1. 2012 Great Commission Discipleship Leadership Seminar with Greg Ogden
Sponsored by
Ambassadors for Christ, Inc.

2. About Greg Ogden
Introduction slide
[Automatic play seconds]
Group introductions & welcome.
Recently “redeployed” from Christ Church in Oak Brook, IL Now living in Monterey, CA Married for 42 years to Lily, retired elementary school principal Father to Aimee, married to Adam, both pediatricians in Salt Lake City, UT Hopelessly doting grandfather to Claire, 5 years old and Dylan, 2+ years old

5. Overview of our Time Biblical/Theological Foundations for Discipleship
The Pastors’ Role as Equipper for Ministry
The Pastor’s Role as Disciple-Maker
Vision for Biblical Discipleship
Why small reproducible discipleship groups are a key environment for making disciples
Practical Considerations for Implementing a Discipleship Strategy
Need for Discipleship Curriculum
Coaching strategy for implementing and sustaining group life mulitiplication

6. Biblical/Theological Foundations for Discipleship
The Pastor’s Role as
Equipper and Discipler

7. The Goal of Equipping: The Priesthood of All Believers Ephesians 4:11, 12 II Tim. 3:16-17
Apostles
Prophets
Evangelists
Pastor-Teachers
Unto
Do One
Thing
Equip the
Saints
Which in turn
Builds Up The
Body
Of Christ
Work of
Ministry

8. The Biblical Model of Disciple-Making2
Jesus called his disciples (Luke 6:12-13)
What were the strategic reasons for the selection of the twelve in the light of…
Why would Jesus risk the dynamics of jealousy?
Why not just expand the crowd?
I. THE BIBLICAL MODEL OF
DISCIPLE-MAKING
Doing the Lord’s Work in the
Lord’s Way
Jesus called his disciples
(Luke 6:12-13)
Background: There is general misimpression in a casual reading of the gospel accounts is that Jesus gathered up his twelve a few at a time and at first meeting they left their secular vocations and followed him. It is clear from this passage that Jesus had a larger following and from them he designated the 12 to be a part of his inner core. F. F. Bruce identifies three stages in the selection process:
Stage 1: The disciples were simply believers in Jesus as the Christ, and they associated with Jesus as occasional companions at public events, like the wedding in Cana at Galilee.
Stage 2: Fellowship with Christ assumed the form of uninterrupted attendance to his person, which entailed the abandonment of their secular occupations. Stages 1 and 2 may have been collapsed for some.
Stage 3: The last and highest stage occurred when the disciples were chosen by the Master from the mass of followers, and were formed into a select band to be trained for the work of apostleship. This last stage probably did not occur until there had been considerable association with Jesus.

9. Reasons for Focus on a Few: Internalization3
B. The Reasons for the Focus
on a Few.
1. Internalization
Core who knew in-depth - His person
and mission which could not be
conveyed to the multitudes
ASK: If Jesus had simply relied on the masses, what would have happened?
What did happen to the masses?
a. Distrust of the populace
- from love to hate - hail him on Palm Sunday, shout crucify Him
five days later.
- John 2: 24,25
- “flash in the pan celebrity”
- “footnote of history”
Transition to Disciples are not mass produced
Distrust of the populace
John 2:23-25
Palm Sunday to Good Friday
“But for the twelve, the doctrine, the works, the image of Jesus might have perished from human resemblance, nothing remaining but a vague mythical tradition, of historical value, of little practical importance.”--A. B. Bruce

10. Reasons for Focus on a Few: Internalization3
b. Disciples not mass produced
- not herded through programs
A.B. Bruce - “This careful, painstaking education of the disciples secured the teacher’s influence on this world should be permanent; that His kingdom should be founded on the rock of deep and indestructible convictions in the minds of a few, not on the shifting sands of superficial impressions in the minds of the many.”
“Disciples cannot be mass produced. We cannot drop people into a program and see disciples emerge at the end of a production line. It takes time to make disciples. It takes individual personal attention.”(Leroy Eims, The Lost Art of Disciplemaking)
Transition to Signs & Reasons for Superficiality
b. Disciples not mass produced
“This careful, painstaking education of the disciples secured the teacher’s influence on this world should be permanent; that His kingdom should be founded on the rock of deep and indestructible convictions in the minds of a few, not on the shifting sands of superficial impressions in the minds of the many.” -- A. B. Bruce

