STEP BY STEP

DISCIPLE MAKING PART 1

STEP 1

STEP 2

STEP 3

STEP 4

STEP 5

STEP 6

DEFINE DISCIPLE MAKING

COMMIT TO A DISCIPLE MAKING PATH

KNOW YOUR DISCIPLE MAKING LANGUAGE HEAD/HAND/HEART

BALANCE YOUR TIME: EMPHASIS & FREQUENCY

LEVERAGING RELATIONAL EQUITY

THE GROWTH PROCESS YOU’RE PRAYING FOR

PREPARATION things to consider before you start

STEP

1 DEFINE DISCIPLE MAKING

“Why do step-by-step instructions always start with such an obvious first step?” you may be asking. “Skip to the meaty stuff!” you may be thinking. But the reason that you start with the “obvious” is because sometimes what is so obvious to you is not so obvious to others and disciple making always involves others. You need to have a clear working definition of what disciple making is and what it works towards. You need to be able to articulate that definition in such a way that whoever you’re working with can recite it back to you verbatim. Consider the consequences of not doing this in the two graphics below based off of Barna’s 2015 “State of Discipleship” study.

Do you think there is a relationship between the discrepancy in “how well discipleship is going” and “how you define discipleship”? I sure do. If people think the goal of discipleship is “consistency” or becoming a more stable version of who they already are, then of course they are going to measure success differently than those who define discipleship as “being transformed to become more like Jesus.” When I ask my children if they’ve cleaned their room, they confidently tell me they have. And just like any parent who lovingly trusts their kids, I go check for myself to make sure. Nine out of ten times I have to sit them down and ask them “What does ‘clean your room’ mean to you because I’m not sure we’re talking about the same thing?” Clarifying definitions and meaning of words is important. In fact, let’s do it right now.

When you read “disciple making,” what do you think we’re talking about? Maybe you are thinking about discipleship or post-conversion growth and maturity. But I urge you to think of the totality of the Great Commission when you consider “disciple making.” Disciple making covers both evangelism, pre-conversion activity focused on Christ, and discipleship, post-conversion activity towards growth and Christlikeness. So here’s the part where you think I’m going to give you a master definition of disciple making and put in bold italics. Ready, here it is…Come up with your own defintion for disciple making because you need to own it. Sorry, its just too important of a step for someone to do all the mental wrestling for you. But here are three questions that can help your thinking and please make sure its biblical: 1)  Where does disciple making start?

2)  What does disciple making work towards?

3) Who or what is involved in the disciple making process?

WRITE YOUR OWN DEFINITION FOR DISCIPLE MAKING

PARTING THOUGHT: Please don’t let your definition of disciple making be “helping me to become a more consistent version of myself”. Following Jesus is more about transformation than stability. The gospel should produce a disruptive change in our thinking, feeling and doing.

STEP

2 COMMIT TO A DISCIPLE MAKING PATH

Any idea what the graphic on the bottom is? My favorite wrong answer is “a rainbow xylophone.” It’s actually a display for different belt rankings in karate. You may see something like this at your local dojo. The idea is that in karate, you are presented with a clear path. You have a clear starting point (white belt) and a clear next step (yellow belt). Since everyone wears their belt, you can instantly tell where they are on the path, where’ve they been, and where they’re going.

Universities work in similar fashion (sans belts). There are required courses for first and second year students and then a track you follow once you’ve chosen your degree focus. In fact, it’s difficult to imagine either universities or dojo’s operating any other way. Picture a university saying “Here’s a listing of all our classes that we offer. Please try to attend all of them in any order you want and when you’re done, you should be ready for your chosen profession.” Or imagine your sensei saying “We’re going to randomly practice kicks and punches and blocks so I want you to come every day until you feel like you can defend yourself.” What a waste of money and time that would be. Unless you just really hate structure (and common sense) you’d never be satisfied with this approach.

And yet…many of our churches don’t have a clear path for growth and maturity. Like our imagined universities and dojos, many churches simply ask us to come to everything they do, every ministry and program we can squeeze into our schedule and somehow, we’ll just get it. We’ll be transformed into the likeness of Christ through a flurry of unguided activity. Now lets be clear, our transformation into Christ’s likeness is made possible by the already accomplished work of Christ and the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit. But Christ also appointed us, his followers, to participate in the work of disciple making. It would benefit us and the people we are working with if we were able to work a path with a clear direction and obvious next steps. A well thought out path also increases the “buy-in” for everyone involved. It allows the disciple maker to offer a clear direction and practical next steps. It provides the person you’re working with a chance to find their specific situation instead of having to choose from only two descriptors- “lost” or “saved.”

