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Biblical Discipleship Domestic Action and Projects Apostolic Christian Church Foundation, Inc. Ohio Area Ministers Conf

Biblical Discipleship Domestic Action and Projects Apostolic Christian Church Foundation, Inc. Ohio Area Ministers Conference September 21, 2002. History and Current Status of Biblical Discipleship Program. The Apostolic Christian Church’s Historical Position on Discipleship.

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Biblical Discipleship Domestic Action and Projects Apostolic Christian Church Foundation, Inc. Ohio Area Ministers Conf

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  1. Biblical DiscipleshipDomestic Action and ProjectsApostolic Christian Church Foundation, Inc. Ohio Area Ministers Conference September 21, 2002 DAP Biblical Discipleship - OAMC September 21, 2002

  2. History and Current Status of Biblical Discipleship Program DAP Biblical Discipleship - OAMC September 21, 2002

  3. The Apostolic Christian Church’s Historical Position on Discipleship • Statement of Faith - Apostolic Christian Church (Nazarean) • 15. We believe that the Great Commission of our Lord Jesus Christ is an invitation for everyone to live a life of abandonment to Him Who loved us and gave Himself for us - surrendering our personal ambitions and possessions in an unreserved commitment to take the proclamation of the Gospel throughout "all the world to every creature." {Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 1:8; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:47; 2 Corinthians 5:18; Luke 14:26-27,33; Luke 5:27-28} • Covenant of Faith - Apostolic Christian Church (Nazarean) • By the help and guidance of the HOLY SPIRIT, we endeavor: • 2. To exercise Christian care and watchfulness over one another {1 Corinthians 12:25}. • 3. To pray with and for one another, sharing our burdens, sorrows and joys {Galatians 6:12; 2 Corinthians 12:26}. • 5. To guard the spiritual and scriptural purity, peace and prosperity of the Church and its growth in scriptural knowledge and godliness {2 Peter 3:14; Ephesians 5:27}. • 9. To engage regularly in personal Bible reading and prayer, and to establish family devotions where possible {John 5:39; Deuteronomy 6:7; 1 Thessalonians 5:17}. DAP Biblical Discipleship - OAMC September 21, 2002

  4. The Apostolic Christian Church’s Historical Position on Discipleship (Continued) • Purposes of Formation of the Apostolic Christian Church Foundation, Inc. • 3. Service – To provide exhortation and help in the churches as needed for the awakening and renewingof interest in the work of the Lord. • 4. Education and Publications – To provide the necessary collaboration and assistance among the churches for the selection and preparation of Bible school materials, including the financing, publication and distributionof proper and necessary literature. • Apostolic Christian Church Foundation, Inc. Vision Statement • The Apostolic Christian Church Foundation serves the needs of our members and churches in North America and around the world and assists in their efforts to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ. • Apostolic Christian Church Foundation, Inc. Mission Statement • To provide information, programs, financial resources, and other services to our churches in North America and missionary projects around the world for the purpose of spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ and the salvation of souls. DAP Biblical Discipleship - OAMC September 21, 2002

  5. The Apostolic Christian Church’s Historical Position on Discipleship (Continued) • WE BELIEVE: A Draft Statement of Faith of the Apostolic Christian Church (Nazarean) Second Revision 1987 • In II. WORD OF GOD AND REVELATION: • “We believe that all Scripture, regardless who the human author was, is inspired by God as men of God were moved by the Holy Spirit. We accept the Old and New Testaments as the infallible Word of God and the authoritative guide for the faith and life of Christian DISCIPLESHIP{Psalm 119:105}.” • In V. SALVATION BY GRACE THROUGH FAITH: • “Saving faith involves giving oneself to Christ: a full surrender of the will, a confident trust in Him, a joyful obedience to His Word as a faithful DISCIPLE producing fruits of a changed life, and a love for all.” • In VI. THE HOLY SPIRIT AND TRANSFORMATION: • “We believe that the Holy Spirit empowers each believer, fills his heart with love for all, and moves him to practice Christian DISCIPLESHIP{Acts 2:1-21}. Believers therefore attain maturity as they yield to Christ and obey His Word. In Christ the believer puts off the former way of life with its sinful affections and lusts.” DAP Biblical Discipleship - OAMC September 21, 2002

