Replicate_A_Guide_To_Discipleship - Revive INDIANA Main Page
REPLICATE A GUIDE TO DISCIPLESHIP
- For Additional Resources -
www.timetorevive.com 1-855-CALL-TTR
INTRODUCTION
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for an offering, a sacrifice and us to God as a fragrant aroma. - Ephesians 5:1-2 WHAT IS REPLICATE? REPLICATE is designed to be an encouragement to you, as a disciple maker. This guide is not only an introduction to the importance of making disciples, but is meant to be a tool you can use to engage new believers on a deeper spiritual level. Using the orange tab in the Time to Revive Bible entitled “Your New Life in Christ,” this guide will provide you discipleship session outlines with questions, actions and applications for each of the three lessons, “New in Christ,” “How to Grow in Christ,” and how to “Share Christ.” You will find these lessons broken up into seven potential sessions you can have with a new believer. WHY REPLICATE? Luke 6:40 says, “A pupil is not above his teacher; but everyone, after he has been fully trained will be like his teacher.” A master craftsman with an apprentice has one goal in mind: to replicate himself by pouring his time, energy, and skills into that one person. To be a disciple of the Master, Jesus Christ, means we are under His influence, while allowing, and even asking others to replicate us as we replicate Jesus. The Apostle Paul writes to the Corinthians, “Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ” (1 Cor 11:1). Oswald Chambers says this about the importance and reality of making disciples: Our work is not to save souls, but to disciple them. Salvation and sanctification are the work of God’s sovereign grace, and our work as His disciples is to disciple others’ lives until they are totally yielded to God. One life totally devoted to God is of more value to Him than one hundred lives which have been simply awakened by His Spirit. As workers for God, we must reproduce our own kind spiritually, and those lives will be God’s testimony to us as His workers. God brings us up to a standard of life through His grace, and we are responsible for reproducing that same standard in others. - My Utmost for His Highest JESUS COMMANDS IT When Jesus walked the earth, He chose twelve men to replicate all that He did and spoke regarding the kingdom of God. He was present as friend, as well as teacher. We are called to be this kind of example to others. In fact, Jesus commands it: Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. - Matthew 28:19-20 OTHERS NEED YOU You may ask, “Can I really disciple someone?” If you love Jesus and are walking with Him, the answer is simple – Yes. You don’t have to be perfect, just rely on the One who is perfect and His Holy Spirit living in you. Those new to walking with Jesus need you to help them know what it means to practically follow Him. 1
THE METHOD 1. KNOW THE GOALS What Jesus desired and purposed to see in His first disciples are the very things He still longs for in us. In turn, we as disciple-makers need to desire and see and these things take place in the lives of those we disciple. Jesus’ goals should be our goals as we point others to Him. Here are a few: 1. For them to be close to Jesus (you also, can be present in their life). 2. That they would become like Jesus (you don’t have to try to make them perfect Christians). 3. For them to be sent out by Jesus. 4. For them to know and practice the authority in Jesus. 5. To see them bear much eternal fruit. 6. For them to teach others what Jesus has taught them (you don’t need to teach them various theologies). 2. KNOW THE RISK 1. Making disciples is often difficult, frustrating, and messy. 2. You may become disappointed and discouraged. 3. Being a disciple maker requires availability and consistency. 4. Making disciples may require initiating discipline and correction. 5. You just might want to give up. Being a disciple maker requires persistence and endurance. 3. USE JESUS’ APPROACH From Jesus’ very first interactions with His disciples to His last, He remained consistent in how He engaged with them – First, by loving them, listening to them, discerning their spiritual need, and then by responding to them. Love, listen, discern, and respond. Maybe you have heard these words together before. Not only does Jesus’ approach towards others apply to how we may initially share the Gospel, but also in how we may continue to cultivate that relationship throughout the discipleship process. When meeting with a disciple, or a potential disciple, remember to approach them as Jesus would: Love Show compassion; take the time to slow down with them. Be their friend. We are to be vessels of the Lord’s love. If we are not engaging disciples in love, no real relationship can continue. “…and may the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love for one another, and for all people, just as we also do for you.” - 1 Thessalonians 3:12
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Listen Often we speak before we listen. Hear your disciple’s needs, complaints, and desires. Invite them to talk. Get to know them as a friend. Making disciples is not about an agenda or opinions, but about pointing and showing them what it means to follow Jesus, and letting Him speak through His Word and the Holy Spirit. “A fool does not delight in understanding, but only in revealing his own mind; He who gives an answer before he hears, It is folly and shame to him.” - Proverbs 18: 2,13 Discern As you meet and talk with your disciple, ask the Lord for an understanding of their heart. Ask the Lord how you may speak His truth into their life and situations. “A plan in the heart of a man is like deep water, but a man of understanding draws it out.” Proverbs 20:5 *Discernment is also a spiritual gift, but listening to the Lord little by little, over time He will entrust more of this gift to you, just ask Him.
