Archive for Disciplemaking – Page 2

Sunday School, Disciplemaking, and the Great Commission

By Mike Taylor · Comments (0)
Friday, September 21st, 2018

As we conclude our theme of “Making Disciples” for this year, let’s take another look at the Great Commission. We understand that we are to make disciples. We know that this can be done through Sunday School, preaching, and other means of teaching and expounding upon God’s Word. A disciple is made when he or she is engaged in making more disciples. So what keeps us from doing the work of disciple-making? Yes, it is work. It takes time, resources, and an investment from our lives into the lives of others.

When looking at the Great Commission, we need to understand that not everyone is on board with the idea of making disciples. Yes, many will go about the routines of church without engaging in the work of making disciples. Sometimes churches continue the weekly routine and have no evidence of persons growing in their faith to the point of helping others to grow in theirs.

In Matthew 28:16, the scripture tells us that not everyone will be on board. Jesus said that there were those who doubted even after they had seen His miracles and heard His teaching. They still did not worship Him. Jesus saw those sitting on the sidelines and addressed them by giving them and us the charge of the Great Commission.

Regardless of those who are not willing to do the work of disciple-making, we must move forward with those who are willing. We must be one who is willing. It is a personal decision to make disciples. Waiting for everyone else will keep us from making disciples with anyone. Who are you discipling? We need to lead those in our group to be disciple-makers. You need to do this as you teach, but you also need to have those you are working with on a personal level as well.

Disciples are “made” according to Matthew 28:19. Coming to know Christ as Savior indicates a choice to be a disciple. When we fail to follow through with disciple-making, it drastically reduces our capacity to reach more with the gospel. Those who have been discipled well will want to share their faith with others. It is part of who they are as disciples of Christ.

Here are some simple steps that can help you become a better disciple-maker with your group.

• Prepare and teach your group as if everyone in the room will one day become a disciple-maker.
• Walk with individuals in your group through the struggles and celebrations of life while pointing them to Christ.
• Understand that not everyone will be willing to be discipled. Disciple-making is a personal decision and not everyone will respond to that call upon their lives.
• Pray about who God would have you disciple. Just because a person has been a good attender in your group or is a church member does not mean that someone has personally invested in him or her.
• Practice evangelism from the perspective of disciple-making as Jesus did. Lead people to Christ. Share life with them. Show them the importance of leading others to faith as well.

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Categories : Disciplemaking, Evangelism, Mission, Outreach/Evangelism, Sunday School, Unreached people groups

Disciplemaking and Transformation

By Lance Crowell · Comments (0)
Wednesday, September 19th, 2018

https://vimeo.com/sbtconline/review/290202284/fa7ab20b56

https://vimeo.com/sbtconline/review/290202284/fa7ab20b56

Today’s culture is obsessed with transformation. Many television shows are built on some sort of dramatic change leading to a complete metamorphosis. The climax of these shows is that moment when the bus is moved, the screens are rolled away or the person walks out from behind the curtain and there is a collective awe. These transformations are dramatic, and they amaze us. Unfortunately, our propensity for this nearly immediate modification, has caused some real issues in our understanding and process of disciple-making in the church.

Three ways the culture has created a wrong understanding of transformation:
1. Instant – Through the magic of TV editing, we have become accustomed to changes in 22-minute or 42-minute segments and therefore transformation is perceived as something nearly instantaneous. Some have taken this same approach in the church. Leaders frequently struggle or even disengaged if transformation is not quick and easy.
• The Truth – Transformation is a process. It is a long slow work in the lives of believers. It is never instant and often it’s very messy.
2. Complete – The key to each of these TV programs is they finish by the end of the show. The transformation is done just in the nick of time and it’s wonderful. It looks amazing. They undertook an immense task and they made it happen.
• The Truth – In our disciple-making it is never complete. We are always a work in progress, and everyone is different, so transformation has a unique look in each person.
3. Visible – These complete changes are clear to see. They show the before and after leaving no doubt that a massive work has been completed.
• The Truth – When we talk about making disciples this involves people, not things, and entails a transformation that begins on the inside and works its way out. It can be difficult to see the transformation and many give up on the process.

The mandate in Jesus’ commission, to his disciples and all believers, is to make disciples that will in turn make disciples. The original disciples, in the book of Acts, were sent out into the world to replicate their faith to every tribe and tongue. Sadly, today’s culture has become so focused on the instant that we have lost this beautiful art of transformation.

If you want to focus on spiritual transformation in your church here are three things to keep in mind.

