DISCIPLESHIP STUDENT OUTLINE

Edited June 2007

INTRODUCTION

Matt 28:19-20

This is the KEY verse we use in three courses - World Missions, Evangelism and Discipleship - for obvious
reasons. This is the New Testament Command and holds the key to the TRIUMPH of the Church. The aim of
New Testament church activity is to win the lost, form them into churches, and make disciples that will
change the spiritual climate of nations by teaching them what Jesus taught.

Jesus spent the most of his 3 years of ministry instructing those men he gathered as followers until they
matured as disciples. After 3 years he turned the future of the church and his plans for global evangelism
over to them!!!

If we are serious about obeying the Apostolic Mandate, then we must know what a disciple is. Many people
and church traditions have different definitions of discipleship. Therefore it is important that we look at what
the Bible says discipleship is and is not.

I. Misunderstanding Discipleship
A. Discipleship is not primarily a mentoring program to help Christians become better
members.
Certainly Discipleship will cause church members to become more committed, but a better
member is not what Jesus had in mind when He gave us this Command.
1. Discipleship starts with the lost, not with the found.
When Jesus told His followers to go and make disciples He did not expect them to
go and help His followers become better followers. He expected them to go to those
who were not yet following Him and teach them to be disciples.

2. Discipleship ends with multiplication, not personal perfection.

If greater commitment, maturity, and personal holiness are all we accomplish in
discipleship, we have missed the main point. Disciples must fulfill the Mandate to
go and cause others to become disciples. Discipleship starts and ends with
evangelism.

B. Discipleship is not primarily an advanced course to help Christians know the Bible better.
1. Teaching in discipleship is not just teaching Bible knowledge, but teaching Bible
obedience—teaching them to obey everything.

Discipleship is primarily concerned with Bible application, not Bible knowledge. It

is possible to know much and do little. Unless our knowledge leads to obedience it is
a knowledge that puffs up rather than builds up. (1 Corinthians 8:1; Colossians
2:18.)

C. Discipleship is not primarily an accountability group to help Christians stay out of sin.
While moral accountability may be part of discipleship, it is not its primary purpose. Staying
out of sin is the starting line, not the finish line, in the Christian life.

D. Discipleship is not primarily about spiritual guidance, where all major decisions are
submitted, discerned, and decided upon.

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 While discipleship provides a setting to help believers discern God’s will, guidance and
decision-making is not the focus of New Testament discipleship. Humanity has a natural
tendency to turn all activity inward. Biblical discipleship is designed to turn our lives
outward - away from self.

II. What is the Call to Discipleship?

When Jesus calls people, He calls them to a life of discipleship. Matthew 4 clearly lays out what is
means to answer this call. Mat 4:18-22 - From this passage, we see the three primary aspects of
discipleship:

A. Discipleship is a call to follow Christ.

The starting point of being a disciple is to follow Jesus. It is possible and common to be a
good church member and yet not really follow Jesus. Following Jesus is more than just
imitating His character, applying His teaching or copying His activities. True discipleship
intrudes in our lives. It requires giving up our whole lives to follow Him. Mark 3:13
1. Jesus called His first disciples so they might be with him. Discipleship is first and
foremost about an intimate, personal, whole-life submission to the Lord Jesus.
2. We must follow Jesus at the exclusion of all other gods, life paths, or options.

B. Discipleship is a call to spiritual family.

In Mark 4, the disciples left their natural families to follow Christ. Jesus referred to His
disciples as brothers, sisters, fathers and mothers…as spiritual family. Matt 12:47-50; 1
Tim 5:1-2

We live our relationship with our heavenly Father in the context of being His children. Our
following Christ looks like being in family. This means letting our ‘older siblings,’ those
more mature in the faith, help us follow Christ. 1 Cor 11:1, 4:15-16 So important is the
concept of spiritual family that Jesus entrusted His greatest earthly responsibility, the care of
His mother, not to His flesh and blood relatives, but to His spiritual brother. John 19:26-27

C. Discipleship is a call to fish for men.

Jesus expects all who follow Him to reach out to the lost. Mark 1:17 Following Jesus does
not mean we cut off all contact with sinners. Rather, it means we actively seek to bring them
to Jesus. Matthew answered the call to discipleship and immediately had a party at his house
to introduce his friends to Jesus. Mat 9:9-10

Summary: Discipleship is a call to relationships.

Discipleship is about restoring people to right relationship with God and others.
Mat 22:37-40 This is the GREAT COMMANDMENT. It is the basis for the GREAT
COMMISSION!! It is the sum of all of God’s law. The sum of what it means to be a
disciple.

Discipleship is a call to build three primary relationships:

1. The call to follow is a call to develop intimate relationship with God.
2. The call to spiritual family is a call to develop relationships with one
another.
3. The call to fish is a call to develop relationships in the world.
A disciple is one who loves God, one another, and the lost in ever-increasing measure.

III. How to Become a Disciple

Before we can make disciples, we must become disciples. The first quality of a disciple is one who
lives and worships Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Acts 2:36; Phil 2:9-11; Rom 10:9
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A person becomes a disciple when he makes Jesus as the Lord of his life. That means that we bring
every area under the rule and discipline of Christ. History has proven that ignoring Jesus either as
LORD or SAVIOR leads to great error and unhealthy disciples.
A. Making Jesus the Lord
There can be no discipleship without Lordship. Jesus clearly laid out three conditions for all
who want to make Him Lord of their lives. Mark 8:34 Self-denial, Sacrifice, and Surrender.
1. Self-Denial
Jesus made it clear there would be a price to pay to follow Him. He warned all
followers to count the cost even before starting the journey of discipleship. Luke
14:27-28
The primary cost of being Christ’s disciple is denying ourselves. What does that
mean?
a. Jesus will before self-will or my will - John 21:18-19
We submit ourselves to Christ and trust Him with our life choices.
b. Jesus before personal reputation and comfort - 2 Cor 6:4-10
What ever is necessary. Whatever it takes.
c. Jesus before career and family - Mat 4:21-22
d. Jesus before personal pleasure - Heb 11:24-25
e. Jesus before personal ideas - 2 Cor 10:5

Jesus is our Lord when we deny all people, things, or ideas that compete for His
rightful place as King of our lives. Exo 20:3-4 Idolatry and Lordship are opposites.
It is not that comforts or families are always wrong; it is only when they take the
place of God’s authority in our lives. A question that is helpful here is asking, “Is
there anything that you would not be willing to give up right now to make Jesus
your Lord?”

