Spiritual Growth Helps
Synergy is defined on dictionary.com as “the interaction of elements that when combined produce a total effect that is greater than the sum of the individual elements, contributions, etc.” That is what is possible when you enlist a team to help your church pursue disciple-making. Consider the team, game plan,…
Busyness kills many things. Effectiveness. Energy. Priority. Likewise, busyness kills many spiritual efforts. Discipleship. Time with God. Sensitivity to the Holy Spirit. Have you ever noticed that Jesus never seemed to rush? Anywhere. Anytime. With any person.Yes, He had a purpose. Yes, He had a message. Yes, He was effective,…
In the Great Commission, Jesus commanded His disciples as they go to “make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19-20). In that passage, Jesus describes how that mission will be accomplished: baptizing them (all nations) and teaching them (all nations) to observe all that I (Jesus) have commanded you. When does…
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…
In my previous post, Can You Make a Disciple of One Person?, I asked: How can we carry out this command? How can we “make disciples of ALL NATIONS” (emphasis added). I want to suggest an overly simple answer: ONE AT A TIME. I have often had the reply, “But…
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…
In Part 1, I shared that being a disciple of Jesus Christ means that we are in a living, breathing relationship. Being His disciple is a choice and a life-long process. There I shared five discipleship relational stages: Ignoring, Exploring, Starting, Deepening, and Investing. Listening carefully (full of care) to…
Being a disciple of Jesus Christ means that we are in a living, breathing relationship. Being His disciple is a choice and a life-long process (work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, Phil 2:12, HCSB). Our thinking and conversation often give clues to the stage of our discipleship.…
For Christians, the focus of our discipleship is Jesus. We devote ourselves to Him, to following Him, to acting like Him, and carrying out His mission. We choose to surrender ourselves to Him. We go where He leads. We study His commands (Matthew 28:19-20), His teachings, and His example so…
In the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20), Jesus did not command us to make disciples of only those who show up at church. Instead, He said, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations…” The phrase “go” in the original language means “as you are going.” Thus, Jesus commanded us to…
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.