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The Vision...

A Biblical Small Group Within Walking Distance of Every Person on the Planet.


05.15.2013

Disciple Making Small Groups... Really

 
 
I continue to grapple with the church's responsibility to make disciples vs. making church members or simply hosting small groups so that people are assimilated into church life. Today I asked myself what might be a good definition for a group that is a disciple making group. After considering that a disciple realizes and allows the discipler to shepherd him or her, has counted the cost of discipleship, and has acknowledged that a disciple’s lifestyle is a new lifestyle than that of the average person, the following definition makes sense to me.
 
A group of twelve or less people being discipled by a discipler whose goal and responsibility is to see each person he/she is discipling become a mature follower of Jesus Christ who will then make disciples.
 
The roles of the discipler as as well the one being discipled might be...
 
            Discipler:
                        1. Is fully aware that he/she is responsible for the nurture of, spiritual                                                                        maturation of, protection of, and ongoing shepherding of those being                                                                        discipled.
                        2. Never lords over the disciple as the discipler is to instill the principles                                                                   and practices of a disciples' lifestyle without creating a legalist.
                        3. Models the principles, practices, and teachings he/she is espousing.                                                            
            Disciple:
                        1. Is fully aware that becoming a mature disciple will demand a change of                                                                lifestyle and much sacrifice.
                        2. Has counted the cost of discipleship and is willing to do whatever it                                                                     takes to follow Christ wholeheartedly and grow in Christ to full maturity.
                        3. Has given the disciple-maker permission to hold them accountable and                                                               speak wise counsel to them.
                        4. Is committed to someday, when ready to do so, be a disciple                                                                             maker.
 
Would love your opinion. What do you think about what you see above? 
Small Groups, Discipleship
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05.09.2013

The National Discipleship Conference… Join the Discipleship Revolution!

 
 
I am so very honored to be leading sessions at the first National Discipleship Conference taking place June 18 – 20 in St. Paul, Minnesota. Many of us are praying that this event will start a discipleship revolution that will sweep across North America and the world. Below you’ll find some information that may help you as you consider attending. I hope to see you there.  
 
The National Discipleship Conference will provide an opportunity for leaders to evaluate and sharpen their discipleship story. A discipleship revolution has begun. The church of the next generation must make Jesus’ command to “go and make disciples” the driving force behind all she does. If we will seize this Sovereign moment the people of God will obliterate biblical illiteracy, raise up spiritually mature believers passionate to take the Gospel to the world, and set the western church back on the path Jesus designed for her.

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS include Jim Putman, Jerry Bridges, Bill Hull, and Sal Sberna
.
 
WORKSHOPS:
 

Personal Coaching - Church Discipleship Ministry - A Ministry of the Navigators
Join us for an hour of one-on-one coaching. We will help the Pastor/leader do an assessment of their current reality in life and ministry and then zero in on their number one need. Pastors/leaders will experience coaching by developing a clear action plan on how to move forward in this area of their life. From there the coachee can determine if they would like more coaching like this in the future.

A Woman’s Journey of Discipleship – Women’s Ministry – Gigi Busa
A Woman's Journey of Discipleship will take you deep into a relationship with Christ. We will focus on spiritual disciplines, daily time in God's Word, making decisions using Scripture, and discovering the value of being and making disciples in a way that leaves a legacy of spiritual generations.
Every Man a Warrior – Men’s Ministry – Lonnie Berger
No man wants to fail. Yet in our culture men are struggling to succeed in life. The battles they fight at home, at work, with their finances and in their walk with God can be overwhelming. When marriages starts to unravel or children begin making bad choices, a lot of men withdraw; they just don’t know what to do! Men need someone to coach them how to fight and win in the battles of life. That’s the purpose of Every Man a Warrior.
 
Hybrid Bible Study Groups - Dr. John Herring
Have you ever wondered why your adult Bible study groups are so dry and dull? Do you need some ideas on how to engage your adult Sunday School class in meaningful conversations? What are you doing to encourage relationship building in your medium to large groups? What’s better – small groups or large groups?
 
