CLASSIC DISCIPLESHIP Tools for Spiritual Growth Classic Discipleship

CLASSIC DISCIPLESHIP Tools for Spiritual Growth

Classic Discipleship • Characterized by… – Mentoring – Disciplined program of Bible study / memorization / witnessing • Strengths – Focus & method – Ability to process large volumes of people through curriculum – Commitment to scripture – Value of sequence / segmentation in training learners • Weaknesses – Emphasis on outer performance, not inner life – Poor retention rate beyond initial “program”

Discipleship Encounters Discipling Case Study #1 (by Jerry & Nancy Reed) • Ten-Step Program • Considered “narrow-band” discipleship • Not classes to take, but encounters to experience • Requires appropriate time and selection – Five options for viable “candidates” • Pre-Christians • New Christians • Fervent Christians • Vintage Christians • Own family

Discipleship Encounters • Provides “Practical Helps for Discipleship” 1 Start by contracting to meet with your potential disciple(s) for only two to four weeks. After that, you are free to continue if mutually agreed upon. 3. Begin each weekly encounter with prayer. 5. In general, go to meet them rather than wait for them to come to you. 8. Meet around a table for ease in writing and using the Bible. 9. Use an hour to an hour and a half of time. 10. Share group leadership. Let others talk. 11. Women meet with women and men with men. 16. Develop a personal relationship, not only student / teacher, but as friends. Plan activities together. 17. Talk about problems as they come up. Pray with your disciple(s) and direct them towards a practical solution. 18. Share openly with them your own spiritual needs and personal problems (we all have them). 19. Review the materials once in awhile. 20. Remember that "information" is necessary, but the goal is "formation" of disciples for the Lord. 25. Never allow your discipling relationships to fizzle out. Secure closure. Celebrate accomplishment.

Highlights of the Encounters Program 1. Becoming a Christian / Assurance – Standard tools • • • The Four Spiritual Laws The Roman Road The Miniature Plan of Salvation – Four Assurances • Salvation / victory over temptation / forgiveness / God’s provision for needs 2. Basis of Discipleship

Highlights of the Encounters Program 3. The Wheel – Introduces the concept of daily quiet time and the dynamics of the Christian life

Highlights of the Encounters Program 4. The Lordship of Christ – Booklet: Have You Made the Wonderful Discovery of the Spirit Filled Life

Highlights of the Encounters Program 5. The Holy Spirit 6. The Word – Navigator’s Hand illustration

Highlights of the Encounters Program 7. Prayer C Confession A Adoration (praise) T Thanksgiving S Supplication (requests) 8. Witness 9. Fellowship 10. Obedient Believer (maturity in Christ)

Review of the Encounters Program • Unique Features – Free online and reproducible for all – Clear instructions / procedures for discipler – Teacher prompts – Saturated with scripture – Bible study oriented – Scripture memorization for each topic – Engages review in each new lesson – Detailed progress charts (pp 24 -25)

Review of the Encounters Program Particular Strengths? • – Simple and direct – Easy to understand illustrations – Highly scriptural – keeps disciple in the Word – Covers essential basics of faith Potential Weaknesses? – Too programmatic / mechanical – Order of topics conflicts with logic – Doctrinal biases

Discipleship Essentials Discipling Case Study #2 (by Greg Ogden) • Structured approach with nuanced holism – What a disciple must practice • As spiritual disciplines for sustenance – What a disciple must comprehend • As core biblical/theological truth – What a disciple must become • In terms of character and lifestyle – What a disciple must do • To engage the church and world

Discipleship Essentials • Four-part content requires proper context – Disciples made through personal invitation to covenant relationship • Brings together three elements to create climate for accelerated growth 1. The unchanging truth of God’s word 2. Transparent relationships through small discipleship group 3. Mutual accountability

Discipleship Essentials • Functionality of “triad model” of discipling – One-on-one sets up a teacher-student dynamic that becomes unidirectional – Shifts the model from hierarchical to relational – Maximizes benefit of “group-ness” – Wisdom found in numbers – Multiplication process is geometrically increased

Discipleship Essentials • Role of the discipler – Preeminent over program (the tool) – Carries out five functions 1. Issues the invitation to accountable relationship 2. Initially the group convener and guide 3. Prepares own assignments along with disciples 4. Models transparency as mentor 5. Insures primary purpose of spiritual transformation is maintained

Discipleship Essentials • Key components in each lesson – Central theme / Core truth – Memory verse(s) – Inductive Bible study – Topical reading for reflection/applications

Discipleship Essentials The Program PART 1 PART 2 PART 3 PART 4 Growing up in Christ Understanding Christ’s message Becoming like Christ Serving Christ Making disciples The Trinity Filled with HS The Church Being a disciple In God’s image Fruit of HS Ministry gifts Quiet time Sin Trust Spiritual warfare Bible study Grace Love Obedience Prayer Redemption Justice Discipling others Worship Justification Witness Money Adoption

Engaging the Resources • Factors as you consider what to utilize – One program/course is not the complete picture of discipleship – Any program must be relationally focused not completion driven – Program must be learner appropriate – Consider the doctrinal biases

Engaging the Resources • Programs / courses / training guides / seminars – Denominational Productions – Nazarene Publishing House – Omega Discipleship Ministries [http: //www. omega-discipleship. com/usa/webcontent 10. htm] – Navigators – Campus Crusade for Christ – Charles Lake Discipleship Training: An Experience in Training and Accountability

Staying in the Word • Kierkegaard’s transformational engagement – Be alone with God’s Word – Create silence for God’s Word – Regard the scripture as the mirror you look into – Read contritely, humbly and open to God’s message – Read it responsively – Read scripture hopefully

Staying in the Word • Fryling’s Five Strategies 1. Emphasize Inductive Discoveries – Observe – Interact – Apply 2. List influential passages 3. Emphasize biblical stories 4. Address disciple’s current needs 5. Be patient

Staying in the Word • The STS method of “Encounters” 1. Outline or summary of assigned passage 2. Title for the passage 3. Parallel or contrasting passages 4. Problems 5. Personal applications