Saturday, May 12, 2018

Workshop - Making Disciples in the Local Church


    Discipleship Gap

    • What we expect is not what we see [Share story of forty years of personal discipleship]
      • [Example of multiplication vs addition -- what went wrong? Why do we not see the world discipled after 25-plus years of multiplication?]
    • Current discipleship programs do not work [What is missing? Why?]
      • We need deep relationships
      • We need authentic relationships
      • Both Jesus and Paul emphasized relationships and mostly in group settings
    • What is the mission of the church and how is that reflected in the budget and activities of the church?
      • Worship service?
      • Children's programs?
      • Where is the Great Commission?

    Three Pillars

    1. Right Size: [What is the right size?] We meet in quads and triads (not one-on-one, and not more than 4 total)
      • We use Jesus' example
      • We de-emphasize the leader-student motif
      • We encourage each other to follow the example (Jesus sending out of twelve, two-by-two)
      • We start small (whatever you do, don't rush it) [Example of rushing a few extra groups]
    2. Right Community Standards (or Right Relationships): We promote interdependence and mutual accountability to the group and not an individual. We encourage intentional relationships in a community. We treasure transparency and authenticity.
    3. Right Objective: We challenge men to biblical manhood and a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ. [Example of one of the men's comments -- "I have been complacent in my walk for years, I needed this"]

    Seven Distinctives

    [This is not your Father's bible study]
    1. If someone is not there, we do not meet.
      • [NOTE: This emphasizes the intentional aspect that every person is indispensable, every person makes a difference, and our walk with God affects others]
      • Why? What is the scriptural reason? What is the cultural problem?
        • Scripture
          • Community
            • 1 Corinthians 12:26 (ESV) — 26 If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.
            • In real community, we all bear burdens together
            • Mark 1:9–11 (ESV) — 9 In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11 And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”
            • Triune God is an example of community existing in eternity
          • Intentionality
            • 1 Corinthians 12:21–22 (ESV) — 21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” 22 On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable,
            • Lone ranger is an unscriptural position
          • Essentiality
            • Ephesians 4:15–16 (ESV) — 15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.
            • What happens when each part is working properly? The body grows
        • Culture [What do you see culturally that this addresses?]
          • Commitment
            • This is part of biblical manhood [a man's word something should mean something]
          • Essentiality
            • Each individual is important
          • Narcissism
            • 2 Timothy 3:1–2 (ESV) — 1 But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. 2 For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,
            • One of the characteristics of the last days is that people will be lovers of self
            • Selfishness (what is important to me)
            • Self-centeredness (life revolves around me)

    1. Each week we intentionally commit to a specific and measurable application of God's word.
      • [NOTE: Not applying the word to our life is a dangerous practice]
      • Why? Scripturally and culturally.
        • Scripturally
          • James 1:22 (ESV) — 22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
            • If we are not applying God's word, we are deceiving ourselves
          • 1 Timothy 6:3–4 (ESV) — 3 If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, 4 he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions,
            • There is a condition called "puffed up." It is when a person thinks they know everything and the bible says that they understand nothing.
            • They are only interested in arguing and philosophizing, not doing
          • 2 Timothy 3:4–7 (ESV) — 4 treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. 6 For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions, 7 always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth.
            • "Swollen with conceit" is the same idea as puffed up
            • We are told to avoid such people
            • They are always learning, but they never arrive
          • Hebrews 5:11–14 (ESV) — 11 About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. 12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, 13 for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. 14 But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.
            • These believers should be mature, but they are not
            • They are "unskilled"
            • They have not been trained by "constant practice"
        • Culturally
          • Laziness
          • Softness (lack of challenge) -- goes back to biblical manhood. We need to challenge each other to grow (I say this in meekness … challenge is not meant to be confrontational, but rather positively exhorting)
      • How?
        • Is it specific?
        • Is it measurable?
        • How will you know if it is complete?
        • Use creative license to help people develop specific and measurable applications
          • EXAMPLE 1: I need to work on my relationship with my wife
          • EXAMPLE 2: I need to control my anger with my family. (Number of approaches including root cause--i.e., what are you not getting?)