Summary: Complete submission to Jesus as Lord is the starting point, not the goal,
of discipleship.

2. Sacrifice
To carry our cross daily means we adopt a lifestyle of sacrifice for the love of God
and others. Discipleship is not just the absence of self, it is also the presence of
suffering. The cross was an instrument if death. As Christians, we consistently seek
to kill whatever undermines the will of God in our lives (Galatians 2:20).

Sacrifice and suffering is required to:

a. Glorify God - 2 Tim 3:12
b. Love Others - 2 Cor 4:10-12
c. Crucify the flesh - Phil 3:18-19 If we do not kill our fleshly appetites and
comforts, we will always compromise our commitment to Christ.
d. Experience God’s blessings and glory - 1 Pet 4:12-13

Some people view trials as a sign of God’s displeasure with them. But the road to
eternal life always passes through the cross. The Bible promises both blessing and
suffering.

Summary: If we avoid pain, sacrifice, and challenges, we avoid discipleship.

3. Surrender
Lordship is not just self-denial and sacrifice; it is a commitment to follow Christ.
What does that mean?
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 a. Verbal declaration - Mat 10:32-33
b. Heart devotion - I Peter 3:15 Lordship is first a matter of the heart, an
attitude, before it is an action. Any true heart devotion will express itself in
action.
c. Practical obedience - Luke 6:46; Mat 7:21 Obedience is the practical
demonstration that we are choosing God’s will over our own. So while
Lordship is first a heart attitude, without obedience, that attitude is in
question.
d. Continuous lifestyle - Col 2:6 Real disciples have a continuous spiritual
hunger that compels them to grow in their relationship with God and expand
His kingdom.

B. Practical Application of Lordship

Here are some guidelines to evaluate the measure of His Lordship in our lives:
1. Is Jesus the Lord of our appearance? - 1 Cor 6:20
a. Are we honoring God with our body?
b. Are we taking care of our body as stewards?
c. Do we dress His body the way He would?
2. Is Jesus the Lord of our speech? - Col 4:6; Psa 50:23
a. Does He control what we say?
b. Does He control when we say it?
c. Does He control how we say it?
3. Is Jesus the Lord of our manners and habits? - 2 Tim 3:10
a. Does our daily life declare our submission to His rulership?
4. Is Jesus the Lord of our thought life? - Prov 23:7
Our thinking controls our actions. If our thinking changes, so do our actions.
5. Is Jesus the Lord of our emotions? - Prov 25:28
a. Can we exercise self control over our feelings?
b. Do feelings (love, hate, desire, passions) rule us?
c. Do we allow Christ to rule over those emotions?
6. Is Jesus the Lord of our time? - Psa 90:12
7. Is Jesus the Lord of our relationships? - 2 Cor 6:14

Summary: We confess Jesus as Lord with words, heart, and actions over a lifetime. Rev
12:11

Note: The aspects of Jesus as Savior are taught in New Creations, Doctrinal Foundations and
Victorious Life. In summary, deliverance from sins power and consequences through
relationship with God, provided by a personal encounter with Christ Jesus through Grace,
with the empowerment of the Holy Spirit to make all things new, provide victory over sin
and anoint us.

Conclusion: We cannot be disciples on our own terms. To become His disciples, Jesus calls us to
count the cost of self-denial, to carry the cross of sacrifice, and to surrender to and follow Him.

Disciples of the Lord Jesus are a saved people. We are saved from sin and its effects, and saved into
a personal relationship with God that is filled with His Spirit and grace.

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 RELATIONSHIP WITH SPIRITUAL FAMILY

The Context of Discipleship

How did Jesus relate to His disciples? Mark 3:13-14 In a small group - 12
How were the first Christians being disciple? Acts 2:41-44 As a Christian community
How did Paul disciple the early church? 1 Thess 2:7, 11 As a father with children

When we were born, God placed us in a specific home. When we are born again as Christians, God places us
in a particular local church where we can be personally nurtured to maturity. While the worldwide Church is
our spiritual family in the broadest sense, God grows us up in the context of a specific local community of
faith.

In this section we are going to discuss how to grow as a disciple in the context of spiritual family.
I. The Benefits of Spiritual Family
Joining God’s family transfers you into a new dimension of life in Christ. Some of the benefits are
these:

A. We mature in spiritual family

The easiest way to remain immature is to separate ourselves from family. The leadership and
relationships found in families provide an opportunity for growth and maturity that cannot be
found or duplicated anywhere else.

Friendship is not a replacement for family. If tension arises in a friendship you can just leave
the relationship, but you must work through your issues with family. What matures us in a
family are not just time with leaders, but also the tensions and struggles that arise as the
“siblings” try to get along together! Heb 12:8

B. We belong in spiritual family

Everyone needs a place to belong, to enjoy the security of long-term, intimate relationships.
1 Cor 12:27 People come to church for many reasons, but stay for only one: relationships.

C. We are fed in spiritual family

Disconnected body parts quickly die. Christ feeds us through others. Eph 4:14-16

The first sign that someone is “backsliding” in their relationship with God is that they begin
to distance themselves from their relationship with His church. The less input and
encouragement they receive from spiritual family, the more they struggle in their
relationship with God. We cannot separate our relationship with our Father from our
relationship with His children.

