1. “How To Build A Life-Changing Disciple-Making Process”
“The strength and influence of the church is wholly dependent upon its commitment to true discipleship.”
- George Barna
Growing True Disciples

2. 1. Define Disciple-Making 2. Describe the way we are beginning to do it

3. It is fulfilling the Great Commission:
What is Discipleship?
It is fulfilling 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.”
Matthew 28:19-20

4. What is Discipleship?
The Great Commission is not primarily about evangelism, it is about disciple-making.

5. Defining: What is Discipleship?
“Christian discipleship is a process that takes place within accountable relationships over a period of time for the purpose of bringing believers to spiritual maturity in Christ.”

6. What is Discipleship?
“Christian discipleship is a process that takes place within accountable relationships over a period of time for the purpose of bringing believers to spiritual maturity in Christ.”

7. Discipleship Is… A process:
Disciple-making is a “shift from program-driven ministry to people- driven ministry … move from concern about quantity (people, programs, square footage, dollars) to concern about quality (commitment, wisdom, relationships, values, lifestyle).”
- George Barna
Growing True Disciples

8. Elements of Conversion (Decision for Christ)
What is Conversion?
belief in Jesus
repentance
trust / assurance of salvation
commitment and devotion
giving a verbal witness to Him
public baptism
incorporation into a Christian community

9. What is Discipleship?
“Christian discipleship is a process that takes place within accountable relationships over a period of time for the purpose of bringing believers to spiritual maturity in Christ.”

10. It is accountable relationships:
What is Discipleship?
It is accountable relationships:
“Disciple-making is not about replicable, transferable methods, but about the mystery of two walking together. Christian maturity is always a social, and never an individual reality. There is no such thing as my maturity. It is only our maturity.”

11. What is Discipleship?
“Christian discipleship is a process that takes place within accountable relationships over a period of time for the purpose of bringing believers to spiritual maturity in Christ.”

12. Its goal is Spiritual Maturity:
What is Discipleship?
Its goal is Spiritual Maturity:
“Too often disciple-making has been understood as preaching the gospel, helping a penitent pray the sinner’s prayer, or offering a compelling case for Christian belief. Disciple-making surely includes all these things, but it has as its goal Christian maturity.”

13. What is Discipleship?
A key leader in Africa has stated of the evangelical movement there:
“The church in Africa is one mile long, but only one inch deep. Discipleship is not information, but character formation.”

14. What is Discipleship?
“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

15. Why Focus On Discipleship?
If churches continue to do what we’ve always done, we’re going to get what we’ve always gotten.
Current reality…

16. Why Discipleship?
“Consequently, you are … fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.” – Ephesians 2:19-22

17. Why Discipleship? We need to ask:
What does a spiritually mature believer look like? How do I recognize a disciple of Christ?
What is our church doing to ensure that we produce spiritually mature believers? Do we have an intentional disciple-making plan?
Do I understand how our plan works?

18. Why Discipleship?
“Disciples don’t just happen. They’re developed through intentional planning and the effort of a community of believers. You, too, can make disciples in your church. But it won’t just happen. You need to decide what you’re going to do and how to do it.”

19. 1. Define Disciple-Making 2. Describe the way we are beginning to do it

20. Following Jesus Training
Is about developing disciples who will lead our churches into the future

21. Discipleship Training on Sunday Nights has begun…
Building slowly
Involving multiple churches
Using both Fall & Spring semesters
Focus is on both curriculum and the importance of building relationships.

22. Discipleship Training
Strengths
Balance of teaching & group discussion
Trains everyone to facilitate the group
Begins to develop future spiritual leaders
Uses multiple presenters

23. Discipleship Training
Weaknesses
Not enough time for group life
Memorization may be difficult
Could still be seen as a program, rather than a process based on relationships

24. Discipleship Training
COST?
No charge currently, a one-time offering to cover printing appreciated

25. Discipleship Training
Comments
promotes/develops biblical habits (disciplines)
Has been very practical
Has offered accountability
Includes support and caring
Being able to download lessons online has been helpful

26. Why Discipleship? We need to ask:
What does a spiritually mature believer look like? How do I recognize a disciple of Christ?
What is our church doing to ensure that we produce spiritually mature believers? Are we developing an intentional disciple-making plan?

27. Measuring the immeasurable…
“It’s easy to fall into the trap of measuring only what’s easy to measure. Our real job is to figure out what’s significant to the organization and to the people who actually do work and find ways together of measuring what’s significant.
That’s tough. That’s essential.
That’s beginning to reach for potential.”
- Max Dupree

28. MORE CHURCH EVENTS IS NOT THE ANSWER OR SOLUTION!

29. Why Is Following Jesus Training working?
People are hungry for 1) spiritual growth, 2) accountability, 3) community and 4) Spirit-led ministry and service!
God’s Timing!
Our Discipleship Training is both simple and difficult to implement. However, it is doable for every church that wants to be involved.

30. Discipleship Training gently facilitates a right hand column thinking & mindset
CONVERT DISCIPLE
DECISION SPIRITUAL FORMATION
PROGRAM PROCESS
INFORMATION TRANSFORMATION
FAST SLOW

31. Discipleship Training gently facilitates a right hand column thinking & mindset
SHORT LONG & SUSTAINED
EASY DIFFICULT
QUICK ENDING BEGINNING
EVENT ON-GOING

32. Discipleship Training gently facilitates a right hand column thinking & mindset
INSTANT ___ SEVERAL YEARS
DIET LIFESTYLE
HABITS (BAD) HABITS (GOOD)
TRYING TRAINING
LAZZIE-FAIRE DISCIPLINED

33. Discipleship Training gently facilitates a right hand column thinking & mindset
IRRESPONSIBLE ACCOUNTABLE
CORPORATE PERSONAL
DESTINATION JOURNEY
SPECTATOR PARTICIPITANT
IMMATURE MATURE

34. How does “Following Jesus” work?
We encourage prayer partners
We encourage accountability
Teaching of spiritual disciplines through Bible study and memorization
We want a process more focused on formation rather than information
Committed to having fun

35. Concerns/Problems/Learning Our Experience Thus Far… OR Don’t Get Your Hopes Up! There is no Quick FIX

36. Road Blocks to Discipleship Success
time availability
pastoral interest
Program mentality
logistical issues
Preparation time
Scripture memorization
spiritual maturity

37. How Any Disciple-Making Works!
Spiritual success relies on relationships,
listening, encouraging, accountability,
and a time commitment from everyone what is
involved. It is hard, slow people work! But it is
SO worth it!

38. How does “Following Jesus” work?
It is the future for helping ReStart & ReLaunch churches
It is the future for assessing existing churches to help them build a Church Action Plan to move forward
It is the future for providing a District Qualified Coach to every pastor that needs one
It all flows out of discipling relationships.

39. Website to Serve You www.onecml.org

40. “How To Build A Life-Changing Disciple-Making Process”
“The strength and influence of the church is wholly dependent upon its commitment to true discipleship.”
- George Barna
Growing True Disciples