Hybrid Bible Studies may be just what the doctor ordered for you and your church. 
We will look at:
  • Large group/small group dynamics·        
  • Creative teaching
  • Conversational teaching
  • Storying in the large group environment
  • Resources for creative teaching that make an impact
Inside/Out - For the Wives of Pastors/Ministry Leaders - Diane Nix
Some of the meanest people sit in church pews. Much of our teaching is relegated to the head. We puff ourselves up with the knowledge that we have concerning the Word, theology and how we are to serve or live out this Christian life. We struggle with victory over secret sin and spend most of our time concerned with how we look on the outside rather than living from an over flow of what is happening on the deepest level. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24

Relational Small Groups That Make Disciples... Really – Small Groups – Rick Howerton
Small Groups are known for being relational. In fact, the idea of being in community has so impacted the small group world that oftentimes the making of disciples has taken a back seat. This session will guide those attending to understand the components of a relational small group that makes disciples... Really.

The Role of Prayer in Discipling Others - John Franklin
If we are to make disciples of all nations, that means two things. First, we must know how to pray for others as we disciple them. Second, we must teach them to pray. This one hour session examines how Jesus prayed for His disciples, and how He taught them to pray.

The Strategic Impact of Making Disciples Among the Next Generation – Student Ministry – Joe Sweetman – University of Minnesota Navigator Staff
Ominous headlines and studies show that far too many young people are abandoning the church. Perhaps the entertainment-driven youth group culture needs a discipleship wake-up call. Imagine what would happen for the cause of Christ if this cause-driven, passionate, connected generation caught a vision to be robust disciples of Jesus and to be personally engaged in making disciples. How do we do it? Come learn from a practitioner who is seeing disciples rapidly multiply at the University of Minnesota.

Ways of the Alongsider - Discipleship -Bill Mowry
The Ways of the Alongsider paints a new picture of disciplemaking that moves this vital ministry out of the hands of ministry professionals to everyone who wants to participate in the great commission. You will learn a new pathway to disciple people in life2life ways.

Why Become a Disciple-Making Church? - Barry Sneed
We are thrilled that you have decided to join the discipleship revolution. Churches across the globe have begun to realize the importance of this biblical mandate (Matt. 28:19–20) and are imagining the transformation of lives and the culture where their church exists. Church leaders like yourself are dreaming of a congregation and community saturated with mature followers of Christ willing to do whatever it takes to further God’s Kingdom. Together we will talk about the "next steps" and "starting where you are" to become a disciple-making church. 
National Discipleship Conference, Discipleship
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04.12.2013

The Ways of the Alongsider… Another Must Read for Disciple Makers

 
 
Sometimes a book comes along that is so potent and so practical that it deserves a read. And so it is with The Ways of the Alongsider.
 
If you’re a small group leader or someone who is on a journey to disciple someone else, this is a very important read.
 
Check out the description below:
 
The Ways of the Alongsider is more than a Bible study or a program. This Bible-centered guide is a fresh approach to making disciples in life2life ways.
 
The Ways of the Alongsider paints a new picture of disciplemaking that moves this vital ministry out of the hands of ministry professionals to everyone who wants to participate in the great commission. The ten chapters are packed with Bible studies, creative assignments, and challenging reflection questions. You will learn a new pathway to disciple people in life2life ways.
 
Written by veteran Navigators staff member Bill Mowry, The Ways of the Alongsider can be used with small groups, in a class setting, or in a one-to-one discipling relationship.
 
Leader helps are included in the book.
Transformation, Discipleship
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04.04.2013

9 Great Things Many Group Members Hate About Small Groups

 
 
Many group members have a love hate relationship with the group they’re in. In most instances this has nothing to do with the leader of the group or the makeup of the group. It has everything to do with those expectations that are necessary for a group to be a transformational entity in the group member’s life. I believe there are at least nine great things that some group members hate about small groups.

1. They can't hide in the crowd

2. They have to take part in the conversation

3. They are expected to be vulnerable telling the group how the group can be praying for them

4. Group members want to meet their financial/material and emotional needs

5. They are asked to confess the sins they struggle with (James 5:16)

6. They are expected to verbalize some of their own story

7. They have to agree to covenant expectations and one of those expectations includes showing up for every group gathering

8. They are expected to allow others in the group to hold them accountable

9. They are expected to resolve any conflict that occurs between them and another group member

If a group leader is going to see transformation at a meaningful level in a group member’s life, the group leader cannot give the group member a pass on these expectations. Rather, the group leader must graciously and wisely move the group member into these seemingly dangerous places. 


You May Also Want to Read...
A New Kind of Covenant
10 Discipleship Confusions Invading the Small Group World
Disciple Making the Jesus Way... Send Disciples Into Dangerous Places




Small Group Leader, Transformation, Discipleship
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04.02.2013

6 Necessities to Making Mature Disciples Small Group Pastors Seem Hesitant About

 
 
All of us who lead small groups or small group ministries want to make mature disciples. Yet, it seems we are hesitant to ask small group members to become involved in the six practices that make it possible for the small group members we lead to become spiritually mature.
 
