Discipleship "Engines"
In the book, Simple Church, Thom Rainer described a process to get back on mission with what God has called the church to be. The four words he used for this process can be applied to the disciplemaking process as well:
Clarity. To "make disciples" we have to understand what one looks like. 1 John 2:6 tells us to "walk as Jesus walked." Clarity is defining what a disciple needs to know (Head), the attitudes of a disciple (Heart), and what a disciple is to do (Hands). Ultimately it is obeying everything Jesus commanded.
Movement. As we work with people in the church we will find four groups: pre-Christians (those who have not accepted Jesus yet), new believers, growing believers and multipliers (able to make disciples who make disciples). Our goal is to move everyone towards obeying Jesus to be a multiplier. Movement is defining the linkages to help people mature to become a multiplier.
Alignment. Often, church programs are a confusing collection of differing visions, purposes, and values. The result is often stunted growth as momentum is lost moving from one program to another. Alignment is ensuring that everything done in and through the church is designed to help make disciples and move people towards being a multiplier.
Focus. There are many seminars and books available to pastors all calling for the church to use their program or approach. When clarity, movement and alignment are present the challenge is to say no to those programs and approaches that do not help the church move forward. Focus helps the church stay on mission.
Take a look at this document for resources for helping you create a discipling culture:
Creating a Discipleship Engine
Summary of two books that describe possible Discipleship Engines
Colonial Woods Missionary Church recently created a description of a discipled person that you may find helpful. It is called
Eight Characteristics of a Changed Life. Download it here by clicking on the link.
Additional Resources:
You may download any of these files for your use in your own church or for coaching other churches.
Being a Disciple Bible Study—Participant Guide
Being a Disciple Bible Study—Answer Guide
Creating a Description of a Discipled Person
Handout: Who I am in Christ
Handout: Who God Is
Handout: Dying to Self