1. Non-linear – (Sorry to drop a math term) Most of the time, transformation in someone’s life is one step forward and two-steps backward. We have so many struggles and issues to work through that it’s not a constant growth. It resembles the stock market with its ups and downs more than a straight climb. The key with this is to make spiritual progress. The speed of the progress is less important than the fact that there is movement in the right direction.

2. Clear Definition – A number of these television shows are so successful because they know what a good final result looks like. Too often in the church we start the process of transformation, but we have no idea what a disciple does or spiritually looks like. If we don’t know what we are trying to produce, we won’t get anywhere.
3. Multiplication – The end goal is always multiplication. Many times, we have a focus on helping people mature to live better Christian lives. There is nothing wrong with this desire. The struggle is that Jesus told us to make disciples. You are a disciple when you are making disciples of others who in turn will make disciples of others. It’s a chain that goes back to Jesus and will only end when he returns for his bride.

Transformation is from God. When we see it in the world or even a TV show it demonstrates a beautiful picture of redemption and change. He does it every day. However, the greatest picture of true transformation happens in the lives of people who turn from their sin and trust and walk with him. They in turn help others do the same, and this happens time and time again, disciples making disciples.

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Categories : 31 Days of Transformational Class, Bible Study, Disciplemaking, Sunday School, Transformation
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Beyond Disciple Now: Ongoing Student Disciplemaking

By Jason McNair · Comments (0)
Monday, September 17th, 2018

It is inevitable. Pizza gets cold. Popcorn turns stale. Soda gets flat. Even our favorite popular Christian songs of the now will be the songs we skip over on our Spotify playlists tomorrow. Much of the elements we often spend the majority of our time in Student Ministry eventually go the way of cold pizza and flat soda pop. They are temporal in nature and that is not a bad thing. It only becomes a problem if ALL that we do in student ministry is based in the temporal things of ministry. We need to be intentional about investing in things that matter, the eternal things of Student Ministry. One of the most important things we can do for our students is help them make disciples that make disciples.

First, let’s look at what Discipling Students is NOT:

• Discipleship is not an event: We plan amazing weekend discipleship events and gather active students and first time guests together in one place. We set them up in homes with young and motivated student leaders that point them toward life transformation. We call these events Disciple Now Weekends and they are a staple of youth groups across the country. But they are just an entry point to discipleship encounters with students. They can be launching pads for ongoing discipleship journeys, but we fall short if we think that they, alone, will make disciples of our students.

• Discipleship is not a midweek message: We pour hours of preparation into the perfect message, a combination of relatable illustrations, funny stories, video clips and cap it off with sound, verse by verse exposition of scripture that would make any preaching professor proud. While great Bible teaching is certainly needed in our youth groups, that alone will not lead students to ongoing discipleship encounters. As much as we work to put the right words together, it is unlikely that any of the students will remember most of what we share one year from the day you present it.

• Discipleship is not easy: You can’t just add a few hours of time into your schedule to invest in a handful of students and expect to create followers of Christ. Disciple making cannot be compartmentalized like we do with other aspects of our lives. Students are complicated, messy, and a myriad of other adjectives. They are all of these because they are fallen like we are. When we dedicate ourselves to intentional discipleship, we need to be prepared to die to ourselves.
So, if it is NOT all these things, what is Discipleship of Students?

• Discipleship is biblical: We have many passages of scripture that point us to the command to make disciples. Matthew 28:19-20, 2 Timothy 2:2, Romans 10:14-15, and many more. We need to heed the commands in scripture to replicate who we are in Christ with others. Jesus used scripture to teach his followers the ways of his father, God. We need to do likewise.

• Discipleship is relational: It does not call for a program. It calls for a relationship. You must invest in the lives or your students beyond the calendar of activities. Encourage your student leaders to spend time building godly relationships with students in ways that build trust, transparency, and earn the right to speak into the lives of your students.

• Discipleship is who we are, not a part we play: Making disciples is not one of the many tasks that appear on a Student Pastor job description. It becomes part of your DNA. When you are a disciple maker, it becomes part of who you are. Even when you make mistakes, you use those times to mold students into an understanding of God’s grace and how you respond should be a mirror of how Christ would respond in a given situation. Let your life be a reflection of Christ in you.

Jason McNair is State Missionary for Strengthening Churches at Utah Idaho Southern Baptist Convention. He has worked in Student Ministry at churches and ministries in Texas, Utah, Georgia and has served as a national trainer for LifeWay Church Resources in the area of Student Group Ministry.

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Categories : Bible Study, Disciplemaking, Learning, Sunday School, Teaching
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Three Essentials for Discipling Children

By Mark Jones · Comments (0)
Friday, September 14th, 2018

Is your church committed to the spiritual development of children?

