1. Obedience Based Discipleship

2. T4T: A Discipleship Re-Revolution
Steve Smith & Ying Kai
Best available source for learning about the OBD model, its use, implementation and so forth. Available in print and on Kindle. T4T is a specific implementation of OBD but the term T4T unfortunately sometimes carries some unnecessary baggage for people who may have been previously inoculated with an incomplete or bad training in the model.
May 2013
OBD Methods

3. 3 Core Areas of OBD
Purpose
Content
Method
May 2013
OBD Methods

4. What is a disciple?
A committed Believer who is actively following Jesus Christ in an ongoing cycle of learning new lessons from God and bearing fruit by putting into practice what they have learned.
Greek mathetes = learner
Jesus put a greater emphasis beyond simply being a learner to that of commitment, obedience and fruit.
Jesus consistently put an emphasis on the actions of a disciple.
Matt 4:19 “Follow Me,” He told them, “and I will make you fish for people!”
Matt 10:42 “And whoever gives just a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is a disciple—I assure you: He will never lose his reward!”
Luke 14: “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his own father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, and even his own life—he cannot be My disciple. Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.”
Mark 3:14 He also appointed 12—He also named them apostles—to be with Him, to send them out to preach, 
May 2013
OBD Methods

5. Purpose
Then Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20
Emphasis mine – Our purpose stems from the Great Commission. Jesus called us to go and make disciples and an integral part of that command is to teach them to obey the things He has taught us. If we are not discipling for obedience then we are not discipling in the form that Jesus commanded us.
May 2013
OBD Methods

6. Methodology “Obedience Based Discipleship” = redundant term
Counteract “knowledge based discipleship”
Encourage and hold accountable
Ultimately the term “Obedience Based Discipleship” is a redundancy. We cannot be a disciple without obedience.
We use this redundant term however to counteract perhaps the most common heresy among churches which is “knowledge based discipleship”.
The difference comes with obedience and how we encourage and hold accountable Believers to that obedience.
May 2013
OBD Methods

7. Colossians 1:28-29
We proclaim Him, warning and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone mature in Christ. I labor for this, striving with His strength that works powerfully in me.
The methodology for OBD follows the purpose of having obedient and mature disciples. It takes hard work and requires an intentional approach.
May 2013
OBD Methods

8. Components of a typical Bible study
Pastoral Care
Worship
Bible Study (new content)
January 2013
OBD Methods

9. Added parts for OBD session
Pastoral Care
Worship
Accountability
Vision Casting
Bible Study (new content)
Practice
Set Goals and Pray
May 2013
OBD Methods

10. Three-thirds Principle2
Pastoral Care
Worship
Accountability
Vision Casting
Bible Study (new content)
Practice
Set Goals and Pray 1 3
Regardless of how much time you have to spend it is divided into 3 roughly equal segments.
January 2013
Church Multiplication

11. Don’t Leave out the red parts!
Pastoral Care
Worship
Accountability
Vision Casting
Pastoral Care
Worship
Accountability
Vision Casting
Bible Study (new content)
Practice
Set Goals and Pray
Bible Study (new content)
Practice
Set Goals and Pray
These are the parts we are not as comfortable with. They take more work or intentionality. They are the ones that we most easily will squeeze out if we feel we are pressed for time. They are the ones we will leave out if we haven’t changed our paradigm and remain committed to simply content delivery.
Accountability & Vision Casting – this requires that we are actively doing the same thing we are asking of those we are training. If I haven’t shared the Gospel with anyone this week then I am much less likely to ask others who they have shared with. If I don’t share my own experiences regularly during this section then the others will not follow.
Practice – Not everyone who practices teaching or doing what we have trained will in turn implement that in their own life later. But some will. If you don’t practice then almost none will. Existing pastors or “church leaders” will rarely practice – they should not be our focus.
Set Goals & Pray – This is critical. For the initial discipleship lessons, I will go around the group one by one in front of the group asking them how many people they will train with this lesson.
January 2013
Church Multiplication

12. You’re left with a typical Bible study
Pastoral Care
Worship
Accountability
Vision Casting
Bible Study (new content)
Practice
Set Goals and Pray
You’re left with a typical Bible study that doesn’t reproduce
January 2013
Church Multiplication

13. Practical Implications
This is not about content delivery. When you reach the end of your second third, stop delivering and start practicing.
What you inspect, you expect. What you expect, you inspect.
It’s OK to repeat sessions. Warn, comfort, help, be patient.
January 2013
Church Multiplication