Keeping someone busy doesn’t

guarantee that they will grow

spiritually.

NOT CURIOUS NOT HUNGRY

FOR JESUS

CURIOUS HUNGRY

FOR JESUS

BELIEVER BEING FED

DISCIPLE BEING FED &

FEEDING SELF

DISCIPLE MAKER

BEING FED, FEEDING SELF, & FEEDING OTHERS

LIFE LONG SERVANT

MATURITY OVER TIME

A few years ago I discovered Paul Johnson from the Canadian National Baptist Convention. I describe him as a disciple making architect of sorts. He came up with a path called “STAGES.” I’ve adopted it for my work and recommend it as a workable disciple making path. Feel free to find or develop your own path as STAGES is not the only option. But from this point forward, we’ll reference STAGES as our path of choice. Take a look at how it’s set up. The STAGES span between someone who is completely disinterested in Christ all the way to a mature, life long Christ follower. The circles overlap showing that people often find themselves between stages. The STAGES are more descriptive than prescriptive. It gives real people a chance to find themselves on the path and next step they can take. You can think of someone in each of these STAGES, can’t you? If you were to create a path, how would you label and describe it? Give it a try.

PARTING THOUGHT: Paul Johnson has an app with a wealth of material to help people through the STAGES. You can find it for IOS or Android under the name DISCIPLEMAKER STAGES . You can also find our adaptation of STAGES at: www.disciplemakingstages.com

STEP

3 KNOW YOUR DISCIPLE MAKING LANGUAGE

Okay, “disciple making language” doesn’t quite roll of the tongue like “The 5 Love Languages” but Gary Chapman’s approach to love fits in the task of Disciple Making. Each one of us has a way in which we think we mature in Jesus. Let’s find yours using a couple of questions: DO YOU CONSIDER YOURSELF MAINLY A THINKER,

FEELER OR DOER?

Now before you start with a long inner monologue of how its “situational” and you strive to be “balanced” in all three, please know that all I’m looking for is the way you tend to be most of the time. Nobody is just one all of the time nor are they all three all of the time. If you’re really having trouble answering then imagine how people who know you well would answer. Another way to ask is… HOW DO YOU THINK PEOPLE GROW IN THE LORD? BY KNOWING GOD MORE, BY LOVING GOD MORE,

OR BY OBEYING GOD MORE.

IS TH

IS Y

OUR

DISC

IPLE

MAK

ING

PLAN

? Again, thank you Susie Sunday School for pointing out all three are necessary and biblical! But many of us gravitate strongly towards one of these three in our vision of disciple making.

Bible studies, workbooks, and conferences are the favorite tools of thinkers who assume there is a knowledge deficit they must fill to move forward. Long talks over coffee, transparent confessions, and meaningful worship and prayer times appeal to feelers who see growth in terms of relational intimacy. “I learn by doing” is a favorite phrase of the doers who would rather go out and feed the poor than sit down and read about why they should. If you still need convincing that this is a real phenomenon in our faith then consider how disciple making activities are labeled: “Discipleship Courses/Classes” or “Life on Life Discipleship” or “Obedience Based Discipleship.” All these have a particular orientation towards either head, hand or heart without necessarily denying the other two but it is there none the less.

Sometimes our culture shapes this idea for us. Western minds tend to be information oriented. Obedience based approaches thrive in many Eastern cultures. Denominations or particular churches can influence how we view growth as some may value worship experiences over studies while others celebrate community service most of all. The point here is that either through our wiring or cultural influence, we lean towards either head, hand, or heart approaches to growth. We should learn from Gary Chapman’s principle from the love languages that however you’re wired to receive love is also the way you tend to show it. In other words, however you think you mature spiritually is how you will attempt to lead others to grow. “Great! So what?!” you may ask (especially you “doers” who are dying to stop reading about disciple making so you can go out and do it). Here are two questions that you need to think about:

What if the person you are discipling

is not wired the same as you?

When does your tendency towards either head, hand or heart become so imbalanced that its unhealthy?