D. We are defined in spiritual family

Just like an eye or a foot in a human body, we understand who we are and what we do in the
context of the other parts - “when you find your people, you find your purpose.” An arm is
only a piece of flesh unless it is connected to a hand and a shoulder. 1 Cor 12:18

E. We are protected in spiritual family

Predators always seek to separate their prey from the herd. Our safety is to stay in the flock,
under the shepherd’s oversight. The ‘loner’ gets picked off. Acts 20:28-29
It’s dangerous to be separated from God’s family, putting even our salvation in danger. Prov
18:1

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 F. We bear fruit in spiritual family
The amount of fruit in our lives is in proportion to how well we are joined into Christ and
His Body. The branches are connected to Christ, but also to one another. John 15:5

The whole is always greater than the sum of each individual part. We always have greater
personal fruitfulness in the context of the relationships, gifts, and resources in God’s
community.
The conclusion is that disciples must spend time with other disciples. Prov 13:20

II. Belonging to Spiritual Family

Four main qualities characterize belonging to spiritual family:
A. Committing
Every family member commits to three main things:
1. The People - At the heart of the church is relationship with one another.
Joining the church is not attending meetings, but building covenant relationship.
Relationship is the critical ingredient in long term successful kingdom building and
growth.

The reason we get together is: To express a like hearted, like minded devotion and
purpose. Phil 2:2

2. The Purpose - The church is “a community with a cause.” To belong to

God’s family means receiving its mandate as your own. Matthew 28:19-20 We
don’t have relationships just for relationship sake. We honor relationship so that we
can move as one toward purpose.

3. The Path - Realizing your destiny in Christ will not happen accidentally.
Participating in church’s activities and opportunities is critical to discipleship. There
should be a path to discipleship in every church. We will discuss a path to
discipleship later in the course.

“If you take a train off the tracks, it is free but it can’t go anywhere.” Ray McCollum

B. Following
Acts 15:4 describes 3 spheres of authority in the church: apostles, elders, and church
members.
*Apostles pioneer new ministry and provide extra oversight to local churches.
*Elders lead locally. Every team needs a leader. The Pastor often serves as leader of the
team.
*Church members have specific responsibilities - to carry out the mission and ministry of the
church.
Opinions on what ‘submission to leadership’ means vary. Healthy submission is rooted in
trust—trusting God’s placement of you in a spiritual family and trusting in the character and
calling of your leaders. Relationships are built primarily through TRUST.

Here are some key qualifications for trustworthy leaders:

* They are followers first
* They live and lead godly lives
* They use authority to serve and build up others
* They lead people towards Christ and toward being leaders
* They do not demand respect and trust, but rather they earn and receive it as a gift
* They recognize other spheres of authority
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 NOTE: We mention this here for two reasons. 1) So we can recognize the type of leaders
God desires us to have. 2) As a standard for the type of leadership our discipleship process
should produce. If we lead this way, we will reproduce a discipled leader that will also lead
others in this way.

How do we submit to this kind of leadership?

* As an expression of our faith in God. We trust God so we pray for the leaders he
places over our lives because we believe they are part of God’s plan to bring
blessing and guidance to our lives.
* We follow them as they follow Christ. We don’t imitate everything. No one is
perfect. But we reflect those things that reflect Christ. We trust their direction, not
their perfection. When we trust our leaders; they become more trustworthy!

If there are real concerns or issues with a leader, a good thing to do is ‘Question
UP.’ This means we should share our struggles with other LEADERS, not our peers.

* Invite guidance and receive correction when needed.

The first thing Jesus told Paul, after they met on the road to Damascus was to ‘go to
the city and you will be told what to do.’ Acts 9:6 His first ‘leader’ was Ananias - a
disciple. NOTE THE LESSON HERE - Meeting Jesus is not enough to make us
great!!! We must also have disciples like Ananias who speak into our lives. Those
who only ‘listen to God’ never become fruitful disciples. Disciples should be willing
to have others guide them in their walk with God.
What are the benefits of an attitude or heart that is submissive?
* A submissive heart confronts our sinful mind/nature Rom 8:7
* A submissive heart humbles us and breaks pride 1 Pet 5:5
* A submissive heart tames our tongue and opens our ears Is 50:4

C. Serving
We most clearly reveal our love and commitment to spiritual family in how we serve.
We serve with our:
* Time - The clearest demonstration of being part of a spiritual family is seen in our
willingness to participate in activities. In a family, love is often spelled, “T-I-M-E.”
This involves giving of your time to people and to practical needs.

* Treasures - Where you spend your money determines where your heart is. The Bible
teaches that God expects you to give to your church the first tenth of your income; to
support God’s ministers and ministry. Above your tithe, you are also encouraged to
give “offerings” to special needs and ministry opportunities.

* Talents - God has given to each person important gifts and abilities His church needs
to fulfill its mandate. 1 Pet 4:10

Remember that a key to discipleship is Lordship. We could ask for each of these, is
Jesus Lord of my time? Is he Lord of my Treasures? Is he Lord of my Talents? Are
they under His control or mine?

D. Reaching
The church is an organization that exists for its non-members. In fact, the health of any
family is in its ability to reproduce. With this in mind, we commission every member to:
* Model Hospitality

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 Hospitality is the first stage of evangelism. We discuss this in Christian Family.
Christians must develop a lifestyle that includes others.
* Make Disciples
Every member makes disciple of those in their relational sphere of influence.

Conclusion: Psa 68:6 God provides a wonderful home and prosperous future for people who will
humble themselves and join a spiritual family. The place of nourishment and fruitfulness is spiritual
family. Therefore, we must decide if we want to be fully joined to the family and body of Christ.
* Will I commit to the people, purpose, and path of my church?
* Will I follow my leaders as they follow Christ?
* Will I serve with my time, treasures, and talents?
* Will I reach out by modeling hospitality and making disciples?
* Will I do these things for the long-term?

“A goal casually set and lightly taken is freely abandoned at the first obstacle.”

