The Challenge of Discipleship Prepared by J. Alfred Johnson III

Introduction This presentation takes a brief look at the challenge of discipleship. In a changing world the challenge of discipleship has not diminished but has remained steady since the time of the Ascension of Jesus Christ. We will examine statistics and scripture to discover what we have done, are doing and can do in a better way to fulfill the gospel commission.

Population Statistics United States of America – 281 Million – 174 Working Age Adults (18-64) – 72 million children – 35 million age 65 and older The Percentages of Ethnic Groups in the USA – 69.1% White – 12.5% Hispanic – 12.1% Black – 3.7% Asian and Pacific Islander – 0.7% American Indian Source:

Religious Population In today’s population there are approximately 112 million people on Church Books: – 55 Million Protestants – 53 Million Catholics – 3 Million Mormons There are 200 million un-churched people in the US: – 119 million hard core un-churched. – 56 million on books but rarely attend. – 25 million religious un-churched (claim religious affiliation but not on the books of any church).

What the Facts Mean “In fact, our research suggests that a majority of church-going Americans are not Christian at all, but simply attend the most visible of Christian events. Within some Protestant denominations, our data suggests that as many as three out of four regular attenders are not biblical Christians.” Ministry Currents (George Barna) Oct.-Dec. 1992, p.3

The Facts of Life…In Acts Facts that should have hindered the church in the book of Acts. – Secularization Growing Greek influence in the society. – Formal religion Judaism. – Materialism Brought on by Rome. – Isolation Small church considered to be a sect.

What Are We Doing? We are not, as Christians, doing one-twentieth part that we might do in winning souls to Christ. There is a world to be warned, and every sincere Christian will be a guide and an example to others in faithfulness, in cross- bearing, in prompt and vigorous action, in unswerving fidelity to the cause of truth, and sacrifices and labors to promote the cause of God.--Review and Herald, Aug. 23, 1881.

What Made the Church Grow in Acts? Church had an internal spiritual revival. Churches grow as they are spiritually revived. There was a strong focus on their mission. The reason for their existence was the proclamation of the gospel. They proclaimed the gospel both publicly and privately.

Differences In Society Today Pre-World War II – Solid families. – People lived and died in the same communities. – People’s relational needs were met by relatives and community. Post-World War II – Idea of a new family – Increasing urbanization. – People’s relational needs are no longer met by the community or relatives.

Implications for the Church While relational needs were not a priority for most people in pre-World War II days, they are major needs today. Most of our discipleship/evangelism activities has been geared to people who are basically religious, but the majority of people are not religious. – Remember approximately 200 million people are un-churched.

What Are You Looking For? People are still basically looking for religion, but look for different things when they make their choice. – Market studies throughout North America reveal that most people have little interest in a church that claims to have better doctrines and members who claim to live longer and healthier lives. – People show indifference and resistance towards a church known for its bigness and corporate strength. – People are looking for a church which operates as a loving, caring fellowship of believers.

What Can We Do? Evaluate all we do in our discipleship activities to see how it will help to build relationships. We should be as concerned about building relationships as we are in presenting doctrines. Use our Natural Social Network to bring people to Christ.

Ways People Come to Christ and the Church and Stay Visitation.25-1% Pastor 0-3% Special Need 2-3% Walk in 3-4% Program 3-4% Sabbath School 3-5% Friend or Relative 70-90%

An Original Idea? Using our natural social network to lead others to Christ is nothing new, it is what God has wanted all the while. – Acts 1:8 – John 5:28-30, – Mark 5:18-20