What if the person you are discipling is not wired the same as you? Isn’t it up to them to fight off their tendencies to match your way of doing things? Read 1 Corinthians 9:19-23. With whom does Paul lay the responsibility of accommodating language and sensibilities? Be aware of your disciple’s wiring and adjust accordingly. When does your tendency towards either head, hand or heart become so imbalanced that its unhealthy? Take a good look at the time you spend with someone in disciple making and find the evidence that you are being balanced. If you’re spending 90 minutes reading Romans bracketed by an opening and closing prayer, you may need to balance out your approach. If “doing life together” only involves eating, drinking and playing and there is never a time to explore the truth in the Word, you may need to balance out your approach.

Christian satire site

Babylon Bee with a great example of

an unhealthy imbalance.

PARTING THOUGHT: We’ll cover how to engineer a balanced approach in your disciple making meet ups in the next step but try to find Head/Hand/Heart tendencies in yourself, the people around you, your church and your culture. How will they affect your disciple making efforts?

STEP

4 BALANCE YOUR TIME

So how do you actually help someone who is strongly wired as either a thinker, feeler, or doer become balanced when it comes to their own growth? How can you mold their expectations of your time together to match a balanced approach? The answer is…carefully. It helps to start with an honest admission of how you’re wired and maybe an example of both how this has helped you and also how it has slowed down potential growth (think how you may have overemphasized your wiring or neglected that which hasn’t come as naturally). Draw a diagram like the one you see below to show how our maturity in Christ comes from the overlap of our understanding, affections, and obedience.

Start to plant the seed that as you spend time together, if your goal is transformation and maturity in Christ, you will spend time in all three aspects (head, hand, and heart). Promise them that they will have time to either dive into that study they want to engage in or to go do something hands on and that you will always have time to talk about how things are going and to pray together. It’s important to have this talk because a good disciple making relationship involves trust and buy-in by everyone involved. It also will allow you to meet with more than one person at a time that might be wired in different ways and still be effective. This will take some good planning and a steady commitment to balance your time. Our suggestion for a 90 minute get-together is on the right. We have specific questions for each time if you need some help in the link below. You can even print out this sheet and let them look at the break down. The intent is not really to over-program your time but to instill a healthy balance especially in initial get-togethers until a balanced flow comes naturally.

SPIRITUAL CARE EXPLORING HEART ISSUES

AND PRAYING 30 MINUTES

SPIRITUAL INSTRUCTION

TEACHING/LEARNING & ASKING QUESTIONS 30 MINUTES

SPIRITUAL EXERCISE

PLANNING SPECIFIC ACTION STEPS

30 MINUTES

+

+

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B8hgBJhIYqJZZ1dtcmRTbE1EU0k/view?usp=sharing

You may also be struggling with how often to meet and finding the time for disciple making in the first place. If you are a small group leader it might be hard to see how you could possibly squeeze in another weekly meeting. But if your ministry leaders are open to letting your group meet less frequently to allow more time for personal disciple making get-togethers, it could be worth your while. I may lose a few of you with what I’m about to say…your small group isn’t the only thing someone needs to grow. You’ll see in STEP 6 that small groups are an essential connection in someone’s growth but they are not sufficient in themselves unless you are taking the time to really address personal growth plans. Here’s how you can organize your small groups in a way that leaves room for personal discipleship get-togethers. If you adopt this model, you can still decide what you want to focus on in your small groups according to the more general needs of your people.

My small group morphed into a dinner discussion group where we ask four questions from James 5:13-16- Are you suffering, celebrating, sick/in need, or sinning? After really listening to each other, we would pray. We then would react to one passage of scripture and really explore its application in our lives. This would hardly be considered an in-depth study time but since the next week we were going to go deep in discipleship one-on-ones or triads, we felt free to mix it up. Below is the graphic for our four dinner questions.

an exercise in community

& spiritual growth

soul food

Choose one question and share with your table…

Are you suffering?

Are you celebrating?

Are you sinning?

Are you Sick or in Need?

Share about a hard time your currently going through

Share something good that has happened to you

Share a time you violated your beliefs or Conscience Recently

Share A physical need you have

James 5:13-20

an exercise in community

& spiritual growth

eat serve love

Choose one question and share with your table…

Are you suffering?

Are you celebrating?

Are you sinning?

Are you Sick or in Need?

Share about a hard time your currently going through

Share something good that has happened to you

Share a time you violated your beliefs or Conscience Recently

Share A physical need you have

James 5:13-20

Is anyone among you suffering? Let

him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him

sing praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call

for the elders of the church, and let

them pray over him…Therefore,

confess your sins to one another and

pray for one another, that you

may be healed. James 5:13-16

PARTING THOUGHT: Balancing between someone’s head/hand/heart inclinations and between small group and personal discipleship times can seem pretty tedious. It’s tempting to create a “one size fits all” approach. What do you think the pros and cons would be of that approach?

