To Be Like Jesus: May 2013

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Principle #5 - Instinctive Reproduction at Every Level

A disciple-making community (DMC) instinctively reproduces at every level. From the individual, to the church, to a network, it multiplies itself because the of the DNA instilled from the beginning compels it to do so. Individuals lead other individuals to Christ in obedience to His command to evangelize and to love their neighbor. Small accountability groups spawn more accountability groups. Churches have the innate urge to plant others churches as a means to continue the momentum of advancing the kingdom. These DMCs have an apostolic impulse that enlarges the influence of Jesus Christ from their neighborhood to the nations. Jesus envisioned the message of His love and lordship encompassing nothing less than the entire globe and we are the "sent ones" to deliver and live that proclamation. (Genesis 1.28, Matthew 4.19, Mark 16.15, Luke 13.18-21, John 15.8, 17.8, Acts 1.8)
If you'd like help developing a Disciple-Making Community, please contact me at charleswood1 at Gmail.
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Thursday, May 23, 2013

Principle #4 - Saturation in the Scriptures

Over the years I have found saturation in the Scriptures to be a crucial element in personal spiritual growth and effectiveness in ministry. By saturation I mean that one's intake of the Word of God is so significant that it holds sway over all thoughts, speech, and actions of the disciple. Jesus was saturated in the Scriptures. He was constantly quoting or alluding to the Old Testament and even saw the Word of God as more important than His food (Matthew 4.4). If we are going to become like Jesus we need to be saturated in the Scriptures like He was. The practical application of this principle can look very different but usually includes voluminous Bible hearing, reading, and study (Colossians 3.16), Scripture memorization (Psalm 119.9,11), and meditation throughout the day (Joshua 1.8, Deuteronomy 6.6-9).
A good standard for saturation: 3-4 chapters of Bible reading daily (1 chapter in the Gospels), Intentional reflection on the Scriptures throughout the day, Memorizing 1-2 verses weekly, Participating in a weekly Bible study discussion (not lecture) group, Hearing 1 challenging and/or encouraging expositional sermon weekly, and finally, Weekly fellowship that asks three questions; 1. How this saturation is going? 2. How God is speaking? and 3. How the individual is applying what they heard from God?
This of course is not the only way one can be saturated in the Scriptures but after 30 years of making disciples, I have found it very effective. Obviously, a young disciple doesn’t get to this level of saturation overnight but can grow into these disciplines within a year.
If you'd like help developing a Disciple-Making Community, please contact me at charleswood1 at Gmail.
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Saturday, May 11, 2013

Principle #3 - Liberal and Indiscriminate Sowing of the Gospel

When Jesus describes the sower in the Parable of the Sower (Mark 4.1-20), he is casting seed (the Word) in such a way that it is falling on all types of soil. It’s a picture of one who is sowing the gospel so aggressively and indiscriminately that the seed is bound to find good soil. Then when the seed does find good soil it multiplies and reproduces itself 30, 60, 100 times what sown. This should be our approach to sharing the gospel.
Sowing the gospel begins with talking to friends, family, co-workers in the places where we live, work and play. As our relational networks are saturated with the good news, we move into an apostolic mode of inserting ourselves into new relational networks helping insiders saturate their own relational networks with the news of Jesus and His kingdom (Matthew 10, Luke 10).
Not only will our span of influence increase but our ability to communicate the gospel increases as well. We may start with a simple invitation to join a gathering, or share our story of how we started following Christ, to being able to answer technical questions about the faith. The key is to start sharing what you know and helping others do the same. As you and your fellow disciples mature, you will become more proficient at sharing the gospel. Remember it is God Who brings men and women to Himself (John 6.44) and we must completely rely on the Holy Spirit for true conversion.
Jesus said the natural by product of following Him would be that we would become fishers of men (Matthew 4.19). Evangelism is the responsibility of every believer but when a Disciple-Making Community practices this principle the results can be stunning. It’s the difference between fishing with a pole verses fishing with a net.If you'd like help developing a Disciple-Making Community, please contact me at charleswood1 at Gmail.
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Wednesday, May 01, 2013

Principle #2 - Passionate and Persistent Prayer

Think of Jesus when it comes to His personal attitude toward prayer. We see Him praying often (Lk 5.16), early (Mk 1.35), and at times, all night (Lk 6.12). Jesus was always praying and if anyone could have afforded to live a life of prayerlessness, it was the Son of God. And yet He was constantly communing with the Father in prayer because He was convinced that He couldn’t do a thing without the Father (Jn 5.19). The Father was where His power came from and the foundation for His life and ministry.
We need to ask ourselves this question; Was it merely minutes or hours of prayer per week that gave Jesus the ability to cast out a demon on the spot when His disciples could not and He said “these only come out with much prayer”? (Mk 9.14-29) And was it just quantity or quality as well?
If we expect to be anything like Jesus and see miraculous movements of the gospel that radically change peoples lives by the hundreds and thousands (or even one lost soul), we need to be people of passionate and persistent prayer! Our prayer lives declare our attitude on where we think the power to live our lives and feed His sheep comes from. Much prayer equals dependence on the power of God. Little prayer equals, “No thanks Jesus, I got this!” It’s as simple as that. (Lk 18.1-8, Mt 7.7-11)
If you'd like help developing a Disciple-Making Community, please contact me at charleswood1 at Gmail.
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