RELATIONSHIP WITH THE LOST

Discipleship is a call to follow Christ, a call to Spiritual Family, and a call to Fish for men. All three of these
ingredients must be present in the formation of a healthy disciple - loving God, loving one another (Great
Commandment), and loving the lost (Great Commission.) A few points in relation to Disciples and
Discipleship:
1. The relationship between following God and reaching the lost cannot be separated.
2. To build strong disciples we must expect those we disciple to make disciples. 2 Tim 2:2
3. When Jesus told His followers to make disciples, He was calling them to reach the lost, not to help
other followers become better followers. Biblical discipleship begins and ends with evangelism.

HOW TO MAKE DISCIPLES

Introduction: Power and Form

1. The Bible teaches the principle of Power and Form - 2 Tim 3:5
Jesus uses the example of wine and wineskins to illustrate this principle: Luke 5:37-38
* A form or method without power is dead religious tradition or works.

2. Power is internal; form is external

* Power represents what we want to accomplish; form represents how to accomplish it.
* Power is rooted in the Holy Spirit; form is rooted in human response.

3. We need physical containers or structures to hold the supernatural power and presence of God
* These containers are people (1 Cor 3:16)
* These containers are also plans, including methods and materials (Acts 17:2). Paul had a plan for
preaching the gospel. That form was an effective strategy for evangelism.

4. Scripture prioritizes power over form

* God cares about both heart motives and external behavior (Luke 11:42)
* However, the internal attitude determines the external action (Matt 12:34)

1 Cor 2:4-5 Without God’s power, not only is our effort in vain, it actually works against glorifying
God.

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 Internal character is the power that produces external behavior. To have lasting change in external
behavior requires changing internal attitudes and character.

Jesus also applied the principle of power and form to morality when He spoke of internal lust and
external adultery. While both are sin, our behavior flows from our hearts. Mat 5:28.

5. Without form, power is not transferable

Without wire, electricity cannot be transferred to the appliance that needs it. Likewise, the power of
discipleship needs a form to transfer it from one generation to the next. Form makes power
transferable.

6. Without power, form is useless

Just as power without form is not transferable, form without power is useless. A lamp without
electricity is useless. 2 Tim 3:5 Paul warned Timothy about people who have external godliness but
no spiritual power. These people have nothing but empty religious tradition. So serious is this
problem that Paul instructed Timothy to actually avoid these kinds of people.

7. God designed His power to work together with man’s plans or efforts. - 1 Cor 15:10
Some Christians emphasize our work or plans while others stress God’s power. In this passage, we
see that a mature view is to see the necessity of both our effort and God’s grace.

“Even the most gifted warriors need a sword.” We all need tools or forms. It is helpful to think of
forms as scaffolding. They are necessary but not permanent. What happens in people’s lives is
permanent.

8. Some forms reveal God’s power better than others.

The goal of a form, when we are following Christ, is to display God’s presence. 2 Cor 4:7; Mat
5:15-16 Jesus is saying that we must design our forms to reveal God’s glory. We want to grow the
kind of people and implement the kind of plans that reveal God’s light. From these two passages, we
see that two forms divert people from seeing God’s light:
* Showy/flashy forms attract attention to themselves. Jars of clay are not impressive on the
outside. Things that sparkle on the outside take away from what is on the inside.
* Shabby/untidy forms take away from God’s excellence and beauty. A light set on a stand
has a place of importance. “Excellence glorifies God and inspires people.”

9. The principle of power and form is foundational for effective discipleship.

* Any methods or materials we use in discipleship is the external form, or the ‘how to’ of
discipleship.
* What we are trying to accomplish represents the goals or internal power of discipleship.

Many different methods can accomplish the goals of discipleship. So, before we look at specific methods
(external forms) of the discipleship process, we must understand the main goals (internal power).

THE POWER OF DISCIPLESHIP: THE DISCIPLESHIP WHEEL

If the primary call to Christians is to make disciples, what does that look like? Consider a wheel to describe a
disciple:
I. The hub or center of the wheel is Salvation and the Lordship of Christ.
1 Cor 13:11 We lay this foundation through Lordship, repentance, forgiveness, water baptism, and
baptism in the Holy Spirit. Heb 6:1-2 Doctrinal Foundations, New Creations, Blood Covenant, etc.
Our core is who we are in Christ and who Christ is in us.
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II. The outer rim is the relationships we have been discussing - Loving God, loving our spiritual family,
loving the world. Matt 22:37-40 - The Great Commandment is the goal of discipleship.
* We love God first and most. We strengthen that relationship through prayer, Bible reading, and
obedience.
* Our love is then expressed to spiritual family. John 13:35

The mark of a disciple who loves God is one who is in right relationship with his family. We express
this by investing in the people and the purpose of the church - with our time, treasures, and talents.
* God commissions us to reach the world. Mark 16:15

Hospitality and prayer lay the foundation for doing outreach groups and events.

III. The Spokes are what carry the core values out to the rim. Here we have Truth, Repentance and Faith.
We direct all of our forms (activities, plans, efforts) toward multiplying this kind of disciple. These
spokes are keys to building those relationships on the rim - where we really live it out.

* Truth is where discipleship always begins:

Eph 4:15; John 8:31-32 we resist lies and grow in truth through relationship, God’s Word, His
Spirit.
We are talking about a humility and faith that lets God’s Spirit teach our hearts, not just our minds. It
is clear here that WE are to speak truth to one another as well!! WE are iron sharpening iron - Prov
27:17.

2 Tim 3:16 Reproof is face to face (one to one) instruction over error, faults, failures that need to
change.
We need to be able to ACCEPT Scriptural reproof from one another.
We need to be able to GIVE Scriptural reproof to one another.
This is how we grow up!! We don’t grow without it. This brings MORE LIFE!! Prov 6:23

* Repentance is the only right response to truth.

