THE FOCUS OF THE DISCIPLE-MAKING CHURCH Hull, B. (2010). The Disciple-Making Church...

Let’s look at "Nevertheless, I am telling you the truth. It is for your benefit that I go away, because if I don’t go away the Counselor will not come to you. If I go, I will send him to you.” ()

The Spirit could not be given until Jesus was glorified (7:39). Only after Jesus had died on the cross to atone for our sin, had risen from the grave to demonstrate his victory, and had ascended into heaven to receive all dominion, could the Holy Spirit be granted or bestowed on Jesus’ disciples. In the New Testament, the Spirit is the down payment of eternal life, the foretaste of the eternal, unshielded presence of Deity, the one who incorporates us into the body of Christ, the one who regenerates us and indwells us: how could these blessings possibly come to us until the basis for them was established? And that basis is the triumph of Christ, His return to the Father via the cross and the grave.

It is beyond question, then, that it is for the disciples’ good that Jesus “goes away.” This is soon to be reflected in their own experience, even if at the moment they are unable to appreciate the fact. Contrast the conduct of the followers of Jesus on this black night with their conduct several months down the road. In a few short hours, their behavior would be so despicable (even if understandable) that a believer called John Mark would describe it tersely in these words: “Then everyone deserted Him and ran away” (). Yet a few weeks later, once the Holy Spirit had been poured out on them, they faced open hostility with courageous joy and triumphant faith, prompting Luke to write, “And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldy” (). Even when they were flogged, they testified with joy (). Jesus in does not exaggerate: it is for the disciples’ good that He goes away.

So there were major changes that happened when Jesus departed back to His Father and left the disciples without His physical presence.

In the Christ-centred model (He and the 12), Jesus was the master and the disciples the learners. Because he was God, Jesus was enough for the Twelve: he could

lead them

meet every need

develop each follower.

No one had to make guesses about God’s will or decide where to do outreach. Just ask Jesus.

After Jesus went with the Father the Apostles now had a new ministry context. Let’s think this through for a moment. Do you see the alterations? It goes from Christ leading the Apostles to Appointed leaders Guiding a Congregation. This new ministry context requires alterations in:

Their new context required alterations in who and how many would lead the work, how the group would know God’s will, how people would get trained, how outreach would be done, and the means used to meet people’s needs. Though the disciples didn’t like Jesus’ leaving, they adapted his teachings to fit the altered circumstances.

Hull, B. (2010). The Disciple-Making Church: Leading a Body of Believers on the Journey of Faith (Updated Edition, pp. 33–34). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books.

who and how many will lead the work

how the group will know God’s will

how people will get trained

how outreach will be done, and

the means used to meet people’s needs.

Though the disciples didn’t like Jesus’ leaving, they adapted His teachings to fit the altered circumstances. Churches that fail to alter this way are the churches described as the “pastor” doing the bulk of the ministry. “I’m not going to talk to my neighbor’s about Christ, I’ll call pastor Joel!”

So the alteration is a shift from Christ being the center to the church being the center (Before you rip me out of the pulpit, let me explain ( - =))

Church-centered discipling, corporate teamwork exists among the body of Christ (Acts & Epistles). Outreach occurs through the different gifts of the entire church, rather than a small portion of the congregation. Though some people are verbally strong, while others play a support role, all work together for the common goal. For example, pastoral care plays a vital role in drawing people to the church and supporting them in Christ. Unless a loving, caring community exists to help newborn babies and heal the wounded, people won’t come to Jesus or stick around long enough to be trained. Love within the community of Christ is the most powerful of all the church’s evangelistic tools.

discipling, corporate teamwork exists among the body of Christ. Outreach occurs through the different gifts of the entire church, rather than a small portion of the congregation. Though some people are verbally strong, while others play a support role, all work together for the common goal. For example, pastoral care plays a vital role in drawing people to the church and supporting them in Christ. Unless a loving, caring community exists to help newborn babies and heal the wounded, people won’t come to Jesus or stick around long enough to be trained. Love within the community of Christ is the most powerful of all the church’s evangelistic tools.

How would look like in our church?