1. Count the cost of being one of Jesus' disciples and, if necessary, give up the lifestyle they live, the relationships they love, and, if necessary even their own lives
2. Study the Bible daily
3. Tell others what Jesus has done for them and how the not-yet-follower-of-Christ can start a relationship with Jesus
4. Memorize and meditate on scripture
5. Spend time in meaningful prayer talking to and hearing from God
6. Disciple someone else
 
Small group pastor… It seems unrealistic to believe someone will become spiritually mature without be involved in the responsibilities noted above. To expect a believer under your care to become spiritually mature without doing the things noted above would be like asking a basketball player to become an all pro guard without ever requiring him to get off the bench so he can learn to dribble, shoot, and pass. 


You May Also Want to Read...
Disciple Making... What Are We Really Telling Small Group Members?
8 Random Thoughts About the Current Status of Disciple Making in North America
7 Disciple Making Imperatives

Small Group Leadership, Discipleship
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02.26.2013

Disciple-Making the Jesus Way… If You’re Unwilling to Sacrifice All, You Can't Be A Disciple

 
 
As I mentioned yesterday, I have been on a journey to understand the disciple making ways of Jesus. Many of the things I’m learning are blindsiding me. They are very contradictory to the way many of us have perceived disciple making to be. The gospels are revealing a paradigm that is quite different from our present perspective. Yesterday I told you that Jesus chose those He would disciple… they didn’t sign up for a class, join a small group, or ask someone to take them on as their project. Jesus picked twelve out of the crowd.
 
Another aspect of Jesus’ disciple making ways was that He wanted each person who would be one of his disciples to understand that they must be willing to give up all if they were going to be one of His disciples. In Luke 14 He tells those who were hanging on His every word, “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters – yes, even his own life – he cannot be my disciple. And anyone who does not carry his own cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.” Bottom line, Jesus is saying that, if you’re not willing to make your relationship with Me more important than any other relationship, and if you’re not willing to die for Me, you’re not disciple material. At other places in scripture Jesus tells would be disciples that they can’t cling to money or they’re not worthy to be one of His disciples (Matthew 19:21 – 22), they must boldly and unashamedly speak of Him (Mark 8:38), and they must be willing to die for the cause of Christ (Luke 14:27).
 
Jesus is saying… If you’re going to be a disciple of His you must be willing to live the life He lived with no place to lay your head, no money in your pocket, no relationship trumping your relationship with Him, and you must be willing to die for Him just as He died for you. These commitments must come before church, family, or the career goals you have dreamed of accomplishing your entire life. 
 
The disciple making mentality of Jesus is quite different than the one we often find ourselves embracing and promoting. Our goal oftentimes is to get people into a group (which we consider a disciple making group) and will lower the bar of expectation as low as necessary so that church attenders will be in a group. In fact, if it’s too much to ask that a person agree to a covenant that simply states they will show up weekly for a group meeting, we’ll do away with the small group covenant. Bottom line… It seems we’ve moved the bottom line from expecting all to expecting nothing at all. 


You May Also Want to Read...
8 Random Thoughts About the Current Status of Disciple Making In North America
Disciple Making Small Groups III, The Cost of Discipleship
Disciple Making the Jesus Way I, Choose Who You Will Disciple





 
Discipleship
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01.29.2013

The Three Keys to Disciple Making

 
The term “disciple” simply means, “learner.” A disciple is someone who learns principles from someone else, sees those principles lived out by the discipler and chooses to embrace those principles and live out the discipler’s practices. Those principles and practices are then passed on to others. If a church is to be a disciple-making church, making disciples that make disciples, she must first embrace the following three ideals.
 
1. Disciple-making is relational. “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. 17 This is my command: Love each other. (John 15:9 – 16)
 
Disciples are made as a disciple-maker befriends and mentors a disciple.
 
2. Disciple-making is a stage-by-stage process. “We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn. In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil. (Hebrews 5:11 – 14)
 
Disciples experience the following stages of spiritual growth; The Spiritually Dead, The Spiritual Infant, The Spiritual Child, The Spiritual Young Adult, The Spiritual Parent. (These categories of spiritual maturation are outlined in the Real Life Discipleship Training Manual)
 
3. Disciple-making is generational. “And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.” (2 Timothy 2:2)
 
Small Group Disciple-making, Discipleship
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01.28.2013

Why Become a Disciple Making Small Group Church?


