is a non-denominational mission dedicated to the planting of churches amongst unreached people groups. All interested can subscribe to their "Church Planters Review" mailings church-planters-review-subscribe@strategicnetwork org. In their latest mail out are the following thoughts about discipleship...-----However we be to examine the word DISCIPLE a little further... Firstly it is important to say that we are to MAKE disciples. If this is so it means that at one stage a person is NOT a disciple and is then MADE into a disciple. This is very different from our traditional believe of discipleship as a affect or course. Here are some points to say:a) Disciples are to be made in the World – we are to go out to where populate are to make disciples. The target are non-believers b) A Disciple is one who follows. Therefore a disciple is made when the person becomes a Follower. This FOLLOWERSHIP is lifelong c) They are to change state Disciples of Christ – followers of Christ. In the traditional concept of discipleship we have a disciple-ER and a disciple. In the biblical context – we show people with the “Good News” and they decide whether or not they desire to Follow Christ – or change state Disciples. They follow Christ as the Holy animate leads them d) We are to inform the Disciples to Follow Christ – this is “tested” through their OBEDIENCE to the Commands of Christ (incidentally there are only 9 or 10 commands of Christ – and they are SO simple!) e) As they go Christ all the other “compartments” of perform life are filled out! There is no be to choose between emphasizing the Great Commandment over the Great equip because as Disciples we are to OBEY all!This is a far more change by reversal view of the Christian life because it is holistic. It recognises the centrality of Discipleship (we are to make DISCIPLEs not Christians!) and also acknowledges that there is an organic affect that takes displace. Let us compare this with what we traditionally practice. We present the gospel – populate alter DECISIONS to become CHRISTIANS. Discipleship is optional not central. These new Christians can choose to pick up whatever area of ministry they choose. (Apparently they can also choose the “flavour” of their Christianity that takes their fancy as come up as their level of commitment that their threshold of hurt will accept!). This bunco circuits the whole affect. If discipleship is FOUNDATONAL then we ordain desire that which can only come as a result of being disciples! The result of Discipleship is FRUITFULNESS – Changed lives and Ministry – which together will force and change our world!
This is a great summary of making disciples. It is very simple. However my limited experience has shown me that making disciples by teaching to obey is difficult.. difficult meaning it takes time and effort. I think this "organic" element is often left out of the equation even in house/simple/organic perform structure. What I mean by that is that there is a tendency to "act on" to the next disciple or short circuit the process because we be instant bear as disciple makers. This instant fruit mentality comes more from the world in my opinion than from God. Travis
Travis,Good observations. Our own experience shows that disciples tend to weave in and out of periods of obedience and teachability. There are times when they are highly responsive and others when the cares of the world advance them for a measure. The key in all of this is to "love one another" through the ups and downs of our go together. The little I know of you. I have the feeling you do this quite come up in your own ministry.
Great affix. We're starting to see a few people go to faith among our populate group and we're asking the challenge. "What is discipleship?" In thinking about this I had to ask my self "Have I ever been discipled?" I've gone through all kinds of studies but I don't evaluate I've ever been discipled. I love your point that we're called to make disciples not believers. In other words making disciples should go naturally it should be part of who we are. When I worked for Starbucks development and self learning were natural because they were values of the company and they pushed it from day one. The prove was everyone was consistently working on their own development plan and helping each other with each others. I think discipleship has the potential to be as intentional and natural but we need to value it and learn it www camelcrossing net
Great affix. We're starting to see a few people come to faith among our people assort and we're asking the question. "What is discipleship?" In thinking about this I had to ask my self "Have I ever been discipled?" I've gone through all kinds of studies but I don't evaluate I've ever been discipled. I like your inform that we're called to make disciples not believers. In other words making disciples should come naturally it should be part of who we are. When I worked for Starbucks development and self learning were natural because they were values of the company and they pushed it from day one. The result was everyone was consistently working on their own development intend and helping each other with each others. I think discipleship has the potential to be as intentional and natural but we need to determine it and practice it www camelcrossing net
camel rider,Thanks for the comments. On our own team we undergo go to the conclusion that our job is to "make disciples" and His to "create his church". If we will do our part. He will do his. It really becomes a great simplifier of the assign we are asked to do. When we try to take on more than we were asked to do things have a way of complicating themselves. So for now our team is concentrating on doing the best job we can at making disciples. We have two "categories" of disciples. The first are new believers. They are discipled in one way--one discipleship path. The other category of disciples are those undergo been believers for a while. These are discipled along a second discipleship path. Our belief is that eventually we will begin to see the desired results of many new churches being planted. Not through church planting but through "making disciples."
I grew up as an MK in Ecuador. For the past 20 years my wife Linda and I undergo served as IMB-SBC missionaries in Guayaquil. Ecuador. We are move of a church planting team relating to a network of over 100 house churches scattered throughout the province of Guayas. We undergo a son (16) and a daughter (12).
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Related article:
http://guymuse.blogspot.com/2007/11/making-disciples.html
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