Principle #7 - Train Every Believer to Minister and Focus on Those who Actually Do

One of the major distinctions between a Disciple-Making Community and other religious communities is that the entire DMC makes disciples of Jesus. This is not the efforts of just a few gifted individuals. Disciple-Making is a community effort and everyone in the community is engaged in using his or her spiritual gifts to make disciple both individually and corporately. When asked if they are a "priest", every individual in the DMC's response should be YES! It stands to reason that those with more experience and skill will equip those with less. But even the youngest disciple is being trained and actively sharing their faith. There is no waiting period before one is expected to put the love and truth they learned into action. Immediate application is one of the most effective elements employed to further the individuals growth and training. Those who are unwilling to participate in the disciple-making process should not be allowed to drain the resources of those who are. We will certainly help those in need, this is a very real part of making disciples. But as Jesus focused His attention on a few as the future disciple making ministry, we should follow His example. Train everyone, focus on those who are applying what they know. (Matthew 4.19, 28.18-20, Luke 8.21,38-39 10.2, Ephesians 4.11-13, 1 Peter 2.9, Revelation 1.6)
If you'd like help developing a Disciple-Making Community, please contact me at charleswood1 at Gmail.
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Principle #6 - Relational Potency and Accountability (Help Many, Train a Few)

Jesus ministered to a lot of people but no one had more time with Jesus than His closest 12 (and even among them there were the 3 - Peter, James, and John). As we are limited in the flesh by time, space, and energy, Jesus ministered to others under the same limitations. He left us an example of how to go deep with a few for the sake of the many (Mark 3.14). We must never lose sight of the fact that its quality that will reach quantity not vice versa. The crowd would have tempted Jesus to enjoy the fruit of his popularity by making Him king but He disciplined Himself to focus His concentration on the few (John 6.15). This in no way minimizes the needs of the masses but in fact is the remedy. The Apostle Paul picked up on this principle when he exhorts Timothy to "instruct faithful men who will teach others also" (2 Timothy 2.2). One of the most important elements of staying small and concentrating on a few is the element of accountability. Preachers rarely have the time or ability to come back around and see if the instruction that was given was actually applied. In smaller groups this is much more achievable. Smaller groups are also more likely to feel loved and have particular needs met by their discipler. We must consider the needs of the many just as Jesus did but it cannot be at their expense or the next generation by failing to train fellow laborers in the harvest.
If you'd like help developing a Disciple-Making Community, please contact me at charleswood1 at Gmail.
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