If you follow this blog on an ongoing basis, you know that this blogger is on a journey to understand what it truly means to be a disciple maker and a disciple making church. For a number of days yet to be determined, I’m going to share my learnings/thoughts. Here goes… Churches across the globe have begun to realize the importance of the biblical mandate to make disciples (Matt. 28:19 – 20) and are imagining the transformation of lives and the culture where their church exists. Church leaders are dreaming of a congregation and community saturated with mature followers of Christ willing to do whatever it takes to further God’s Kingdom.
 
Some have asked, “Why would I want to lead my church to become a disciple-making church when the people I lead are happy with the status quo?” There are many undeniable and essential reasons.
 
1. The western church is declining due to a lack of disciple making. Only 9
percent of people who call themselves born again believe absolute moral truth exists. (Barna survey, 2009) Biblical illiteracy is at an all time high. Being a witness for Christ has diminished to simply hanging out with someone who is an unbeliever. Spiritual babes are not only the average believer in the average church, because the church has been slow to make disciples, many churches are led by spiritual babes. Making disciples is the only way the church in the post-Christian era is going to be the church Jesus envisioned when He told us to “go and make disciples.” (Matthew 28:19)
 
2. Jesus expected His church to make disciples. Jesus never anticipated that His bride would become a people who simply hosted church events and held weekend worship experiences. He declared that we should, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them inthe 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.” (Matt. 28:19 – 20)
 
3. Mature disciples evangelize. Every biblical church is passionate about making the gospel known to the world allowing those who are in the world to start an eternal relationship with Christ. Mature disciples intuitively tell others about the Jesus who has transformed their own lives.
 
4. A disciple-making church is never void of leaders. One of the most tragic realities in the present day church is that she is void of the leaders necessary to accomplish the vision the senior pastor has been given. A disciple-making church produces leaders who produce leaders.
 
5. Disciple-making transforms the church dynamic. Many churches suffer with a church full of immature followers of Christ. Because of this, the church is constantly dealing with petty arguments and unhappy congregants. At the same time, those who visit the church are hesitant to join as they sense the tension and immaturity of the people who make up the church. A church that makes disciples is full of people who exhibit “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control,” the fruit of the Spirit. (Galatians 5:22 – 23) A church made up of people exhibiting these characteristics is a magnet for both believers and unbelievers.
 
6. Disciple-making transforms households. Many families are made up of husbands and wives that are church attenders but have never been discipled. Because they have never grown to maturity spiritually these couples live a life of carnality often leading to divorce. For those who do stay together and raise children, their children are void of parents who nurture them spiritually so, when they reach adulthood, these children often leave the faith for the rest of their lives.
 
7. Disciple-making engages the entire church body in the meeting of one another’s emotional, spiritual, and physical needs. Many pastors are overwhelmed with an unending number of counseling sessions, mediating conversations between those who are at odds with one another, and easing the tensions of immature believers concerned that the church isn’t “meeting my needs.” Over time, a disciple-making church is filled with people who need less counseling as those who have been discipled depend more and more on the power of God and the Holy Spirit, are mature in Christ so they are less conflictual and when conflict does arise they follow biblical directives to singularly clean up the mess that has been made if possible (Matthew 18:15 - 17), and who realize that it isn’t the churches role to meet their needs, rather, it is their role to serve Christ through the church and in so doing, they will be fulfilled.
 
These seven why’s of a disciple-making will make a church a church that makes the gospel known, is a magnet for those far from Christ and believers seeking to be part of a healthy congregation, and makes it possible for a pastor to give his time to study of God’s Word, prayer, and leadership.  


You May Also Want to Read...
Disciple Making Small Groups I, Questions I'm Asking
10 Discipleship Confusions Invading the Small Group World





Small Group Disciple-making, Discipleship
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01.11.2013

Disciple Making Groups IV, Quotes That Define Discipleship

 
 
Over the Christmas break I began reading Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s, The Cost of Discipleship. Some of the quotes from that book have deeply convicted me. Maybe you’ll find yourself with whispers from the Holy Spirit as you read them too.
 
