Below is an outline I have used recently in seeking to challenge others about making disciples as Jesus did. Hopefully this will be helpful to you in your disciple-making ministry. If so, please leave a comment.
As an intro to the outline, let me mention that discipleship in the church today has tended to “narrow it’s focus to the spiritual dimension.” This thought is from a book that Dr. Howard Hendricks of Dallas, Texas wrote with his Son William in 1995. In this book titled, As Iron Sharpens Iron: Building Character in a Mentoring Relationship, an ideal form of discipleship is described:
It should touch every area of our lives—our personal life and lifestyles, our work, our relationships. But discipleship always looks at these areas by asking the question, how do they relate to Christ? [In other words] How does following Christ affect my personal life, work, my relationships, and so on? (1995, pp.182-183)
Outline:
MAKE DISCIPLES LIKE JESUS:
Lessons for Everyone from the Greatest Disciple-Making Leader of all time!
“A disciple is one who loyally follows Jesus by learning, incorporating, and practicing His teachings, actions, and character traits in a passionate effort to daily live as He lived in this world.” [1]
Intro:
The Lord’s last command should be our first concern. [Taken from Evangelism Explosion III Int’l]
Key Passage: Matthew 28:18-20: 18Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (NIV)
THE THREE Ps OF THE GREAT COMMISSION
1. V. 18. THE POWER FOR THE GREAT COMMISSION
“All authority [power] in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” (Therefore, we go in the power of Jesus that He has over nations, our lives, and our circumstances)
2. V. 19-20a, THE PROCESS OF THE GREAT COMMISSION
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”
The discipling process comprises the three steps of going, baptizing, and teaching. (As a result, we don’t view discipleship as a program but instead we see it as a relational process in which we reproduce ourselves in others. Take a look at the acronym of a D.I.S.C.I.P.L.E. below! )
3. V. 20b, THE PROMISE OF THE GREAT COMMISSION
“And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (For this reason, we are not alone in the work of world evangelization and discipleship)
Discussion Questions:
- How should we make disciples under the authority of Jesus? (Think of His authority/power over the nations, the church, and our lives as you answer this question)
- How does discipleship touch one’s head, heart, hands, and feet? (Consider the three participles of the discipleship process in answering this question)
- How does Jesus’ promise, “I am with you always, to the very end of the age,” encourage us when we face hardships or difficulties in our disciple-making ministry? (Think of those who don’t have the freedom of religion or assembly)
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In March 2010, I came up with an acronym for a D.I.S.C.I.P.L.E. This contains the characteristics of the of kind of person we want to reproduce in others. A disciple is someone who:
Discerns and does God’s will (Rom.12:1-2; Ephesians 5:15-20)
Identifies with potential disciples (Examples of the Incarnation & Paul: John 1:1, 14; 1 Cor. 9:22)
Senses the move of the Spirit (Galatians 5:25; John 16:13)
Confesses sin (1 John 1:9; James 5:16b)
Informs others of the work done (Mark 5:18-19; Malachi 3:16; Ephesians 5:19)
Perseveres in the Lord’s work (James 1:2, 1Corinthians 15:57-58)
Looks to Jesus for strength, guidance, and example (Heb.12:1ff; 1 Peter 2:21)
Enables others to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:18-20; 2 Timothy 2:2)
[1]Donald E. Bader, Developing a plan to disciple international students [2008 Doctoral dissertation]. Available from ProQuest Dissertations and Theses database. (UM No. 3337438).