To Be Like Jesus

Sunday, November 16, 2014

Practice - Principles - Person

Another Lesson Learned: Its not good enough to teach people the PRACTICE (methods) of disciple-making. Even if that is where we begin, we have to eventually get to the PRINCIPLES behind PRACTICE. And its not good enough to teach people the PRINCIPLES. We must teach them about the PERSON (Jesus) behind the PRINCIPLES. Its all a process and takes time. But if we never arrive at Jesus, we have completely failed.

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Bad Theological Math vs Good Theological Math

Bad Math

Priest > Disciple > Convert

Good Math

Priest = Disciple = Convert

Bad Math

(Jesus = Build the Church) + (Disciples = Make Disciples) = Kingdom Growth

Good Math

(Jesus + Disciples = Build the Church) + (Disciples + Jesus = Make Disciples) = Kingdom Growth

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Sunday, June 23, 2013

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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Friday, June 14, 2013

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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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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