  6. The Apostolic Christian Church’s Historical Position on Discipleship (Continued) • In VII. CHURCH OF CHRIST AND MISSION - 1. Inner Nature of the Church's Mission - Nature of the Church: • “The church is corporately the dwelling place of God in the Spirit, His holy temple. It is the visible body of those who are Christian DISCIPLES.” • In VII. CHURCH OF CHRIST AND MISSION - 1. Inner Nature of the Church's Mission - Mission of the Church: • “We believe that the command of Jesus Christ is to preach the gospel and to make DISCIPLES of all nations {Matthew 28:18-20}. This is the primary task of the church. It is the mission of the church, therefore, to demonstrate to the world the will of God and to witness to all people the saving power of God in Christ. Every member has the responsibility to be a witness of Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit and to call men to be reconciled to God {Romans 1:16; Acts 1:8}. The church seeks to lead all people to the obedience of faith.” • In VII. CHURCH OF CHRIST AND MISSION - 1. Inner Nature of the Church's Mission - Discipline of the Church: • “Believers are thereby encouraged to live a life of Christian DISCIPLESHIP and to progress toward spiritual maturity so that the church will glorify God in the world.” DAP Biblical Discipleship - OAMC September 21, 2002

  7. The Apostolic Christian Church’s Historical Position on Discipleship (Continued) • In VII. CHURCH OF CHRIST AND MISSION - 1. Inner Nature of the Church's Mission - Discipline of the Church: • “We believe that the purposes of discipline are to lead each member to full stature in Christ, to reach out to those members who fall into sin, to clarify for all members the meaning of Christian DISCIPLESHIP, to promote the purity of the church, to counsel and support the weak and immature, and to maintain the good name and witness of the church before the world {1 Thessalonians 5:11}.” • In VII. CHURCH OF CHRIST AND MISSION - 1. Inner Nature of the Church's Mission - Ordinances of the Church: • “We regard water baptism as an ordinance of Christ which symbolizes the burial of the old nature, identification with Christ in His death and resurrection, and the commitment to follow Him in a life of faithful obedience and DISCIPLESHIP{Acts 22:16; Romans 6:2-6; 1 Peter 3:2}.” DAP Biblical Discipleship - OAMC September 21, 2002

  8. The Apostolic Christian Church’s Historical Position on Discipleship (Continued) • In VII. CHURCH OF CHRIST AND MISSION - 1. Inner Nature of the Church's Mission - Ordinances of the Church: • “It [Communion] is a supper of remembrance, celebration and praise which strengthens believers for true DISCIPLESHIP and service {1 Corinthians 11:23-32}.” • In VII. CHURCH OF CHRIST AND MISSION - 2. Outer Functions of Christian DISCIPLESHIP - Christian Integrity - DISCIPLESHIP and Nonconformity - Love and Nonresistance - The Christian and the State: ENTIRE SUBSECTION SPEAKS TO TOPIC OF DISCIPLESHIP. DAP Biblical Discipleship - OAMC September 21, 2002

  9. Timeline and History ofBiblical Discipleship Program • Spring 2001 – Reading of His Word and Prayer for God’s Leading in Development of a Discipleship Program for our Churches • June 2001 - All Brothers Contacted, Informative E-Mail Sent with Attachments, First Lesson Returned • July 2001 – One-Third of Initial Lessons Returned • August 2001 - Eastern Camp Two Day Forum on Discipleship • October/November 2001 - Deadline Date for Return of Initial Lessons • January 2002 – Final Edit of Lesson Template Design • February 2002 – Template Design and Draft Lessons Sent to Editors • April 2002 – Lessons Returned from Editors, ACCF National Meeting where Discipleship Program is Presented • Summer 2002 – Editing and Proofreading by Brothers, Ministers, Elder Review Board, Final English Language Review and Overall Program Review • September 2002 – Public Release of Unit A: Essentials of the Faith Lessons DAP Biblical Discipleship - OAMC September 21, 2002