The Greek word for disciple is Manthano -“to have learned anything and understand it.” The
Lexicon says: To become related to Him is to know Him. Knowing Him is to know His teaching and
abide by it.

A disciple applies truth to every area by turning from sin and lies and obeying truth.
Repentance is an internal agreement with God’s truth, as exhibited by an external commitment to
obey it.

* Faith is the only way to walk out repentance successfully.

Truth and repentance are inadequate to make disciples. By them, Christianity would be quite similar
to any other religion. But faith is that which moves us beyond mere religion. Here is what faith does:
* Faith brings freedom from sin and bondage. Gal 5:1
* Faith brings victory over sin. I John 5:4
* Faith brings a fruitful life. 1 Tim 6:12
* Faith brings confidence. Eph 3:12

Summary: We grow in Christ by hearing the truth, turning toward that truth in repentance, and
walking it out in faith. Understanding the Discipleship Wheel clarifies the goal of discipleship. It
enables us to see how to shape our forms and activities.

2 Pet 1:5-8 In this rim, we build Christian Character, Fruit of the Spirit, Servant Leadership, etc.
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 THE DISCIPLESHIP PROCESS (THE FORM)

The Discipleship Path or ‘how to’ is the way we seek to accomplish our discipleship goals. To do that you
would follow this basic pattern:

Process Tools/Materials
1. Evangelize the Lost Evangelism & World Missions Course

2. Establish New Believers Doctrinal Foundations, Holy Spirit, New Creations,

Power of Prayer, Pursuit of God, Victorious Life

* In Faith Principles of Faith, Diving Healing

* In the Word Power of God’s Word, Blood Covenant
* In Church Servants Heart, Biblical Finances

3. Equip to Minister Character Development, Authority of the Believer

Christian Family, Ministry to Children, Ministry Offices

4. Empower to Make Disciples Discipleship Course, World Missions, Evangelism Course

I. Establishing New Believers

Jesus expects us to go and bear fruit that will last (John 15:16), but reality tells us that much fruit
does not last. What are the principles that will enable us to have lasting fruit?
A. Why Some Fruits Do Not Last
The parable of the soil in Matthew 13 gives reasons why some fruit does not remain.
1. Some hear God’s Word but do not understand - vs 19
* This is why immediate personal follow-up is so critical. The devil will try to steal
the seed as soon as it is planted. We have to get to the new disciple quicker than the
devil.
* In your first meetings, give them truths that will enable them to resist the lies of
the enemy. As they understand how the enemy might try to take away their faith and
obedience, and what truth defeats those lies, they are then established in their new
faith.
* Teach them how to feed themselves from Gods Word.

2. Some hear God’s Word but have sin they have not repented of. Rocky places are
leftovers from the past in the soil that need to be removed - vs 20-21
* Without repentance the truth cannot take hold. Joy over forgiveness is not enough.
It won’t last when the going gets hard.
* If a person still loves their sin, they will not stand against affliction or persecution.
They will forsake God and return to their old ‘friends.’
* Truth can only take root or go deep in someone’ life if they repent over sin.

3. Some hear God’s Word, but life’s worries choke it out - vs 22

* They understand the truth and repent, but without faith, worry strangles their
spiritual life. The new believer looks to ‘riches’ or ‘other things’ for help and relief.
Having riches or other things is not a problem unless we trust them instead of God.
It becomes an issue of idolatry and misplaced faith and trust.
* Worry is a sign that the new believer does not know how to trust God in daily life.
We have to teach them how to find help in Jesus.
* A new disciple must understand their part in following Jesus (repenting and
obeying) AND they must understand God’s part (His love, power and faithfulness).
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 Phil 4:6-7

Summary: We have to build faith and strong foundations in the new believer so they can
know the truth, turn from sin, and develop a practical trust and personal faith in God.

II. Three Essentials for Lasting Fruit

To “establish” means to make permanent. There are at least three areas that need to be established or
made permanent if a new believer is to succeed in the Christian life. If any of these three are not
established, the new believer will not last.
A. Establish new believers in faith
It is not enough just to lead a person in a salvation prayer. If we want to help establish a new
believer in the faith, we must teach and minister the following faith foundations:
* Repentance: a onetime decision and ongoing lifestyle
* Water baptism: a funeral for the old man and baby dedication for the new one!
* Forgiveness: focuses on God’s mercy, not our works or merits
* Baptism in the Holy Spirit: the power or ability to fulfill our repentance

B. Establish new believers in the Word

There is nothing more important to the life of a disciple than God’s Word. A believer is
established in the Word in these ways:
* Hear the Word preached - in services, tapes, internet, etc.
* Read the Bible daily - start a new habit to build relationship with God
* Study the Bible - to build Bible knowledge and grow
* Meditate on the Bible - dwelling on passages and memorizing to be filled
* Pray Bible prayers and promises - take it personal and put it to work
* Speak the Bible - faith comes by hearing; something powerful happens
* Obey the Bible - they need to be doers and not just hearers
* Share the Bible - if they are filling up, then they should be giving out

C. Establish new believers in church

If we want new believers to succeed, we have to help them find their place in God’s family.
No one walks alone. We are family, tribe, body. We need one another.
* This can happen one to one, in small groups, bible study, prayer meetings, church services,
etc.

HOW TO START AN OUTREACH GROUP

Our strategy for discipleship is based on Eph 4:12

For too long, the church has taken a Western business model for leadership and ministry, instead of a true
biblical model. The result is believers that are bored; pastors and leaders that are exhausted because they are
overworked; churches that do not reproduce because we have not followed biblical principles.

Ephesians 4 tells us that leaders are given to ‘equip the saints for the work of the ministry.’ Leaders take the
lost, win them, disciple them and grow them into leaders. This is the NT model. Jesus equipped 12, turned
the work over to them, and left them in charge on earth. If we follow the same pattern we will see the same
results.

