Growing Disciples Intentionally

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Growing Disciples Intentionally

• EMS 505
• Fall 2007
• 2 hours

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Introductions(Everyone take notes)

• I was born in ______________ (place)
• I became a Christ-follower in _____ (date)
• I came to Western because . . .
• I enrolled in EMS 505 because . . .
• Other interesting or important facts about me are
  . . .
• If I had a life to spare and could do one
  outrageous thing with it, I would _______

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EMS 505 - Syllabus Review

• The invitation people need to grow. . . but
  they generally cant do it alone.
• New believers spiritual needs and fresh
  motivation
• Growing believers keep them motivated and
  growing maintain their spiritual edge
• Stagnant believers light a fire under them
• Lead people to spiritual truth so they begin to
  feed themselves and others

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Course Description. . . And Caveats

• Matthew 2237-40
• Matthew 2816-20
• Loving God, loving people, making disciples
• We will examine roles, models, structures, and
  programs. But we wont dictate what those ought
  to be in any given situation
• Intentional growth outcomes will look different
  for people at differing stages of maturity

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Course Purpose

• To explore the biblical foundations, educational
  philosophy, and practical methodologies for
  working with God to bring His children to
  spiritual maturity

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Student Outcomes (Course Goals)

• Equipping others to develop their God-given
  capacities for Christ-like character and
  ministryincluding evangelism, spiritual growth,
  worship, leadership, service and other essential
  aspects of the life of a Christian.
• Evaluating multiple models of disciple-making and
  selecting one that most clearly represents your
  ministry style, educational philosophy and
  vocation
• Utilizing a specific model of discipleship in a
  one-on-one relationship between you and a
  disciple.

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Course Assignments

• See syllabus

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Learning Community Assignments

• Group 1
• Cunningham/Hadidian/Nolan
• Topic Worldview Model
• Group 2
• Comp/McClean/Weeks/Vawser
• Topic Mens Fraternity
• Group 3
• Brucker/Dingledein/Morgan/Walker
• Topic Alternate Annotated Bibliography

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Discipleship Questions

• How do we define discipleship, disciple, and
  discipler?
• Can one size fit all?
• Clones or discipleswhats the difference?
• Are spiritual disciplines and discipleship
  synonymous?
• What are reasonable expectations in discipling
  someone else?

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Discipleship Questions

• What roles do love and grace play in this
  process?
• How does my view of progressive sanctification
  affect my approach to discipleship?
• How do transparency authenticity affect my
  ability to disciple someone else?
• What should discipleship look like in the local
  church or Christian organization that is
  committed to it?

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Church Models of Discipleship Barna, Growing True
Disciples

• Competencies Model (Pantego Bible Church,
  www.pantego.org). Ft. Worth, TX. David Daniels
• Missional Model (Fellowship Bible Church,
  www.fbclr.com). Little Rock, AR. Robert Lewis
• Neighborhood Model (Perimeter Church,
  www.perimeter.org). Duluth, GA. Randy Pope
• Worldview Model (Fellowship Bible Church North,
  www.fbcnorth.org). Plano, TX. Jeff Jones.
• Lecture-Lab Model (North Coast Church,
  www.northcoastchurch.com). Vista, CA. Larry
  Osborne

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The Competencies ModelPantego Bible Church

• 30 specific foci
• 10 core beliefs
• 10 core practices
• 10 core virtues
• Celebration/congregation/cell
• Christian Life Profile
• Topical adult-ed classes

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The Missional ModelFellowship Bible Church

• A blend of the Competencies Worldview models
• Six core qualities/competencies
• Introduction class
• Small group
• Specialty classes

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The Neighborhood ModelPerimeter Church

• Combination of Worldview, Competencies,
  Missional models
• Inquirers class
• Neighborhood congregation (15-20 people)
• Discipleship Team (5-9 people)
• Church-authored discipleship curriculum
• Modeling evangelism

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The Worldview ModelFellowship Bible Church North

• Imparting biblical wisdom that leads to personal
  transformation
• Goals participation, service, understanding,
  decision-making
• Two-year, small group process
• Discovery Series 4 topical books
• Issue-oriented
• Dissonance-based
• Peer mentors

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The Lecture-Lab ModelNorth Coast Church

• Delivery of content through sermons (lecture) and
  small groups (lab)
• Biblical knowledge faith-based relationships ?
  godly character Christian service
• Sermon outlines
• Small groups as the primary forum for learning

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Barnas Best Of Model

• Dont reinvent the wheel
• Look for principles not templates
• Senior Pastor as champion
• Church membership linked to discipleship
• All ministry programs tied to discipleship
  outcomes
• Minimized programs to focus on discipleship

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Barnas Best Of Model

• Coordination of all teaching
• Discipleship tied to the church mission statement
• Use of PDPs
• Disciples in small groups
• Disciples in mid-size groups
• Disciples in worship services

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Barnas Best Of Model

• Disciples in community service
• Disciples with mentors/coaches
• Annual evaluations revised PDPs
• Coordinated sermon content