STEP

5 LEVERAGING RELATIONAL EQUITY

“Leveraging relational equity*” sounds like a chapter from “How To Win Friends And Influence People.” It’s not. But it’s a concept worth exploring in regards to disciple making. How well do you have to know someone to have a disciple making role in their life? Of course the answer is complicated and nuanced according to each situation but what we see in Scripture and in every day life helps our understanding of relational equity’s role in disciple making. Consider the graphic:

*equity in this context meaning “stored up relational credibility”

HIGH RELATIONAL

EQUITY

LOW RELATIONAL

EQUITY

WOMAN AT THE WELL & JESUS

ETHIOPIAN EUNUCH & PHILIP

CORNELIUS & PETER

JESUS MENTORING

THE DISCIPLES

JESUS CALLS THE DISCIPLES

PAUL & TIMOTHY

PAUL & THE EPHESIAN ELDERS

ACTS 20:36-38

PAUL & PHILEMON

R E L A T I O N A L E Q U I T Y I N S C R I P T U R E

PHILIPPIAN JAILER & PAUL

EVANGELISTIC RELATIONSHIPS DISCIPLESHIP RELATIONSHIPS

E V A N G E L I S M

D I S C I P L E S H I P

IN EVANGELISM Did you notice that many of the people whose “conversion” experience was recorded in scripture had no previous relationship with the person who led them to faith? Of course, there are exceptions to this as scripture speaks of spouses and households coming to faith as a result of a believer in their relational network (Acts 11, Acts 16, 1st Corinthians 7). Many of the people Jesus healed and forgave immediately told their friends and family about what He had done (the woman at the well and the Gerasene demoniac). But the gospel usually first infected these households or networks through new encounters where there was almost no relational equity.

This is counter-instinctual for most of us. We think that we need to have “enough of a relationship” to share Jesus with someone. Scripture shows us that the necessary relational threshold is low if someone is ready for the truth. Experience also tells us that all the relational equity in the world is useless if someone is not ready for the truth. Even Jesus’ personal relationships in his hometown were no guarantee of his message penetrating (Mark 6:4-6). Now this doesn’t mean that we don’t listen to the

best evangelism trainings out there that tells us to start sharing our story with our social network or “oikos.” We should do this, but we should never limit ourselves or the gospel to those we already

have a relationship with. We should seek opportunities to share with all those who are ready for truth. And since people don’t introduce themselves like this- “Hi, I’m Jerry and I’m ready for some eternal truth today,” we need to be proactive in every new encounter to share our story and probe their readiness. Here’s a link to a great tool to explain the gospel quickly to strangers. http://lifeonmissionbook.com/conversation-guide

We have a tendency to

overvalue relational equity in

evangelism & undervalue it

in discipleship.

IN DISCIPLESHIP In contrast to most of our evangelism examples in scripture, relational equity is a high priority for discipleship. It is nearly impossible to ask people to take big faith steps in their growth and sanctification without having a significant role in their life. A mentor or intimate small group is not only the example in scripture but what our experience tells us is necessary for growth. If we are not putting ourselves in position to deepen our relationships with other believers (especially those younger in the faith) we won’t have many opportunities to disciple others or to be discipled by others. Start having believers over for coffee or dinner or connect in some way more than your typical church lobby “Hi, how’s it going?”

INTEREST GROUPS

If you’re a ministry leader, make sure you are giving your people the time and opportunity through format to deepen their relationships. This deepening happens in many ways, not just through study-centered groups but sometimes through less spiritual affinities. These “less spiritual” groups aren’t a waste of time if you’re equipping disciple makers to be intentional with their newly formed relationships. The relational equity needed for personal discipleship can be built up in some interesting and nontraditional ways. So don’t obsess over the intensity level of your small groups. But be relentless when it comes to teaching your leaders to be intentional about establishing personal discipleship relationships.