Provide a clear commitment of spiritual development for kids. What do you want kids to know and do by the time they move into the youth ministry? Be able to quote the lines from “Dave and the Giant Pickle” Christian video? I hope not! Children’s leaders and teachers need a commitment to these three objectives and to see themselves as a part of a team that is impacting the lives of children.

Know Jesus * Learn Bible Skills * Show Children How to Serve

Know Jesus

Children are so impressionable and want to please adults. We never have to be pushy with the gospel but we must pray for our kids and faithfully tell them about Jesus. Parents are not impressed with the crafts their kids make in class. They are impressed when they hear a teacher ask about the child’s salvation experience, read how the teacher is praying for their child and see the teacher building a relationship of love with their child. Teachers must take advantage of sharing the plan of salvation each month during class. This will help focus children to know the gift of salvation God is offering them. Share Christ!

Learn Bible Skills

Children must obtain their Bible skills. Parents do not have this on their radar. Whenever I insist that children’s workers and parents must help kids obtain their Bible Skills, no one pushes back. If kids do not know how to use their Bibles, they will become handicapped Christians unable to feed themselves spiritually. Bible skills are not taught in the youth or adult departments and the responsibility lies square on our shoulders. Teachers and parents can easily teach and reinforce learning the books of the Bible, how to use the Bible and memorize verses. These are lifelong skills that will make a huge difference for loving the word of God and hiding it in your heart. Parents that hear their child reciting verses or finding verses in their Bible are amazed and grateful for the investment the church is making in their child. Teach Bible skills!

Show Children How to Serve

Children are some of the most selfish people. Many adults are selfish too. Children must be shown how to give. It is important to hear about missions but doing the work of serving others is of much greater value. Kids enjoy opportunities to do for others. They are hands-on learners. The beauty of serving others is not what the child can receive. The focus is on the one being served. When the child walks away from that opportunity of serving they experience the joy Jesus gives when you serve others. Parents take notice when their children are lead to do for others. They appreciate the investment of expanding the child’s world from a “me” focus and they see attitudes change.

These characteristics of a Preschool and Children’s ministry must be intentionally put in place. When young parents see the clear plans you have for kids, they will feel comfortable with church and making the choice to be involved. Gather children’s teachers and evaluate your present situation. Would a young family coming in the door this Sunday feel comfortable with your church?  Get more great helps from Mark at www.mrmarksclassroom.com .

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Categories : Disciplemaking, Learning, Sunday School
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A Church Disciplemaking Process: Large, Small, Smaller

By Mark Miller · Comments (0)
Wednesday, September 12th, 2018

Get Smaller! An effective disciple making strategy begins large, moves to small, and gets smaller.
Why? Because disciple making best happens in the context of relationships!
Begin Large! We are all worshippers. God is the audience of our worship. He should be the center of a disciple’s attention. Your disciple making process should encourage seekers and believers to be an active participant in worship. I saw this humorous quote on a church sign several years ago, and it has always stuck with me: “CH__CH; What is missing?” The church is not complete without “U”! Likewise, a Christian’s life can never be complete apart from a healthy, Bible believing, Spirit filled church. It goes hand in hand. Begin Large!
Why? Because disciple making happens best in the context of relationships!
Move to small. When you ask church members why they stay at a particular church there really is only one answer. They never say that they stay because of the outstanding preaching or the wonderful music. They don’t stay for the teaching or the decorations. They don’t stay for the special programs. When you ask people why they stay at a church, the overwhelming answer is: they stay because of the relationships that they have with other members. People come to a church for a lot of reasons. But people stay at a church because of the fellowship.
Your fellowship requires getting small. It requires a connection. Fellowship is about doing life together. Doing Life Together requires: Show Love, Get Involved, Have Fun, Be Engaged with each other. It’s about fostering a sense of community together. We must get small by encouraging every worship attender, church member and even the lost to get connected to a Bible Study group where relationships are formed in the context of Bible Study. Get SMALL!
Why? Because disciple making happens best in the context of relationships!

Get smaller. Disciples are best made in a community of close relationships. Jesus had Peter, James, and John. The apostle Paul had Timothy, Silas, and Luke. David has his inner circle of three mighty men. Consider starting a D-Group. A D-Group is a smaller group of about four people who meet together to share the Word of God with each other; learn Scripture together, and support and encourage each other through prayer and relationships.

Why? Because disciple making happens best in the context of relationships!

Disciplemaking is a process! That process should move from Large, to small, to even smaller. Why? Because disciple making happens best in the context of relationships!

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Categories : Bible Study, Disciplemaking, Group Life, New Groups
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