Growing Disciples Intentionally

1. Growing Disciples Intentionally Class 3

2. Review. . .

3. Discipleship as a Learning Model • Food, Learning while eating. • Peripatetic, along the way. • Story telling, case studies as simulators for moral navigation • Modeling The Words You Teach. • Community of Deep Friendships. • Action and Reflection (70 sent out and returning) • Demonstration (of Jesus as he taught)

4. Class Schedule . . . • Theological reflection on discipleship • Wilkins Reflections on discipleship • Historical Approach to Discipleship • Discipleship Defined • Disciples Defined • Discipler Defined • Discussion: Bonheoffer • DVD—”Presence of God—a counter-cultural community”

5. 57As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, "I will follow you wherever you go."  58Jesus replied, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head." Luke 9 (NIV)

6. 59He said to another man, "Follow me." But the man replied, "Lord, first let me go and bury my father." 60Jesus said to him, "Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God." Luke 9 (NIV)

7. 61Still another said, "I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say good bye to my family." 62Jesus replied, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.“ Luke 9 (NIV)

8. Bonheoffer . . .60-61

9. Critical Reflection from readings • .—pg. 280-281, 310. • Ch. 18.

10. Critical Reflection from readings • .—pg. 280-281, 310. • Ch. 18.

11. Critical Reflection from readings • .—pg. 280-281, 310. • Ch. 18.

12. Historical Approach to Discipleship

13. Definitions

14. International Consultation on Discipleship: • While there are valid differences of perspective on what constitutes discipleship, we define Christian discipleship as a process that takes place within accountable relationships over a period of time for the purpose of bringing believers to spiritual maturity in Christ. Biblical examples suggest that discipleship is both relational and intentional, both a position and a process. We become disciples by turning from sin through repentance and turning to God through faith. The process of discipleship is played out in a vital life-giving relationship to God that enables us to walk in the light as He is in the light, and do the will of the Father (1 John 1:7; John 4:34). Jesus said if we hold to His teaching, then we are really His disciples (John 8:31), and we demonstrate this through loving one another (John 13:34-35).

15. Definitions: Discipleship Patricia Schoelles, “discipleship” does not appear in the NT. Rather it is derived from the account of the relationship between Jesus and his followers as recorded in the Gospels. It is characterized by two terms founds frequently in the gospel material: Mathetes (disciple) and Akolothein (to follow)”

16. Definitions: Discipleship Scott McKnight: Discipleship consists of the teachings of Jesus which pertain to being His follower. I do not use the term for the process of developing new believers into mature believers. I am using it abstractly for the teaching of Jesus regarding following Him.”

17. Definitions: Discipleship George Barna: discipleship is “becoming a complete and competent follower of Jesus Christ. . . . and being and reproducing spiritually mature zealots for Christ.”

18. Definitions: Discipleship Michael J. Wilkins: on going process (fr. Matheteuo, “make or become disciples” and implies the process of becoming like Jesus.

19. Definitions: Discipleship Robert E. Webber: Three aspects of discipleship stand out in the NT and early Christian era: believing, belonging, behaving.

20. Definitions: Discipleship C. G. Montefiore: Discipleship such as Jesus demanded and inspired (a following, not for study, but for service—to help the Master in his mission, to carry out his instructions and so on) was apparently a new thing, at all events something that did not fit in, or was not on all fours with the usual Rabbinic customs . . .”

21. Definitions: Discipleship Eugene Peterson: Quotes Nietzsche. “The essential thing ‘in heaven and earth’ is . . . that there should be a long obedience in the same direction; there thereby results, and has always resulted in the long run, something which has made life worth living.”

22. Definitions: Discipleship Dietrich Bonheoffer “Discipleship mean adherence to Christ, and, because Christ is the object of that adherence, it must take the form of discipleship. “Christianity without the living Christ is inevitably Christianity with discipleship, and Christianity without discipleship is always Christianity with Christ.”

23. Definitions: Discipleship Peter Scazzero Discipleship is about becoming emotionally healthy . . .

24. Definitions: Discipleship Bill Hybels Grace . . Growth . . Group . . .Gifts . . . Good Stewardship

25. Definitions: Disciple Josh Hunt/Larry Mays Disciplined Intimate friendships Self-esteem Corporate Worship Intimate family Passion for God Lay ministry Evangelistic interest Sacrificial Giving

26. Definitions: Disciple Yose ben Yoezer, early sage of the Mishnah, a disciple is someone who follows so closely their Rabbi that the dust from their rabbi’s feet covers them.

27. Definitions: Disciple Brad Waggoner, “to be a learner and follower of Jesus Christ.” It implies obedience, It implies a lifestyle of character and service. It means to be Christ-like.

28. Definitions: Disciple Wilkins: Not enough to ask what is a disciple. Rather we must ask of whom the person is a disciple and at what period of time. For Jesus it meant one who has come to Jesus for eternal life, has claimed Jesus as Savior and God, and has embarked upon the life of following Jesus.

