Growing Up-Session One
FORWARD THINKING • “Robby Gallaty was growing as a disciple of Jesus while simultaneously giving his life to making disciples of Jesus.” Dr. David Platt, from the Forward to “Growing Up” (p. xv) •
“In all our activity as Christians and with all our resources in the church, we are practically ignoring the commission of Christ. Evangelism is relegated to a dreaded topic, discipleship is reduced to a canned program, and the majority of the church is currently sitting sidelined in a spectator mentality that delegates disciple-making to pastors and professionals, ministers and missionaries.” Platt (p.xvi)
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“...we were made to be disciples who make disciples who make disciples until the day we see the face of the One we follow….” Platt (p. xvii)
INTRODUCTORY MATTERS • Purpose • “The gospel came to you because it was heading to someone else” (p. xix) • Process • This book is divided into 2 Sections 1. Why we make disciples (Chapters 1-3) 2. How we make disciples (Chapters 4-10) • Promise • If the principles taught in the last 6 chapters are implemented in to your life, you will develop a CLOSER walk with Christ that will help you: 1. Communicate with God through prayer 2. Learn to understand and apply God’s Word to your life 3. Obey God’s commands 4. Store God’s Word in your heart 5. Evangelize (share Christ with others) 6. Renew yourself spiritually every day CHAPTER CONTENT A Messed-Up Pattern—pages 2-6 • Accidents, Drugs, Stealing, Rehab, etc. • A Mentoring Pattern—pages 6-7 • Beginning with prayer and then seeing God’s provision. • In response to Robby’s prayers, God sent David Platt, then Tim LaFleur, then others….. • “I have been powerfully impacted by godly men who were willing to sacrifice their time to hold me accountable and personally disciple me in the Christian life.” p. 2 • The Master’s Pattern—pages 11-12 • Jesus modeled discipleship with the twelve disciples • A Multiplication Pattern—pages 13-15 • “The goal of every D-Group is for the mentee, the one being disciple, to become a mentor; to multiply—make other disciples...In essence, the D-Group is designed for the player to become a coach.” p.13 • Check out the illustration (Figure 1) on p.15 contrasting multiplication and discipleship •
1. Remember how you felt when you came to Christ. Did someone come alongside you to assist you in growing in your newfound faith? Was it even an option for you?
2. For those of you who have been discipled, what are some ways you have benefited from discipleship?
3. In your opinion, why hasn’t discipleship been a priority for the church? Why hasn’t it been a priority for you?
4. Consider Jesus’ four step process for making disciples (pp. 11-12). Why is it an effective strategy?
5. What style of ministry have you embraced? Are you consuming ministry, or are you creating ministry?
“In all our activity as Christians and with all our resources in the church, we are practically ignoring the commission of Christ. Evangelism is relegated to a dreaded topic, discipleship is reduced to a canned program, and the majority of the church is currently sitting sidelined in a spectator mentality that delegates disciple-making to pastors and professionals, ministers and missionaries.” Platt (p.xvi)
•
“...we were made to be disciples who make disciples who make disciples until the day we see the face of the One we follow….” Platt (p. xvii)
INTRODUCTORY MATTERS • Purpose • “The gospel came to you because it was heading to someone else” (p. xix) • Process • This book is divided into 2 Sections 1. Why we make disciples (Chapters 1-3) 2. How we make disciples (Chapters 4-10) • Promise • If the principles taught in the last 6 chapters are implemented in to your life, you will develop a CLOSER walk with Christ that will help you: 1. Communicate with God through prayer 2. Learn to understand and apply God’s Word to your life 3. Obey God’s commands 4. Store God’s Word in your heart 5. Evangelize (share Christ with others) 6. Renew yourself spiritually every day CHAPTER CONTENT A Messed-Up Pattern—pages 2-6 • Accidents, Drugs, Stealing, Rehab, etc. • A Mentoring Pattern—pages 6-7 • Beginning with prayer and then seeing God’s provision. • In response to Robby’s prayers, God sent David Platt, then Tim LaFleur, then others….. • “I have been powerfully impacted by godly men who were willing to sacrifice their time to hold me accountable and personally disciple me in the Christian life.” p. 2 • The Master’s Pattern—pages 11-12 • Jesus modeled discipleship with the twelve disciples • A Multiplication Pattern—pages 13-15 • “The goal of every D-Group is for the mentee, the one being disciple, to become a mentor; to multiply—make other disciples...In essence, the D-Group is designed for the player to become a coach.” p.13 • Check out the illustration (Figure 1) on p.15 contrasting multiplication and discipleship •
1. Remember how you felt when you came to Christ. Did someone come alongside you to assist you in growing in your newfound faith? Was it even an option for you?
2. For those of you who have been discipled, what are some ways you have benefited from discipleship?
3. In your opinion, why hasn’t discipleship been a priority for the church? Why hasn’t it been a priority for you?
4. Consider Jesus’ four step process for making disciples (pp. 11-12). Why is it an effective strategy?
5. What style of ministry have you embraced? Are you consuming ministry, or are you creating ministry?
