Disciple-Making

The Master’s Mandate

Matt. 28:19 -20 – known as the Great Commission

– Christ’s legacy

_ the magna charta of the church The command: Go…make disciples…baptize them…teach them to

obey all that Jesus had commanded The promise: “I am with you always to the end of the age.” The promise is linked to a process.

…The Master’s Mandate

Mark 9:14 –“”He ordained 12 that they should be with Him, and

that He might send them forth to preach.”

What is disciple-making? Enabling people to respond in faith to Jesus Christ & to grow in relationship with Him and others with the goal of obeying everything that Jesus

commanded (Matt. 28:20) It involves: Bringing people to be ….(Col. 1:9b-12) Evangelism - Starts with evangelism. Spiritual growth - through the Holy Spirit’s work - through the work of the person following him up, teaching and training him - modeling by the person/persons influencing his/her life - through the influences of God’s people & the church Life transformation –growth in character – changes in attitudes, mind-set, relationships, as a total person Life of dedication & service

Life of dedication and service Reproduction in others Disciple multiplication II Tim. 2:2 – Paul -Timothy-reliable men- others also Not just teachings & knowledge impartation but life

transference which includes: - teaching - caring - modeling - serving together -guiding - mentoring - coaching

Steps/Stages in the Disciple-Making Process Evangelism- 1). Pray! Pray! Pray! 2). Look for opportunities in making initial contacts. “Becoming friends with

worldly people” (Walter Henrichsen) - Initiate conversations – by asking questions; giving complements, asking for

favors - Initiating friendships; inviting for meals; invitation in joining some activities of

interest (Sports, English teaching,Tutorials, Basic Computer course; Cooking, Handcrafts, Tea or Coffee time, offering opportunities for studies or growth;, etc)

- Sensitivity to the Holy Spirit’s leading 3). Share: Tell Bible stories Start a care group – or whatever group (cell group, Bible study group, etc) Share the Gospel as the Holy Spirit leads

Follow-up the person who makes a decision. -nurture the newborn - care & feed the “baby” in Christ towards maturityHow? - Give assurance lessons - Help him/her develop spiritual disciplines (Regular reading of God’s Word, learning to pray, doing

QT, journaling, memorizing key verses, having fellowship w/ other believers, witnessing )

Getting Baptized (after evangelism or decision, at this stage or in the next stage)

Teach, Disciple, Train in the context of the church

- Learning times (Growth Bible study, fellowship, sharing times with a group or cell group

- Use tools and materials appropriate to the person or group (literate, semi-literate or illiterate) like: Bible study booklets, growth booklets, Bible story telling (especially for the “oral learners”), chants, songs, dramas, puppetry, etc)

- life witness & modeling - cell group/ church attendance

Let him “Go”

- witness to others

- minister to others according to his gift

- life of service

- begin to disciple another person

- multiplication …to the 2nd, 3rd,4th generation

Essentials to build in Disciple’s Life:

Study of God’s Word – personal and group Dawson Trotman of NAV: The “Hand” Illustration:

hearing, reading, studying, memorizing & meditating Growing in Prayer Life – daily devotion, journaling

applying principles learned, personal & group prayer Witnessing for Christ – personal testimony, sharing the

Good News Living a Life of Fellowship with Others Growing in service – The Navigators’ Wheel Illustration

Things to remember: “As ambassadors of Christ we are in the

business of recruiting men and women to a life of discipleship…Recruit to a vision” (Henrichsen)

It’s a long process.

- It takes patience, love, sacrifice, imparting of Christ’s teachings & sharing of life.

God is the real Disciple-MAKER. We are only His instruments – channels of His grace in the life others. (II Cor. 4: 6-7)

Rewards of Discipleship

It is a joy.

Paul expressed his joy in 3 John 3-4: “It gave me great joy….I have no greater joy than to hear my children walking in the truth.”

It is a privilege. What a privilege to be of used by the Lord!

Some Disappointments/Failures

Some will fall away. Not all will follow through.

What should be our reaction? Attitude? Promise to claim:

- Phil. 1:6

Sharing Time

Describe how you yourself went through discipleship. What principles & practical ways on discipleship did you learn?

What teachings or learning from God have impacted your life & ministry?

Share some of your own experiences in discipleship in your church planting ministry or in your team ministry

Share with the whole group.

Some References/Resource Materials

Walter A. Henrichsen, Disciples are Made Not Born (Colorado Springs, Colorado, Cahriot Victor Publishing, 1988)

The Navigators, Studies in Christian Living Bible Study Booklets Gary W. Kuhne, The Dynamics of Personal Follow-up ( Zondervan

Publishing, 1976) Making Disciples of Oral Learners, originally published as Lausanne

Occasional Paper (LOP) No. 54 (Lima, NY, USA, International Orality Network in cooperation with Elim Publishing, 2005)

Johani Gauran, The Witnessing Kit (Paranaque City, Philippines, Church Strengthening Ministry of the Foreign Mission Board, SBC, Inc., 1991)