“Christianity without discipleship is always Christianity without Christ… In such a religion there is trust in God, but no following of Christ.” Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship
 
“We are disciples of Christ, or we are not Christians at all.” Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship
 
“The only man who has the right to say He is justified by grace alone is the man who has left all to follow Christ. Such a man knows that the call to discipleship is a gift of grace, and that the call is inseparable from the grace.” Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship
 
“The followers of Jesus for His sake renounce every personal right… If after giving up everything else for his sake they still wanted to cling to their own rights, they would then have ceased to follow Him.” Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship
 
“Just as Christ is Christ only in virtue of His suffering and rejection, so the disciple is a disciple only in so far as He shares his Lord’s suffering and rejection and crucifixion.” Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship
 
 “Fellowship with Jesus and obedience to His commandments come first, and all else follows. Worldly cares are not a part of our discipleship, but distinct and subordinate concerns.” Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship
 
“Christ’s followers always have His image before their eyes, and in its light all other images are screened from their sight.” Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship
 
“Only the man who follows the command of Jesus single-mindedly, and unresistingly lets His yoke rest upon Him, finds His burden is easy, and under its gentle pressure receives the power to persevere in the right way.” Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship
 
“When Christ calls a man He bids him come and die.” Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship
Discipleship
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01.10.2013

Disciple Making Small Groups III, The Cost of Discipleship

 
 
Jesus wasn’t hesitant when He spoke to those who wanted to be one of His followers. He raised the bar so high that many, maybe most of them turned and went back home. To follow Jesus meant giving up more than most in our culture could even consider. Let’s face it, we find it difficult to get small group members to commit to a group covenant!
 
So… What does Jesus expect of those who are His disciples? Jesus expects His disciples too…
 
1. Make our relationship with Jesus more important than the relationship we have with anyone else, even our own their families. Jesus said, “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.” (Luke 14:26)
 
2. Give up the comforts of home, even be willing to be homeless for His sake.  On one occasion a man said to Jesus,“I will follow you wherever you go.” Jesus response was as follows, ““Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”  (Matthew 8:20) If we are unable to give up the comforts of home then we need not consider being one of Jesus’ disciples. Leaving the plush life and warmth of our homes may be a request Jesus makes of us.
 
3. We must be willing to set aside cultural norms when they contradict God’s norms. Also in Matthew 8… a second man wanted to be a follower/disciple of Christ but then said to Jesus, “first let me bury my father.” Jesus response sounds uncaring and unkind. Jesus said to the man, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.” Many Jews regarded the commandment to honor father and mother as the supreme commandment. Jesus is telling this man that no matter what it is that seems to be more important than following Him, even if the culture sees that thing as supreme above all other expectations, that following Him trumps even that thing.
 
4. A Disciple of Jesus cannot love money. A rich young man once approached Jesus and asked Jesus what he needed to do to have eternal life. Jesus didn’t see salvation apart from being a disciple. In fact, when Jesus responded to the young man He said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” 22 When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.” (Matt. 19:21 – 22) Jesus is telling the young man that he must be willing to give up all his treasure if he’s going to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. Loving and living for money and following Jesus cannot co-exist. You know why? Because, as Jesus reminds us, “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” (Matthew 6:24)
 
5. A true disciple cannot remain silent about Jesus, their rabbi. In the book of Mark when Jesus speaks of following Him, He includes this convicting statement… “whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.” (Mark 8:38) Jesus is telling those who would choose to follow Him that, if you’re going to follow Him, no matter what your friends, co-workers, or family members think of you or says about you, if you’re going to be one of Jesus’ disciples, you will speak of Him to those in the generation in which He has placed you, no matter what the cost… embarrassment, ridicule, loss of relationship, no matter what it costs you.
 
6. A disciple of Jesus Christ must be willing to die for Him. Jesus said, “Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.” (Luke 14:28)  Every person within earshot of this statement had most likely seen a crucifixion. They were fully aware that anyone who was crucified had to carry his own cross beam through the streets where crucifixion would take place. They were from Galilee. Less than 20 years before Jesus made this statement a group of Jews tried to throw the Romans out. The Romans won the battle and lined the streets with crosses and hanging on those crosses were the bodies of more than 2,000 Jews. These people realized that Jesus was speaking of dying for the sake of Christ.
 
And then, as if Jesus wanted to be certain we knew that NOTHING should come before Him, He declared, “any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.” (Luke 14:33)
 
So… Here’s the question… At what point, if ever, do we make small group members aware of these expectations?
 
Maybe a better question is this one… In our longing to “get people to join the church and stick,” have we purposefully ignored these expectations of Jesus?
 
Maybe an even better question than that one is this one… Has our paradigm of discipleship devolved so much that, when we read these, we perceive them as being out of touch, out of sync with reality, and no longer valid? 
Discipleship
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