making disciples

Making Disciples

A Leader’s Guide For Fulfilling The Great Commission

Introduction:

“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 28:19-20

In the greatest commandment Jesus tells us to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” As we catch the thrill, the glory and the reality of living this command, God uses us as His vessel to fulfill the great commission.

Are you living a life surrendered to the control of the Holy Spirit? Is your life overflowing with the reality of His presence? If so, you are in the best possible place to make disciples. Bernard of Clairvaux said, "If then you are wise, you will show yourself rather as a reservoir than as a canal. For a canal spreads abroad water as it receives it, but a reservoir waits until it is filled before overflowing, and thus communicates, without loss to itself, its superabundant water. In the Church at the present day, we have many canals, few reservoirs.” 1

In this leader’s guide you will find practical suggestions to implement so that we as a body might accomplish the great commission.

Making Disciples

What Is A Disciple ?

1. A learner - about Christ
Matthew 11:39 “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
2. A believer - in Christ
John 20:31 “But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.”
3. A follower - of Christ
Luke 9:23 “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”
4. A grower - like Christ
Luke 6:40 “A student is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher.”

Biblical Mandate

Definitions

Follow-up - the spiritual work of grounding a new believer in the faith.
Discipleship - the spiritual work of developing spiritual maturity and reproductiveness in the life of a Christian.

Leadership Training - the spiritual work of training those who have the desire for ministry leadership.

Discipleship Model

Leading
Reproducing
Growing
Grounding
Convert
Seeking
Open
Contact

Format

1. Discipleship should involve study, training, and informal times together.
2. We ask for three month commitments in the discipling process. At the end of that time an evaluation should be made to determine if the discipleship relationship should continue. It is possible that the process would continue but with a different individual. Also considered what topic should next be studied.
3. Follow-up of a new believer covers the following topics: Knowing for Sure, Getting to Know God, The Bible, Time Alone with God, Conversation with God, Power to Obey, Telling Others, Living by Faith, Meeting with the Church, Telling Others What has Happened in Your Life, Victory Over Temptation, All About Forgiveness. All of these are available in the Roots booklet.

4. As we move into developing maturity and reproductiveness in the Christian we are going to cover the following topics: Foundational Spiritual Principles, Spiritual Disciplines, How to Study the Bible, Prayer, Basic Theology, Key Passages from the Old and New Testaments, Spiritual Warfare, Marriage and Family Roles, Finances, Christian World View, Deepening of Character
5. You are encouraged to begin with a study of foundational spiritual principles which is available in the Deeper booklet. After this three-month course is completed, an evaluation should be made to select what topic of study is most needed for the individual. Booklets are available for these studies.
6. Leadership training is for the person who has the desire and the time to be trained for ministry leadership. This phase of discipleship is primarily provided by those who are already in church leadership. It requires 10 - 15 hours a week and takes 3 - 4 years to complete.

Preparation for Study

1. Set a time and place where you can meet consistently.
2. Carefully prepare for your time together by writing out additional questions and comments on your study sheet.
* Ask questions that clarify and expand the study.
* Ask questions that help them see how the study applies to their life.

When You Meet

1. Pray together.
2. Start out by asking if they have any thoughts or questions from their study.
3. Share how you are personally experiencing these principles.
4. Be as natural and conversational as possible. Avoid coming across as through this is a question and answer session.
5. Have a genuine desire to help them grow in their Christian life.
6. You must be filled, controlled, and led by the Spirit.
7. Become a full-time listener.
8. Help them develop personal convictions. Ask “why” questions. Allow for interaction.

Informal Times Together

1. It should stress close personal relationship.
2. It should include teaching by example, as well as by word.
3. Develop your relationship around Christ. Make it natural to share what God is doing and teaching in your lives.
4. Be interested in more than his spiritual life.

Reproducing Yourself

1. We want to stress a principle of multiplication rather than addition. The one being discipled should be trained to disciple others.
2. It should involve on-the-field training.
3. Follow this four-step procedure in training:
(1) Tell the disciple what to do.
(2) Show the disciple what to do and how to do it.
(3) Allow the disciples to do it—first in a controlled situation, then in a real-life situation.

(4) Evaluate with the disciple his strengths and weaknesses.

Qualities of those in Leadership Training

1. Maturity - Spirituality cannot be taught. Some of it must already be in their heart before leadership training. This should be evident in their character, their home and among unbelievers.
2. Teachableness - Abilities can be taught if there is an openness to receive instruction.
3. Desire/Drive - Look for an overwhelming desire to be involved in leadership.
4. Time - No matter how great the desire, training will not work out for those who do not have the time to invest.
5. Ministry Involvement - Those who are ready for leadership are probably already involved in ministry.
6. Self-Sacrificing - Leadership requires being a model. That requires doing things that are not always easy. It also means refraining from anything that will cause someone to fall into sin.

Goals for Leadership Training

1. Develop godly character.
2. Implement spiritual disciplines.
3. Establish strong family relationships.
4. Develop a variety of interpersonal and ministry skills.
5. Acquire in-depth Bible knowledge.
6. Build an intimate, dynamic, active relationship with God.

End Notes

1. Bernard of Clairvaux, Prayer:Finding the Hesart’s True Home (HarperCollins Publishers Inc. by Richard Foster 1992) p.168

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