The Tested Method

Ministry Based Strategy of Disciplemaking 1.Relationships 2. Multiplication 3. Transformation

Relationships The Programmatic Approach to Making Disciples CommitteeProgramDisciples

Programs Characteristics  Invite people in mass to the smorgasbord of activities  Stand someone in front of a group to speak to a passive crowd

Relationships The Relational Approach to Making Disciples CovenantalRelationshipsTimeDisciples

What is the difference between a program and a relationship? Intimacy vs. Information Mutual participation vs. one on behalf of the many Customized vs. synchronized Life change vs. content accountability

Hunger for Relationships For many years I have been searching for a safe place in which I could explore with a group of other guys, the questions and issues that were coming up in my walk with the Lord. In short, I was looking for some men with whom I could be honest, accountable and vulnerable.” (Dick Wolden)

Takes A Long Term View Build Slowly, Build Solidly “One must decide where he wants his ministry to count - in the momentary applause of popular recognition or in the reproduction of his life in a few chosen ones who will carry on his work after he has gone? Really, it is a question of which generation we are living for.” --Robert ColemanRelationship

Definition of Discipling “Discipling is an intentional relationship in which we walk alongside other disciples in order to encourage, equip and challenge one another in love to grow toward maturity in Christ. This includes equipping the disciple to teach others as well.” --Discipleship Essentials (p. 17)

Elements of the Definition of Discipleship Intentional Relationship: regular time schedule, purposeful, covenantal Walk alongside: non-hierarchical  Encourage: safe, comes alongside  Equip: skills, disciplines, behaviors, patterns  Challenge: risk taking, accountability Grow to maturity Teach Others as well

Letter from Jane Circle the disciple-making principles do you find in this letter.

Reflection Exercise Can you see yourself inviting someone to join you in a journey of discipleship to walk together to maturity in Christ? If yes, what gives you permission? If not, what gets in the way? What do you think it takes to be a discipler?

Multiplication

Multiplication Key Issue: How can the life of faith be transferred from one to another so that there is a generational multiplication? “Discipleship training is the spiritual work of developing spiritual maturity and spiritual reproduction in the life of a Christian.”--Gary Kuhne

Frustrations with Discipling Meet one on one weekly Mutual sharing Teach basics of faith Apply faith to family, work, ethics, etc. Study together Pray together...but no transferability…why?

Reflection Exercise What are the obstacles to reproduction? Why don’t we see more multiplication?

Biblical Models of Disciplemaking Paul--Timothy  Father-Son  Teacher-Student  Mature-Immature  Motivator-Motivated What pressure does the discipler feel? What does this model foster?

Limitations: Discipler focused Teacher/Student Hierarchical Fosters dependency Two way dialogue Limited models Does not reproduce Practical Model of Disciplemaking One on One

Triads/Quads Shifts… From pressure on discipler to natural participation From hierarchical to relational From dialogue to dynamic interchange From limited input to wisdom in numbers From addition to multiplication Practical Model of Disciplemaking

Why does size matter? What has been your experience with smaller disciple-making groups? Does Ogden’s argument for triads/quads make sense to you? Could you see yourself having such multiplying groups on your church?

Multiplication Year 1 (3) Year3 (27) Year 2 (9)

Pay It Forward Clip Mr. Simonet (Kevin Spacey) is a 7 th grade teacher who gives his students each year a challenging assignment: Do something to change the world. Trevor McKinney (Haley Joel Osment) is starry eyed dreamer with a big heart. He takes the assignment seriously.

Maximizing Transformation

Ingredients for Transformation ● Intimacy, Relational Transparency ● Truth in Community ● Life-change Accountability

Ingredients for Transformation When we… (1) open our hearts in transparent trust to each other (2) around the truth of God’s word (3) in the spirit of mutual accountability, we are in the Holy Spirit’s hothouse of transformation.

Transformation: 1. Transparent Trust The extent to which we are willing to reveal to others those areas of our life that need God’s transforming touch is the extent to which we are inviting the Holy Spirit to make us new. Principle: The extent to which we are willing to reveal to others those areas of our life that need God’s transforming touch is the extent to which we are inviting the Holy Spirit to make us new. Affirmation Affirmation Walking Through Difficulties Walking Through Difficulties Being Reflective Listeners Being Reflective Listeners Confession Confession

Transformation: 2. Truth in Community II Timothy 3:16, 17--profitable for…  Teaching  Reproof  Correction  Training in righteousness Need for systematic teaching Mosaic Image

25 lessons Written to implement small, reproducible discipleship groups Built in covenant Relational tool Leads to transformation Precedent for the book Leadership Essentials

Transformation: 3. Life-change Accountability What is accountability?  Submission to mutually agreed standards  Giving discipleship partners authority to call you to account What are the standards? (p. 14)  Minimum commitments  Recommitment to the standards (p. 80, 146)

Power of the Discipling Model Intimacy Truth Accountability Teaching   Small Groups   Preaching         Discipling

Commitment Time Can you see yourself convening and being a part of a group with these three ingredients? What could you envision happening in your congregation/campus 3 to 5 years from now if you had a growing network of reproducing disciple-making groups?

The Practicalities of Disciple-Making Role of the Leader Role of the Leader Recruiting the Discipling Triad Pray for discernment Invite the potential partner State you were drawn to them in prayer Review Table of Contents Talk through the Disciple’s Covenant Ask the person to prayerfully consider Seek a third person

Role of the Leader (Cont.) Set the first meeting time Guide the partners through the first session Complete all lessons and participate Model transparency

Leaving A Legacy Don’t drop the batonDon’t drop the baton “Every Christian must see themselves as the link to the next generation.”-- Barclay“Every Christian must see themselves as the link to the next generation.”-- Barclay The Bridge BuilderThe Bridge Builder