BIBLE STUDY

GROUPS

DINNER GROUPS

INTENSE PERSONAL BIBLICAL

DISCIPLESHIP

INTENSE PERSONAL BIBLICAL

DISCIPLESHIP

INTENSE PERSONAL BIBLICAL

DISCIPLESHIP

INTEREST GROUPS

BIBLE STUDY

GROUPS

DINNER GROUPS

INTENSE PERSONAL BIBLICAL

DISCIPLESHIP

INTENSE PERSONAL BIBLICAL

DISCIPLESHIP

INTENSE PERSONAL BIBLICAL

DISCIPLESHIP

è è è

è è è

è è è

THESE GROUPS DON’T HAVE TO BE PERFECT…

…IF THIS IS HAPPENING

ALTERNATING GROUP TIME & PERSONAL DISCIPLESHIP TIME

GROUP 1

GROUP 2

GROUP 3

PARTING THOUGHT: Sunday mornings or weekly worship times don't produce enough relational equity for discipleship and our existing relationships shouldn’t be the boundaries of our evangelism. How are you overcoming both of these issues in your own disciple making efforts?

STEP

6 THE GROWTH PROCESS YOU’RE PRAYING FOR

You’ve already defined disciple making in Step 1 and developed a path in Step 2. Lets break it down even more to examine the processes that move people along the path toward your disciple making goal. It can’t be stressed enough that spiritual growth is…well… spiritual and not a natural process we can tangibly observe, label and manipulate. But we know from scripture some principles of growth that help us peek behind the curtain of divine activity. Here’s one way to illustrate the disciple making growth process on the right. HOW HAVE YOU SEEN THIS PROCESS PLAY OUT IN YOUR OWN GROWTH?

NEW GROWTH AREA

ASSESSMENT

CONNECTION

TRANSFORMATION

RHYTHMS

RE-ASSESSMENT

Every time we encounter a new growth area like a spiritual discipline we are trying to strengthen or a potential idol’s influence we are trying to weaken, we can commit to a process works toward growth. First, here are examples of some possible growth areas: After choosing a growth area to work on, consider the following four steps:

NEW GROWTH AREA

THE BASICS REVIEW THE BIG STORY HOW TO PRAY HOW TO READ THE BIBLE IDENTITY RECOVERY THE IMPORTANCE OF COMMUNITY ENJOYING FORGIVENESS WONDER AT ADOPTION GRATEFUL AND CHILDLIKE HUNGRY TO FEED SENSITIVE TO SIN EXCITED TO SHARE CONFESS AND REPENT OF SIN SHARE YOUR STORY BE BAPTIZED HOW TO IDENTIFY AND REJECT IDOLS GRASP GOD’S DREAM (WILL) DIGGING DEEPER IN THE WORD LEARN DISCIPLINES VALUE FEEDING OTHERS GET PASSIONATE LONG FOR INTIMACY

BATTLE WITH SIN PRACTICE DISCIPLINES DO LIFE TOGETHER WALK IN THE SPIRIT SERVE OTHERS SACRIFICIALLY

HOW TO HEAR GOD’S CALL HOW TO BE A MODEL FOR OTHERS LEARN TO INTERCEDE THINK LIFE-ON-LIFE HOW TO FEED OTHERS HOW TO MAKE OTHERS GOD-AWARE LOVE FOR SINNERS EMBRACING MESSY LIVES ENJOYING MODELING/TEACHING DELIGHTING IN PRAYER ENERGIZED BY FAITH LIVING BY GRACE BE PROACTIVE DONATE TIME HANG AROUND THE CURIOUS WALK WITH BELIEVERS POUR LIFE INTO DISCIPLES LEAD BY SERVING DETERMINE TO OBEY

HATE SIN DESIRE DISCIPLINE EXPRESS COMPASSION WORSHIP JESUS

BELIEVER STAGE

DISCIPLE STAGE DISCIPLE MAKER STAGE

Do you remember when Jesus was discussing his identity with his disciples and after asking what the crowds were saying he asked his closest followers “Who do you say that I am?” Jesus assessed where the disciples were in relation to a truth that would stretch their faith. We should also ask those we are working with where they are in relation to a growth area they have been challenged with. For example, if they need to grow in the area of prayer, you need to know what their current prayer life is like. What is their current attitude toward prayer and how do they envision an improved prayer life transforming them? These are important things not only for you to know as their mentor but for the person you are working with to know about themselves. It will not only clarify which next steps they need to take but it will also create a benchmark that will help you record and celebrate progress.

Four essential connections need to be made to give someone the best conditions for growth in a specific area. 1) Connection with the Father- Help the person you’re working with start to pray about this growth area and ask for God’s guidance. 2) Connection with the Truth- Engage them with a biblical understanding of each growth area either directly from Scripture or from biblically based resources. 3) Connection with a Community- Involve them with a community that will encourage, nurture, and expect growth in the area they are focusing on. 4) Connection with a Mentor- More than likely this is you. Your job is to explain, model and encourage growth. You may find that for some growth areas, another mentor who can offer insight or an experience you don’t have may be more appropriate.

