disciplemaking made simple
(If you are interested in learning more about discipleship or engaging in a discipling relationship through MCC, contact Bill@midtowncommunitychurch.com)
A definition of disciplemaking: Engaging others to mature in Christ
The church is good at taking simple concepts and making them very complex. This webpage is an attempt to be counter-church cultural when it comes to making disciples. Jesus made disciples by engaging the Twelve. In its simplest form, disciplemaking is about engaging others (in fact, all ministry in Christ’s name begins by engaging others). Paul said that in addition to imparting the gospel, he imparted his own life (1 Thess 4:8).
Disciplemaking begins – and continues with - a commitment to engage others.
The aim and means of disciplemaking
When you engage others, what do you do with them? Is there a plan? Is there a goal? Is there a destination? Is there an outcome?
The destination is Christ-likeness. By God’s grace, those you disciple will grow to resemble Christ in their character, relationships, and involvements as you help them appropriate God’s grace for their lives.
How does this happen (the appropriation of God’s grace)? By abiding in Christ. But what’s our part in the process of abiding in Christ? Staying connected through the Word, through prayer, and through obedience.
So, if you’re going to engage others and disciple them, you must have an intimate, growing relationship with Jesus Christ and be willing to help others do the same. It’s that simple.
If you need more instruction or need more of a plan, the following is offered as a resource - not as a replacement – for engaging others.
Follow
Before you can lead others to follow Christ, you must be following Christ . . . not perfectly, but directionally and intimately. Before you can help others abide in Christ, you must be abiding. If you are not abiding in Christ, then all you have to offer others is yourself; that’s scary. So, before engaging others, be sure you are engaged with Christ. If you are not, then become so.
Engage
Find someone(s) of the same gender as yourself who seems hungry to learn more about knowing and growing in Christ. Meet with him and talk about his spiritual journey and yours (see “Spiritual Journey Questions”). Ask if he would like to meet regularly to learn to follow Christ together. Once you begin meeting regularly, you might like to follow “The 5P Plan” to help structure your time.
Caution: Contemporary disciplemaking often degenerates into getting-together-to-go-over-the-material meetings. Biblical disciplemaking goes beyond once/week meetings; there must be life-on-life time.
Invest
Jesus said that a faithful manager of others is one who gives “proper portions at the proper time” (Matthew 24:45). A major portion of your task as a disciplemaker is properly assessing what others need and investing it at the appropriate time. Young believers might be intrigued by the predestination/free will debate, but your primary task is to guide them into a growing and intimate relationship with Jesus Christ. Paul said the goal of his instruction was “love from a pure heart and a pure conscience and a sincere faith” (1 Timothy 1:5), and he warned against getting caught up in controversies (2 Tim. 2:14).
Just as we progress through stages of physical growth (infant, toddler, adolescent, etc), so we progress through stages of spiritual growth. Progress should not be measured merely by head-knowledge of significant doctrines, but additionally by growth in character and Christ-likeness. Because this kind of growth is more a function of personal interaction with Christ than with you, focus your efforts on guiding your disciple(s) into regular encounters with Christ through the Word and prayer. As she develops consistency in her spiritual lifeskills, the Holy Spirit in her will generate a love for God and for others.
Deputize
Maturation involves taking on increased levels of responsibility. Your disciple(s) must grow increasingly independent of you and increasingly engaged in taking personal responsibility for the Great Commission. There is a point at which a disciple moves from being a consumer to being a producer, and your guidance must include sending him out to evangelize and disciple others. If this does not happen, your disciple’s growth toward Christ-likeness will be stunted.