  10. Biblical DiscipleshipSeven-Level Review • 1) Thirty Plus Brothers Write Initial Draft Lessons on Twenty-Four Topics • 2) Unit A Lessons are Sent to Primary Editorial Board (Seven Brothers) • 3) Brothers Stan & Mike Review and Edit Returned Lessons • 4) Lessons are Further Reviewed by Ministering Brothers (Secondary Editorial Board) • 5) Lessons then are Reviewed by Elder Brother Review Board (Elder Brothers George Freund, Doug Savin, John Zeug) • 6) English Language Edit Made by AP English Teacher (Sister Carolyn Beer) • 7) Final Overall Review by Brothers Stan and Mike DAP Biblical Discipleship - OAMC September 21, 2002

  11. Current Status and Future Goals ofBiblical Discipleship • Unit A: Essentials of the Faith – Fully Edited, Complete, Ready for Use • Unit B and C Lessons – Begin Review Process (Very Near Future) • Initial Promotion – Presentations to Churches, Encourage Churches and Leadership, Help Implement Biblical Discipleship Program • “Advertisement” (i.e. Unit A Binders to Churches, Ministers, Elders, Messenger article, etc.) • Internet Pages Being Developed for ACCF Web Site • Ohio Area Ministers Conference (Mid-September 2002) • Follow the Holy Spirit’s Leading through Prayer and Reading of His Word along with the Helpful Suggestions of Believers Internationally DAP Biblical Discipleship - OAMC September 21, 2002

  12. Biblical Discipleship TopicsUnit A: Essentials of the Faith • 1) The Word of God • 2) God the Father • 3) Humanity and Sin • 4) Jesus Christ • 5) Holy Spirit • 6) Salvation DAP Biblical Discipleship - OAMC September 21, 2002

  13. Biblical Discipleship TopicsUnit B: Establishing and Growing as a Believer • 1) Water and Spirit Baptism • 2) The Lord's Supper • 3) Studying God's Word • 4) Understanding the Old Testament • 5) Hell and Eternal Punishment • 6) Heaven and Eternal Blessing DAP Biblical Discipleship - OAMC September 21, 2002

  14. Biblical Discipleship TopicsUnit C: Christian Living – Walking as He Walked • 1) Worship • 2) Prayer and Fasting • 3) Fellowship and the Church • 4) Using God's Gifts and Talents / Knowing God’s Will • 5) Tithing and Stewardship • 6) Evangelism DAP Biblical Discipleship - OAMC September 21, 2002

  15. Biblical Discipleship TopicsUnit D: Advanced Topics for the Mature Believer • (Currently Being Developed – Yet to be Determined) DAP Biblical Discipleship - OAMC September 21, 2002

  16. Afternoon Break DAP Biblical Discipleship - OAMC September 21, 2002

  17. Description and Composition of Biblical Discipleship Lessons DAP Biblical Discipleship - OAMC September 21, 2002

  18. Introductory and Concluding Material for Biblical Discipleship • Foreword – Comments by three-member Elder Brother review board after reading Unit A: Essentials of the Faith. • Apostolic Christian Church (Nazarean) Documents on Christian Discipleship – Already discussed. • Letter of Introduction – Explanation and introduction to Biblical Discipleship program. • Biblical Discipleship Commitment – Intended to allow an opportunity for those discipling and being discipled to agree to make commitments to each other to meet on a regular basis for the study of God’s Word, for open and honest accountability among participants, for personal and group prayer, etc. • Evaluation Sheet – To be filled out after completion of Unit A: Essentials of the Faith. DAP Biblical Discipleship - OAMC September 21, 2002

