“How To Build A LifeChanging DiscipleMaking Process”
“The strength and influence of
the church is wholly
dependent upon its
commitment to true
discipleship.”
- George Barna
Growing True Disciples
1. Define DiscipleMaking
2. Describe the way
we are beginning to
do it
What is Discipleship?
It is fulfilling the Great Commission:
“Therefore go and make disciples of
all nations, baptizing them in the
name of the Father and of the Son
and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching
them to obey everything I have
commanded you.”
Matthew 28:19-20
What is Discipleship?
The Great Commission is
not primarily about
evangelism, it is about
disciple-making.
Defining: What is Discipleship?
“Christian
discipleship is a
process that takes
place within
accountable
relationships over
a period of time for
the purpose of
bringing believers
to spiritual
maturity in Christ.”
What is Discipleship?
“Christian discipleship is a
process that takes place within
accountable relationships over a
period of time for the purpose of
bringing believers to spiritual
maturity in Christ.”
Discipleship Is…
A process:
Disciple-making is a “shift from
program-driven ministry to peopledriven ministry … move from concern
about quantity (people, programs,
square footage, dollars) to concern
about quality (commitment, wisdom,
relationships, values, lifestyle).”
- George Barna
Growing True Disciples
Elements of Conversion
(Decision for Christ)
What is Conversion?
belief in Jesus
 repentance
 trust / assurance of salvation
 commitment and devotion
 giving a verbal witness to Him
 public baptism
 incorporation into a Christian
community

What is Discipleship?
“Christian discipleship is a
process that takes place within
accountable relationships
over a period of time for the
purpose of bringing believers to
spiritual maturity in Christ.”
What is Discipleship?
It is accountable relationships:
“Disciple-making is not about replicable,
transferable methods, but about the
mystery of two walking together.
Christian maturity is always a social, and
never an individual reality. There is no
such thing as my maturity. It is only our
maturity.”
What is Discipleship?
“Christian discipleship is a
process that takes place within
accountable relationships over a
period of time for the purpose of
bringing believers to spiritual
maturity in Christ.”
What is Discipleship?
Its goal is Spiritual Maturity:
“Too often disciple-making has been
understood as preaching the gospel,
helping a penitent pray the sinner’s
prayer, or offering a compelling case
for Christian belief. Disciple-making
surely includes all these things, but it
has as its goal Christian maturity.”
What is Discipleship?
A key leader in Africa has stated of
the evangelical movement there:
“The church in Africa is one mile long,
but only one inch deep. Discipleship
is not information, but character
formation.”
What is Discipleship?
“And the things you have heard me
say in the presence of many
witnesses entrust to reliable men
who will also be qualified to teach
others.”
2 Timothy 2:2
Why Focus On Discipleship?
If churches
continue to do
what we’ve
always done,
we’re going to
get what we’ve
always gotten.
Current reality…
Why Discipleship?
“Consequently, you are … fellow citizens
with God’s people and members of God’s
household, built on the foundation of the
apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus
himself as the chief cornerstone. In him
the whole building is joined together and
rises to become a holy temple in the Lord.
And in him you are being built together to
become a dwelling in which God lives by
his Spirit.”
– Ephesians 2:19-22
Why Discipleship?
We need to ask:
1. What does a spiritually mature
believer look like? How do I
recognize a disciple of Christ?
2. What is our church doing to ensure
that we produce spiritually mature
believers? Do we have an
intentional disciple-making plan?
3. Do I understand how our plan
works?
Why Discipleship?
“Disciples don’t just happen. They’re
developed through intentional
planning and the effort of a
community of believers. You, too,
can make disciples in your church.
But it won’t just happen. You need
to decide what you’re going to do
and how to do it.”
1. Define DiscipleMaking
2. Describe the way
we are beginning to
do it
Following Jesus Training
Is about developing
disciples who will lead
our churches into the
future
Discipleship Training
on Sunday Nights has begun…
Building slowly
Involving multiple churches
Using both Fall & Spring semesters
Focus is on both curriculum and
the importance of building
relationships.
Discipleship Training
Strengths
Balance of teaching & group
discussion
Trains everyone to facilitate the
group
Begins to develop future spiritual
leaders
Uses multiple presenters
Discipleship Training
Weaknesses
Not enough time for group life
Memorization may be difficult
Could still be seen as a program,
rather than a process based on
relationships
Discipleship Training
COST?
No charge
currently, a
one-time
offering to
cover printing
appreciated
Discipleship Training
Comments
promotes/develops biblical habits
(disciplines)
Has been very practical
Has offered accountability
Includes support and caring
Being able to download lessons
online has been helpful
Why Discipleship?
We need to ask:
1. What does a spiritually mature
believer look like? How do I
recognize a disciple of Christ?
2. What is our church doing to ensure
that we produce spiritually mature
believers? Are we developing an
intentional disciple-making plan?
Measuring the immeasurable…
“It’s easy to fall into the trap of
measuring only what’s easy to
measure. Our real job is to figure out
what’s significant to the organization
and to the people who actually do
work and find ways together of
measuring what’s significant.
That’s tough. That’s essential.
That’s beginning to reach for potential.”
- Max Dupree
MORE CHURCH
EVENTS
IS NOT THE ANSWER
OR SOLUTION!
Why Is Following Jesus Training
working?
People are hungry for 1) spiritual growth,
2) accountability, 3) community and 4)
Spirit-led ministry and service!