I. Ephesians 4:12 strategy is built on five core convictions:

A. Every church should grow in health, size and influence - Acts 19:20
B. Every disciple should make disciples - Matthew 28:18-20
God never told us to grow or build His church. He does that (Matthew 16:18). He tells us to
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 make disciples.
* God has anointed all believers for ministry - Acts 2:17-18; 2 Cor 5:17-20

C. Small groups are the core or nucleus (heart) of discipleship

* Jesus ministered to individuals - Nathanael, Nicodemus, the Samaritan women, etc.
* Jesus ministered to multitudes

From one-to-one, to large events, they all flow out of the relationships and discipleship that
takes place in small groups. The more Jesus invested in the twelve, the larger the multitudes
grew. The larger the crowds grew, the more He invested in his disciples.

* Jesus used his small group for both evangelism and leadership development. He ate in their
homes, shared with their unsaved friends, did miracles, and taught them to grow.

*Small groups are effective because they provide a unique level of responsibility,
relationship and reproduction.
> People grow in the context of group accountability and support
> People grow more through relationship than through classroom teaching
> Small groups provided discipleship and an effective platform for multiplication

Every healthy church needs places for relational evangelism and leadership development to
happen. Outreach and Leadership groups form the primary structure for Eph 4:12 strategies.

D. Leaders equip God’s people to make disciples

This is not the model we have seen, but the familiar model is not the most fruitful model.
Our traditional way of doing things can hinder true biblical, spiritual, personal, numerical
growth. When leaders equip others, there is a multiplication of ministers and an unlimited
number of people who can receive ministry.
* Ananias mentored or tutored Paul when he was a new believer
* Elijah mentored Elisha - as a spiritual son Elisha had double the ministry
* Moses mentored Joshua - Moses led them out, Joshua led them in
* David mentored Solomon

David was careful to pass on not just a vision, but a detailed plan for the temple. This
ensured the success of the next generation. We must pass on not just an example of
discipleship, but also a proven method of discipleship.

Mentoring allows new disciples to build on the work of the previous generations. Because
they can learn from our mistakes, and because they can build on foundations that we laid,
they can move beyond addition into multiplication.

For us to see our cities and nations transformed it requires we adopt a multigenerational view
of discipleship. Leaders must determine their own success by the success of those they
disciple.

E. Multiplication requires methods that can be transferred, and simple materials

Churches built upon charismatic personalities but unclear methods cannot experience
multiplication. The next generation may not be able to duplicate that ministry.
* While relationship is the key, disciples flourish when they are equipped with useful
methods and materials.
* Bible-based material that is simple to use and accessible makes us so much more effective.

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 If we follow the biblical pattern of discipleship and ministry, we will multiply ministers and
the number of people being ministered to. If we follow the traditional pattern of professional
full-time ministers who do all of the ministry, we will have burned-out ministers and needy
people who never reach their full potential.

EMPOWERING YOUR DISCIPLES

I. Jesus and Leadership Development

Jesus again provides a model of how to develop leaders. Let’s look at his model in the context of
starting and leading a Leadership small group to raise up future leaders.
A. Increase: Grow small group members (disciples) into leaders.
Robert Coleman says ‘To win the masses, Jesus trained a few.’

The key to winning the masses of the world, is building a few discipled leaders. The key to
multiplication then is the ability to grow leaders. The numerical growth of evangelism is
only sustained by healthy leadership. Healthy leadership is grown through relationship.

This type of mentoring, modeling or tutoring is best done one-on-one and in small group
settings. Small groups benefit leadership development in at least three ways:
* Issues that arise in the small group provide the context for one-to-one meetings. Issues we
see in character, faith, attitude, etc. can be addressed one-on-one.
* They are more efficient when we consider managing our time. Big groups take more time
and each person gets less interaction personally.
* Members mature as they interact with one another. We learn from each other, together.

The key requirements for potential leaders are: Spiritual hunger, a teachable attitude, and
ability to follow-through with task. Without these qualities we can’t develop them as leaders.
We have to go back and help ‘establish’ their spiritual foundations.

B. Invest: Personally invest in their lives

Jesus made it a practice of ‘being with’ his disciples. The core of his ‘training program’ was
having his disciples follow him, observe what happened, answer their questions, etc. As we
are together events will create opportunities for instruction, impartation, and modeling.
* Give them your time, energy and attention. We can’t really mentor in neatly scheduled
meetings. It is deeper than that. We have to build friendship and relationship.

C. Instruct: Expect whole-life obedience to Christ and His Word.

* Call them to a biblical standard of life. We are fruit inspectors. We relate to our entire
leadership team on the basis of biblical fruit and character - love, joy, peace, humility,
service, honesty, obedience, etc., with husbands, wives, children, business, everything.
*Call them to a higher standard. RAISE the standard, don’t lower it!
* The Bible is our primary discipleship tool. At this point in their life, their quality as a
leader is mostly related to their ability to obey God. Ignorance can be tolerated, disobedience
cannot. The lessons of leadership are best learned through obedience, not study!

D. Impart: Give your whole self to them. Serving, sacrificing leaders grow serving, sacrificing
disciples. You always reproduce what you are, what you live.
* We can’t really grow leaders from a distance. Leaders grow and learn as they watch you in
action - in reaction - in trials - in life situations - in challenges - in opportunities, etc.

It is not notes on paper or someone’s Leadership Manual that will give you good leaders. It
is imparting your heart and life to them. 1 Th 2:8
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 * Include them in the non-ministry parts of your life. Jesus did a lot of training over ‘dinner!’

E. Include: Do ministry with them; lead by example. - John 13:13-15

* Show them how by modeling ministry. Class is always in session. Look for opportunities
to let them watch you disciple others. 1 Th 1:5-6
* Mentoring requires integrity. We must only preach what we practice and live.
* Do not do anything or go anywhere alone. Always take someone you are mentoring along
with you. Jesus always invited His disciples to do whatever He was doing.

