Introduction Over the years, many models have been developed and implemented to endeavor to make disciples. Some of the models have been effective and others have not. Among some of the most biblical and efficient models are the ones that involve small groups. Within the small groups models, they can be broken down into further detail, such as pastoral involvement, the church’s goal, missions mindedness, etc. In this paper, I will explain my philosophy of small groups in a church and the importance of the relational group in authentic disciple making. I will also explain how missional groups can help the body of Christ move out into the community. Finally, I will summarize my status in regards to living in community with other believers and being missional with that community. My Philosophy of Small Groups My personal philosophy of small groups is scriptural based. Acts 2:46 says, “And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart.” As the original church began, it is obvious from Acts chapter two and particularly from verse 46 that the church met in unity in large groups. They actually used a two-fold approach of meeting in large-group meetings and then in the homes for more intimate small-group gatherings. Acts 2:46 clearly shows the church gathering in homes, eating together, and continuing the work of the ministry. Effective ministry is connecting with both God
The Art of Personal Evangelism: Sharing Jesus in a changing culture By Will McRaney, Jr. Nashville: Broadman & Holman Academic, 2003, 268 pp., $19.99 paper.
What is groupthink? There is a simple definition for it, but is it truly that simple? The term groupthink refers to the inclination of group members to have the same opinions and beliefs; it frequently leads to mistakes. It often occurs without an individual being aware of it. Conflict is considered to be a harmful element when related to groups, but conflict is good when considering groupthink because it helps to eliminate the existence of a groupthink. The explanation sounds simple enough, but it is more complex than the description given.
of the members were given and we were asked to finish a project on a
Discipleship is about engaging in the Word, following and obeying Jesus and going out to make disciples. An essential element in being a disciple is to be open to learning, to be teachable. It is a mindset to be continuously adopted and cultivated. For us to disciple others, we must be a better disciple ourselves. When making disciples, we are instructing others to be willing to be a discoverer. It applies to both spiritual growth as well as personal development, openness to new techniques, ideas and methods in all aspects of life. Our spiritual learning comes from delving into His
Small groups are the proper environment to develop and grow disciples of Jesus. The purpose of a small group is to develop sacrificial, relational, transformed people who can continue the cycle of disciple development. Small groups must be intentional, individual and missional. There are five primary passages that can be used to form a small group ministry philosophy. Each of these passages have accompanying principles that we can apply to our small group ministries.
While the goal of Christian education and discipleship is spiritual formation of the new believer into a true disciple who makes other true disciples, this concept has been watered down in the American church today by emphasis on programs instead of progressive spiritual growth in every member’s life. There are many
So discipleship can be summed up; to follow, to learn, to preach, to believe, to serve. All factors are
The church is in need of major renovation when it comes to making disciples. The concept of making disciples to follow the Lord Jesus Christ seems completely foreign to the church today. In order to achieve the desired goal of making disciples for Christ, training others to go out and proclaim gospel, and helping others to train people to disciple one another, one needs to go back to foundation of the Word of God. It is in God’s Word where multiple examples are found of how to make disciples to follow Jesus Christ. It is my desire to see more people in the church have a passion for discipleship. Therefore, this paper will examine in detail how to make disciples in a ministry context. This will be accomplished by examining the 5 V’s of discipleship—vision, values, views, vehicles, and verifiers. It is my purpose to examine each area in order to have a detailed plan of discipleship that will be used in my own ministry context to make disciples for Christ. I hope that this plan can and will be used to train others in the church to make disciples, and disciple one another, for the glory of God.
At the “Great Commission” Seminary, it is impossible to deny the fact that everyone is called to make disciples as they are going into the world. Every month, if not every week, I am reminded that I am called to go and make disciples of the people that have never heard the name of Jesus. Currently, I reached out to a woman in a Jewish Synagogue and had a gospel conversation, and I plan to go back to minister to her and to those around her by the end of the month. I work at a paint store, and I try to direct my words to talk about the gospel through at my work in a way that is natural to my job. I do not inorganically foce the conversation in this direction, but instead gently show these men and women what I do and why I am here. This has led to an hour-long conversation with one customer about the gospel, and I even had the privilege to invite a customer to church for Easter. Understanding my surroundings and engaging people with a gospel is interesting is an easy and fun way for me to incorporate the gospel
Discipleship starts with the heart, it is to have Christ at the center, to have His love, His Holy Spirit fill you, and guide you. To have Christ as the centrality
Jesus said, “Go therefore and make disciples…”These powerful words to the 12 disciples and all believers are to be center around the local church (The Body of Christ). Which is emphasized’ throughout the New Testament—making disciples through the Body of Christ. Like Apostle Paul, this author life is nothing unless he is doing the work assigned to him by the Lord Jesus-the work of telling others the God News about God’s wonderful kindness and love. (Acts 20:24) “The good news about God’s
Chapter conclusion: Benefits for employees are very important for companies. Benefits for employees include various insurance plans, paid vacation days, paid sick leave, paid days off, etc. Different companies need to establish different benefit plans based on their company conditions. In brief, benefit in one of the bridge between employers and employees.
Paul David Tripp says, “Personal ministry is not about always knowing what to say. It is not about fixing everything in sight that is broken. Personal ministry is about connecting people with Christ, so that they are able to think as he would have them think, desire what he says is best, and do what he calls them to do even if their circumstances never get "fixed." It involves exposing hurt, lost, and confused people to God's glory, so that they give up their pursuit of their own glory and live for his.” Supervised ministry has allowed me to work with others with the hope of connecting others to Christ on a personal level. In this paper I would like to reflect on the ministry assignments I was given over the past few months and talk about
The need to affiliate with others and to be accepted by them is hypothesized to be as basic to our psychological well being as hunger and thirst are to our physical well being (Raviester and Leary, 1995). (Meeting, Liking, and Becoming Acquainted, SPT Reader P. 50) One doesn’t begin to realize how important social interaction is until it is gone. Each individual seeks some sort of relationship throughout his or her lives, even as an infant. Relationships are looked as a bond between two individuals, but it is not limited between those two. People all have the need to affiliate, but not all people are the same and differ in the strength of their need for affiliation. When meeting new people in a small group
I will demonstrate that the knowledge I have obtained through life experience, formal training and internship has equipped me to meet the course objectives listed for MBTS class U-CE405: Making Disciples CCC. In my early twenties, after a yearlong process of reading my Bible, I became a born again Christian. What followed was a tremendous journey filled with unbelief, discouragement and culminating finally with true faith. A year later the Lord called me into full time ministry, so in the fall of I995 I enrolled at Baptist Bible College in Springfield, MO. During my time at BBC, I not only learned of the deficiencies of most people’s view of discipleship, but I began a long journey in realizing my own.