Survey
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
THE PHILOSOPHY OF BUILDING BELIEVERS IN THEIR FAITH 1. Introduction 1.1. The need for Building or Discipling Believers in their faith Young people need to be discipled and built up in their faith. In this study, we will look at how we can best disciple young people so that in the end they are living out the character and priorities of Christ. How many young people do you know who have made a decision to follow Christ and then a few months or years down the line have slowly fallen away? So many people too, sit in the church for years and never develop and grow as Christians – they are like infants – never growing towards maturity. Perhaps there is a need to redefine discipleship so that we see the new believer growing up in their faith and that we see long term nurture happening so that young people will go forward in their faith and eventually make a difference in the lives of others. 1.2. The Definition of Christ-like discipleship Definition: Christ-like discipleship is…the holistic care of people, that helps each individual more consistently live the character and priorities of Christ. Much of what is being called “discipleship” in our churches today seems to be a far cry from the example that was set before us in the life of Jesus. In most churches/youth groups, discipleship is seen as a curriculum to be discussed, a Bible passage to be studied, a Sunday school class, a small group meeting, or programmes offered by the church. Many church leaders believe that certain programs or structures, such as the use of small groups, automatically translate into discipleship for those in a group. Though small groups are an important aspect of healthy discipleship, a programme or structure alone does not guarantee that group members are being discipled. Though the things mentioned above have some possible discipleship value, they fall far short of what is necessary to help bring about long-term life transformation in the life of a believer. There is a desperate need in our churches and youth ministries today to redefine what true discipleship is; so that we can help more people live the character and priorities of Christ more consistently. Young people need to be discipled in their faith! So, let’s look at some broad principles that we should focus on, if we are to try to disciple like Jesus …… 1.3. Broad Principles for effective Christ–like Discipleship 1.3.1. Frequent and long-term Discipleship: It took Jesus 3 years of investment in the disciples, before they were ready to minister and lead on their own. During those 3 years, they spent an incredible number of hours together. Is it possible to truly disciple someone with the 2-4 hours a week that are spent together in most discipling relationships today? Discipleship is not fast, and it’s not easy. It takes a lot of time, commitment, and sacrifice. A discipler must be with his or her disciples frequently and must care for them over the long-term. 1.3.2. Experiential: Most of the time Jesus spent with His disciples was in an experiential learning environment. They were living together, travelling together, eating meals together, ministering to the needs of people together, etc. Very little of their time spent together seems to be in what we would consider a formal learning environment. People learn much more when they do something than when they just hear something. For this reason, we need to help people experience the priorities of a Christ-like lifestyle. We need to live closely with them outside of the church, engaging in life, relationships, and ministry together. 1.3.3. Other-centered or Missional – a high value is placed on service and evangelism outside of the church and church body: Jesus was consistently exposing the disciples to different kinds of people, in different kinds of places, with different kinds of needs, many of whom were physically, relationally, emotionally, or spiritually needy. He often placed the disciples in situations where they could learn to love and serve “the least of these” by watching Him or by serving alongside Him. Character qualities like love, compassion, servanthood, sacrifice, and generosity are more likely to be integrated into a person’s life, as they enter into the lives of others and frequently demonstrate the above qualities in the context of those relationships. This is more likely to happen outside the church, in the lives of people who are desperately needy. It’s very important for these things to be practised frequently, so that they become part of a person’s lifestyle, rather than a project that they participate in a few times a year. 1.3.4. Holistic: It’s obvious from the teaching and experiences Jesus had with the disciples that He was committed to developing them holistically, concerned with helping them bring their whole lives under the will of the Father and offering their whole lives as worship to the Father. Discipleship needs to involve caring for the whole life of a person. Every area of a person’s life is considered, not just the spiritual (Bible study, prayer, etc.) A person’s time, money, relationships, body, etc. must also be shaped from a Biblical perspective. 1.3.5. Group: Though the disciples learned an extraordinary amount from watching and listening to Jesus, it can be assumed that they also learned a great deal from their interaction with each other, as they travelled, lived, and ministered together in close community. The role of a small group leader is important as a primary discipler, but just as much learning, modelling, and sharpening takes place between group members, as they serve together and experience life together. The examples of a healthy family or strong sports team apply here. 1.3.6. Individual: Though we see Jesus spending a great deal of time with the disciples as a group, we also see Him speaking specifically into the lives of individual disciples, at different times and in different ways. In addition to the need for the group dynamic, discipleship must have a personal nature as well because each person in a group has different needs, problems, and spiritual gifts. Each person must be viewed individually; in the same way parents must view each of their children individually. 1.3.7. Modelled: Though, at times, Jesus taught the disciples in a classic sense, it was His consistent example of love, servanthood, sacrifice, generosity, encouragement, worship, etc. that probably had the greatest impact on the lives of the disciples. Disciples need to see most of what is expected of them lived out in the day-to-day example of their discipler (discussed later). If a person can not see a model of what they should be doing, it will be difficult for them to do it well or to do it consistently themselves. 