Respond The way we respond as a disciple maker is based on loving them, listening, and discerning what has just happened or been spoken. Do what the Lord is prompting you to do. Maybe He will ask you to pray, open the Word, give wisdom, or challenge them in that moment. Ask Him to show you – the possibilities are endless! “Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.” - Colossians 4:5-6 4. HELPFUL GUIDLINES 1. Men should disciple men, and women should disciple women. 2. Connect with your disciple. Get to know them as a friend. Set up a time and place to meet in person, or chat on the phone. 3. If you and your disciple do not get along, be sure to connect them with someone who is a better fit. 4. Reach out to others for prayer or assistance if you feel overwhelmed at any point in the discipleship process. 5. Be sure to review what you may be discussing or studying with your disciple beforehand: - Boxed content is the same as in the TTR Bible. - Discussion and action questions are provided. - Additional Scriptures include the page numbers from the TTR Bible for easy findings (pages may vary due to publisher’s edition).
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5. SESSION CHECKLIST 1. Always open in prayer, inviting the Holy Spirit to guide you both. Close in prayer for the goals that were set and the lessons learned – This is also your time to model prayer. 2. Have the disciple use their Time to Revive Bible every time you meet. If you feel that their personal devotional time would be better spent using a different version or one with study notes, consider purchasing one for them. 3. The length of time and number of sessions it will take to complete the materials will vary. Each person and situation is unique. You can meet with more than one person at a time, if you find it appropriate. 4. Make the time interactive with discussion; do not preach at them. 5. By the time you are done, your disciple should have accomplished these milestones: ! ! ! ! ! ! !
Being New in Christ – Understanding the change they have gone through. Role of the Holy Spirit - Growing in listening to the Spirit, and the role He plays. Community of Believers – Attending a church and or strong Bible study group. Baptism – Participated in a baptism to affirm their faith decision. Studying the Word – Set personal goals to be in the Word regularly. Prayer – Knowing the basics of praying and practicing it. Telling Others! – Sharing their faith and testimony intentionally with others.
**SESSION 1 : ORANGE TAB : PAGE 437**
NEW IN CHRIST Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things have passed away; behold, new things have come. 2 Corinthians 5:17 The Bible says you are a “new creature.” You may feel different. You may not. Emotions often follow or indicate a change of heart. However, it is God’s Word and the Holy Spirit that give the assurance that you belong to Him (Romans 8:16, p. 269). Your sins have been forgiven through faith in Jesus Christ and all He has done. You have His free gift of salvation and eternal life. You have been set free from the “old things” (sin) to live this new life in Christ. You have a new heart and a new Spirit living in you. Thousands of years ago, one of God’s prophets of the Old Testament described what God would do for you. Ezekiel 36:26-27 says:
And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put My Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in My statutes and be careful to obey My rules.
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God’s Word and the Holy Spirit give you every- thing you need to become more like Jesus. He now lives within you. That may be hard to comprehend right now, but it will become clearer with time and the understanding He will give you. God loves you and desires to lead your life as you seek to follow Him. A disciple in Christ abandons an “old” life to embrace a new life in Him. THE PURPOSE Open the new believer to the reality that they have been made “new” (2 Corinthians 5:17). They have a new heart and a new spirit and a new desire to follow God (Ezekiel 36:26-27). As such, they are no longer bound by what they were. The past is gone and they have been forgiven. They are loved and are free to be who God created them to be. READ all of page 437, as seen above. DISCUSS - How have things been different since accepting Jesus? - What do they wish would still change? Let them know that the change within has occurred, but we still have to make an effort to live life differently. The difference it that it is possible with God, and we should now want to be different. - Make sure that they understand that the promise discussed here, is that now we are made right before Father God, because of Christ. It’s as if Christ physically stands between the Father and us, and all that the Father can see is the perfect nature of Jesus. LIVE IT OUT How can life be different now? Be honest and discuss the internal conflict with the old man inside and what they need to do when they sin, as we still have our sinful nature (1 John 1:9).
**SESSION 2 : ORANGE TAB : PAGE 437**
THE HOLY SPIRIT The Holy Spirit is a member of the Godhead: The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Each member is distinct, yet together one God (Deuteronomy 6:4). The Holy Spirit lives in every believer (I Corinthians 3:16, p. 284). He has many different roles in your life: Comforter: Acts 9:31 (p.219) Helper: John 14:16 (p.188), Romans 8:26 (p. 269) Teacher: Luke 12:12 (p. 130) Giver of Spiritual Gifts: I Corinthians 12 (p. 295+)
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THE PURPOSE To explain God’s gift of the Holy Spirit. That the Holy Spirit resides in all Believers and that He provides what is needed to enable a Believer to walk in obedience. READ this section on page 437, as seen above. DISCUSS Even before Jesus went to the cross He began to explain to His closest followers that He would be sending the Holy Spirit to provide what they would need to carry on His ministry after He returned to the Father. - After He rose from the dead He again told His closest followers to wait until He sent the Holy Spirit to provide them the power they would need to obey (Luke 24:49). - The initial 120 Believers waited and prayed until the Holy Spirit was sent and then God worked in power through them (Acts 2). - When you accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior the Holy Spirit was placed within you (Ezekiel 36:27; 1 Corinthians 3:16). - Give a testimony of how the Holy Spirit enables you to live as a Christian and how it is impossible for you to live as a Christian in your own strength. This is a time to encourage as well as to warn of the need for God’s enabling power. LIVE IT OUT Take them through the four descriptions of the Holy Spirit (Comforter, Helper, Teacher, and Giver of Spiritual Gifts), read the Scriptures, and give a testimony of how that is true in your life. Do not focus on the gifts as that could confuse a new believer. Give a simple description such as: “a spiritual gift is a supernatural gift enabling to accomplish the assignment God gives you” (Henry Blackaby).