  19. Composition of a Biblical Discipleship Lesson • Preparation – To prepare for the lesson with memory passage, what is to be studied, and the main Scriptures to be read as a starting point. • Main Reading – A full text article written and edited by Brothers within the Apostolic Christian Church on a particular Bible-based topic. • Workbook – To provide a place where the student can take notes, study and answer questions tied to the Main Reading. • Completion – To make sure the student has completed the lesson and has a complete, working knowledge of the lesson’s tenets as well as evidence of the principle being firmly established in their daily life before moving on to the next lesson. DAP Biblical Discipleship - OAMC September 21, 2002

  20. Implementation and Summation of Biblical Discipleship Program DAP Biblical Discipleship - OAMC September 21, 2002

  21. Initial Implementation Suggestions for Biblical Discipleship • Strong support from Church Leadership • Local Church Biblical Discipleship representative selected • Church announcements and bulletin board posts, build enthusiasm • Local Church leadership sets program goals, develops “survey” • Church Leadership and Biblical Discipleship representative prayerfully select Biblical Discipleship group leaders • One-day “train the trainer” session for group leaders • Hold Implementation Meeting at local Church • Church Leadership / Biblical Discipleship representative / group leaders determines group composition • Develop mechanism to track disciplers and disciplees • Begin initial Church cycle of Biblical Discipleship groups DAP Biblical Discipleship - OAMC September 21, 2002

  22. Ongoing Implementation Suggestions for Biblical Discipleship • Ongoing (quarterly?) announcements by Church leadership to encourage new groups to start, share testimonies of God’s grace and working within the groups (success stories), keep enthusiasm high and share need for Biblical Discipleship program • Semi-annual meeting of Church leadership, Biblical Discipleship Church leader and all group leaders – share what has worked, what hasn’t worked, pray with and for each other, report challenges and brainstorm improved techniques, improved phrasing in materials, etc. • Once students “graduate,” they are encouraged and counted on to start another group. DAP Biblical Discipleship - OAMC September 21, 2002

  23. Biblical DiscipleshipNot Intended to (Things to Avoid): • Increase Load on Brethren, Fragments Families and Relationships, etc. • Weaken Structure of the Local and National Church; Should Not Blur Distinction between Elders, Ministers and Brethren • Create “Religious Elite” in Discipleship, Christ Clearly Warns Against This (Matthew 23:8-12) • Focus Only on New Converts • Create Copies of Ourselves DAP Biblical Discipleship - OAMC September 21, 2002

  24. Biblical DiscipleshipProper Goals of a Discipleship Program • 1) Firm grounding in biblical knowledge and Christian theology • 2) Thoroughly furnish and equip Christians in the ministries which belong too all believers universally a) reading the Word; b) prayer; c) worship; d) churchmanship; e) witnessing; f) stewardship; g) holy living. Focus on commitments to Christian stability (holiness, sanctification, growth in Christ) through devotional depth, knowledge of His Word and disciplined, sacrificial patterns of living • 3) Means to a) discover and use our gifts/talents; and b) determine and understand God’s will • 4) Develop deeper concern for all people (especially the lost) and increase skill in a) interpersonal relationships; and b) influencing the unconverted towards Christ DAP Biblical Discipleship - OAMC September 21, 2002

  25. What are the odds…? • Biblical Discipleship - nice idea, but can it practically be done in our Churches? • “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.” (John 14:12-14) • "I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.“ (John 16:12-13) • "Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.“ (John 17:17) DAP Biblical Discipleship - OAMC September 21, 2002

  26. God’s Call to Teach and Preach • “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, [even] unto the end of the world. Amen.” (Matthew 28:18-20) • “And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.” (Acts 2:42) • “And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.” (Acts 5:42) • “And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.” (2 Timothy 2:2) DAP Biblical Discipleship - OAMC September 21, 2002

  27. God’s Call to Christian Discipleship • “Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.” (2 Timothy 2:19-21) • “And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.” (1 John 2:3-6) DAP Biblical Discipleship - OAMC September 21, 2002

  28. God’s Call to Christian Discipleship • “For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness.” (Colossians 1:9-11) • “Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:22-25) DAP Biblical Discipleship - OAMC September 21, 2002

  29. Open Discussion and Questions and Answers on Biblical Discipleship DAP Biblical Discipleship - OAMC September 21, 2002

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