Session 1 The Question of Discipleship

Our Mission As the Church of Nazarene approached its centennial year 2008, the Board of General Superintendents voted unanimously to define its mission as. . . TO MAKE CHRISTLIKE DISCIPLES IN THE NATIONS

As a disciple of Jesus Christ, God has given each of us a mission; a reason for existence. Then Jesus said, “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, The Great Commission

Personal Reflection . . .Who are the people you encounter daily? . . .What if those people are God’s mission field for you? . . .How can you be Jesus to those people?

Session 2 The Faces of Discipleship

Discipleship is not a program— it is a lifestyle. What are some ways you can be a Christian in. . . your job? your neighborhood? your world?

Personal Reflection Does my life (attitude, words, actions) demonstrate the joy of the Christian life? Is my life attractive to those around me? Am I intentionally passing on my relationship with Jesus to others?

Personal Reflection, cont. Can I name specific people I am mentoring, coaching, teaching, and shaping? What gifts, talents, and training I have to offer God? What spiritual gifts has God given me for the edification of His Church?

Session 3 Children’s Discipleship

INVEST in children by praying Accept Jesus as their personal Savior Spend time in prayer Develop Christian character and lifestyle Love and learn God’s Word Witness to others about Jesus Christ Worship God with thanksgiving and praise Be good stewards of time, talent, and money Seek God’s will Put God first in all decisions Have and recognize God’s protective covering on all levels Choose Christian dates and mates Guide their own children to personal relationships with Jesus Christ.

IMPRINT Imprinting--A learning process occurring young in life in which a specific behavioral pattern is established through association with a parent or other role model.

is due to relationships and attitude INTERACT Relationships Count! 85% of success is due to relationships and attitude 15% of success is due to knowledge

Session 4 Youth Discipleship

Five Areas of Discipleship for Youth Integral Inviting Intentionality Incarnational Intergenerational

Doing Well Needs improvement Not Doing Well The Five I’s Integral Doing Well Needs improvement Not Doing Well Inviting Intentionality Incarnational Intergenerational

The Church Is a Family Incorporating youth ministry into the central life of the church is essential.

Session 5 Adult Discipleship

Relationships developed and shaped within our families profoundly shape the culture in which we live.

The drug dealer’s answer was stunning. . . “I’m there; you’re not!” Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. Deuteronomy 6:5-9 The drug dealer’s answer was stunning. . . “I’m there; you’re not!” --Rev. Eugene Rivers

Five Practices Essential to Discipleship Personal presence Accountability Forgiveness Prayer Unconditional love

Session 6 Discipleship and the Inner Life

Our Mission: to make Christlike disciples. . . The first order of business in producing Christlike disciples is to be Christlike disciples. “. . . in this world we are like him.” 1 John 4:17

Christlike Disciples Maintain Certain Priorities A deep and sincere passion to follow Jesus Intentionally devotes oneself to Jesus through daily time in God’s Word and prayer Practices personal stewardship in all areas of life Total dependence upon the power of Christ for obedience Lives in daily experience with the Holy Spirit for sanctification and empowerment for ministry Develops spiritual gifts for the purpose of edifying the Body of Christ Manifests a humble spirit of servanthood Committed to the Body of Christ through mutually accountable relationships --John Denney

Beyond Membership to Discipleship We teach what we know. . . but we reproduce what we are. “. . .be conformed to the likeness of his Son.” Romans 8:29

Sesson 7 Discipleship Issues and Models

From Programs to Discipling Relationships “Who is discipling you, and who are you discipling?” --Board of Generals, February 2007

Discipleship making must be. . . . . .intentional . . .systematic “Teaching them to obey everything, I have commanded.” Matthew 28:19 --Jesus Christ Discipleship making must be. . . . . .intentional . . .systematic . . .accountable

Three Streams of Discipleship Classic Discipleship It is never enough to simply lead someone to trust Christ as Savior. “Let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity.” Hebrews 6:1

Three Streams of Discipleship Self-Discipleship (Christian spiritual formation) Christlikeness develops through spiritual disciplines. “. . .it [discipline] produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” Hebrews 12:11

Three Streams of Discipleship Community Discipleship There is no such thing as an independent Christian. “The things you have heard me say. . .entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.” 2 Timothy 2:2

To make Christlike disciples in the nations is beyond Sunday. It is not a program—it is a lifestyle. Now. . .

Go! Make disciples!