Discipleship

I’m urging us to be involved in discipleship? Who could disagree?

But what does this look like in practice and who can do it?

Let’s go back to the start.

What is a disciple?

A disciple is a student. Now our Western culture divides between theory and practice, but in the first century the two were one. You would walk and live with your teacher. It was in the daily activities that questions, debates and conversations occurred.

Jesus invited people to follow Him (Mark 1:17-18, 2:14-15). Through His ministry they understood that He was the Christ. He then explained what the implications would be for their lives (Mark 8:27-38). As Jesus was about to ascend to the Father’s right hand and received all authority he gave His disciples a task- make disciples (Matt 28:18-20).

How do you make disciples?

The key is the gospel. It is the gospel that is transforming people’s lives everywhere (Col 1:3-6). It’s important that we understand this. No matter how persuasive you are as a leader, you cannot overcome sin in someone’s life. But as people hear and respond to the truth they are freed to live a life of godliness (Eph 4:17-24, Titus 2:11-14).

Teaching is a key component, but the life you lead also plays a part. Paul taught the Thessalonians to receive the gospel as God’s word, but he was also a model, nurturing like a mother and disciplining like a father (1 Thess 2:1-16). In fact, Paul calls for people to imitate him as he imitates Christ (1 Cor 11:1).

Prayer is also a major factor. Paul is always praying for the churches (Phil 1:3-10, Col  1:3-7, 1 Thess 1:3-8). It is Christ is who is building His church and calling people into His kingdom. We are servants, and we therefore plead with God to have mercy on those around us.

There are some key elements to consider

Discipleship involves calling people to acknowledge Jesus as their Lord and Saviour
Discipleship challenges people to forsake old allegiances and serve God
Discipleship challenges people to follow the way of the cross (1 Thess 2:14-16, Phil 1:27-30)
Discipleship provides a model for others to follow
Discipleship encourages people to join and participate in the new community of Jesus

Should every disciple be a disciple-maker?

I think so. I think that there will be a need for teachers who are pillars in the community, bringing about maturity in the body of Christ through teaching the whole counsel of God.

Col Marshall in Trellis and the Vine thinks that these are the pre-requisites:

Confess Jesus as the Christ (Mark 8:34-35)

Teach children (Eph 6:4, 1 Tim 4:4-5)
Teach each other (Rom 15:14, Eph 3:15-16, Col 3:16, Heb 10:24-25)
Missionary heart (1 Cor 10:31-11:1)
Model Christian living (1 Thess 1:9-10)

 

Vision

Vision

It’s a buzz word that can mean different things to different people or nothing at all.

But when there is a vision then there is focus, there is energy, there are goals.

Vision gives the drive that says, “I’ll do all I can to achieve this”

So what then is vision?

Vision is a picture of the future that promotes passion.

We are stirred into action at we see the possibilities and consider how we can achieve them.

Now for the fun part. Vision is different from mission.

A mission statement tells you why you exist. For us, we exist to help people become fully devoted followers of Christ. You may want to question if this is adequate, but it is a statement of why we exist in the world (vs new creation).

Vision speaks of the desired future. You can do this with numbers (to be a church of 300 in 5 years) target (to be a church that reaches young adults) or impact (to experience a gospel shaped community).

For me, the vision stems from the mission. I want to see All Saints’ as a church that promotes maturity and gospel passion. I want husbands to take the lead in teaching their families. I want people volunteering for ministry. I want to see people making the choice in their career so that they can do more ministry. I’d love for many to go from All Saints’ into ministry, or be leaders in different churches.

So the vision- to impact people’s lives with the gospel so that they profoundly impact others with the gospel.

Now the wording does require work. In essence, we pray, teach, model and train.

The questions then are:

1) How do we promote maturity? How do we lift the spiritual education at All Saints’

2) When can we start an MTS program?

3) What opportunities are there for people over 50 looking at career change?

4) How do we promote gospel vision and passion?

5) How do we implement a leadership development program?

Just in case the didn’t realise, I don’t have the answers. In fact, that is what we need to discuss.