Make disciples who make disciples part2
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The document emphasizes the importance of intentional discipleship and spiritual growth among Christians, highlighting that many believers lack personal and disciplined engagement in their faith. It discusses the holistic nature of discipleship affecting all aspects of life, the essential role of the church, the need for biblical literacy, and the call for Christians to actively witness to their faith. The text critiques the current cultural trends that influence Christians to live incongruently with their beliefs, urging a commitment to a community of faith that fosters growth and accountability.
![Hebrews 5:12-14,
You have been believers so long now that you
ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need
someone to teach you again the basic things
about God’s word.[c] You are like babies who
need milk and cannot eat solid food. 13 For
someone who lives on milk is still an infant and
doesn’t know how to do what is right. 14 Solid
food is for those who are mature, who through
training have the skill to recognize the difference
between right and wrong](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/makediscipleswhomakedisciplespart2-191209051402/85/Make-disciples-who-make-disciples-part2-11-320.jpg)
![A worldview is a defined
philosophy [a theory or attitude
that acts as a guiding principle
for behaviour] about life that
influences and directs how we
live](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/makediscipleswhomakedisciplespart2-191209051402/85/Make-disciples-who-make-disciples-part2-72-320.jpg)
Make disciples who make disciples part2
- 3. Most Christians have never been intentionally and personally discipled!
- 4. “Discipling is a process that takes place within accountable relationships over a period of time for the purpose of bringing believers to spiritual maturity in Christ.”
- 5. 2. The Christian Life: Casual versus Disciplined
- 6. The Bible shows the followers of Jesus living disciplined lives.
- 7. However, only a small % of believers are focussed on intentional (deliberate and determined) spiritual growth.
- 8. Anyone who desires to be good at something disciplines their life around it— musicians, students, sportsmen etc.
- 9. Anyone who desires to be good at something disciplines their life around it— musicians, students, sportsmen etc.
- 10. 1 Cor 9:24-27, NLT Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! 25 All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. 26 So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. 27 I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.
- 11. Hebrews 5:12-14, You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things about God’s word.[c] You are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food. 13 For someone who lives on milk is still an infant and doesn’t know how to do what is right. 14 Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong
- 12. Dallas Willard, “Grace is opposed to earning, but not to effort.”
- 13. A survey of Christians in the USA, 19% made daily reading of Scripture a habit 33% studied the Bible in a small group 25% were involved in reading or discussing a Christian book
- 14. What of you, e.g.: Relational engagement - are you deliberately relating to other believers? Are you involved in a small group? Discipline involves intention and a plan of action.
- 15. Do you have any specific, measurable goals to grow spiritually?
- 16. “...eight out of ten believers (USA) found success in family, career development and financial achievement. This is hardly distinguishable from the American dream” Greg Ogden
- 19. In the Bible our discipleship is seen affecting every area of life—faith is not a personal, private issue.
- 20. In the Kingdom there is no area of life that is not meant to be affected by it. Parable of Mustard Seed
- 21. We repented, believed and followed, we are in a kingdom of light not of darkness (Mark 1:15-17, Col 1:13).
- 22. The kingdom is where we belong to: this applies to… hearts, homes, workplaces; attitudes thoughts and desires; relationships and moral decisions;
- 24. political convictions and social awareness. In every area we seek to know and live the mind and will of God.
- 25. I am a disciple of Jesus masquerading (acting) as a school-teacher / plumber / taxi-driver etc.
- 26. I am a disciple of Jesus masquerading (acting) as a school-teacher / plumber / taxi-driver etc. My job might be to teach children, but my call is to follow Jesus in all I do
- 27. People try to divide their life into two parts: the secular and the spiritual. In the kingdom of light everything in your life is spiritual.
- 28. The social or secular world produces different thoughts, values and actions—for many Christians it is a place where faith is minimised.
- 31. Does your church call you to account for what you do in your job as it is seen as ministry to others? Do I need support to be effective for Jesus in my job?
- 32. Are you expected to make Christ- focussed ethical decisions? Does your church publicly affirm your job as being part of the call of God?
- 33. Are you expected to make Christ- focussed ethical decisions? Does your church publicly affirm your job as being part of the call of God? Does your church care about how you minister in your daily work?
- 34. Does your church care about how you minister in your daily work?
- 36. 4. Church: The same or Different?
- 37. Scripture shows the church as a counter-cultural force.
- 38. John Stott suggests that the church is meant to be a community of “radical nonconformity” or a “contrast society.”
- 39. John Stott suggests that the church is meant to be a community of “radical nonconformity” or a “contrast society.”
- 40. John Stott suggests that the church is meant to be a community of “radical nonconformity” or a “contrast society.”
- 41. 1 Peter 2:11, all sorts of words are translated to describe the people of the kingdom: temporary residents, foreigners, aliens, exiles, travellers.