The church-centered model recognizes the rich diversity and giftedness of the body of Christ and the way it works together as a team to create a discipling culture. Here’s the discipling culture we are seeking to cultivate, starting with a definition for our church:

Here’s the discipling culture we are seeking to cultivate, starting with a definition:

Discipling: The intentional training of disciples, with accountability, on the basis of loving relationships.

Consider this definition’s components:

Consider this definition’s components:

Hull, B. (2010). The Disciple-Making Church: Leading a Body of Believers on the Journey of Faith (Updated Edition, p. 35). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books.

Intentional. Like Jesus, we must have a planned strategy. Jesus knew what kind of people he was creating and his goal for them. The discipling church’s leadership team has a defined purpose and has thought through how to make disciples. Leadership must define disciple, develop a method to make disciples, and model before the congregation what a disciple is and how to make one. Passing on the vision and the know-how is important.

Training. Discipling means more than developing skills, although it must include that. Training implies a prescribed course of study and a process people undergo in order to reach certain goals. Care Groups and other vehicles can provide a track on which people can make progress. Everyone in the congregation should receive an invitation to learn about Scripture, discover his or her gifts, and use them in Christ’s service.

With accountability. Because people need help keeping their commitments to God, the church should provide a variety of means to hold people accountable. In fact, disciple making cannot take place without this element. A series of agreements may be made within the discipling gatherings of the church. Both formal and informal means of accountability should be provided—everything from the buddy prayer partner to relational promises. Let your yes be yes!

On the basis of loving relationships. All true and rewarding ministry is based on relationships. The discipling church should make community building a very high priority, and all church-group life should encourage people to share their needs. A loving and supportive environment builds emotional equity that acts as a cushion during the bumps and turbulence of ministry. This emotional anchor needs to be unleashed to form the church’s relational foundation.

HOMEWORK…Please memorize our definition for discipleship.

What do you think is the number one reason that churches are failing to reproduce disciples?

How then do you impact how others live?

Answer: By spending time with them. For examples...

Elizabeth invites Kate over to talk while she does her baking.

Michael has Steven join his family for dinner, and then lets him watch as he leads his children in family worship.

So much of discipling is doing what you ordinarily do but bringing people along with you and having meaningful conversations, like Jesus did.

And when you invite them into your life, be transparent. Facades defeat the purpose. Invite others to learn from your mistakes. The truth is, my wife and I argue sometimes. But can we do that well? Can we share those struggles with others without dishonoring each other?

Look up . How does this inform our discipleship?

No system can make a disciple, because discipleship requires that a person’s will be activated by the Holy Spirit. The church has the responsibility to provide the clear vision and the vehicles that bring Christians into mature discipleship. Growth and accountability should be part of every Christian’s life, for his or her entire life; the need for these doesn’t end until one gets transferred to heaven.

Timothy, apparently, saw it all. He was involved in everything. And what a rich education in following Christ it must have been! You want the people you disciple to prosper in prayer, to improve in evangelism, to continue in church membership, to forbear with the members who offend them. Perhaps, it will be the sermon preached the previous week that will allow you to work out these kinds of implications in one another’s lives. Our Care Groups will do the same.

To keep discipling effective, remember: discipling is not an event; it is a process. No system can make a disciple, because discipleship requires that a person’s will be activated by the Holy Spirit. The church has the responsibility to provide the clear vision and the vehicles that bring Christians into mature discipleship. Growth and accountability should be part of every Christian’s life, for his or her entire life; the need for these doesn’t end until one gets transferred to heaven.

The key to church-centered discipling is teamwork in a loving environment that maintains the distinctives of mission, training in ministry skills, and accountability. The real evidence of success will be the constant production of reproducing disciples and leaders who become multipliers.

Hull, B. (2010). The Disciple-Making Church: Leading a Body of Believers on the Journey of Faith (Updated Edition, p. 37). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books.

Hull, B. (2010). The Disciple-Making Church: Leading a Body of Believers on the Journey of Faith (Updated Edition, pp. 36–37). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books.

Carson, D. A. (1988). The Farewell Discourse and Final Prayer of Jesus: An Exposition of (p. 137). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House.