Interest in Kentucky is increasing in how to make disciples. Our faithfulness to accomplish disciple-making is essential in order to be found faithful at carrying out Jesus’ command in the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20, ESV): Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the…
What decisions need to be made in your disciple-making strategy? As you put together your personal or church plan to make disciples, allow me to offer some questions for you to consider: Group size. What size(s) will you include? Content delivery is possible in large groups, but disciple-making is nearly…
In The Impact of Proxemics on Disciple-making, I talked about four American spatial distances/zones and group size in those zones. Here is a summary of what I shared there: Intimate distance: 0-18 inches (2 people) Personal distance: 18 inches to 4 feet (3-7 people) Social distance: 4 to 10 feet…
Where does evangelism end and discipleship begin? Some would say the dividing line is salvation, but check out the Great Commission where Jesus says, Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching…
The post title is intentionally ambiguous. Stop to process the possible questions being asked: Who has invested and impacted you as a disciple over the years? Who is currently investing in and impacting your growth as a disciple? In whom are you investing and impacting as they grow as a…
Jesus passes the torch to the Apostles and to us today in the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20): Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have…
I have been doing a series of training and planning sessions across Kentucky this year. Those events have caused me to realize something about discipleship that had not clicked until now. Jesus taught and modeled ministry before he called the Twelve. He prayed all night (Luke 6:12) before calling them…
I read an interesting yet disturbing article recently on intergeneration connections and the involvement of teens after they graduate from high school. The article was written by Kara Powell and it was called, “Faith that Sticks.” Studies suggest that approximately 40 to 50 percent of our students who are part of…
We’ve all heard the quote, “Everything rises or falls on leadership.” We know that it is the Spirit of the Lord in us that provides the energy and guidance to lead, but the fact is… God is still using people to accomplish His purposes. He uses godly leaders. Churches that…
One of the most effective, powerful, and efficient ways to make disciples is “one on one.” This method of discipleship is also called Mentoring, Life Coaching, or Spiritual Coaching. There is awesome power in “one on one” discipleship relationships because they transform lives. My own life has been impacted by…
Two encounters are critical. First, the leader encounters God in His Word and is changed. Second, the leader guides the group to have a life-changing encounter.
In John 13:34-35, three times Jesus said, “Love one another.” Your group is the ideal place to practice and launch the kind of love for one another that shows the world that we are His disciples.