F. Involve: Delegate specific ministry opportunities

Ultimately, people learn by doing. Mat 10:1
* Give them specific, faith-filled, realistic opportunities.
Break down success into right sized steps - big enough to take faith - small enough to be
possible. Expect your members to grow as leaders. The leaders you are training should be
involved in outreach groups where evangelism and discipleship are taking place.

* We have to trust people, and trust the Holy Spirit in those people.
It never feels like someone is perfectly ready to lead. We may feel we can do a better job if
we just do it ourselves. But mentoring requires taking a risk. Those that guard and control do
not reproduce leaders that make disciples and grow ministry.

When we release leaders, it releases the gifts and anointings they need to lead. When you
‘send them’ to do something, your Holy Spirit becomes their Holy Spirit and the anointing
for leadership is released in them.

Jesus saw healing, salvation, deliverance of the world through those disciples. All ministry is
through us. Ministry gifts are just that - gifts - we steward, develop and pass along to others.

G. Inspire: Help them grasp the heart of purpose of ministry - John 15:15
People need vision and revelation, not just information. When we teach what we live, that
life is birthed in those we lead.

When the disciples caught the passion and vision of Jesus, and were equipped to carry it out,
He was finished with His leadership group on earth.

H. Inspect: Give oversight to their work. Luke 9:10

It is critical to give positive feedback AND correction. We have to talk about what is right
AND what is wrong. The best way to do this is personally talk about issues that limit their
fruitfulness. As a leader, you have an anointing to see into the lives of those you lead as a
protection and help to them. If you do not help to open their eyes to their weaknesses, you
leave them defenseless and set them up for failure.

Point them in the right direction - PROGRESS, not perfection. Evaluate according to their
direction. Are they progressing, going in the right direction? Not if they are perfect or not.

Remember where you came from and how long it took you to get where you are now. Don’t
weigh people down with unreasonable expectations. We start with untaught and immature
people many times. If they are moving forward in faith and moving towards becoming world
changing Christians, we can work with that.

I. Initiate: Expect them to do this with others.

We want them to start this same mentoring process with others as they grow. 2 Tim 2:2;
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 Matt 28:18-20 There is no other plan to personally making disciples, training leaders, living
the GREAT COMMANDMENT and fulfilling the GREAT COMMISSION!!!
* Develop a simply process for discipleship and leadership development.
* Use one-on-one and small group meetings weekly or twice a month.
* Develop the whole man as we learn in this school - calling, character, gifts and fruit, etc.
* Use simple materials taken from the courses we teach or other aids.

II. Leading as a Disciple

To ‘lead’ means to guide by the hand. It is more the sense of drawing, proceeding, and introducing
by going first. Certainly authority is given to leaders to call others to spiritual growth.
A. Discipleship is the process of leadership training! Luke 22:24-30
B. Desiring to grow into spiritual leaders is a good thing! 1 Tim 3:1
C. True Spiritual leadership requires a servant attitude. Mark 10:35-45
1. Leadership is a privilege (calling), not a right
2. Leadership is giving life, not taking it
3. Leaders exist for the people, not the people exist for leaders
4. Leadership is a right attitude or frame of mind
D. True Spiritual leadership reflects the heart and life of God. James 3:13-18
1. Leadership requires wisdom from above Prov 2:1-4
2. Leadership requires purity (we reproduce what we are!)
3. Leadership brings peace - Matt 5:9
4. Leadership is gentle
5. Leadership is willing to yield
6. Leadership is merciful
7. Leadership produces fruit
8. Leadership is decisive (can and must make decisions)
9. Leadership is real (unreligious)

NOTE: We cover more qualifications for Spiritual Leadership in Ministry Offices course, and in
Servants Heart. We wanted to include these thoughts here to support the fact that Discipleship is the
bridge to leadership and those ideals should be built into the process.

OUTREACH GROUPS

What we are saying is that all Christians should be disciples, and all Christians should make disciples. The
best way to start making disciples is to follow the example of Jesus, by inviting a small group of people into
your life, your home, your sphere of influence. This becomes an ‘outreach group’ with the purpose of
making disciples.

I. Small Group Ministry

What are the qualities of a healthy discipleship group?
A. A Healthy discipleship group is NOT
* A Care group focused on personal needs
* A Bible study focused on the teacher
* A Fellowship focused on one another
* An accountability group for self improvement
* A home version of the church service
* A spiritual gift experiment session

While many of those things will happen, those are not the primary function of the group.

B. The Ephesians 4:12 Strategy has two types of discipleship groups:

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 * Outreach groups
* Leadership groups
These groups exist for only one reason: to make disciples

C. The Difference between the two:

Outreach Group Leadership Group

Who attends: Anyone Outreach group leaders
Size limit: none? 12
Time limit: 60 minutes? 90 minutes?
Purpose: Grow the group (multiply) Grow leaders
Gender Open Men w/Men, Women w/Women

NOTE: These are guidelines. Cultures, etc. may change the amount of time. Just be sure you are
doing what is truly needed. Size can vary a bit, etc.

You can use outreach groups effectively in closed nations, underground countries, nations with
various religious beliefs, towns, cities, rural areas. If we use the principles with wisdom and
consistency they will bear fruit in our cities.

D. Things that can KILL a discipleship group.

Following are several PROVEN ways to fail:
* No mixing business with discipleship.
* No mixing politics with discipleship.
* No private ministry to the opposite sex!
* No match-making
* No borrowing money
* No promotion of other ministries or events through small groups
* No guest speakers
* No receiving tithes and offerings

These are outreach and discipleship groups being led by those we are training. They are not little
church services being conducted by spiritual leadership. We focus only on the discipleship process.
Other things must be handled in the church setting.