11. Reasons for Focus on a Few: Internalization3
c. Signs and Reasons for
superficiality
Sunday School Faith
“the eternal childhood of
the believer”—Juan Carlos Ortiz
“Why have so many Sundays of Bible
teaching produced so few spiritually mature adults?”
trying to borrow off past assets that have long since been spent
Overrun by cultural values
We have millions who claim a born-again experience of Christ and a decreased effect on the moral climate of our culture? Gallup poll - no difference in values between churched/ unchurched
81% of Americans say they arrive at their religious views without a body of believers. Little difference in the values and practices of those who are churched or unchurched. From small habits of integrity such as calling in sick when you are not, to puffed up resumes, to cheating on tax returns, “little difference in the ethical views and behavior of churched and unchurched.” In terms of charitable giving while 40% say that God is the most important thing in their lives, those making between 50-75,000 a year give 1.5% of their income, while spending 12% on leisure activities.
Illustration: For example, when exercise was the craze we came up with our Christian versions that simply mirror the culture. Trim for Him. Fitness. Aerobic Praise, Devotion in Motion, Praise-R-cise, but the one I like the best is Firm Believer, which the slimming slogan, “He must increase and I must decrease.”
Conclusion: One person summed up the Western view of discipleship as “privately engaging, socially irrelevant”; we end up copying the latest fads of society; Christian forms of dieting and getting in shape.
c. Causes of Superficiality
Diverted leaders from equipping
Focus on programs

12. Reasons for Focus on a Few: Internalization3
Discipleship Programs
ASK: What are the dominant
characteristics of a
program?
Any spectator-performer relationship.
One or a few doing for the many.
Where the vast majority are consumers and observers. One person making a presentation and the rest somewhat passive recipients of another’s knowledge. Sermons, classes, sometimes even in intentional discipleship groups (e.g. the 2-7 series with the Navigators)
Characteristics of these kind of groups:
Content (Curriculum) or knowledge based—what you know is considered the basis for growth. Head knowledge or information based discipleship. Increased knowledge of the word of God. I remember reading that as a child that Elvis Presley went to summer camp for free for 5 consecutive summers based upon memorizing Scripture—350 verses a year.
The one preparing for the many—the one who grows most in knowledge and transformation is the one preparing. I know I also had to be addressed by the word before I authentically had anything to say. As much as I believe in the power of preaching for conviction and decision in the context of worship, I would be naïve to believe that through my preaching disciples were made. Any more than Jesus would believe that simply he teaching to the masses would have produced disciples. If anyone could do it, it was Jesus and he didn’t put his eggs in that basket.
Characteristics of Programs:
Content or knowledge based
One preparing for the many
Regimentation or synchronization
Low Accountability

13. Reasons for Focus on a Few: Internalization
“Disciples cannot be massed produced. We cannot drop people into a program and see disciples emerge at the end of a production line. It takes time to make disciples. It takes individual personal attention.” (Leroy Eims, The Lost Art of Disciplemaking)

14. Have Enough Vision to Think Small
Reasons for Focus on a Few: Multiplication 4
B. The Reasons for the
Focus on a Few.
2. Multiplication
Jesus had enough vision to think small.
ASK: By focusing on the few, was Jesus unconcerned with reaching the multitudes? (Hardly.)
a. Jesus had a heart for the multitudes—How do we know?
-- Jesus focused on a few because His concern was to reach the multitudes.
Eugene Peterson - “Jesus it must be remembered, restricted 9/10 of His ministry to 12 Jews because it was the only way to reach all Americans.”
Have Enough Vision to Think Small
A. Jesus had a heart for the multitudes
“Jesus it must be remembered, restricted 9/10 of His ministry to 12 Jews because it was the only way to reach all Americans.” --Eugene Peterson

15. The Letter from Jane DISCUSSION
What are the significant disciple-making principles or practices reflected in this letter? (circle them)

16. The Disciple-Making Challenge: Three Years of Ministry
“Perhaps today’s pastor should imagine that they are going to have three more years in their parish as pastor--and that there will be no replacement for them when they leave. If they acted as if this were going to happen, they would then put the highest priority on selecting, motivating, and training lay leaders that could carry on the mission. The results of three sustained years of such an approach would be quite significant. Even revolutionary.” --George Martin

17. Reflection Exercise (in groups of 3; 1 pastor with 2 lay leaders)
1. How do we take seriously the pastoral role as equipper/discipler and then translate this into an actual strategy? 2. If we were to follow Jesus’ model and plan to turn leadership over to those in our church after we were gone, how would you best spend your time now getting people ready? What might the laity come to expect of themselves?