14. 1 Thessalonians 5:14
And we exhort you, brothers: warn those who are lazy, comfort the discouraged, help the weak, be patient with everyone.
You have to take time to understand why someone is not following through. If they are afraid or still feel ill-equipped then you must HELP them. Practice more, go with them or send them to go with others. If they are discouraged then you must encourage them, COMFORT them. Verify that they have the implementation down and find ways to overcome their barriers. Don’t always tell success stories. Send them with others to implement together. If they know how and aren’t afraid then the issue is LAZINESS or rebellion (often paired together in Scripture). Warn them and be willing to discontinue your training of them.
May 2013
OBD Methods

15. Church Multiplication
Content
And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, commit to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. 2 Timothy 2:2
January 2013
Church Multiplication

16. One Set of Standard Content
My New Life in Jesus Christ
Prayer
Bible
Making Disciples for Christ
Church
The Daily Committed Christian Life
This is one of the points where OBD intersects with CPM / Reproduction. You could implement OBD without having a multiplication focus but that is not our mission. Having one set of standard, basic discipleship content is important as you go from one group to another, one generation to a second, third, fourth and so on. Obviously discipleship is a life-long process so we are talking about what is critical for the initial foundation of a Believer as well as training them in an OBD fashion so that as they continue to grow beyond these basic lessons they will continue to follow the same pattern of learn > obey. The content should be basic and culturally appropriate. Don’t fall into the trap of simply using something that you like, have used in the States or found meaningful yourself. Start by using a set of lessons that has been used successfully by other practitioners and only after having a couple of complete cycles using that material consider adapting or writing your own. It should be based on Scripture and trained or taught in a format that is reproducible. These are the set of lessons that I use and I have seen them reproduce many times among literate (though not necessarily highly educated) Believers. The stock lessons from T4T are another example. Definitely the content is important because this is Scripture, this is the lessons that we gain from God about how to follow Him. However, remember that content delivery is not the key. The following slides show the basic objective of each of these six lessons together with their key verse. Each of these lesson follows the three-third principle in format, includes a designated memory verse, a slot for practice and a list of assignments.
January 2013
Church Multiplication

17. My New Life in Jesus Christ
Objective #1 – Affirming new identity in Christ and solidifying assurance of salvation. Also addresses baptism and making disciples.
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation; old things have passed away, and look, new things have come.
This first lesson is designed to help the trainer and the disciple to be confident in the persons salvation experience – clarification and assurance of salvation and a focus on the “new” things we have in Christ as a Believer. 1) New Life; 2) New Nature; 3) New Power; 4) New Security; 5) New Identity; 6) New Purpose. This lesson also opens the subject of baptism and encourages the new Believer to be baptized.
January 2013
Church Multiplication

18. Church Multiplication
Prayer
Objective #2 – beginning a daily prayer life after learning the mechanics and definition of prayer. Learning from the model prayer given to us by Jesus.
Philippians 4:6 Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.
We cannot be with the new disciple 24/7 and so it is important as early as possible in the process to help them be comfortable with prayer – which they can access 24/7. This lesson deals with ‘what is prayer?’; ‘why pray?’; ‘how to pray?’; and ‘when to pray?’. The Model Prayer is used as a foundation for teaching a basic structure to prayer.
January 2013
Church Multiplication

19. Church Multiplication
Bible
Objective #3 – implementing daily Bible reading and a simple method for self and group study of the Scripture, learning the origin and nature of Scripture.
2 Timothy 3: All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
Lesson 3 deals with the origin and nature of Scripture. It gives focus to “5 ways we use the Bible” - - 1) Hear; 2) Read; 3) Study; 4) Memorize; 5) Meditate (using Navigator’s hand-Bible illustration). This lesson also introduces three simple questions as a model for participative Bible study –
What is this passage of the Bible about? (Where and when does it take place? Who is present? What happens? What are the main points of the teaching? Etc.)
What has the Holy Spirit taught me from this passage that I need to obey? (What should I start doing? What should I stop doing? What new attitude should I take?) Remember to not only hear God’s Word but do it also (James 1:22).
Who should I teach what I have learned from this passage and what should I teach them? (God’s blessings including His teaching are not meant for us to keep to ourselves, they are meant to be shared with others (2 Timothy 2:2; 2 Corinthians 1:3-4).
January 2013
Church Multiplication

20. Church Multiplication
Make Disciples
Objective #4 – implementing consistent obedience to Christ’s command to make disciples, learning how to share personal salvation testimony and who to share with.
Matthew 28: “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
This lesson focuses on the need / responsibility of Believers to share the Gospel and make disciples. Practical focus is given to writing out and practicing your personal salvation testimony and making a name list of lost people with whom to share.
January 2013
Church Multiplication