**SESSION 3 : ORANGE TAB : PAGE 438-439**
GROW IN CHRIST So then, those who had received his [Peter’s] word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls. They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Acts 2:41-42
As a new disciple in Christ, God has given you everything you need to grow in Christ through the Holy Spirit, the Bible, prayer, and by being in community with other disciples of Christ Jesus.
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UNDERLINE the 4 bold words above and explain that you’ll go into more detail about each of these words later. DISCUSS the importance of learning how to do these 4 things mentioned, so they understand that these are the basics of being a Christ follower. ASK if they have any questions or thoughts as you begin (“Community” is included in session 3).
COMMUNITY Community was incredibly important to Jesus’ first disciples, who we call the “apostles.” These first followers of Jesus walked with Him on earth, saw Him die, spent time with Him after His resurrection from the dead, and watched as He ascended into heaven. They show us how important it is for new believers to study the Bible together, pray with each other and fellowship. You can grow in your new life in Christ individually, but it is important to walk with others by joining a Bible study group or local church. You will meet other believers and enjoy fellowship with new friends who will love you simply because Jesus loves them (1 John 4:19). The Holy Spirit living in you and every believer allows us to love one another and help each other through good and bad times. The Bible describes the Church like a human body. Each person in Christ has a necessary part to make the whole work together properly (1 Corinthians 12:12-26). You need the support of other believers, and they need you, too. REVIEW THE GOSPEL STORY Make sure they understand the death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus mentioned in the text above: - WHAT happened: He took our penalty for sin; he was dead for three days, conquered death and came back to life. Explain the significance of “Good” Friday and Easter Sunday. - WHY Jesus died: God sent His Son, born of a virgin woman chosen by God, because we couldn’t live the perfect life that was needed for heaven. In the Old Testament, animal sacrifices were done by priests on behalf of the peoples’ sins. In the New Testament, Jesus shows Himself as the final sacrifice for sin. DISCUSS What is the purpose of Christian community and its importance? - Learning more about God; Growing in the Word (Bible)
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- Doing life together (family) - Support & encouragement for each other; We each have something to offer! We need each other (read I Corinthians 12:12-26 -p.295). - Scripture affirms the importance of gathering together with other Believers: Hebrews 10:22-25 (p. 376) - Give your testimony of why being in a church is important. How has it changed your life? LIVE IT OUT Ask them to set a goal for being in a community of believers: - Where do they want to go to church? Where would they like to try? - Go with them to try them out. Debrief your experiences. - What about a small group?
**SESSION 4 : ORANGE TAB : PAGE 438-439**
BAPTISM So then, those who had received his [Peter’s] word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls. They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Acts 2:41-42 As Jesus commanded, the apostles baptized every new disciple with water (Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:41). Baptism shows what has taken place in every believer in Jesus Christ. You have died to your old life – your sins have been washed away through the sacrifice of Jesus and you are raised to new life in Him. Romans 6:4 says: “We have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.” READ Matthew 28:19, The Great Commission (p. 65). Refer back to Acts 2:41 – Baptizing the 3,000 (shown at the top of p. 438). For additional verses, see Acts 8:26-40 (p. 217) –The story of Philip meeting and baptizing the Ethiopian eunuch. DISCUSS Baptism does not save you. It is an act of obedience. It is an opportunity for us to demonstrate to others the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus as you symbolically join with Him in showing that you have died to sin and been raised to newness of life. LIVE IT OUT Ask if they have been baptized:
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- IF YES – Talk about it. When? Where? Why did they decide? If it was an infant baptism, are they willing to make a public profession of their faith and be baptized as an adult? - IF NO – Talk about their willingness to be baptized. Make concrete plans for it to be done. This may take some time to arrange the details, but it’s important to make it a priority. - If you need help getting them baptized, ask your pastor, or another disciple maker for help.
