Home Groups through Discipleship

Gene Getz explains his World View Model of Discipleship and how to help a church grow. He begins by explaining his succession plan and how others will step in to take over when he retires. He also explains four key functions of a growing church and defines fellowship segmentation. The emphasis is on understanding where people are at and seeking to get them involved in community. Gene concludes by encouraging people to learn to think about life through a biblical lens.\r\n

Setting a vision for people is part of leadership. The best way to receive a vision for the people you are leading is through prayer, Bible study and reflection. It is important to cast a positive and negative vision for the future. Other methods to receive vision include: visiting other churches and ministries; reading church history; hanging around other visionaries; assessing your people; and spending time with the lost people. It is imperative that all these methods be done with a critical eye.

The method is the message, meaning the way in which we choose to mentor and disciple will be passed down as those who we invest in model after us. We must take care to impart the message, teachings, and lifestyle of Christ to others so that they will follow him. Dr. Moore focuses especially on the importance of training others in learning and interpreting scripture, and practical solutions for doing so.

When overseeing small group leaders, you want to start with establishing: 1) who are the people, 2) what is their focus, and 3) what role can you play in their lives. The main goal in coaching leaders is for them to get their focus on the right things so they can withstand and navigate the difficulties of ministry with faith and perseverance.

Developing character in others begins with letting God develops it in us, and for that we need to focus on scripture. Hendricks focuses on several key passages for developing character, emphasizing it's incredible importance in the the life of someone who desires to have an impact on the Kingdom of God. \r\n\r\n

Our objectives determine our outcomes...you achieve that for which you aim. The four objectives necessary to develop in a disciple are: 1) committed, 2) competent, 3) feeling, or passionate, and 4) creative, resourceful & flexible.

How do we develop home groups and leaders who are focused on evangelism? Four keys are: 1) prayer, 2) training, 3) teamwork, and 4) utilizing small groups.

Mark Ashton, Associate Evangelism Director at Willow Creek Community Church, explains what seeker small groups are and how to start and lead one. These groups begin with relationships we already have with people and are seeker targeted, discussion oriented, and an extension of personal evangelism. Mark provides ten helpful "laws" for seeker small groups, including material and resources that are available for guidance and for use in the group.

Dennis McCallum explains what it looks like to effectively motivate people through discipleship. People must be convinced of the correctness and urgency of Christian goals to such an extent that they're eager to act and keep acting to reach those goals regardless of what other people do or think. This requires instruction, modeling, direct influence, and occasional reproof. Although this works best in one-on-one relationships, these principles can work in small group settings as well.

What is it like discipling women? In this workshop, McCormac shares her personal stories of failure and success that she has experienced in mentoring a large variety of different women throughout the years. Ultimately, helping others grow with Christ so they may help others is fulfilling and exciting in spite of the challenges. Practical suggestions for navigating the process of discipleship are detailed.

Outlining 2 Timothy, Jeff points out the importance of discipling individual people but also the struggles that come alongside it. With men especially, the issue of identity and significance play a key role in their ability to grow and walk with God.

Jim Leffel unpacks 1 Thessalonians 2 on the qualities of an effective discipler. In order to be effective we must have an enduring motivation, a focus on grace, share both our own lives and God's truth, relate with purpose, and be willing to call upon others to act.

Making disciples requires living in Christian community. Three key aspects of Christian community include: 1) basing it on of the Word of God; 2) having vital relationships with one another and with God; and 3) being involved in dynamic witnessing. These things can be done anywhere and are essential to live out New Testament Christianity. We will not mature in Christ or help others mature in Christ without living in community.\r\n

What is the framework for discipleship? Discipleship must be both highly relational and highly intentional, and you must be getting regular, consistent time together. After establishing the context of discipleship relationships, four crucial areas are unpacked to make your time fruitful and productive: studying together, giving counsel, coaching, and praying together.

Discipleship is a productive ministry, yet few Christian workers actually participate. Gary DeLashmutt, pastor at Xenos Christian Fellowship, closes the Summer Institute with a call to discipleship and discussion on what holds people back. While church structure occasionally hinders discipleship, it is far more often obstacles in our personal lives. We know, however, that God can overcome all of those obstacles in we're willing to let Him. When we choose to participate in the ministry of discipleship, many rich rewards follow, both in this life and the next.

The discipling church is a church where everyone participates in each other's spiritual maturity. Discipleship is accomplished through long term consistent personal relationships. Discipleship is a role for everyone and should be a priority for church leaders to foster. Discipleship is a way to duplicate oneself. Two areas of expectations for leaders to focus on in discipleship are: 1) relatively mature Christian character; and 2) ministry competence. Fostering discipleship includes six aspects: 1) teach; 2) model; 3) coach; 4) measure; 5) no early rescue; and 6) recognition.\r\n

Looking at Luke 6, Hendricks details the example we see from Jesus Christ and his own disciples as our model for discipling others. Prayer is especially important in this process - since we are selecting people who have already been selected by God.

Ryan and Jessica Lowery, leaders in Xenos' college ministry, discuss what discipleship is and what it looks like specifically with college students. According to Scripture, a disciple follows Christ's teachings, puts Christ first and is willing to sacrifice himself for the sake of others, and bears much fruit. Ryan talks in more detail about what these things look like in the life of college students, and Jessica focuses the discussion on the aspects of teaching and training in discipleship. She also gives practical advice for how to get started in the work of discipleship as well as how to identify appropriate content for those discipleship relationships.

Parents and adult influencers disciple children by God's grace. Influencing children for Christ has to be in the context of having a relationship with them. Four keys to discipling children include: teaching them Biblical content; modeling Christ to them; helping them develop character; giving them ways to apply Biblical truth to their life.

There are two types of relationship ministries we find in scripture. The first is shepherding and the second is discipleship. Shepherding includes helping people with their growth, having unconditional expectations, and is ongoing. Discipleship is similar to shepherding but it is selective and has conditional expectations. It is through shepherding that you find the people in your church who are true disciples. Some of the signs that someone is ready to be discipled include: a desire to grown and serve; an honesty about the moral areas in their life that God is trying to change; willingness to submit to God's leadership in their life; a desire to serve and love others; and they are already taking active steps of faith.

Why does the church exist? The church exists so the world will believe God sent Jesus. Through the Great Commission and other New Testament texts it is clear that the purpose of the church is to make disciples and to teach them. Faith, hope, and love are ways to measure the maturity of a disciple/church. True effectiveness of a church (or a disciple) can be measured by the demonstration of these three qualities. Faith is to live like Jesus; hope is to be stable and unwavering in what is true; and love is a reflection of who Jesus is. Love is the greatest of these. We are God's workmanship, created to do good works and reflect Jesus' love in order to draw people to God. God uses the love and unity of believers as the greatest miracle to show Himself to the world.\r\n

Waylon Moore describes avenues of mentoring and how to incorporate them in practical ways. Mentoring is a deliberate relationship of trust and the spurring on of another believer. Following Jesus' example in his private ministry is spiritual work everyone can do. This involves intercession, witnessing, nurturing, and discipling. Jesus modeled these things often and well. Following Jesus' example is the way we can experience duplication in our discipleship.\r\n

In this breakout session, Greg Roth discusses what is necessary to serve those with any kind of disability. We need God's vision, truth, and passion for people with disabilities, focusing on the potential that they have. There are many examples in Scripture of Christ's interactions with disabled people. Studying these passages shows us Jesus' perspective on people and gives us practical ways to love and serve in the ways he did.