21. Church Multiplication
Objective #5 – implementing active participation and service to a local Body of Christ after learning the basic functions of the Body.
1 Corinthians 12:27 Now you are the body of Christ, and individual members of it.
This lesson is a key point where this set of OBD lessons merge with the focus and intent of church planting. With each lesson, they expectation is / has been that the disciples are putting into practice or using what they have been trained. When we do the first lesson that includes an emphasis on identity in Christ – the expectation is one part of obedience is through baptism. When training in prayer – we expect them to obediently pray. When training on the Bible – we expect them to hear, read, study, memorize, meditate on the Scripture. With this lesson on church – the expectation is that obedience comes through being a Body of Christ in their context. If training new Believers this is the point where we ask them to be that Body of Christ together in their workplace, neighborhood, dorm, or in whatever context it is that brings them together as a group. (For existing Believers that are already involved in a Body, this lesson calls them to assess the authenticity of their church and/or to look for ways they can strengthen their church.) The authority of Christ over the church is emphasized as is the place and responsibility of every Believer in a local Body. Further, five key functions of church are addressed:
Worship
Teaching
Fellowship
Ministry
Disciple-making / missions
January 2013
Church Multiplication

22. Daily Committed Christian Life
Objective #6 – implementing a daily commitment of following / submitting to Christ and a life that is centered on the two greatest commandments.
Luke 9: Then He said to them all, “If anyone wants to come with Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of Me will save it.”
The final lesson seeks to bring everything together into a cohesive whole and show how each of the previous lessons address elements of the Christian life that work together or are needed together.
January 2013
Church Multiplication

23. Church Multiplication
FAQ
How do I train this with existing Believers?
Can OBD be done in a seminar format?
Are the 6 lessons participatory?
How does OBD relate to the 4 fields?
How does OBD relate to church planting for multiplication?
Can OBD be done with individuals or only in groups?
What if I want to use my own materials?
What comes after the 6 lessons?
How do I train this with existing Believers? It is often difficult for an existing Believer to shift in focus from a previous paradigm of ‘knowledge based discipleship’ to that of obedience based discipleship. Your primary focus should be to train new Believers with OBD, preferably those you have personally led to Christ. Existing Believers should be trained in the same way as new Believers however. Many will view the lessons as simple “another course” but if you can help them catch the vision of being trained in the same way that they will ultimately train others some will understand better. Usually if an existing group of Believers or an existing church wants training, I only focus on vision casting for evangelism and basic evangelism training. Then if they are faithful in implementing that, they will begin to see new Believers at which point they have a ‘problem’ and I introduce the OBD method as the solution. I never “sell” CPM, T4T, OBD methods to a church – simply start with evangelism and if they will do that everything else will fall into place. If they won’t do evangelism, then I won’t waste my time trying to get them to do OBD.
Can OBD be done in a seminar format? Yes, but not effectively. You need the hook of regular, patterned interaction for accountability.
Are the 6 lessons participatory? No. The initial 6 lessons are not participatory they are directive. The participatory method is introduced more in lesson 3 on the Bible and more fully implemented as the group emerges from the 6 lessons and into regular passage by passage Bible study.
How does OBD relate to the 4 fields? See next slide.
How does OBD relate to church planting for multiplication? See second next slide.
Can OBD be done with individuals or only in groups? OBD can be done with individuals, however, it functions much better in a small group. When I have an individual come to Christ with no other connections with new Believers, I will begin to train them with OBD while also diligently working to win more people to Christ from within their relationship network. When the fruit of that yields a small group of new Believers (already relationally connected) then I will often start the OBD process over again. The initial Believer will not mind going through material again that he has already covered.
What if I want to use my own materials? See the earlier slide on “One Set of Standard Content”. Certainly you can use your own materials but it is recommended that you first use existing proven materials for one or two cycles to be familiar with the nuances before making changes.
What comes after the 6 lessons? If I have been training a set of new Believers then we will move from the 6 lessons to a passage by passage participatory study of the book of Luke. (See the Cycle for Church Multiplication for more information on how this correlates.) If I have been training a set of existing Believers then I may substitute Luke and instead begin a passage by passage study from the Book of Acts.
January 2013
Church Multiplication

24. Because the Four Fields deals with reproduction through much of the model – OBD is a critical part throughout. The critical point to talk about OBD would be in Field 3 – Reproducing Discipleship but is also very connected to 2 – Reproducing Evangelism; 4 – Reproducing Churches; and Reproducing Leaders.

25. 6 Step Cycle of Church Multiplication
Normal pattern identified through observation
1-Find and lead a person of peace to Christ
2-Family and friends come to Christ and all are discipled
3-Baptized believers form a new church
4-Servants of the church receive further training
5-Servants join with other servants for ongoing training and accountability
6-Others are trained and sent to evangelize and train others 1 3 2 6 4 5
OBD is seen most clearly in step two of this cycle. Step three is the act of being obedient to the lesson on church leading to a new Body being formed.
May 2013
OBD Methods