    1. Each week we intentionally share how last week's application went.
      • [NOTE: We are in danger of building a house of cards if we do not follow through on what we committed to do. Real change will begin to take place when we take our response to God's word SERIOUSLY.]
      • Why?
        • Scripturally
          • Genesis 3:11–13 (ESV) — 11 He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten of the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?” 12 The man said, “The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit of the tree, and I ate.” 13 Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this that you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”
            • Started in the Garden - EXCUSES!
          • Exodus 32:21–22 (ESV) — 21 And Moses said to Aaron, “What did this people do to you that you have brought such a great sin upon them?” 22 And Aaron said, “Let not the anger of my lord burn hot. You know the people, that they are set on evil.
            • Aaron used it to deflect his sin and his fear and lack of leadership
          • 1 Samuel 15:20–21 (ESV) — 20 And Saul said to Samuel, “I have obeyed the voice of the Lord. I have gone on the mission on which the Lord sent me. I have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and I have devoted the Amalekites to destruction. 21 But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the best of the things devoted to destruction, to sacrifice to the Lord your God in Gilgal.”
            • Saul lost the kingship because he refused to be obedient and accountable
            • Saul refused to take leadership
            • Saul justified his action
            • Saul did not follow through
            • Saul did not take ownership of his relationship with God ("your God")
        • Culturally
          • We are not held accountable for our actions--we are an excuse culture
          • “We blame guns, violence in the media, violence in video games, and poor family values. Each is a plausible player,” Farrell noted in 2013 after the Newtown, Connecticut, shooting. “But our daughters live in the same homes, with the same access to the same guns, video games, and media, and are raised with the same family values. Our daughters are not killing. Our sons are.”

    Farrell’s explanation about how masculinity can be a force for good or for evil is enormously instructive. “Without dads as role models, boys’ testosterone is not well channeled. The boy experiences a sense of purposelessness, a lack of boundary enforcement, rudderlessness, and often withdraws into video games and video porn. At worst, when boys’ testosterone is not well-channeled by an involved dad, boys become among the world’s most destructive forces. When boys’ testosterone is well channeled by an involved dad, boys become among the world’s most constructive forces.”

    The solution to male violence is not to spout off drivel about the evils of masculinity. Masculinity, channeled well, is the reason assistant football coach Aaron Feis died this week. Feis shielded students from bullets by pushing them inside a classroom.
    From <http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2018/02/18/desperate-cry-americas-boys.html>

    1. Each week we intentionally have a quiet time (devotional time) 5 days a week.
      • [NOTE: We share how we did with each other to be accountable. Having a QT is not just reading the passage, it should include a written thought. And it should be done on separate days.]
      • Why?
        • Scripturally
          • John 17:3 (ESV) — 3 And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.
            • Real eternal life is a relationship with the savior
            • [Example of MHCH and the withdrawing room]
          • Ephesians 1:17 (ESV) — 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him,
            • It's all about knowing Jesus
            • [Story of person who argued that if we are growing in Jesus, isn't that enough]
        • Culturally
          • Lack of self-control
            • Food is one of most obvious examples
            • Finances (debt) is another indicator
            • "Snooze" on our clocks where we allow our flesh to decide for us in the morning if we feel like getting up or not yet
          • Lack of discipline
            • [Example of person who refused to get up early to meet for QT. He had to meet in Starbucks later in the morning. He is in prison now]
      • How? [Show Example]
    Wk
    Date
    Passage
    Key Verses(s) [Optional]
    Basic Thing(s) Taught
    Personal Insight(s) & Application(s)
    Prayer Response
    3

    Eph 2:1-10
    Ephesians 2:10 (ESV) —
    10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
    God has designed us. We are called his workmanship. As such, we are well made, a piece of absolute craftmanship. But there is also purpose in the design, and that purpose is called good works. God has designed us for specific good works (which might be different for different people and different designs).
    What is my purpose? What good works have I been designed to do? My purpose is not to make money, although that is a requirement to take care of a family. My purpose is twofold (in my mind). My purpose is to make disciples and to teach others how to walk with God.
    Father, thank you for the incredible privilege to serve you in your work here on earth. Thank you for how you have designed me. Thank you for the opportunities that you have given me. Give me grace to be faithful to your calling.


