What is the key missing ingredient in disciple-making? Is it lack of leaders being discipled? Is it a spiritual problem? Is it sin? Is it lack of good materials? Is it lack of a reproducible model? Is it the lack of a strategy? All of the above contribute. But I…
In a recent webinar, Thom Rainer, president of LifeWay Christian Resources, defined “discipleship” by saying: My simple definition of discipleship is when a follower of Christ becomes more like Christ. I want to encourage you to watch the entire webinar which features Thom Rainer, Jim Sheppard, and Larry Osbourne. Definitions…
ABSENCE OF DISCIPLESHIP. Today, it is common to hear “We no longer have a discipleship ministry in my church.” How can that be possible when our Lord called us to “make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19)? For years, many churches thought discipleship would be accomplished through worship, Sunday School…
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…
At the National Disciple Making Forum, I received a sampler (two chapters) of The Disciple Maker’s Handbook: 7 Elements of a Discipleship Lifestyle by Bobby Harrington and Josh Patrick. Because I have been around Bobby at the discipleship track at Exponential and this year’s Forum, I look forward to reading…
What materials are you using for one-on-one disciple-making? What materials are you using for D-groups (small disciple-making groups of four or less)? Please press Comments and share what you are using and how you are using those materials. This blog is not in the business of promoting or selling products,…
So you want to help the church “make disciples of all nations.” How can you get started? First I want to recommend praying. You don’t have to pray about whether our Lord wants you to make disciples. He has already commanded that. Rather, pray for the team you will assemble…
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 Part 1, I shared a set of questions to help you and your team as you plan your New Member Class. The questions related to (1) your purpose for the new member class, (2) the frequency you will offer it, (3) who will lead it, (4) will participation be…
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.