God’s Timing!
Our Discipleship Training is both simple
and difficult to implement. However, it is
doable for every church that wants to be
involved.
Discipleship Training gently facilitates
a right hand column thinking & mindset
CONVERT
DISCIPLE
DECISION
SPIRITUAL FORMATION
PROGRAM
INFORMATION
FAST
PROCESS
TRANSFORMATION
SLOW
Discipleship Training gently facilitates
a right hand column thinking & mindset
SHORT
EASY
QUICK ENDING
EVENT
LONG & SUSTAINED
DIFFICULT
BEGINNING
ON-GOING
Discipleship Training gently facilitates
a right hand column thinking & mindset
INSTANT
___
DIET
HABITS (BAD)
TRYING
LAZZIE-FAIRE
SEVERAL YEARS
LIFESTYLE
HABITS (GOOD)
TRAINING
DISCIPLINED
Discipleship Training gently facilitates
a right hand column thinking & mindset
IRRESPONSIBLE
CORPORATE
DESTINATION
SPECTATOR
IMMATURE
ACCOUNTABLE
PERSONAL
JOURNEY
PARTICIPITANT
MATURE
How does “Following Jesus” work?

We encourage prayer partners

We encourage accountability

Teaching of spiritual disciplines through
Bible study and memorization

We want a process more focused on
formation rather than information

Committed to having fun
Concerns/Problems/Learning
Our Experience Thus Far…
OR
Don’t Get Your Hopes Up!
There is no Quick FIX
Road Blocks to Discipleship Success

time availability


pastoral interest

Program
mentality



logistical issues
Preparation time
Scripture
memorization
spiritual
maturity
How Any Disciple-Making Works!
Spiritual success relies on relationships,
listening, encouraging, accountability,
and a time commitment from everyone what is
involved. It is hard, slow people work! But it is
SO worth it!
How does “Following Jesus” work?



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It is the future for helping ReStart &
ReLaunch churches
It is the future for assessing existing
churches to help them build a Church
Action Plan to move forward
It is the future for providing a District
Qualified Coach to every pastor that
needs one
It all flows out of discipling relationships.
Website to Serve You
www.onecml.org
“How To Build A LifeChanging DiscipleMaking Process”
“The strength and influence of
the church is wholly
dependent upon its
commitment to true
discipleship.”
- George Barna
Growing True Disciples