**SESSION 5 : ORANGE TAB : PAGE 438-439**
THE WORD Studying The Bible is something you should do with other believers, but also in your daily individual life with Jesus. If you don’t know what to read, the book of John is a great place to start. You will learn more of who Jesus is and what He wants to teach you. DISCUSS - Why is reading the Bible important? Share how it has changed your life. - How do you study the Bible? - What do they know about the Bible? - Do they know Its basic layout? (Semi-Chronological; OT is before Jesus came to earth; Big numbers are chapters and little numbers are verses; The Gospels are Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John…etc.) LIVE IT OUT Have them set a goal for a personal Bible reading plan: - Model it for them.. Go through a Bible story using these 4 simple questions. Encourage them to use these same questions in their personal study time. - What do these verses say about GOD (Jesus)? - What do these verses say about ME (mankind)? - What does God want me to do in response to this teaching? - WHO will I share this truth with this week? READ SUPPORTING VERSES - Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path (Psalm 119:105).
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- All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16). - For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart (Hebrews 4:12). - A great section of John to read is chapters 13-16 (p. 185+). This is what Jesus taught his disciples. It includes key topics to living as a faith-filled believer (honor, The Father and the way to Him, ministry, Holy Spirit as Peace, growth and discipleship, love, persecutions, and victory in Christ).
**SESSION 6 : ORANGE TAB : PAGE 438-439**
PRAYER Prayer is another important aspect of walking with Jesus. It is something the apostles devoted themselves to. Prayer is talking with God and also letting Him speak to you. In a local church or Bible study, you will learn to pray with and for others, and let others pray for you.
DISCUSS - Prayer is not complicated or difficult. Explain what prayer is: a conversation with God, just like you are having now. Give a testimony of why prayer is important in your life. How has it changed your life? - Explain that while prayers can be long, they don’t have to be. Use your normal words (don’t get “churchy”); just speak from the heart. - WHY is prayer important? Explain that unlike other religions, Jesus wants a relationship with you. All relationships include conversation. Imagine if we never had conversation with our family or spouse? What would that do to our relationship? While learning to listen can take practice, it’s worth it! God wants to speak with you and to you. He wants you to know how much you are loved. You’ll be amazed the ways that you can hear from Him. - Pray anytime and anywhere! It has been said, “There are only two times to pray… when you need it and when you don’t.” That’s every moment of our lives. We want to get to a place where we talk with God throughout our day, not just when we are in trouble or need help. LIVE IT OUT Have them set a goal for personal prayer times. Model it, but praying for things in the moment, as well as at the start and end of your time together. If they have a need, pray right then. Be sure to write down their prayer requests in front of them and follow up with how God answered the prayer. Call them during the next week if the request was important and involved something imminent. If not ask about it when you are together again.
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READ ADDITIONAL VERSES - Matthew 6:5-15 : The Lord’s Prayer (p. 18) - Matthew 7:7-11 : “Ask…seek…knock” (p. 20) **SESSION 7 : ORANGE TAB : PAGE 440**
SHARE CHRIST
And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20
All of Jesus’ disciples are called to make disciples by telling others about Him. Chances are, you heard about Jesus because someone introduced you to Him. It is now your calling to tell others about the new life in Christ you are growing in. Jesus said, “As the Father has sent Me, even so I am sending you” (John 20:21). As His disciple, you have been sent by Jesus and entrusted with the message of life: the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. Tell others what God has done for you, how you repented of your sins and are forgiven because of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. Tell them how Jesus died for your sin, but rose again so that you can have new life in Him. Tell others in love, with words and with your deeds (Matthew 5:13-16). You can tell your family, friends, or even strangers about Jesus. You might be afraid and tempted not to share with someone. This fear doesn’t come from God, but from the enemy, satan, who convinced man to disobey God in the beginning (Genesis 3). Second Timothy 1:7 says, “For God has not given us a spirit of timidity (fear), but of power and love and discipline.” Remember, the Holy Spirit living in you will teach you what to say (Luke 12:12) and He will always be with you (Matthew 28:20b). Go. Share. Make New Disciples in Christ. DISCUSS - The clear command for all Believers is to go and tell – to share the Gospel and make disciples (Matthew 28:19-20). - Sharing the Gospel is the ultimate act of love. - Testimony of what sharing the Gospel has meant in your life. - Explain that there are two ways to share your testimony – with your voice and by your actions.
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- Read Romans 10:1; 14-15 (p. 272). It’s vital to talk about forgiveness. This is a huge issue than many Christian don’t address. Unforgiveness is like drinking poison, and expecting the other person to die. It will tear you apart if you let it. The Bible is very clear about unforgiveness. (Matthew 18:21-35, p. 42) - Have them pray about who they need to forgive, even if it seems insignificant. Forgiveness is not magically forgetting. It’s releasing them from the need for revenge. It’s about raising your hands up to God, and trusting that He’ll deal with it. It’s about genuinely blessing them and loving them despite what they have done to you. LIVE IT OUT - Using the Time to Revive Bible take them through how to share the Gospel using the five verses. Show them where the prayer of salvation is located and the teaching materials. - Have them practice sharing the Gospel with you. Be constructive and encouraging. - Make a list of at least three people they want to have hear the Gospel. Covenant with them to pray for their salvation and to be willing to go with them and share the Gospel with these people. - If they are willing set a time to go with them to assist them in sharing the Gospel with someone they really care about – family – friend. - Plan to take them with you to the next reviveCITY outreach event.
