, and restored our purpose. The good news of the Gospel should begin to inform our new identity in Christ and our new Mission as His redeemed people. In this phase, you are taking the ownership of their discipleship: I do, you watch. You initiate, invite, and challenge. Key Information: Gospel Story Why is the gospel good news? What is the Story that God is writing throughout Human History? How is Jesus the hero of the Story? What is our part in God s Story? Gospel Doctrine What are the core beliefs of the Christian Faith? What is God like? Why is their evil and suffering in the world? Why did Jesus die on the Cross? What does it mean to be saved? What is the Church? Where will I go when I die? What is our future hope? Gospel Identity What does it mean to be a new creation? How does God see me? How should I view others? What does it mean to be a child of God? What does it mean to be a citizen of God s Kingdom? Gospel Mission What is our Mission? How do we live on Mission? How do we demonstrate and declare the Gospel? How do we live all of life for the Glory of God? How do we make Disciples? Page 12
Imitation: What do they need to be shown? Living as Family Second, we need to ask, how do they need to live? What is the way of life that we are to imitate as a disciple of Jesus? What do they need to see or experience? What do they need to put into practice? As disciples, we need to live as Family. The way of life we are to imitate is found in the disciplines of the faith which help us to grow in our intimacy with God and our Biblical community. Through the disciplines of the faith we learn how to Love God, Love people and Serve the world. In this phase, they re taking ownership of their own discipleship: I do, you help. You do, I help. An exchange happens, you are teaching them how to fish Key Experiences: Doing life in Community Disciplines of the Faith Sabbath Rhythms Leadership as a Christ follower is about saying Follow Me as I follow Christ. Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ. 1 Corinthians 11:1 ESV Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. Hebrews 13:7 ESV Page 13
Innovation: What do they need to do? Leading on Mission Finally, we need to ask, what do they need to take ownership of? Where do they need to lead? In what ways are they specifically called and gifted to follow Jesus on Mission? As disciples, we need to lead on Mission. Jesus is at work Rescuing, Redeeming, and Restoring. And we are invited to join Jesus on His Mission We are both recipients of redemption and participants in the unfolding story of Redemption. We know where the Story is going - the earth will be filled with the Glory of God - so we follow Jesus on mission in that direction We make disciples, we plant new churches, and we engage in works of justice & mercy because Jesus is making all things new. In this phase, they re taking ownership of the discipleship of others: You do, I cheer. Remember, the goal of discipleship is to lead others into becoming fully active followers of Christ who are growing in a life of devotion and mission with God Key Areas of Ownership: Missional Living Leadership Development Church is not an event. It s a Community. Mission is not an event. It s a Lifestyle. We are called to live ordinary life with Gospel Intentionality. - Tim Chester, Total Church Page 14
Recommended Resources The Gospel-Centered Life Series (New Growth Press) 1. The Gospel Centered Life by Robert Thune & Will Walker 2. The Gospel-Centered Community by Robert Thune & Will Walker 3. The Gospel-Centered Life at Work by Robert Alexander 4. The Gospel-Centered Parent by Rose Marie Miller & Deborah Harrell The Gospel Transformation Series (New Growth Press) 1. Gospel Identity by Serge.org 2. Gospel Growth by Serge.org 3. Gospel Love by Serge.org New Believers (Victory Series) 1. God's Story for You by Neil Anderson 2. Your New Identity by Neil Anderson 3. Your Foundation in Christ by Neil Anderson Stewardship (Relationships, Resources, Circumstances) 1. Give Them Grace by Elyse Fitzpatrick 2. The Marriage Builder by Larry Crabb 3 Experiencing Christ Together by Neil Anderson 4. Money: God or Gift by Jamie Munson Spiritual Disciplines 1. Habits of Grace by David Mathis 2. Women of the Word by Jen Wilken 3. A Praying Life by Paul Miller 4. The Jesus Life by Stephen Smith 5. Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster Missional Living 1. The Gospel Primer by Ceasar Kalinowski 2. Everyday Church by Tim Chester & Steve Timmis 3. Gospel in Life by Timothy Keller 4. When Helping Hurts: The Small Group Experience by Steve Corbett 5. The Art of Neighboring by Jay Pathak & Dave Runyon 6. ALL IN Orphan Care: Small Group Curriculum by Jason Johnson Page 15