- 42. The church, collectively, is to present a lifestyle which is a real, countercultural, alternative to mainstream society.
- 43. Matt 5:16, 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
- 44. 1 Peter 2:12, 12 Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.
- 45. Do we think differently on... Divorce Materialism Sexual promiscuity Sexual Identity
- 47. in the USA, 84% of adults think “the highest goal in life is to enjoy it as much as possible” 66% of Christians agreed! And...
- 48. “the best way to find yourself is to look within yourself” 91% adults, 76% of Christians. For many Christians it is not Jesus the way, but the way of self.
- 49. The church is to be a contrast standing on kingdom values, which are built on a disciple-making agenda of people who are in covenant relationship.
- 50. How do you assess the lifestyle of believers in your network of relationships?
- 51. Will you be accountable to a body of believers— people who can challenge you about your commitments and faithfulness?
- 53. Do you have a choice?
- 54. The church, biblically speaking, is the organism in which Christ dwells. Many see the church as an optional institution, unnecessary for discipleship.
- 55. The church is the replacement for Jesus Christ here on earth—the incarnation of Jesus continues within his people.
- 56. “The life of Jesus is still being manifest among people, but now no longer through an individual physical body, limited to one place on earth, but through a complex, corporate body called the church.”
- 57. Paul’s favourite image for the church is the body of Christ. This is not an image, the church is the body of Christ.
- 59. The church is: not optional…We cannot say “Jesus yes, the church no!” …central to God’s plan of salvation …God’s new community God’s way of doing discipleship
- 60. David Platt quotes a preacher, “Tonight, I want to call you to put your faith in God.I am urging you to begin a personal relationship with Jesus. But let me be clear. I’m not inviting you to join the church. I’m inviting you to come to Christ.”
- 61. Do you agree or disagree with this statement: You cannot become a complete and mature person unless you belong to a community of faith that influences you?
- 62. “Unless a commitment to a church community is similar to the covenant of marriage, how can people be formed into Christlike disciples?” Greg Ogden
- 63. How do you understand church from God’s plan—is it an option or central to God’s view of salvation?
- 66. 6. Bible: Illiterate versus Informed
- 67. John Wesley’s followers were often called, “the people of the book”. For many modern believers their Bible knowledge is very poor.
- 68. The way God thinks and the way we should live is revealed in the Bible. 2 Tim 3:15, “15 You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus.”
- 69. Scripture gives us answers to life's most important worldview questions: How did the world come into being? Why are we here? What went wrong? How can it be made right? Where is it all going?
- 70. Most believers say they love the Bible, but they don’t read it! In the USA, 14% of Christians read the Bible each day 12% think they are highly knowledgable about the Bible
- 71. 43% of believers could name the first 5 books of the Bible 40% thought JTB was one of the disciples 25% recognised “the truth shall set you free as being part of the Bible
- 75. Amos 8:11 NLT, “The time is surely coming,” says the Sovereign Lord, “when I will send a famine on the land— not a famine of bread or water but of hearing the words of the Lord.
- 79. The Bible shows us that all are to share the story of their faith in Christ with others. We are all part of the story that God is writing - alone and together our story forms part of his bigger story.
- 80. Acts 1:8, But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
- 81. Acts 1:8, But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
- 82. Do you think it is important to spend time building relationships with non-believers? How often do you do this?
- 85. Worldwide we live in an age of relativism—the belief that there is no absolute truth. Truth becomes what is true for me, designer truth!
- 86. Nothing is right or wrong; what is important is what works for us. We often apply this to religion too.
- 88. In such thinking believing in a universal truth is considered judgemental and intolerant! Christians are called to swim against the tide here—even if it is hard.
- 89. If someone looks at your life when thinking of becoming a Christian, “Are they trading up (improving) or trading down (getting worse)?
- 90. What do I have to offer? Is it life giving, of vital importance? Do you want others to have the same relationship and opportunity that you have?
- 91. Do you experience joy and love of Jesus in such a way that it’s attractive to others Are you ready and willing to share the good news of Jesus with others?
- 92. Where are you? Where are the gaps in your life?
- 93. Where in these areas do you see... Yourself Your church Your Ministry The Church in general?
- 94. What work needs to be done to close the discipleship gap?
- 95. Barna, “Christianity would be incredibly influential in our culture if Christians consistently lived their faith. Most non Christians don’t read the Bible, so they judge Christianity by the lives of the Christians they see.
- 96. Barna, “Christianity would be incredibly influential in our culture if Christians consistently lived their faith. Most non Christians don’t read the Bible, so they judge Christianity by the lives of the Christians they see. The problem is that millions of Christians don’t live like Christians – and that’s partially because they don’t know what they believe and therefore cannot apply appropriate scriptural values to their lives.”