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- For Additional Resources -
www.timetorevive.com 1-855-CALL-TTR
INTRODUCTION
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for an offering, a sacrifice and us to God as a fragrant aroma. - Ephesians 5:1-2 WHAT IS REPLICATE? REPLICATE is designed to be an encouragement to you, as a disciple maker. This guide is not only an introduction to the importance of making disciples, but is meant to be a tool you can use to engage new believers on a deeper spiritual level. Using the orange tab in the Time to Revive Bible entitled “Your New Life in Christ,” this guide will provide you discipleship session outlines with questions, actions and applications for each of the three lessons, “New in Christ,” “How to Grow in Christ,” and how to “Share Christ.” You will find these lessons broken up into seven potential sessions you can have with a new believer. WHY REPLICATE? Luke 6:40 says, “A pupil is not above his teacher; but everyone, after he has been fully trained will be like his teacher.” A master craftsman with an apprentice has one goal in mind: to replicate himself by pouring his time, energy, and skills into that one person. To be a disciple of the Master, Jesus Christ, means we are under His influence, while allowing, and even asking others to replicate us as we replicate Jesus. The Apostle Paul writes to the Corinthians, “Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ” (1 Cor 11:1). Oswald Chambers says this about the importance and reality of making disciples: Our work is not to save souls, but to disciple them. Salvation and sanctification are the work of God’s sovereign grace, and our work as His disciples is to disciple others’ lives until they are totally yielded to God. One life totally devoted to God is of more value to Him than one hundred lives which have been simply awakened by His Spirit. As workers for God, we must reproduce our own kind spiritually, and those lives will be God’s testimony to us as His workers. God brings us up to a standard of life through His grace, and we are responsible for reproducing that same standard in others. - My Utmost for His Highest JESUS COMMANDS IT When Jesus walked the earth, He chose twelve men to replicate all that He did and spoke regarding the kingdom of God. He was present as friend, as well as teacher. We are called to be this kind of example to others. In fact, Jesus commands it: Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. - Matthew 28:19-20 OTHERS NEED YOU You may ask, “Can I really disciple someone?” If you love Jesus and are walking with Him, the answer is simple – Yes. You don’t have to be perfect, just rely on the One who is perfect and His Holy Spirit living in you. Those new to walking with Jesus need you to help them know what it means to practically follow Him. 1
THE METHOD 1. KNOW THE GOALS What Jesus desired and purposed to see in His first disciples are the very things He still longs for in us. In turn, we as disciple-makers need to desire and see and these things take place in the lives of those we disciple. Jesus’ goals should be our goals as we point others to Him. Here are a few: 1. For them to be close to Jesus (you also, can be present in their life). 2. That they would become like Jesus (you don’t have to try to make them perfect Christians). 3. For them to be sent out by Jesus. 4. For them to know and practice the authority in Jesus. 5. To see them bear much eternal fruit. 6. For them to teach others what Jesus has taught them (you don’t need to teach them various theologies). 2. KNOW THE RISK 1. Making disciples is often difficult, frustrating, and messy. 2. You may become disappointed and discouraged. 3. Being a disciple maker requires availability and consistency. 4. Making disciples may require initiating discipline and correction. 5. You just might want to give up. Being a disciple maker requires persistence and endurance. 3. USE JESUS’ APPROACH From Jesus’ very first interactions with His disciples to His last, He remained consistent in how He engaged with them – First, by loving them, listening to them, discerning their spiritual need, and then by responding to them. Love, listen, discern, and respond. Maybe you have heard these words together before. Not only does Jesus’ approach towards others apply to how we may initially share the Gospel, but also in how we may continue to cultivate that relationship throughout the discipleship process. When meeting with a disciple, or a potential disciple, remember to approach them as Jesus would: Love Show compassion; take the time to slow down with them. Be their friend. We are to be vessels of the Lord’s love. If we are not engaging disciples in love, no real relationship can continue. “…and may the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love for one another, and for all people, just as we also do for you.” - 1 Thessalonians 3:12
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Listen Often we speak before we listen. Hear your disciple’s needs, complaints, and desires. Invite them to talk. Get to know them as a friend. Making disciples is not about an agenda or opinions, but about pointing and showing them what it means to follow Jesus, and letting Him speak through His Word and the Holy Spirit. “A fool does not delight in understanding, but only in revealing his own mind; He who gives an answer before he hears, It is folly and shame to him.” - Proverbs 18: 2,13 Discern As you meet and talk with your disciple, ask the Lord for an understanding of their heart. Ask the Lord how you may speak His truth into their life and situations. “A plan in the heart of a man is like deep water, but a man of understanding draws it out.” Proverbs 20:5 *Discernment is also a spiritual gift, but listening to the Lord little by little, over time He will entrust more of this gift to you, just ask Him.
