Disciples who really care Andrew Collins
Disciples who really care PCI Assembly 2017
What is a disciple? Learner, apprentice Follows teaching Follows life: ‘life on life’
The Master who really cares Many pictures… hard situations our need God supplies Himself Exodus 34:6-7 Jesus Christ embodies God’s care
Disciples who really care We are also disciples of Jesus Are you life on life with Him?
Care in practice We need to know the person …and connect them with God’s care, in our words and deeds Side by Side – Ed Welch
Love: We move toward others God has moved toward We move toward We greet
Know: We engage in thoughtful conversations Tuned in A verbal handshake Follow stories Look for the good, the hard, and the bad in the person’s life Be compassionate
Speak: We pray How do I connect the person with God’s care? “How can I pray for you?” “What help have you found in God’s word…the sermon…?”
Do: We help practically Follow up Sharing life
Summary Know the person and connect them with God’s care in word and deed – Love: move toward Know: engage in thoughtful conversation Speak: we pray & speak God’s truth Do: we help & share life
Churches who really care The bigger picture – 1 Cor. 12, Eph. 4 Are there priorities? What if I’m stuck? Are there risks? My church isn’t like that…?
Chester - growing a discipleship culture Proclaiming the gospel to one another In everyday life Through community Pastoring one another
The Vine Project – Payne/Marshall Creating a ‘learner-ship’ culture Distinguishes ‘trellis’ work and ‘vine’ work Members are prayerful speakers of the word to those around them
Keller – every member lay gospel ministry Organic Relational Word-deploying Active, not passive 20-25%???
Pope – the Journey Weekly small group gatherings Truth Equipping Accountability Mission Supplication
Common themes Using the opportunities and people that are there Moving toward Conversations Equipping them by the word, to use the word Spoken Prayed Everyday life Sharing life in community
Questions Where are you now? People? Structures? What challenges are there? What’s underneath them? What new opportunities are there?
Questions What resources are there?
https://www.biblicalcounselling.org.uk Real Change Certificate course Conference CHRIST-CENTRED CHANGE, ENABLED BY THE SPIRIT, THROUGH THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD, IN THE LOCAL CHURCH
We make disciples by really caring We make disciples of believers We make disciples of unbelievers
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations…and behold I am with you always..