29. Definitions: Disciple Peterson, “Disciples are people who spend their lives apprenticed to their master, Jesus Christ. A disciple is a learner but not in the academic setting of the schoolroom, rather at the worksite of a craftsman. We do not acquire information about God but skills in faith.”

30. Definitions: Disciple Anthony J. Gittins: A disciple is one who has felt a ‘presence that disturbs’ to the point that they have become a presence that disturbs.

31. Definitions: Disciple Kyle Lake: someone who being an apprentice to Jesus is central to everything else in his/her life.

32. Definitions: Disciple Robert E. Webber: A Jesus Disciple is first and foremost a disciple of Jesus only. True discipleship is to follow after Jesus Christ and no one else.

34. Definitions: Disciple  Most frequent verb assigned to “disciple” in the Bible is “follow”

35. Definitions: Disciple • Disciple: a follower of Jesus Christ • Discipleship: process/movement of walking after Jesus Christ • Discipler: one who models/leads others into following Jesus Christ

36. Discipleship Discipler Disciple

37. Discipleship: a method of education that was widespread in the the ancient world. It was not a curriculum or process. It was a method of learning through the “along the way.”

38. Discipling: “Christian discipling is an intentional, largely informal learning activity. It involves 2 or a small group of individuals, who typically function within a larger community and hold to the same beliefs. Each makes a voluntary commitment to the others to form close personal relationships for an extended period of time, in order that those who at a particular time are perceived as having superior knowledge and skills will attempt to cause learning to take place in the lives of others who seek their help. Christian discipling is intended to result in each becoming an active follower of Jesus and a participate in his mission to the world.”

39. Disciple: the student of a particular rabbi, who is committed to following a rabbi and adhering to his teachings, and is following/learning through the method of discipleship.

40. Rabbi: the teacher who uses the model of discipleship to communicate and educate. The living breathing emodiment of ideals and truths, beliefs and behaviors that the disciple seeks to imitate.

41. Discipler: the one who facilitates learning and becoming and belonging in the method of discipleship, as he/she points to the rabbi.

42. “The Presence of God: a counter-cultural community”

43. What Does it Mean to follow Jesus?

44. Bonheoffer . . . • “When the Bible speaks of following Jesus, it is proclaiming a discipleship which will liberate mankind from all man-made dogmas, from every burden and oppression, from every anxiety and torture which afflicts the conscience.”--37

45. Bonheoffer . . . • How has “cheap grace” influenced discipleship? Pg 55. • Bonheoffer places a hefty emphasis on obedience, “the response of the disciples is an act of obedience, not a confession of faith.” • pg. 57.

46. Bonheoffer . . . • What does Bonheoffer say regarding legalism and obedience? How is legalism overcome? 82-83 • What does Bonheoffer declare as true self-denial? 88. • Do you think this book would be good for growing disciples?

47. What Would a disciple in today’s world look like?

48. A picture of what discipleship looked like 42These remained faithful to the teaching of the apostles, to the brotherhood, to the breaking of bread and to the prayers. 43And everyone was filled with awe; the apostles worked many signs and miracles. 44And all who shared the faith owned everything in common; 45they sold their goods and possessions and distributed the proceeds among themselves according to what each one needed. 46Each day, with one heart, they regularly went to the Temple but met in their houses for the breaking of bread; they shared their food gladly and generously; 47they praised God and were looked up to by everyone. Day by day the Lord added to their community those destined to be saved. –Acts 2 (New Jerusalem Bible) A picture of what discipleship looked like

49. A picture of what discipleship looks like And the Lighthouse community persisted in growing together and embracing whoever, they shared meals with each other and worshiped forever. Then great awe came upon the people of San Francisco and incredible miracles and Life changes were done through these disciples. These passionate and beloved disciples were together constantly and had a common-unity: community, and shared with each other to the extent that there were no homeless, hungry, or hurting people among them. They showed acts of mercy to their community. They worshiped together every day either in their houses with fellow disciples as they ate or in the buildings the Lord had given them. They laughed over meals and enjoyed life responding to the needs of each other with sincerity. They grew together, they embraced whoever, they worshiped forever and God gave them favor with the people of San Francisco. And every day the Lord continued to add to the number of the disciples in San Francisco those who were being saved.–Acts 29 (Garner Translation) A picture of what discipleship looks like

50. Write this verse as if it were talking about discipleship today in your community. • 42These remained faithful to the teaching of the apostles, to the brotherhood, to the breaking of bread and to the prayers. 43And everyone was filled with awe; the apostles worked many signs and miracles. 44And all who shared the faith owned everything in common; 45they sold their goods and possessions and distributed the proceeds among themselves according to what each one needed. 46Each day, with one heart, they regularly went to the Temple but met in their houses for the breaking of bread; they shared their food gladly and generously; 47they praised God and were looked up to by everyone. Day by day the Lord added to their community those destined to be saved. –Acts 2 (New Jerusalem Bible)