Respond The way we respond as a disciple maker is based on loving them, listening, and discerning what has just happened or been spoken. Do what the Lord is prompting you to do. Maybe He will ask you to pray, open the Word, give wisdom, or challenge them in that moment. Ask Him to show you – the possibilities are endless! “Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.” - Colossians 4:5-6 4. HELPFUL GUIDLINES 1. Men should disciple men, and women should disciple women. 2. Connect with your disciple. Get to know them as a friend. Set up a time and place to meet in person, or chat on the phone. 3. If you and your disciple do not get along, be sure to connect them with someone who is a better fit. 4. Reach out to others for prayer or assistance if you feel overwhelmed at any point in the discipleship process. 5. Be sure to review what you may be discussing or studying with your disciple beforehand: - Boxed content is the same as in the TTR Bible. - Discussion and action questions are provided. - Additional Scriptures include the page numbers from the TTR Bible for easy findings (pages may vary due to publisher’s edition).
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5. SESSION CHECKLIST 1. Always open in prayer, inviting the Holy Spirit to guide you both. Close in prayer for the goals that were set and the lessons learned – This is also your time to model prayer. 2. Have the disciple use their Time to Revive Bible every time you meet. If you feel that their personal devotional time would be better spent using a different version or one with study notes, consider purchasing one for them. 3. The length of time and number of sessions it will take to complete the materials will vary. Each person and situation is unique. You can meet with more than one person at a time, if you find it appropriate. 4. Make the time interactive with discussion; do not preach at them. 5. By the time you are done, your disciple should have accomplished these milestones: ! ! ! ! ! ! !
Being New in Christ – Understanding the change they have gone through. Role of the Holy Spirit - Growing in listening to the Spirit, and the role He plays. Community of Believers – Attending a church and or strong Bible study group. Baptism – Participated in a baptism to affirm their faith decision. Studying the Word – Set personal goals to be in the Word regularly. Prayer – Knowing the basics of praying and practicing it. Telling Others! – Sharing their faith and testimony intentionally with others.
**SESSION 1 : ORANGE TAB : PAGE 437**
NEW IN CHRIST Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things have passed away; behold, new things have come. 2 Corinthians 5:17 The Bible says you are a “new creature.” You may feel different. You may not. Emotions often follow or indicate a change of heart. However, it is God’s Word and the Holy Spirit that give the assurance that you belong to Him (Romans 8:16, p. 269). Your sins have been forgiven through faith in Jesus Christ and all He has done. You have His free gift of salvation and eternal life. You have been set free from the “old things” (sin) to live this new life in Christ. You have a new heart and a new Spirit living in you. Thousands of years ago, one of God’s prophets of the Old Testament described what God would do for you. Ezekiel 36:26-27 says:
And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put My Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in My statutes and be careful to obey My rules.
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God’s Word and the Holy Spirit give you every- thing you need to become more like Jesus. He now lives within you. That may be hard to comprehend right now, but it will become clearer with time and the understanding He will give you. God loves you and desires to lead your life as you seek to follow Him. A disciple in Christ abandons an “old” life to embrace a new life in Him. THE PURPOSE Open the new believer to the reality that they have been made “new” (2 Corinthians 5:17). They have a new heart and a new spirit and a new desire to follow God (Ezekiel 36:26-27). As such, they are no longer bound by what they were. The past is gone and they have been forgiven. They are loved and are free to be who God created them to be. READ all of page 437, as seen above. DISCUSS - How have things been different since accepting Jesus? - What do they wish would still change? Let them know that the change within has occurred, but we still have to make an effort to live life differently. The difference it that it is possible with God, and we should now want to be different. - Make sure that they understand that the promise discussed here, is that now we are made right before Father God, because of Christ. It’s as if Christ physically stands between the Father and us, and all that the Father can see is the perfect nature of Jesus. LIVE IT OUT How can life be different now? Be honest and discuss the internal conflict with the old man inside and what they need to do when they sin, as we still have our sinful nature (1 John 1:9).
**SESSION 2 : ORANGE TAB : PAGE 437**
THE HOLY SPIRIT The Holy Spirit is a member of the Godhead: The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Each member is distinct, yet together one God (Deuteronomy 6:4). The Holy Spirit lives in every believer (I Corinthians 3:16, p. 284). He has many different roles in your life: Comforter: Acts 9:31 (p.219) Helper: John 14:16 (p.188), Romans 8:26 (p. 269) Teacher: Luke 12:12 (p. 130) Giver of Spiritual Gifts: I Corinthians 12 (p. 295+)
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THE PURPOSE To explain God’s gift of the Holy Spirit. That the Holy Spirit resides in all Believers and that He provides what is needed to enable a Believer to walk in obedience. READ this section on page 437, as seen above. DISCUSS Even before Jesus went to the cross He began to explain to His closest followers that He would be sending the Holy Spirit to provide what they would need to carry on His ministry after He returned to the Father. - After He rose from the dead He again told His closest followers to wait until He sent the Holy Spirit to provide them the power they would need to obey (Luke 24:49). - The initial 120 Believers waited and prayed until the Holy Spirit was sent and then God worked in power through them (Acts 2). - When you accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior the Holy Spirit was placed within you (Ezekiel 36:27; 1 Corinthians 3:16). - Give a testimony of how the Holy Spirit enables you to live as a Christian and how it is impossible for you to live as a Christian in your own strength. This is a time to encourage as well as to warn of the need for God’s enabling power. LIVE IT OUT Take them through the four descriptions of the Holy Spirit (Comforter, Helper, Teacher, and Giver of Spiritual Gifts), read the Scriptures, and give a testimony of how that is true in your life. Do not focus on the gifts as that could confuse a new believer. Give a simple description such as: “a spiritual gift is a supernatural gift enabling to accomplish the assignment God gives you” (Henry Blackaby).
