Accountability is part of many disciple-making relationships. Too often people dread and avoid accountability. Accountability, however, does not have to be negative. It can be encouraging and positive. Instead of focusing on “if you failed,” the focus can be on “how you took a step forward.” Consider these questions which…
In scanning through a book by Andrew Davis, Revitalize: Biblical Keys to Helping Your Church Come Alive Again, I was reminded of the two journeys of disciple-making: The work of disciple-making is taught in the New Testament in the language of two journeys: the internal journey of growth into full…
In life, humans seem to struggle with the middle of the pendulum swing. What I mean is that we tend to lean toward the left or right extreme of the pendulum swing. Too often balance is delicate and fleeting. Like faith and works (see James), head knowledge and behavior are…
Too frequently I find church leaders complicating the simple. Disciple-making is one place where I see complexity too often. Keep it simple! I want to suggest four simple steps for a disciple-maker to invest in his disciple(s) one-on-one or in D-groups (discipleship groups no larger than 5 including the leader).…
Sometimes I read books, articles, or posts that need to be shared. Kandi Gallaty (Robby’s wife) wrote a great blog post on LifeWay Women. I want to encourage you to read her entire post at What Is Discipleship? The following five paragraphs launch her post. Let them whet your appetite…
Gather a team and prayerfully put together a simple plan for discipleship. Choose materials. Set expectations. Determine goals. But don’t wait too long. In all my conversations with leaders, two truths seem to be universal. First, every plan needs adjustment. Second, most wish they had started discipling sooner and adjusted…
Pray. Gather a team with passion for disciple-making. Work through these questions. Don’t be afraid to launch disciple-making actions while working through strategy development. But keep things fluid so adjustments can be made. Consider these questions as starters: EVALUATE: What is the current state of disciple-making (strengths and needs)? What…
What if every church ministry and program… was required to advance individual and/or corporate discipleship and disciple-making? was required to show how it will do so before it could be calendared? was required to show (measure and report) how participants acted, ministered to others, or invited/shared Jesus differently as a…
The beginning of each new year is an opportunity to start things, to start over, to start again. It can be a time of commitments and resolutions, a time of review and desire to improve. At minimum, the Christian should stop to reflect on what God has done in the…
My sons are young adults. One lives a couple hours away; the other lives nine hours away. But when we are together in person or connecting by phone or electronic means, I am often amazed at how much I hear me in them. I hear my dry humor. I hear…
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.