Go and make disciples… Matt 28 verse 19 What it means to make disciples?

Jesus has commanded us to make disciples Following Jesus Christ requires us to make disciples of all nations Making disciples involves training disciples until they become disciple- makers

Jesus the pattern “For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His footsteps”. 1 Peter 2 v 21 1 Peter 2 v 21

Jesus cared for, taught, trained and empowered His disciples He selected a diverse small group He called them to total commitment to His cause He saw the potential in all His disciples regardless of their background Jesus JohnJamesPeter

Jesus’ training methods He taught them about the kingdom of God His teaching radically changed their values and beliefs He showed them how to minister in the power of the Spirit He demonstrated power encounter with Satan’s kingdom He empowered them to go out and do the same ministry as He was doing He evaluated and corrected what they were doing without discouraging them He reinforced their learning in His own ministry and in what He asked them to do

Jesus lived with them.. This pattern of discipleship was achieved because Jesus lived with His disciples for three years. The disciples continually observed Jesus life and His relationship with His Father

Jesus and His disciples? None of the disciples were Christians when Jesus started making disciples out of them…in fact they did not become Christians until they were breathed upon by Jesus in John 20 v 21. Can we start out making disciples with Atheists, Marxists, Hindus, Muslims and Buddhists?

Biblical patterns of disciple-making Biblical patterns of disciple-making Jesus Christ made disciples of 12 Galileans. Mark 3 verses 13 – were successful in their ministry as disciples of Christ. 1 failed. The Apostle Paul made disciples of Timothy, John Mark, Silas, Lois, Eunice, Philemon, Apphia, Archippus, Artemas, Tychicus, Carpus, Crescens, Titus, Zenas and many others. Several of Paul’s disciples failed as well, they were Hymenaeus, Philetus, Demas etc.

Jesus sent the Holy Spirit To empower us to keep His commands to make disciples To birth the Church as a joy-filled community of people living in close relationship with each other Read Acts 2 verses They started with repentance for the selfish way they lived They then meet together daily and shared all aspects of their lives

The Church is a disciple-making Community The foundations of the Church are; Jesus Christ is the chief cornerstone – Eph. 2v20 The other foundations stones are; Faith – Col. 2v5 Hope – 1 Thess. 1v 2,3 Love – I Cor. 13v13 The ministry of establishing the Church as a joy-filled community is done through the grace of God – Eph 2v8; God’s grace is not only His unmerited favour But also His enabling power And His extravagant forgiving love.

How can we build a disciple- making community? By developing an activity that enables us to meet together each day with the poor. The activity reflects God’s presence – it is viable, joyous, and creative The activity is income generating. It generates enough income in three to five days a week to allow the community enough time to reach out to others through visitation.

The joy-filled community Develops creative work skills Develops kingdom values Builds healthy relationships Disciples the members of the community Supports the disciple- maker

Developing an holistic worldview Where work is seen as worship to God Praying, worshipping, eating and caring for one another are daily activities The participants are evangelising and discipling their family, and extended family members

What are the attitudes of the disciple-maker? What are the attitudes of the disciple-maker? Read 1 Thessalonians 5 verses “ Therefore encourage one another, build up one another, just as you are also doing. Appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction, and that you esteem them highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another. We urge you brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with all men”. “ Therefore encourage one another, build up one another, just as you are also doing. Appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction, and that you esteem them highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another. We urge you brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with all men”. Action words in disciple-making in yellow Action words in disciple-making in yellow

How can we measure progress in disciple-making? How can we measure progress in disciple-making? Disciple making produces outcomes in the lives of the disciples. These are measured by the Apostle Paul as character qualities that will lead to the disciples becoming leaders, deacons and elders in the Church. See I Tim 3:1-13. These qualities are; marriage fidelity, integrity, hard work, temperance, prudence, respect, hospitality, teachable, not a drunkard or a fighter, gentle, free from materialism, managing the household well, dignified, not conceited or proud, a good reputation, truthful in speech, a clear conscience, faithful servants of Christ, generous, caring for people.

Developing entrepreneurial skills For most of us the difficulty in taking this approach of developing a “income generating community” is that we lack the business and entrepreneurial skills to pioneer and manage a small business community. That leads us to ask for help from our business gifted friends to help develop a business plan, and find capital to start the community among the poor.

Questions for discussion? Why would participation in an “income generating community” be good news for the poor? Why does the “income generating community” concept provide opportunities for disciple-making? Is it fair to expect the organiser, leader of the “income generating community” to be funded or supported by the community? How can an “income generating community” multiply itself?