Grace Based COMMUNITY

We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the Gospel of God, but our lives as well. 1 Thes. 2:8

Jesus’ Community has transformed my life My Story Jesus’ Community has transformed my life

DISCUSS Share about a relationship you’ve had that has been transformative for you.

BRAINSTORM What are some things that come to mind when you hear the word “DISCIPLESHIP”?

“DISCIPLESHIP” a relational word at its core At it’s core, the word “DISCIPLE” implies community & relationship Not about INFORMATION to know, but a PERSON to follow WHO, not WHAT

“DISCIPLESHIP” – in NT context Hebrew: talmidim Greek: mathetes “learner” “apprentice” “protege”

“DISCIPLESHIP” – in NT context Beth Sepher (House of the Book) – Ages 5-12 Memorize the Torah Beth Midrash (House of Learning) – Ages 12-15 Memorize the rest of the Hebrew Scriptures Beth Talmud – Talmidim Come and Follow Me – invitation to discipleship

“DISCIPLESHIP” – in NT context The Rabbi’s Covenant I choose you to be like me I believe you can be like me I commit myself to be your Rabbi till death The Disciple’s Goals To be with your rabbi To become like your rabbi To do what your rabbi did GOALS Be with your rabbi – Go through all of life – BLESSING: May you be covered in the dust of your rabbi’s feet Become like your rabbi – “I will make you into fishers of men” Clothing Mannerisms Talk Walk Interpreting the scriptures in the same way! Do what your Rabbi did The point: that you one day would be doing what your rabbi was doing Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these (John 14:12) GO and MAKE DISCIPLES

The Great Commission Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age... Matthew 28:18-20 GO – it’s about MISSIONS – taking the Gospel to places that we are NOT MAKE – it’s about EVANGELISM – Making converts – turning people who are NOT disciples INTO disciples DISCIPLE! This isn’t just an activity. Its a new identity. Just as I have been your RABBI and called you to know and follow me. So you do the same with others. Commit yourself to people so that my identity that has been formed in you will be formed in them!

DISCUSS Where are you seeing discipleship relationships happening in your community? Celebrate Jesus’ work in forming Himself in others! Share about Anna and Sean!!

“DISCIPLESHIP” Our discipleship pathway will flow out of how we define this word. Discipleship = the process of knowing the truths of the Gospel and applying them to my life Discipleship = follow me as I follow Christ

How do you make disciples? “DISCIPLESHIP” How do you make disciples? How do you catch a FISH??

How do you make disciples? With DISCIPLE MAKERS “DISCIPLESHIP” How do you make disciples? With DISCIPLE MAKERS How do you catch a FISH??

What does a RELATIONAL pathway of discipleship look like? Culture Community Curriculum

Follow me as I follow Christ... 1 Cor. 1:11 CULTURE Follow me as I follow Christ... 1 Cor. 1:11 CULTURE – how we do things ‘round here. Being Called Forward Running Alongside Calling Others Forward

COMMUNITY ...we loved you so much we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God, but our lives as well. (1 Thes. 2:8) GROWTH happens in COMMUNITY not just CLASSROOMS SO... Spiritual leaders are defined NOT by the activities I lead or lessons I teach, but the PEOPLE I’ve been entrusted with.

COMMUNITY Leading a Meeting Leading People When I think about my HG, it’s usually in terms the time, place, and the content we’re studying My main goal in leading is to communicate the content of the study guide well and have a stimulating discussion There are some people that I wish didn’t come to the group because they take away from the dynamic HG is the only time I spend with these people At HG, we talk more about the Bible and/or related general issues, but have a harder time sharing about how it impacts with our own lives, emotions, convictions, beliefs, etc. I pray that the group discussion will go well and be meaningful Leading People I feel a personal commitment to the spiritual growth and health of each person My goal in leading is for people to encounter Christ, not merely discuss the Bible. Each person in my group is becoming more of a friend than they were a year ago I connect with HG members apart from HG meetings/events (in one another’s homes, events, recreation, serving, etc.) I am increasingly transparent and vulnerable with my HG in order to display Christ’s greatness I pray for people outside of the group time based on what has been shared in the group

Teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you... (Mt. 28:20) CURRICULUM Teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you... (Mt. 28:20) LEARNING – Teaching is important. But just because it’s been TAUGHT, doesn’t mean it’s been CAUGHT. How much more powerful is LEARNING TRUTH in the context of A COMMUNITY and a CULTURE of DISCIPLESHIP. Mike Breen – BUILDING A DISCIPLING CULTURE 3 WAYS OF LEARNING INFORMATION  CURRICULUM IMITATION  COMMUNITY IMMERSION  CULTURE

PAUL & TIMOTHY And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others. (2 Tim. 2:2) LEARNING – Mike Breen – BUILDING A DISCIPLING CULTURE 3 WAYS OF LEARNING INFORMATION  CURRICULUM  Things you’ve heard me say IMITATION  COMMUNITY  entrust to people IMMERSION  CULTURE  in the presence of many witnesses

Barriers to a RELATIONAL pathway of discipleship? WAY more complex – Instead of ONE lesson plan, 20+ unique disciplemakers, all in process Over-full schedules – we are loosely affiliated with many things and fully committed to very few Compartmentalized lives – each person is part of several communities, each disconnected from the others Lack of confidence and capacity – “I can’t be a LEADER” Lack of experience – “No one has ever discipled me. I don’t know what it looks like.” IF SOMETHING’S WORTH DOING, IT’S WORTH DOING POORLY AND GETTING BETTER AT IT.

How are we doing this at Upper Room? Established community through Home Groups HOME GROUPS WILL BE The communities where GROWTH happens cut out other programs, men’s and women’s ministry, anything else that would compete Geographically Organized SERMON BASED

How are we doing this at Upper Room? 2) Develop Leaders through Home Groups HOME GROUPS WILL BE The communities where LEADERS ARE DEVELOPED TRIADS: You can only lead others as far as you yourself have gone

How are we doing this at Upper Room? 3) Leaders are being called to make disciples in Home Groups HOME GROUPS WILL BE The communities where DISCIPLES WILL BE MADE WHO ARE YOUR ONE OR TWO??

DISCUSS Where is relational discipleship happening in your own community? What is one step you could take to make your discipleship pathway more relational (even a little)? What from this discussion has been most helpful to apply to your own context?