**SESSION 3 : ORANGE TAB : PAGE 438-439**
GROW IN CHRIST So then, those who had received his [Peter’s] word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls. They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Acts 2:41-42
As a new disciple in Christ, God has given you everything you need to grow in Christ through the Holy Spirit, the Bible, prayer, and by being in community with other disciples of Christ Jesus.
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UNDERLINE the 4 bold words above and explain that you’ll go into more detail about each of these words later. DISCUSS the importance of learning how to do these 4 things mentioned, so they understand that these are the basics of being a Christ follower. ASK if they have any questions or thoughts as you begin (“Community” is included in session 3).
COMMUNITY Community was incredibly important to Jesus’ first disciples, who we call the “apostles.” These first followers of Jesus walked with Him on earth, saw Him die, spent time with Him after His resurrection from the dead, and watched as He ascended into heaven. They show us how important it is for new believers to study the Bible together, pray with each other and fellowship. You can grow in your new life in Christ individually, but it is important to walk with others by joining a Bible study group or local church. You will meet other believers and enjoy fellowship with new friends who will love you simply because Jesus loves them (1 John 4:19). The Holy Spirit living in you and every believer allows us to love one another and help each other through good and bad times. The Bible describes the Church like a human body. Each person in Christ has a necessary part to make the whole work together properly (1 Corinthians 12:12-26). You need the support of other believers, and they need you, too. REVIEW THE GOSPEL STORY Make sure they understand the death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus mentioned in the text above: - WHAT happened: He took our penalty for sin; he was dead for three days, conquered death and came back to life. Explain the significance of “Good” Friday and Easter Sunday. - WHY Jesus died: God sent His Son, born of a virgin woman chosen by God, because we couldn’t live the perfect life that was needed for heaven. In the Old Testament, animal sacrifices were done by priests on behalf of the peoples’ sins. In the New Testament, Jesus shows Himself as the final sacrifice for sin. DISCUSS What is the purpose of Christian community and its importance? - Learning more about God; Growing in the Word (Bible)
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- Doing life together (family) - Support & encouragement for each other; We each have something to offer! We need each other (read I Corinthians 12:12-26 -p.295). - Scripture affirms the importance of gathering together with other Believers: Hebrews 10:22-25 (p. 376) - Give your testimony of why being in a church is important. How has it changed your life? LIVE IT OUT Ask them to set a goal for being in a community of believers: - Where do they want to go to church? Where would they like to try? - Go with them to try them out. Debrief your experiences. - What about a small group?
**SESSION 4 : ORANGE TAB : PAGE 438-439**
BAPTISM So then, those who had received his [Peter’s] word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls. They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Acts 2:41-42 As Jesus commanded, the apostles baptized every new disciple with water (Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:41). Baptism shows what has taken place in every believer in Jesus Christ. You have died to your old life – your sins have been washed away through the sacrifice of Jesus and you are raised to new life in Him. Romans 6:4 says: “We have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.” READ Matthew 28:19, The Great Commission (p. 65). Refer back to Acts 2:41 – Baptizing the 3,000 (shown at the top of p. 438). For additional verses, see Acts 8:26-40 (p. 217) –The story of Philip meeting and baptizing the Ethiopian eunuch. DISCUSS Baptism does not save you. It is an act of obedience. It is an opportunity for us to demonstrate to others the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus as you symbolically join with Him in showing that you have died to sin and been raised to newness of life. LIVE IT OUT Ask if they have been baptized:
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- IF YES – Talk about it. When? Where? Why did they decide? If it was an infant baptism, are they willing to make a public profession of their faith and be baptized as an adult? - IF NO – Talk about their willingness to be baptized. Make concrete plans for it to be done. This may take some time to arrange the details, but it’s important to make it a priority. - If you need help getting them baptized, ask your pastor, or another disciple maker for help.