18. Vision for Biblical Discipleship
The Power of Small, Reproducing Discipleship Groups

19. From One-on-One Discipleship to Small, Reproducible Groups

20. Frustrations with Discipling15
Frustrations with Discipling
Meet one on one weekly
Mutual sharing
Teach basics of faith
Apply faith to family, work, ethics, etc.
Study together
Pray together
...but no multiplication…why?
?!?!?
Frustrations with
Discipling
Personal Reality:
Frustration in seeing the people with
whom I was meeting actually going to
lead someone else to Christ or even
have the confidence to invest in
someone else as a mentor to assist
another in their growth.
What did I see?
meet with people weekly one - on - one
help grow through some mutual sharing—speak together about the growing edges of our faith; how is God speaking to us through His word
teach basic things about how to grow in Christ—prayer, QT, study the word, write out our testimony
talk about faith in the context of family, work, church, ethics, inner struggle, temptations
study a book together like John Stott’s Basic Christianity
pray together
often coaching them on a ministry in the life of the church
Transition to Reflection Exercise

21. Transition to Biblical Models of Disciplemaking15
What Do YOU Think?
What are the obstacles to reproduction?
Why don’t we see more multiplication?
Reflection Exercise:
What are the obstacles to reproduction?
Why don’t we see more multiplication?
What gets in the way of the fulfillment of this nice design?
Transition to Biblical Models of Disciplemaking

22. Biblical Models of Disciple-Making16
Biblical Models of Disciple-Making
Biblical Models of
Disciplemaking
Our Discipling Model is
hierarchical rather than relational.
Paul--Timothy
Father-Son
Teacher-Student
Mature-Immature
Motivator-Motivated
What pressure does the discipler feel?
What does this model foster?
ASK: What is the Biblical
relationship that is usually
held up as the model of
discipling? -- Paul—Timothy.
What are the characteristics of this model?
The Usual Biblical Model
a. Hierarchical model: Paul -- Timothy
Father -- Son (II Tim. 1:2--to Timothy, my beloved child)
Mature - Immature
Teacher - Student
Motivator—Motivated
Can occur with pastor and member of the flock but does not work well with those ordinary believers - They don’t see themselves head and shoulders above others.

23. One-on-One Traditional Model of Disciple-making Limitations…17
Traditional Model of Disciple-making
One-on-One
Limitations…
Discipler carries the weight of responsibility
Leads to hierarchy which creates dependency
Two-way dialogue; limited interchange
One-model approach; limited to the discipler
Generally does not reproduce
Practical Model of
Disciplemaking
One on One vs. Traid
- the need to move out of
hierarchical model
One on one
(The assumed model—born out of Navigators—discipling is almost synonymous with one on one relationships)
- discipler focused - pressure
- teacher/student
- hierarchical
- fosters dependency
- dialogue - ping pong
- limited models
- does not reproduce
Transition to Triads

24. Triads/Quads Alternate Model of Disciple-making Important Shifts…17
Alternate Model of Disciple-making
Triads
(Relational)
How did I discover this model?
Through experimentation with a
version of this discipling material.
I tested this material (1) one on one;
(2) triads and (3) small group of ten.
Amazed at the change in dynamics I found:
From pressure on discipler to natural participation. Shift from a teacher- dynamic with the discipler as the answer person to a group process where the discipler can contribute natural without being the focal point.
There is a natural shift from hierarchical to relational. The hierarchical nature of the relationship is the greatest inhibiting factor to multiplication. The triad creates a come-alongside mutual journey. The focus is not so much upon the discipler as upon Jesus Christ as the one toward which all are pointing their lives.
From dialogue to dynamic interchange. There is a evident shift is the dynamic of interchange or what I would call “groupness”. One on one is not a group, but a back and forth interchange. By simply adding another the presence of the spirit in one’s midst became evident.
Triads/Quads
Important Shifts…
From pressure on discipler to natural participation
From hierarchical to relational
From dialogue to dynamic interchange
From limited input to wisdom in numbers
From addition to multiplication

25. The Power of Threes/Four
The Trinitarian God (Matthew 28:19)
Genesis 1:26: “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. What does the plural tell us about God? What does it tell us about being made in the image of God?
Jesus had 3 as an inner core (Peter, James and John)
Why did Jesus single out this group of 3 from within the 12?
The three-fold cord is not easily broken (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12)

26. The Environment for Transformation
Why small groups of 3 or 4 provide the right environment for transformation into Christlikeness?