    1. Each week we intentionally read our study book and answer the questions in the book.
      • [NOTE: This is somewhat obvious but leads into the covenant]
      • Why?
        • Scripturally
          • Matthew 5:37 (ESV) — 37 Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil.
            • We keep our promises (verse on yes be yes and no be no)
          • Introduce covenant
        • Culturally
          • Our "word" carries little meaning in our culture
          • Culture of lying -- saying one thing and then doing another
          • Epitomized in our politics (meaning of "is") or in the fake news culture of our day
            • Problem is that people don't believe it is a lie if it achieves their desired end or goal. In that case it becomes the higher moral
        • EXAMPLE OF COVENANT (Taken from Ogden's book and edited)

    In order to grow to maturity in Christ, I commit myself to the following standards:
    1. Complete all assignments (read book, have 5 devotionals) on a weekly basis prior to my discipleship appointment in order to contribute fully.
    2. Meet weekly with my discipleship partners for approximately one and one-half hours (one hour for triads) to dialogue over the content of the assignments.
    3. Offer myself fully to the Lord with the anticipation that I am entering a time of accelerated transformation during this discipleship period.
    4. Contribute to a climate of honesty, trust, personal vulnerability, and accountability in a spirit of mutual upbuilding.
    5. Give serious considerations to continuing the discipling chain by committing myself to invest in at least two other people for the year following the completion of Grounded in the Faith.

    1. Each week we intentionally memorize a specific verse from God's word related to the bible study.
      • NOTE: I see this as a challenge. We joke about it a lot, but in the end, people were memorizing God's word
      • Why?
        • Scripturally
          • Deuteronomy 6:6–9 (ESV) — 6 And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. 8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
            • There are a lot of ways to  get the word of God upon your heart. I don't want to be prescriptive, but memorization is one way
            • We've decided to make it a distinctive. That is a turn off for some. My response is that "you have to count the costs"
          • Psalm 119:9–11 (ESV) — 9 How can a young man keep his way pure? // By guarding it according to your word. // 10 With my whole heart I seek you; // let me not wander from your commandments!  // 11 I have stored up your word in my heart, // that I might not sin against you.
            • "Stored up your word" certainly sounds like scripture memory
            • [My wife tells a story of when she was in the Marines and they offered her embassy duty, and God spoke a verse audibly to her that she had memorized -- 1 John 2:15–16 (ESV) — 15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. ]
        • Culturally
          • We have lost the ability to memorize. I don't want to put a tag of right or wrong, it is just a fact
          • [Brief example of learning abilities study]

    1. After approximately 6-8 weeks, we rotate the leadership weekly
      • NOTE: This is very important and captures part of how Jesus made disciples
      • Why?
        • Scripturally
          • Mark 6:7 (ESV) — 7 And he called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits.
            • Jesus sets us the example
            • The practice breaks down the student - teacher paradigm
            • Gives experience and shows the person they can lead in a safe environment [share example of young men leading the next year's group with men 30 years older]
          • Matthew 14:13–16 (ESV) — 13 Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a desolate place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. 14 When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick. 15 Now when it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the day is now over; send the crowds away to go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” 16 But Jesus said, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.”
            • I don't think Jesus expected them to solve the problem, but he does give it to them. And by doing so, he forces them to think (not that they did that good a job)
            • In another situation, he takes control -- If we are always doing things for our disciples (i.e., leading) they will never progress beyond babies
        • Culturally
          • Too often, we want to remain babies being fed. We don't want to have to work for our food. It is a lot easier if someone just brings it to us


    Summarize with chart comparing church "discipleship" groups

    Components
    Quad / Triad Discipleship
    Men's Bible Study
    Women's Mentoring
    Small Group
    Attendance
    R
    H
    R
    E
    Application
    R
    E
    o
    E
    Accountability
    R
    E
    R
    E
    Regular QTs
    R
    E
    E
    o
    Pre-Work Prior
    R
    H
    H
    E
    Scripture Memory
    R
    o
    o
    o
    Shared Leadership (training)
    R
    o
    o
    E
    Multiplication
    H
    E
    E
    E
    R - required; H - highly encouraged; E - encouraged; o - optional

    Tools


    • Bible Studies:
      • Ogden, The Essentials of Discipleship
      • The Alongsider [My opinion is that you would need to break it up into smaller chunks]
      • Erisman, Grounded in the Faith

    Approach

    [TOP DOWN] Get your senior Pastor's involvement
    Have lunch
    Buy him Odgen's book as a gift
    [MIDDLE] Get a discipleship Pastor's involvement
    [BOTTOM UP] Lastly, find three men (FAT)

    START SMALL (only one group for one year)
    NEXT YEAR (three to four groups)
    THIRD YEAR (twelve to fifteen groups)


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