1.3.8. Truth-connected (with experience): How often did Jesus teach after an experience or from an illustration, rather than in a formal setting? The truth of Scripture plays a vital role in the discipleship process, but truth disconnected from experience is not likely to be remembered or to result in application. Truth needs to be most often taught after or during an experience. A tangible experience used to connect the application of an idea with the principle being taught should be part of almost all teaching/learning activities. 1.3.9. Multiplication Expectation: It was Jesus’ strategy from the beginning that His disciples would be the foundation for the church and the foundation for the multiplication of followers of Christ around the world. The end goal of multiplication, with “disciplee” becoming a discipler, should be stated and expected from the beginning. 1.4. Common Barriers to Effective Discipleship Think about what you have just read and then fill in the blanks below …… [fill in the blanks in pencil and then check your answers with mine below] Not enough T____ spent together The time spent together is rarely E________________ Little of the time spent together is other-centered or compassion/sacrifice motivated, as most “ S___________” is done inside the church for other believers Sacrificial service isn’t frequent enough to become part of a person’s L____________ The discipling care isn’t H__________ The discipling care isn’t individual, but is only done in a G__________ and as a group The group dynamic is too leader focused, so there’s little “sharpening” between group members and little expectation of them to be fellow D______________ Truth is often disconnected from E_____________ The expectation of every person becoming a D____________ is weak or missing The priorities of Service and E______________ are often weak or missing [Time; Experiential; Service; Lifestyle; Holistic; Group; Disciplers; Experience; Discipler; Evangelism] 1.5. Discipleship Priorities of Jesus NB: It is very important that you understand the discipleship priorities of Jesus as the whole study is based upon this! The above principles have related more to the “how’s and why’s” of discipleship, as we see each principle coming from a consistent pattern in the life of Christ. In addition to this, it’s important to understand the “what’s” of discipleship, or what are the priorities of Christ that need to be “discipled into” every believer. There are many details related to the character and priorities of Christ that need to be discipled into a believer, but as we study the gospels and the book of Acts, the priorities that we see over and over again seem to be: Community Learning Worship Service Evangelism Experiencing deep and accountable relationships with a group of believers An understanding and application of Scripture Living a life of constant worship of God Ministering to the tangible needs of those outside and inside the church Proclaiming the incredible truths of the gospel of Jesus Christ Looking at the book of Matthew, we see Jesus doing the above consistently with His disciples: (fill in the blanks where necessary) 1.5.1. COMMUNITY – in Peter’s home together – crossing the lake in the boat together – eating together at Matthew’s house with tax collectors and sinners 12:1,2 – walking through the fields together, eating heads of grain 12:9 – going to church together 13:10 – debriefing together after a ministry event 13:36-52 – discussing parables together in someone’s home 14:32 – time in the boat together 15:32 – Jesus shares His heart with them on the mountain 17:1 – took the “3” up to a high mountain alone 20:29 – on a “road trip” together to Jerusalem 24 and 25 – talking privately on the Mount of Olives 26:6 – in Bethany, at Simon’s house, reclining at the table after a meal 26:17-30 – experiencing the Lord’s Supper together Matt. 8:14 8:23 9:10 1.5.2. LEARNING – Sermon on the Mount on many subjects – taught about the harvest field – taught them about how to fulfill their mission – gave them a private interpretation of the parables – taught them about the depravity of the heart – taught them through asking questions – taught them about prophecy and His coming death - took 3 disciples up the mountain for a special teaching experience 18:1-35 taught them about who the greatest is in the kingdom of heaven, the lost sheep, handling conflict and forgiveness 19:1 – 20:16 – taught them about divorce, little children, the rich young man, the vineyard workers and His coming death 23 – taught about the seven woes 24 and 25 – taught about end times, the parable of the talents, and the sheep and goats Matt. 5:1-7:29 9:37 10:1-42 13:36-52 15:15-20 16:13-20 16:21 17:1-13 1.5.3. WORSHIP Matt. 11:25-30 – prays to His Father 14:13 – taught by example to pray in solitude 14:23 – same as above 26:36-46 – prayed in the garden of Gethsemane (Jesus taught them about prayer in 6:5-18, 7:7-12, 10:32, 18:15-20, 21:22, 26:41) 1.5.4. SERVICE – healed ________ mother-in-law and then the crowds outside – healed the ______________ after getting out of the boat with His disciples 9:18-25 – raised the dead girl and healed the hemorrhaging woman 9:35-37 – with compassion, He healed sickness and disease in many towns and villages 12:13 – healed the man with the shriveled hand on the Sabbath 14:14 – with compassion, He healed the sick in the crowds 14:15-21 – fed the five thousand and involved the disciples 15:30, 31 – healed the lame, blind, crippled, mute and many others 15:32-38 – fed the ________________, with the disciple’s help again 17:14-18 – healed the boy possessed by the demon 19:2 - healed the large crowds 20:29-34 – gave ___________ to the blind men (Jesus taught them about service in – 5:40-48, 6:1-4, 10:8, 20:25-28) Matt. 8:14-17 9:1,2 1.5.5. EVANGELISM Matt. 4:23 – preaching the good news of the kingdom 5:1-7:29 – Sermon on the Mount 8:10 – spoke about great ____________ 9:10 – cultivating ___________________ with sinners 9:35 – preaching the good ___________of the kingdom (Jesus taught them about evangelism in 9:37, 10:5-42, 13:1-23, 15:29-31, and gave them the ultimate evangelistic challenge in chapter 28.) Answers: [Peter’s; Lake; Matthew’s; Parables; Mountain; Simon’s; Mount; Mission; Questions; Example; Gethsemane; Paralytic; Four Thousand; Sight; Faith; Relationships; News]