Implementing: Disciples making Disciples
By Jay Wegter
BUILDING UPON FOUNDATIONAL TRUTH:
Lead disciplers hold open Bible studies in which the Great Commission is spelled out. In addition stress is placed on Christ’s pattern for His church from Ephesians chapter four (every member supplying his or her part in the edification of the body for the purpose of individual and corporate spiritual growth). During these open Bible studies, the teaching disciplers cast the biblical vision for the spiritual growth and maturity of every member (Col 1:28-29). An invitation is given to the group to form discipleship partnerships. A discipleship partnership involves a commitment between two or three believers to study God’s Word and to pray together at set times for the purpose of spiritual growth.
CULTIVATING THE PARTNERSHIPS:
Lead disciplers begin working with the partnerships which have resulted from the group meetings— explaining the overall strategy for spiritual growth. First of all, the growth strategy involves grounding the partners in the fundamentals of How to Study the Bible. This stage will involve two or three meetings with the partners in which intense instruction takes place in Bible Study Method. The second phase of the growth strategy is to select a Scripture passage for the individual partnerships to study together (we recommend a portion of Colossians 1-3 or Philippians 1-3 to begin with). The third stage of the strategy entails the partners regularly studying through the passage and praying together at set times. These prayer times will also involve spiritual inventory—identifying areas where personal growth is needed. Much of the spiritual inventory will be driven by the biblical passage the partners have been studying.
GUIDING THE PROCESS:
The lead disciplers will meet with the partners every other week for the purpose of monitoring and guiding progress. Guidance by the lead disciplers is an ongoing endeavor. Perseverance is required. During these bi-weekly meetings, the disciplers will employ a set of probing questions with the partners (see section on Application Questions). These ‘probing questions’ are designed to make sure that the Word of God is actually being allowed to transform the believer. The guidance meetings are absolutely essential. In our age of facts being just a ‘click away’, it is all too common for believers to read the Bible as merely religious information, rather than as the living; abiding; life-transforming Word of God. The partners need mentoring in order to learn how the Word of God is intended to speak to all of life and to each part of our day to day existence.
MENTORING IN THE SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES:
The lead disciplers function as mentors in the spiritual disciplines of Bible study; prayer; fellowship; Scripture meditation; and evangelism. The disciplers are there to model life-on-life soul care—they are to be examples of applying the Word to the specific spiritual needs of the individual. The spiritual needs of potential disciples commonly fall under four areas: 1.) A particular sin is a stronghold in the person’s life. 2.) The individual feels defeated and useless spiritually. 3.) The person complains of getting little out of their Bible reading and quiet times. 4.) The believer feels exasperated as if the Christian life is merely a performance treadmill. The lead disciplers are to be accomplished at patiently showing the partners how the gospel gloriously answers each of these four common obstacles to growth.
LEARNING TO EMPLOY APPLICATION QUESTIONS:
Employing probing questions is absolutely essential if the partners are to be transformed by God’s truth. The lead disciplers are encouraged to form their own probing questions as well as using the questions provided in this resource. Without incorporating the probing questions, the process of internalizing the Word of God often miscarries. Growing believers need help in learning how to close the ‘disconnect’ which commonly exists between belief and practice. The goal at this stage of growth is for the partners to gain the skill of biblical self-confrontation—that is to practice self-examination in light of the truth and then to make the changes required by the Bible by the power of the Spirit. This skill is seldom developed without hands-on instruction within the relational space offered in spiritual mentoring.
