How to make disciples

How to make disciplesLay Servant Ministries’ Leadership Training Event, 2013

IntroductionsShare:•Your name•Something about yourself•Why you are here

Multiplicity

Imagine:Someone wanted to be your clone – to represent you at work, in the community, and at home.

How would you go about making that person into you?

“When Jesus walked among humankind, there was a certain simplicity to being a disciple. Primarily it meant to go with him, in an attitude of study, obedience, and imitation. There were no correspondence courses. One knew what to do and what it would cost . . . Family and friends were deserted for long periods to go with Jesus as he walked from place to place announcing, showing, and explaining the governance of God. Disciples had to be with him learn what he did.” Dallas Willard, The Spirit of Disciplines

Come and SeeParticipants: Andrew, Nathaniel, Peter, Philip, John, James, and others

Characteristics: During the information-gathering and investigation phase, the disciples made only a light commitment. They learned about the person of Jesus and the nature of his ministry and mission. Jesus wanted the disciples to know God himself, so he began as a living example.

Text: John 1:35-4:46Time: Four to five months

The Complete Book of Discipleship by Bill Hull

Come and Follow MeParticipants: 70 to 120 consistent followers

Characteristics: Jesus invitation was personal. Through his teaching and example, he desired to establish followers in the absolutes of Scripture, the importance of prayer, the need for community, and the work of outreach. Jesus’ method was “do it” and then “teach it”.

Text: Matt. 4:19, Mark 1:16-18Time: 10 to 11 months

The Complete Book of Discipleship by Bill Hull

Come and Be With MeParticipants: Primarily the twelve disciples

Characteristics: Jesus chose the disciples for two purposes: 1) to be in relationship with him and with others and 2) to send them out to preach. During this transitional phase, Jesus prepared the Twelve to take responsibility for world mission.

Text: Mark 3:13-14Time: 20 months

The Complete Book of Discipleship by Bill Hull

Remain in MeParticipants: The faithful Eleven and the entire church

Characteristics: Learning to live with and be empowered by the Holy Spirit. When Jesus physically left the world, he created the need for his followers to step up to the task of fulfilling the mission he began.

Text: John 15:5,7Time: A few hours in the Upper Room, and then a lifetime

The Complete Book of Discipleship by Bill Hull

Jesus’ ApproachGreek Way

Right thinking right acting (Mind separate from body)

•The academy•Information/ideas•Conferences•Books•Individualized

Hebrew Way Right acting right

thinking (Body, heart, mind)

•Action-reflection•Embodiment•Mentoring•Modeling•In community

Disciple-Making Lab•In community: groups of 3-4•Action-reflection: using the Multiply materials, facilitate a small group session and reflect on the experience

•Embodiment: be real with each other, sharing your learnings and struggles

•Model disciple-making•Mentor each other

Assignments• Multiply: Part 1, Lesson 1

“What is a Disciple?” pgs. 15-25•Multiply: Part 1, Lesson 2 “The Command to Make Disciples” pgs.

27-38•Multiply: Part 1, Lesson 3 “The Heart of a Disciple Maker” pgs. 39-49

•Multiply: Part 3, Lesson 1 “Why Study the Bible?” pgs. 91-107

Multiply Sessions: 1. Prior to class, work through the study

guide session and answer all the questions as best as you can.

2. At the start of each session, we’ll watch the leader video. Take notes on how you might want to guide your disciple(s) either now or in the future.

3. Hold your session (50 minutes)4. Reflect at your tables, then as a large

group.

Weekend AgendaSaturday, August 17th

▫8:30 – 10:00 am Setting the Stage▫10:30 -11:45 Multiply: Part 1, Lesson 1▫1:30-2:45 pm Multiply: Part 1, Lesson 2▫3:00 – 4:15 Multiply: Part 1, Lesson 3▫6:30 – 7:45 Multiply: Part 3, Lesson 1▫7:45 – 8:30 Wrap-Up

Sunday, August 18th

▫8:30 – 10:30 Intentional Disciple-Making

How to make disciplesIntentional Disciple-Making

Multiplicity

John 17:20-2320 “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.

22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— 23 I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

Three Chairs Bruce Wilkinson

Three ChairsIn your groups, share:

•Where you see yourself•What you are hearing God say to you

•Pray for each other

The Great “Omission” Dallas Willard

“I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth.  Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.  Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Matthew 28:18-20, NLT

Old Willow Creek ModelThe more a person far from God participates in church activities, the more likely it is those activities will produce a person who is a fully devoted follower of Jesus.

Willow Creek, Move (What 1,000 Churches REVEAL about Spiritual Growth)

Exploring

Christ

Growing

in Christ

Close to

Christ

Christ-

Centered

They discovered a Spiritual Continuum

Exploring

Christ

Growing

in Christ

Close to

Christ

Christ-

Centered

Spiritual Growth occurs in Three Movements Across the Spiritual Continuum

Movement

1

Movement

3

Movement

2

Willow Creek, Move (What 1,000 Churches REVEAL about Spiritual Growth)

Willow CreekBeliefs andAttitudes

Exploring

Christ

Growing

in Christ

Close to

Christ

Christ-

Centered

Movement

1

Movement

3

Movement 2

1. Salvation by Grace2. The Trinity3. Personal God4. Christ is First5. Authority of the Bible6. Identity in Christ7. Giving Away My Life8. Stewardship

Willow CreekActivities

Exploring

Christ

Growing

in Christ

Close to

Christ

Christ-

Centered

Movement

1

Movement

3

Movement

2 1. Serve the Church2. Weekend Services3. Small Groups4. Serve Those in Need

through My Church5. Spiritual Education

Classes6. Additional

Teaching/Worship

Willow CreekPractices

Exploring

Christ

Growing

in Christ

Close to

Christ

Christ-

Centered

Movement

1

Movement 3

Movement 2

1. Reflection on Scripture 2. Bible Reading 3. Prayer to Seek

Guidance4. Prayer to Confess Sins 5. Tithing6. Journaling7. Solitude

Daily

Willow CreekActivities withothers

Exploring

Christ

Growing

in Christ

Close to

Christ

Christ-

Centered

Movement

1

Movement 3

Movement 2

1. Spiritual Friendships

2. Evangelism3. Serving Those in

Need on My Own4. Spiritual Mentors

Willow Creek•Sunday morning service is challenging•Daily Bible reading is an expectation•Wednesday night is for helping people advance in their spiritual journey

•Spiritual community is vital to growth •Even more energy toward serving the local community

Alan Hirsch, The Forgotten Ways

•Raise the bar on discipleship

•Develop a set of discipleship practices

•Activate the priesthood of all believers

How to make disciplesLay Servant Ministries’ Leadership Training Event, 2013