27. Transition to Part One: Growing Up in Christ19
THE INGREDIENTS FOR
TRANSFORMATION:
Biblical Principle: When we open
our hearts in trust to each other
(horizontally) around the truth of
God’s word in spirit of mutual
submission, we are in the Holy Spirit’s
laboratory of transformation.
1. Intimacy, Relational Transparency
a. Mutual Vulnerability
- model openness - the discipler sets the tone.
- authority is not based on a false perfectionism (we have this truth in earthen vessels - God’s power made perfect in weakness)
- our values, aspirations, emotions, failures, all are on the table
(My own struggle with anxiety - the need for inner healing to deal with that.)
b. Integration
bring the various dimensions of our life together
- finances
- life direction
- questions
- marriage
- work
- children
- service
2. Teaching (see p. 1 - of table of contents)
Content
building a mosaic
putting the pieces of the puzzle together in a holistic fashion (shoe box)
truth content is the cutting edge - the truth that reveals; the power of God’s
word (the Word of God not only informs, it performs)
3. Accountability
Transition to Part One: Growing Up in Christ
Ingredients for Transformation:
Intimacy/Transparency
Truth in Community
Life-change Accountability

28. Ingredients for Transformation:19
THE INGREDIENTS FOR
TRANSFORMATION:
Biblical Principle: When we open
our hearts in trust to each other
(horizontally) around the truth of
God’s word in spirit of mutual
submission, we are in the Holy Spirit’s
laboratory of transformation.
1. Intimacy, Relational Transparency
a. Mutual Vulnerability
- model openness - the discipler sets the tone.
- authority is not based on a false perfectionism (we have this truth in earthen vessels - God’s power made perfect in weakness)
- our values, aspirations, emotions, failures, all are on the table
(My own struggle with anxiety - the need for inner healing to deal with that.)
b. Integration
bring the various dimensions of our life together
- finances
- life direction
- questions
- marriage
- work
- children
- service
2. Teaching (see p. 1 - of table of contents)
Content
building a mosaic
putting the pieces of the puzzle together in a holistic fashion (shoe box)
truth content is the cutting edge - the truth that reveals; the power of God’s
word (the Word of God not only informs, it performs)
3. Accountability
Transition to Part One: Growing Up in Christ
Ingredients for Transformation:
When we…
open our hearts in transparent trust to each other
around the truth of God’s word
in the spirit of mutual accountability...
…we are in the Holy Spirit’s hothouse of transformation.

29. Transformation involves: 1. Transparent Trust
Principle: The extent to which we are willing to reveal to others those areas of our life that need God’s transforming touch is the extent to which we are inviting the Holy Spirit to make us new.
Affirmation
Walking Through Difficulties
Being Reflective Listeners
Confession

31. Transformation involves: 2. Truth in Community
II Timothy 3:16, 17--profitable for…
Teaching
Reproof
Correction
Training in righteousness
Need for systematic teaching and a tool
Mosaic Image

32. Discipleship Essentials
25 lessons
Written to implement small, reproducible discipleship groups
Built in covenant
Relational tool
Leads to transformation
Precedent for the book Leadership Essentials

33. THE ESSENTIAL COMMANDMENT
12 lessons on The Great Commandment
2 lessons each on loving God with all our… heart, soul, mind and strength
3 lessons on loving our neighbor as ourselves
Takes us to the core of following Jesus

34. Transformation involves: 3. Life-change Accountability22
Transformation involves: 3. Life-change Accountability
What is accountability?
Submission to mutually agreed standards
Giving partners authority to call you to account
What are the standards? (p. 14)
Minimum commitments
Recommitment to the standards (p. 80, 146)
c. Accountability
(p. 14) p. 80 (after lesson 8)
p. 146 (after lesson 16)
(covenant renewal)
Accountability: submission to mutually agreed standards with the understanding that your discipling partners are given the authority to call you to account to keep what has been agreed to.
What are the standards?
Transition to the Power of the Discipling Model

36. Power of the Discipling Model22
Intimacy Truth Accountability
Small Groups
Teaching
Preaching
[Talk through the power of
Discipling vs. other methods of
equipping.]
Transition to The Story of Eric Johnson
Discipling

37. Importance and Characteristics
Good Curriculum
Importance and Characteristics

38. Overview of Charateristics
Transferable tool
Progression: create a sense of movement
Simple without being simplistic
Easy to use format
Highly interactive: egalitarian (everyone participates equally)
Personal (application oriented)

39. Transferable Tool Content can be used and reused
The framework for teaching
Gives discipler the confidence. Do not need to know it all
Someone who is new to the faith can use and master
Overcomes a hit and miss approach

40. Progression Gives a sense of movement Mosaic Image
Four Parts with two lessons as intro
Growing Up In Christ
The Message of Christ
Becoming Like Christ
Serving Christ