MASTERING THE USE OF APPLICATION QUESTIONS:
Remember, as lead disciplers we are seeking to reach the hearts of those we are discipling. To be on the receiving end of probing questions can be quite intimidating for the growing believer. Therefore we want to make this use of questions as caring, non-threatening, and relational as possible. Discipleship should be somewhat spontaneous instead of reading the probing questions from a sheet of paper. Consider first internalizing the questions and then putting them in your own words. Our aim is to have the Word of God penetrate the heart. Lead disciplers may ask each partner to prayerfully consider and then answer the following questions. Ask them what must change in order to answer each of these in the affirmative:
o Are you reading the Word for the purpose of renewing your mind and for the purpose of being transformed into the likeness of Christ?
o Are you reading the Word in order to practice self-confrontation and ongoing repentance —so that you are mortifying ego; selfishness; lust; and self-exaltation?
o Are you reading the Word in order to identify areas in which you need to grow; are you being utterly deliberate about developing Christian character?
o Are you reading the Word in order to know better how to please Christ your Lord— submitting to Him; learning His will for you; and taking delight in being ruled by Him through His Word?
o Are you reading the Word in order to fellowship with the Lord and know Him better— taking joy in communing with Him and receiving His love and grace on a regular basis?
Lead disciplers are to function in a catalytic manner; drawing out the partners so that they have vital, life-transforming interaction with the Word of God. Here are specific questions that are to be utilized when studying a particular text (see also Jay’s questions in, How to Meditate on Scripture):
o What does this text say about my relationships; my thought life; my service; my worship; my leadership; and/or my character? o What is the ‘burden’ of this text—in other words what error in thinking; attitudes; acting; or believing is this text designed to correct?
o What does this text say about God; about others; about me; about God and me?
o How does this text speak clearly about Christ my source of life and spiritual power? o What would have to change in my life in order for me to obey what God requires here? o What regions of my conscience and affections are to be ‘educated’ by this text?
o How does this text provide a ‘wisdom grid’ to evaluate all of life?
Lead disciplers are seeking to grow a disciple who ultimately becomes capable of spiritually investing in others (making another disciple). The best leaders can do is seek to set the conditions for spiritual growth. The Holy Spirit is the One who produces the spiritual formation. Spiritual growth means learning to live as Christ’s possession and then maintaining the relationship with the Lord that was imparted to us at the moment of salvation. Our relationship with the Lord is mediated through the Word of God and is therefore indispensable to our walk with the Lord and our growth in Him. We reiterate that spiritual growth thrives best in the relational space established in close relationships. Key to this closeness is gospel saturation—in other words, where the gospel is taught; known; loved; and applied deeply, there will be the courage to trust and to show transparency and vulnerability in our relationships.
LEARNING THAT LIVING AS CHRIST’S DISCIPLE IS A LIFESTYLE:
Gospel saturation is central to grace living. Gospel saturation enables us, even grants us permission, to seek satisfaction in God so that we make it a habit to go to Him for love and grace every day. Then the Christian life becomes one continuous act of gratitude to the Lord. At the moment of salvation the believing sinner bows the knee to Christ; the Lord of the cosmos. From then on the Lord takes possession of the believer whom He has purchased at Calvary (1 Cor 6:19). Thus, living the life of a disciple involves offering ourselves back to God each day—literally presenting ourselves to Him each day. This principle of presentation (Rom 6:11-14)—giving all we are to the Lord each day is the essence of living as a disciple.
We are to take delight in being ruled by the Word of Christ, the Scriptures, which comprise the imperial instrument whereby He oversees and guides His redeemed people. So much of our submission to Christ is our dedication to daily maintain the relationship with Himself which He has graciously given to us. There is great joy in following Christ. For having our whole lives surrendered to His loving lordship produces a unified Christian experience without isolated compartments partitioned off from one another. In this age of compartmentalization, one of the challenges we face as disciplers is tendency for professing Christians to keep the areas of their lives separate: home life; pastimes; friends; church life; and vocation all have separate ‘compartments’. Many believers value privacy more than spiritual growth. As a consequence, they may view discipleship as an incursion into their compartmentalized world. Relationship is the key—for potential disciples will see in your life (as a lead discipler) that you enjoy peace and satisfaction in God that comes from having the areas of your life under Christ’s lordship, and the joy of a unified Christian experience in Christ.
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