II. How do you start an outreach group?

Jesus told His disciples to go to the lost. Who are the lost? Those who are not being disciples.
* The spiritually lost - those who are not real believers:
> Unsaved
> Unreached/unchurched
> False/counterfeit Christians
> Cultural Christians
> Other Religions
> Atheist/Agnostics

* Believers who have not found their way, their purpose

> Lost sheep
> Sick sheep
> Starving sheep
> Abused sheep
> Wandering sheep
> Sheep without shepherds
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Whether the lost are Christians or not we need to disciple those who are not yet being disciple. The
goal of the outreach group is to make disciples by reaching the lost - beginning with lost friends,
family, and acquaintances. There are three steps to getting started:
1. Intercede with two or three other believers from your church who desire to make
disciples by reaching the lost.
*There should be no more than 3 or 4 of you to start. The rest must be added by
reaching the lost.
*In your first meeting make a list of ten others who are lost.
*Fast and pray together weekly for one month. Prayer is the power that makes
evangelism and discipleship work. Fasting breaks the bonds of slavery.
2. Invest in your friends, family and acquaintances.
After four weeks for prayer and fasting, many of these people will be more open to
the gospel and more interested in spiritual things than ever before. You have to sow
to reap!
3. Invite them to your outreach group.

A. Leading an Outreach Group

How do you lead an outreach group? Every part of the outreach group is designed to aid in
the disciple-making process. The four parts of the outreach group are: Warm-up, Word,
personal application, and prayer. This outline follows a process of facilitating relationships
through truth, repentance, and faith. The meeting is never longer than about one hour, but
ministry is twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.
1. Warm-up (10-15 minutes)
Use warm up questions to relax people and introduce the topic. Good questions:
* Have no right or wrong answers
* Ask for opinions or experiences
* Require no Bible knowledge
* Are not controversial, political, etc.
* Are connected to the Bible study topic

Examples: Have you ever been really afraid? Have you lost someone important to
you? What is the most valuable thing you own?

Designate who will answer first because it will always set the tone of the discussion.

2. Word (10-20 minutes)

* Only the leaders is to talk during this time
* To be a good leader, you don’t have to be an expert teacher
* Let the Bible speak for itself - don’t add or subtract from it
* The goal is to minister to people, not finish the lesson
* Be led by the Spirit, not the material
* Add personal illustrations or stories to explain points

Remember, this is not about Bible knowledge, but Bible APPLICATION

3. Personal Application (10-20 minutes)

* The goal is to encourage a discussion that leads to a personal and practical
application of God’s truth.
* Ask questions that open the discussion in the right direction.
* A good question is always: “What did you learn from this lesson, and how will it
affect your life?”
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 * The leader should ask the application question and designate who should answer
first - choose a person that will set a good example for others to follow.
* Do not allow people to argue or be critical of others.
* Remind people to apply the lesson to their own life, not someone else’s.
* Be sensitive in correcting an odd or unbiblical response.

4. Prayer (10-20 minutes)

Prayer is the most important part of the group meeting. This is not a closing prayer,
but a time to ask God for specific requests. Make sure you have plenty of time left
so your prayer time is not rushed. Go around the group and ask each person for a
prayer request . Then pray yourself for those requests.
* Begin with a brief report of answered prayers.
* Keep your prayers simple, sincere and short.
* Use a natural conversational voice - not warfare or Christian terms.
* Only use a short time to discuss prayer request.
* Don’t preach when you pray.
* When others start to pray, encourage their courage.
* Don’t pray in the same way and order every time.
* Ask for specific needs, pray specific prayers, expect specific answers.

Summary: Making disciples focuses on action, not knowledge. Jesus told His disciples to go and
make disciples…teaching them to obey… This means that every student in this class should be able to
make disciples by starting their own outreach group. When those we disciple begin to disciple others,
we experience multiplication and expansion of God’s kingdom.

REVIEW

I. What is Discipleship? Discipleship is equipping people to walk in right relationship with God, fellow
believers, and the lost.
* Discipleship is a call to follow Jesus
* Discipleship is a call to fellowship with other believers
* Discipleship is a call to fish for men

It is living the Great Commandment in order to fulfill the Great Commission.

II. What is our Discipleship Strategy? Ephesians 4:12 is our strategy

* It is the goal of the church - to make disciples
* It is the way the church grows - through outreach discipleship
* It prioritizes relationships over programs
* It calls leaders to equip believers to make disciples

A. The Ephesians 4:12 Strategy is the process of making disciples. It is the process of
mentoring people along their journey of following Christ. It includes:
* Evangelizing the lost
* Establishing new believers
* Equipping to minister
* Empowering to make disciples and lead

III. What is the focus of discipleship? The focus of discipleship is the heart.
Discipleship is not primarily concerned with behavior, but with motive and attitude - not external
conformity, but internal transformation.

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 * We focus on belief over behavior. The heart reflects relationship. Actions can reflect religion.
Focus on the heart of faith and love. Godly behavior will grow out of that.

IV. What do we prioritize to make disciples?

* Foundations: Lordship, repentance, water baptism, Holy Spirit baptism, the church, biblical
authority. Heb 6:1-2; Acts 2:36-42
* Faith: How to develop spiritual hunger, faith, and personal devotion.
* Family: Understanding relational difficulties, leadership, conflict, etc.
* Freedom: From curses, emotional bruises, spiritual error, sinful habits
* Fruitfulness: How to be fruitful and make others fruitful

Summary:
It is easy to see how we could take what is taught in this school, and in simple sessions begin to use it to win
and disciple others. In small group settings we can grow followers, disciples and leaders.

The challenge for us is to TRULY embrace the call of Matthew 28; 2 Timothy 2:2; Ephesians 4; the book of
Acts; the example of Christ and the New Testament Apostles.

These final verses show us the potential of true discipleship if we commit ourselves to the Biblical process
outlined in this course:

Acts 5:28 "…look, you(disciples) have filled Jerusalem with your teaching…"

Acts 17:6 …They dragged Jason and some brethren (disciples) to the rulers of the city, crying out, " These
who have turned the world upside down have come here too.

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