DISCIPLESHIP HEAD HEART HAND SITUATION WHO AM I

DISCIPLESHIP: HEAD, HEART, HAND SITUATION

WHO AM I? MY FAMILY MY CALLING

FOUR QUESTIONS • What is discipleship? • Why is it important? • Who is involved in disciple-making? • How do we go about it?

…. more caught than taught by our children by disciples

DISCIPLESHIP – WHAT? maqhth. V = disciple from manqanw = to learn a life long process of following Jesus so that we are formed into His character, faithful to His call, and focussed on His mission

A WORKING DEFINITION “Christian discipling is an intentional, largely informal learning activity. It involves two or a small group of individuals, who typically function within a larger nurturing community and hold to the same beliefs. Each makes a voluntary commitment to the others/s to form close personal relationships for an extended period of time, in order that those who at a particular time are perceived as having superior knowledge and/or skills will attempt to cause learning to take place in the lives of others who seek their help. Christian discipling is intend to result in each becoming an active follower of Jesus and a participant in his mission to the world. ” Sylvia Wilkey Collinson, Making Disciples, 164

NSW/ACT BAPTIST DEFINITION OF DISCIPLESHIP “Discipleship is understood to be a whole of life process of following Jesus by someone who has been properly evangelised, taught by an ‘apprenticeship model’ to obey Jesus (in head, hand heart), and who in turn “goes” to make other followers of Jesus. ” Discipleship 2819, BANSW/ACT April 2017

Discipleship always involves disciple-making “Disciple-making is an intentional process of testifying, teaching, training and transmitting our convictions and our life to those who would pass it on to others. ” Edmund Chan

“Disciple-making is all about a certain kind of person who is radically committed to a certain kind of purpose and who, through a certain kind of process, reproduces a certain kind of product. ” Edmund Chan

CENTRAL TO DISCIPLESHIP • Formation that is intentional • Transformation that touches all of life • Multiplication that is reproducing

FORM GROUPS OF UP TO SIX PEOPLE Break into the following groups: if you are over 50 years of age if you are between 30 – 50 years of age if you are under 30 years of age

FOR DISCUSSION Consider this definition of discipleship: “Discipleship is understood to be a whole of life process of following Jesus by someone who has been properly evangelised, taught by an ‘apprenticeship model’ to obey Jesus (in head, hand heart), and who in turn “goes” to make other followers of Jesus. ” Develop a list of five essential elements of true Christian discipleship

DISCIPLE-MAKING – WHY?

DISCUSSION • In your groups, discuss the following question: “If someone said to you why should I bother to be involved in making disciples, what would you say? ”

DISCIPLE-MAKING – WHY? • Jesus modelled it and commanded it • The disciples practised it • It fits the pattern of the New Testament • The church needs it

EDMUND CHAN “Always mindful of His mission, Jesus gathered some disciples around Him, poured His life into them, and before ascending back to His throne, He told them to go and teach others what they had learned with Him. As their disciples replicated the process, through the process of reproduction, someday everyone will hear the Gospel. This is called the Great Commission (Matthew 28: 18 -20). It gave marching orders to the Church. Any activity which does not contribute to its fulfillment has no enduring relevance to the world. ” Edmund Chan

WHY? IT IS BIBLICAL • Disciple-making is overwhelmingly biblical. It is based upon sound biblical ecclesiology • Disciple-making is commanded by Jesus – Matthew 28: 18 – 20 • Disciple-making is aligned with the goal of Christian maturity • Disciple-making is necessary to fulfil the mission of the church Edmund Chan

DISCIPLE-MAKING WHO? Discipleship and disciple-making is about ordinary people who are intentionally shaping themselves and others to be reproducing followers of Christ who are being formed into his likeness.

DISCIPLE-MAKING WHO? a Paul before them a Barnabu s beside them Every believer needs a Timothy behind them

“Making disciples is not a special call or gift of the Spirit to a few saints; it is a lifestyle of obedience expected of the whole household of God – a living demonstration of the priesthood of all believers. ” Edmund Chan

Discipleship – how? In your groups Think back to when you were a newer follower of Jesus. what things were most helpful for you in growing as a believer?

I DO – YOU WATCH I TELL – YOU DO – I WATCH

DISCIPLESHIP – HOW? Jesus’ models of teaching – apprenticeship, formal and informal A lifelong, continuous process Intentional Varied – one-on-one/small group/larger group

APPRENTICESHIP