**SESSION 5 : ORANGE TAB : PAGE 438-439**
THE WORD Studying The Bible is something you should do with other believers, but also in your daily individual life with Jesus. If you don’t know what to read, the book of John is a great place to start. You will learn more of who Jesus is and what He wants to teach you. DISCUSS - Why is reading the Bible important? Share how it has changed your life. - How do you study the Bible? - What do they know about the Bible? - Do they know Its basic layout? (Semi-Chronological; OT is before Jesus came to earth; Big numbers are chapters and little numbers are verses; The Gospels are Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John…etc.) LIVE IT OUT Have them set a goal for a personal Bible reading plan: - Model it for them.. Go through a Bible story using these 4 simple questions. Encourage them to use these same questions in their personal study time. - What do these verses say about GOD (Jesus)? - What do these verses say about ME (mankind)? - What does God want me to do in response to this teaching? - WHO will I share this truth with this week? READ SUPPORTING VERSES - Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path (Psalm 119:105).
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- All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16). - For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart (Hebrews 4:12). - A great section of John to read is chapters 13-16 (p. 185+). This is what Jesus taught his disciples. It includes key topics to living as a faith-filled believer (honor, The Father and the way to Him, ministry, Holy Spirit as Peace, growth and discipleship, love, persecutions, and victory in Christ).
**SESSION 6 : ORANGE TAB : PAGE 438-439**
PRAYER Prayer is another important aspect of walking with Jesus. It is something the apostles devoted themselves to. Prayer is talking with God and also letting Him speak to you. In a local church or Bible study, you will learn to pray with and for others, and let others pray for you.
DISCUSS - Prayer is not complicated or difficult. Explain what prayer is: a conversation with God, just like you are having now. Give a testimony of why prayer is important in your life. How has it changed your life? - Explain that while prayers can be long, they don’t have to be. Use your normal words (don’t get “churchy”); just speak from the heart. - WHY is prayer important? Explain that unlike other religions, Jesus wants a relationship with you. All relationships include conversation. Imagine if we never had conversation with our family or spouse? What would that do to our relationship? While learning to listen can take practice, it’s worth it! God wants to speak with you and to you. He wants you to know how much you are loved. You’ll be amazed the ways that you can hear from Him. - Pray anytime and anywhere! It has been said, “There are only two times to pray… when you need it and when you don’t.” That’s every moment of our lives. We want to get to a place where we talk with God throughout our day, not just when we are in trouble or need help. LIVE IT OUT Have them set a goal for personal prayer times. Model it, but praying for things in the moment, as well as at the start and end of your time together. If they have a need, pray right then. Be sure to write down their prayer requests in front of them and follow up with how God answered the prayer. Call them during the next week if the request was important and involved something imminent. If not ask about it when you are together again.
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READ ADDITIONAL VERSES - Matthew 6:5-15 : The Lord’s Prayer (p. 18) - Matthew 7:7-11 : “Ask…seek…knock” (p. 20) **SESSION 7 : ORANGE TAB : PAGE 440**
SHARE CHRIST
And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20
All of Jesus’ disciples are called to make disciples by telling others about Him. Chances are, you heard about Jesus because someone introduced you to Him. It is now your calling to tell others about the new life in Christ you are growing in. Jesus said, “As the Father has sent Me, even so I am sending you” (John 20:21). As His disciple, you have been sent by Jesus and entrusted with the message of life: the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. Tell others what God has done for you, how you repented of your sins and are forgiven because of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. Tell them how Jesus died for your sin, but rose again so that you can have new life in Him. Tell others in love, with words and with your deeds (Matthew 5:13-16). You can tell your family, friends, or even strangers about Jesus. You might be afraid and tempted not to share with someone. This fear doesn’t come from God, but from the enemy, satan, who convinced man to disobey God in the beginning (Genesis 3). Second Timothy 1:7 says, “For God has not given us a spirit of timidity (fear), but of power and love and discipline.” Remember, the Holy Spirit living in you will teach you what to say (Luke 12:12) and He will always be with you (Matthew 28:20b). Go. Share. Make New Disciples in Christ. DISCUSS - The clear command for all Believers is to go and tell – to share the Gospel and make disciples (Matthew 28:19-20). - Sharing the Gospel is the ultimate act of love. - Testimony of what sharing the Gospel has meant in your life. - Explain that there are two ways to share your testimony – with your voice and by your actions.
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- Read Romans 10:1; 14-15 (p. 272). It’s vital to talk about forgiveness. This is a huge issue than many Christian don’t address. Unforgiveness is like drinking poison, and expecting the other person to die. It will tear you apart if you let it. The Bible is very clear about unforgiveness. (Matthew 18:21-35, p. 42) - Have them pray about who they need to forgive, even if it seems insignificant. Forgiveness is not magically forgetting. It’s releasing them from the need for revenge. It’s about raising your hands up to God, and trusting that He’ll deal with it. It’s about genuinely blessing them and loving them despite what they have done to you. LIVE IT OUT - Using the Time to Revive Bible take them through how to share the Gospel using the five verses. Show them where the prayer of salvation is located and the teaching materials. - Have them practice sharing the Gospel with you. Be constructive and encouraging. - Make a list of at least three people they want to have hear the Gospel. Covenant with them to pray for their salvation and to be willing to go with them and share the Gospel with these people. - If they are willing set a time to go with them to assist them in sharing the Gospel with someone they really care about – family – friend. - Plan to take them with you to the next reviveCITY outreach event.
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