Discipleship in its simplest form is following Christ and leading others to follow Christ, who in turn then lead others to follow Christ and the sequence continues.
Discipleship is not a program, it is a process. And we do not simply one day arrive at the destination of being a disciple. Discipleship is a continuing journey that occurs at the intersection of growing in God’s Word and plan for your life and your making a difference in the lives of people He puts in your path along the way.
Studying, reading, worshipping, praying, fellowshipping, caring and ministering are all components of the discipleship process. However, the goal of discipleship is not self-centered. It is experiencing personal growth and life change and then encouraging others to experience personal growth and life change!
Discipleship can happen within the walls of your church, homes, schools, hospitals, restaurants and coffee shops, in the workplace or anywhere people are gathered. It is God-centered, but others-focused. It is more often caught rather than taught! As stated above, as you grow in Christ, you help others to grow in Christ and the cycle repeats itself along the way.
So what are some steps we can take to disciple those in our adult groups? Consider the following acrostic to help you discover (or rediscover) some ways you can encourage your group members!
Develop
- Develop close relationships with those in your class. Know where they are spiritually and what they are experiencing in their life stage. It is easier to lead and encourage people when you know them and can connect about their blessings and challenges.
Invite
- Invite your group members to faithfully read and study God’s word. A growing relationship with God through the disciplines in scripture are foundational to discipleship. We cannot lead others beyond where we are.
Spend time
- Spend time with your group members outside of class. Model a healthy relationship with them and encourage them to do the same with others. Much of the discipleship process happens outside the walls of your classroom!
Challenge
- Challenge your group members to be on mission every moment. Discipleship is both growing on the inside and living in a way that blesses, encourages and challenges others on the outside. Your people should be on the lookout for discipleship opportunities!
Insist
- Insist that your weekly lesson includes application. One of the ways we can fail in our weekly lessons is when we neglect to answer the question, “What difference does this scripture passage make in my life this week?” If we want to encourage discipleship we must help group members connect scripture with daily life. God’s Word has to become real. And necessary. And life-giving. And something your members simply cannot do without!
Plan
- Plan for group members to regularly share stories, testimonies, encounters, and growth opportunities God has given them. Carve out a few moments when you meet to talk about how group members have been able to live out last week’s scripture passage and his or her call to be a disciple.
Listen
- Listen carefully to your group members. Never think what you have to say is more important that what you need to hear! Your group members will tell you if they are growing and leading others to grow or if they need your help and reassurance.
Encourage
- Encourage group members to enlist a mentor (someone to learn from) and a mentee (someone to share with). God calls us to live our lives for Him within community (the church)! Solo disciples are like a fuse that extinguishes without lighting anything on fire! We may see a little light, but it makes no difference in the world around it.
God calls us to become disciples. We are to be salt and light, become fishers of men and to count the cost of following Christ every single day. There is nothing more fulfilling for our group members than to experience the joy of living right in the middle of God’s will. And as their group leader, you are the one God has appointed to lead them into the process of discipleship! Thank you for your ministry!
by Robby Barrett, Minister of Education, FBC Amarillo on September 4, 2024