41. Discipleship Essentials
25 lessons
Written to implement small, reproducible discipleship groups
Built in covenant
Relational tool
Leads to transformation
Precedent for the book Leadership Essentials

42. Section 1 Growing Up In Christ
Lesson 1 and 2
What is discipling?
Who is a disciple?
Lessons 3-6: Personal and Corporate Disciplines
Quiet Time
Bible Study
Prayer
Worship

43. Section 2 The Message of Christ
Trinitarian: Father, Son and Holy Spirit flow
Lesson 7-8: The 3-Personal God and Being Made in His Image
Lesson 9: Sin as broken relationship
Lesson 10: Grace: restored relationship
Lesson 11: Redemption: Person, death and resurrection of Jesus
Lesson 12-13: The Benefits of the Work of Christ
Justification
Adoption

44. Section 3 Becoming Like Christ
Lessons Holy Spirit
Filled with the Spirit
Fruit of the Spirit
Lesson 16 Trust: what is faith?
Lesson 17 Love: key characteristic of the life in Christ
Lesson 18 Justice: love on a societal basis; God’s heart for the poor and disenfranchised
Lesson 19 Witness: Being connection of God’s love to those who don’t know it

45. Section 4 Serving Christ
Lesson 20 Church
Lesson 21 Ministry Gifts
Lesson 22 Spiritual Warfare
Lesson 23 Obedience
Lesson 24 Sharing the Wealth
Lession 25 (Bonus Lesson) Money

46. Simplicity without being simplistic
Format is repeatable and consistent
Core Truth
Memory Verse
Scripture Readings
Contemporary discussion of the issues.
Question are not insultingly simple
Observation: Q 3 and 4 a (p. 89)
Interpretation Q4b (p. 89)
Application Q. 5, (p. 89)

47. Format is easy to use
Questions are laid out to make for a progressive use.
Created a simplified way to cover the content.

48. Interactive Group size keeps everyone participating.
The tool is the teacher. Stay away from an answer person.
If an unorthodox thought is uttered, take people back to what the Scriptures say.
Everyone has a voice and brings their life experience.

49. Personal Application
Life change does not occurred until truth intersects the real issues of our life and leads to change…
Attitudes
Behaviors
Values
Relationships
Life Direction

50. Role of the Leader Recruiting the Discipling Triad
The Practicalities
of Disciple-Making 25
Role of the Leader Recruiting the Discipling Triad
Pray for discernment
Invite the potential partner
State you were drawn to them in prayer
Review Table of Contents
Talk through the Disciple’s Covenant
Ask the person to prayerfully consider
Seek a third/fourth person
THE PRACTICALITIES OF
DISCIPLE-MAKING
I. The Role of the Leader
(Recruiting the Discipleship Triad)
1. Pray for discernment based upon the Biblical criteria (loyalty, teachability and dependability)
2. When you receive guidance invite the person to meet with you personally.
a. State that as a result of prayer you feel draw to invite the person to join you in a mutual journey of discipleship toward maturity in Christ. Stress that this is not a random invite but through a sense of prayerfully pesonal call.
b. Secondly, review the material you will be using by looking at the Table of Contents and a sample lesson.
c. Third, talk through A Disciple’s Covenant and do not minimize the fact that they are being equipped to equip others.
d. Ask the person to prayerfully consider this relationship over the next week and not to give you too immediate of a response. You want the person to consider the time commitment in light of larger responsibility and to adjust schedule if necessary to make this happen.
e. Inform the person of another person who might be involved that you also have been called to join you. It is also possible if you don’t have a third to enlist their support in helping discern who that third person should be.

51. Role of the Leader (Cont.)
Set the first meeting time
Guide the partners through the first session
Complete all lessons and participate
Model transparency

52. First Few Meetings Review the Covenant Get to know each other
Share your faith journey
Lead the first 4-6 lessons, then rotate facilitators
Keep alive the vision of reproduction

53. Growing a Disciple-making Network
Develop a small oversight group
Also a place for problem solving
Keep track of those in the network
Create a network newsletter
Articles
Testimonies
Stories of second/third generation leadership
Hold semi-annual gatherings of all in
the network

54. Closing Exhortation
We have made an unbiblical distinction between being a Christian and being a disciple as if discipleship is largely optional
Growing disciples is a longer process of personal investment. There are no short-cuts to growing people.
A person has turned the corner to maturity when they start taking responsibility for the spiritual health of others.
Leadership Shortage is really a discipleship shortage
II Timothy 2:2: Our legacy is the transformed people we have left in place.