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Adult Discipleship Models. Doug Patch Associate Pastor Xenos Christian Fellowship. Adult Discipleship Models. Discipleship Defined Colossians 1: 28 We proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, so that we may present every man complete in Christ .
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Adult Discipleship Models • Doug PatchAssociate PastorXenos Christian Fellowship
Adult Discipleship Models • Discipleship Defined • Colossians 1:28 We proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, so that we may present every man complete in Christ.
Adult Discipleship Models • Ephesians 4:13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith, ...to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. 14 ...we are no longer to be children... 15 ...we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.
Adult Discipleship Models • Ephesians 4:11 And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ...
Adult Discipleship Models • Discipleship is a Christ-centered friendship where the goal of all involved is to help one another to reach spiritual maturity through character transformationand adopting a ministry lifestyle.
Adult Discipleship Models • Discipleship is a Christ-centered friendship where the goal of all involved is to help one another to reach spiritual maturity through character transfor-mation& adopting a ministry lifestyle. • NOTE: Leadership development is an additional & more “specialized” form of discipleship (2 Timothy 2:2).
Adult Discipleship Models • General Considerations
Adult Discipleship Models • General Considerations 1. Discipleship & the church’s mission To be a grace-motivated, home group-based church that communicates God’s love to our community in word and deed, to those inside and outside of God’s family (including those who perceive us to be their enemies).
Adult Discipleship Models • 1. Discipleship & the church’s mission • MISSION:...grace-motivated, communicatesGod’s love... in word and deed... • DISCIPLESHIP: ... character transformation and adopting a ministry lifestyle
Adult Discipleship Models • General Considerations 1. Discipleship & the church’s mission 2. Discipleship & other key structures Home church based & driven • essential pastoral ministry • most evangelism • discipling relationships formed • new home groups form from existing ones
Adult Discipleship Models • General Considerations 1. Discipleship & the church’s mission 2. Discipleship & other key structures 3. Differences in expertise & maturity
Adult Discipleship Models • General Considerations 1. Discipleship & the church’s mission 2. Discipleship & other key structures 3. Differences in expertise & maturity 4. Considering “free time”, should you focus on developing peer relationships or 1-on-1 mentoring?
Adult Discipleship Models • General Considerations 1. Discipleship & the church’s mission 2. Discipleship & other key structures 3. Differences in expertise & maturity 4. Considering “free time”, should you focus on peer relationships or 1-on-1 mentoring? 5. What resources does the larger church offer?
Adult Discipleship Models • http://www.xenos.org/classes/index.htm
Adult Discipleship Models • General Considerations 1. Discipleship & the church’s mission 2. Discipleship & other key structures 3. Differences in expertise & maturity 4. Considering “free time”... 5. What resources in the larger church? 6. More than one model simultaneously
Adult Discipleship Models • General Considerations • NOTE: Staff does this ministry on a volunteer basis, just as we ask home group members to do.
1-on-1 Discipleship • Same-sex relationships where a more mature Christian helps a younger [in-the-Lord] Christian toward spiritual maturity.
1-on-1 Discipleship • Format • Content • Character Transformation • Ministry Development • Prayer
1-on-1 Discipleship • Format • Content Bible (often inductive study), Christian Books
1-on-1 Discipleship • Format • Content • Character Transformation 2 Timothy 2:20Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also vessels of wood and of earthenware, and some to honor and some to dishonor. 21 Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.
1-on-1 Discipleship • Format • Content • Character Transformation • Ministry Development • Serve God motivated by grace • Discover & develop spiritual gifts • Show & share God’s love to saved and lost. • Eventually help a younger Christian mature just as they are being helped
1-on-1 Discipleship • Format • Content • Character Transformation • Ministry Development • Prayer
1-on-1 Discipleship • Pros • Easier to be transparent • Can be tailored to individual needs (lends well to leadership development, too) • Less experienced worker might do better with just one person • Babysitting is not needed
1-on-1 Discipleship • Cons • Not all adults are receptive if they perceive there is a hierarchy • If the younger Christian (who is primarily on the receiving end) is not gifted in certain areas, they might not develop a vision for doing this same kind of discipleship.
Couples Discipleship • Content • Cultivating godly unity in marriage & family (Marriage Builder, Larry Crabb) • Develop outwardly focused living (Loving God’s Way, Gary DeLashmutt) • Bible literacy (Introduction to the Bible; Christian Growth – classes offered in Xenos) • Intercessory prayer
Couples Discipleship • Pros • This model is seamless with their lifestyle • Communication between couples can be facilitated • The family schedule is only impacted once • Virtually any couple in a home group can lead this
Couples Discipleship • Cons • Babysitting can be a problem • Some spouses are not open with their spouse present.
“Worker Teams” • 3-5 people (same gender) meeting weekly or bi-weekly. When reaching 6, planting so there are two groups of 3 people.
“Worker Teams” • Format • Spiritual “de-briefing sessions” of 3-5 same-gender Christians.
“Worker Teams” • Format • “What has God been showing me through His word?” • “What has God been showing me about my heart?” • “How has God been leading me to show and share His love with others?” • “Who am I praying for regularly who does not know Him?”
“Worker Teams” • Format • “What has God been showing me through His word?” • “What has God been showing me about my heart?” • “How has God been leading me to show and share His love with others?” • “Who am I praying for regularly who does not know Him?”
“Worker Teams” • Format • “What has God been showing me through His word?” • “What has God been showing me about my heart?” • “How has God been leading me to show & share His love with others?” • “Who am I praying for regularly who does not know Him?”
“Worker Teams” • Format • “What has God been showing me through His word?” • “What has God been showing me about my heart?” • “How has God been leading me to show and share His love with others?” • “Who am I praying for regularly who does not know Him?”
“Worker Teams” • Commitment • To do the assigned Bible reading before we meet. • To come regularly, on time, & be a full participant. • To be a consistent & active servant in our home church, helping to fulfill its mission. • To help our worker team grow & multiply.
“Worker Teams” • Multiplication
“Worker Teams” • Pros • Peer-oriented even with wide range of spiritual maturity • Directly facilitates daily habits in the means of grace • All are developing their ability to be verbal about their faith
“Worker Teams” • Pros • It is doable It works well with the family schedule Virtually anyone in your home group can lead one.
“Worker Teams” • Cons • It easily spins off into tangents • Sometimes unique needs of an individual can not be fully addressed (character transformation &/or ministry development)
Adult Discipleship Models • Conclusion/ Questions?