sf1005 - Discipleship And Small Groups (Matthew 28 19-20)
Matthew 28:19-20
Introduction
What did Jesus mean when He said “go and make disciples?”
“Discipleship is about being and reproducing spiritually mature zealots for Christ.” (Barna)
What does a true discipleship produce?
True discipleship produces holistic personal transformation, not mere assimilation into a community of church members.
True discipleship is witnessed by people who are determined to be a blessing to others – people who are never content to simply accept and enjoy God’s blessings.
True discipleship creates Christians who aggressively pursue spiritual growth rather than passively experience spiritual evolution.
True discipleship spawns individuals who develop renewed lifestyles instead of believers who mechanically check off completed assignments on a developmental agenda.
True discipleship results in people who are more concerned about the quality of their character than the extent of their knowledge.
True discipleship builds churches know for their culture of love, commitment, and service rather than for their events, information, and programs.
True discipleship facilitates people devoted to a lifelong journey to imitate Jesus Christ rather than the completion of a short-term regimen of tasks and responsibilities. (Barna, Growing True Disciples)
How can you become a New Testament Disciple maker?
Eight steps: (Coleman, The Master Plan of Evangelism))
1A. Selection (Luke 6:13)
Luke 6:13 And when it was day, He called His disciples to Himself; and from them He chose twelve whom He also named apostles:
Focus on people not programs.
Focus on people who are willing to learn – Jesus can uses anyone that wants to be used
Concentrate on a few – Jesus poured His life into a dozen men.
We must decide where we want our ministry to count – in the momentary applause of poplar recognition of in the reproduction of our lives in a few chosen people who will carry on our work after we have gone. Really it is a question of which generation we are living for. (Coleman)
2A. Association
Matthew 28:20 "…lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.
The essence of Jesus’ training program was letting his disciples follow him.
Spend time with them away from church.
Every believer must be given a Christian friend to follow until such time as he or she can lead another.
3A. Consecration
Matthew 11:29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
The disciples were not required to be smart, but they were required to be loyal (faithful men).
Luke 9:23 Then He said to them all, If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.
John 14:15 If you love Me, keep My commandments.
4A. Impartation
John 20:22 And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit.
We must be indwelled and filled with the Holy Spirit in order to disciple others.
Ephesians 5:18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit
We must continually point our disciples to Jesus!
We do this in our small group time; use questions to help them dig deep into the Word.
5A. Demonstration
John 13:15 For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you.
Model for them what they should do…
Ø Take notes
Ø Re-teach the lessons
Ø Encourage them to ask questions
6A. Delegation
Matthew 4:19 Then He said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men."
Give them assignments of increasing responsibility.
Expect them to succeed.
7A. Supervision
Mark 6:30 Then the apostles gathered to Jesus and told Him all things, both what they had done and what they had taught.
8A. Reproduction
2 Timothy 2:2 And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.