You’ll notice that we’ve bound these two principles together. The reason is because of the cyclical “cause and effect” relationship they have. The true transformation we experience as followers of Jesus is due to Christ’s redemptive work and through the Holy Spirit. In other words, we don’t change ourselves. Authentic, Christ-driven transformation will show itself in new rhythms of life like new ways of thinking, feeling and acting. Beautifully, those new rhythms push us further and further into more transformation as part of our growth. Here’s an example. God transforms us from spiritually dead creatures to spiritually living creatures. He then gives us a command and a longing to spend time with Him in prayer. When that transformation gives birth to a new rhythm of praying regularly, it morphs into a tool for even more transformation in our life producing even more new rhythms.

Why dissect this process so much? The answer is that we don’t want the gospel to ever be reduced to behavior modification. The gospel transforms our identity which births new behaviors. This important difference keeps our faith from being works-based or a self improvement project. Discipleship helps us flesh out (in rhythms) the new identity we already have in Jesus (see 2 Peter 1:3-4). It shouldn’t attempt to create a new identity through changing our behavior. At the same time, identity change should always lead to behavior change. If it doesn’t, something’s wrong. Don’t get the order wrong because it’s important!

Unfortunately, Christians aren’t really known for loving to party but we should be. Nobody has more to celebrate than someone who has entered into life from death, into freedom from captivity, into hope from hopelessness. After the initial and natural euphoria of our conversion wears off, we can slip into the doldrums of everyday faith but it really shouldn’t be this way! Every step with God in our growth is as miraculous as his initial life giving work in us. God uses the same resurrection power to bring new life into our understanding, affections and behaviors as He initially did in our salvation (Philippians 3:10, Ephesians 1:15-20). We need to celebrate growth steps. A re-assessment process after a set period of time will either allow us to see the growth in a particular area, celebrate it, and point us toward a new growth area or it will help us stay put till God is done working with us.

It’s important to keep someone’s initial assessment handy so that you can measure and celebrate growth. Ask the same questions as before. Review the the answers they gave in their first assessment together. See what has changed and…

…CELEBRATE ACCORDINGLY!

EXAMPLE ASSESSMENT NEW GROWTH AREA: _______________________________

DATE: _________________________ 1. How do you rate your current understanding of this growth area?

1 2 3 4 5 6 2. How do you rate your current obedience in this area?

1 2 3 4 5 6 3. What would your life look like if you understood this area more completely and were more radical in your obedience concerning it? 4. What’s your greatest obstacle concerning this area?

If the Holy Spirit was really helping this person grasp this growth area and transform... 1.  What new behaviors would I start to see more

of?

2.  What old behaviors would I start to see less of?

3.  How would I help them connect these changes to their new identity in Christ?

MONITORING TRANSFORMATION & RHYTHMS

EXAMPLE RE-ASSESSMENT

(Review initial assessment first)

NEW GROWTH AREA: _______________________________

DATE: _________________________

1. How do you rate your current understanding of this growth area?

1 2 3 4 5 6 2. How do you rate your current obedience in this area?

1 2 3 4 5 6 3. What has changed in both your understanding and obedience in this area?

PARTING THOUGHT- This step was labeled “The Growth Process You’re Praying For” because ideally, you would be able to walk along someone as they go through an honest assessment, a meaningful connection, an authentic transformation, life-giving rhythms, and a re-assessment worth celebrating. You should pray for this, but not expect it to happen every time. Disciple making is messy and people won’t always assess themselves honestly or correctly. They’ll be indifferent sometimes to powerful connections you are offering. They will get bored and want to move on to an area of greater interest before any real transformation has taken place. Their reassessment scores will be worse than their initial ones. All these things are possible because disciple making involves people, and people are unpredictable and complicated. Don’t be discouraged. This process also involves the Creator of the universe who can move in ways that surprise us even in the most hopeless individual. Pray for the best, be diligent and sincere, and let God be responsible for the results.

STEP BY STEP

DISCIPLE MAKING PART 2

ACTION things to know as you go

Coming soon!

STEP 7

STEP 8

STEP 9

STEP 10

STEP 11

STEP 12

ASSESSMENTS AND “THE ASK”

WORKING WITH THE NOT CURIOUS

WORKING WITH THE CURIOUS

WORKING WITH BELIEVERS

WORKING WITH DISCIPLES

ENCOURAGING OTHER DISCIPLE MAKERS