Disciple Making in the Local Church - Essay Example

DISCIPLE MAKING IN THE LOCAL CHURCH Disciple making is all about evangelism as well as edification. Disciple making is a deliberate process of seeing individuals come to faith in Jesus, grow in him and eventually getting equipped to return and help others repeat the process. “This is the religion we long to see established in the world, a religion of love and joy and peace, having its seat in the heart, in the inmost soul, but ever showing itself by its fruits, continually springing forth, not only in all innocence... but likewise in every kind of beneficence, in spreading virtue and happiness all around it”1 They are many terms that define the disciple making procedure. The Bible defines it in three phases: 1 Cor 9:19 winning the lost, Col 2:6-7 growth in believers and Eph 4:12 equipping the workers. The Great Commission reflects these three priorities with the phrases of baptizing, going, and teaching of obedience, all of which are a part of the disciple making of all nations. Jesus Christ was a reflection of these significances by modeling a process of fully developed disciples by tasking them to come and perceive (evangelism), follow Jesus (discipling), and he Jesus will make men fishers of men (equipping). Disciple making is a lifelong process of becoming as Jesus and helping others do likewise. It is a continuous process of remaining within the vine as well as letting him to bear fruit within us. It is clear that at the end of Christ’s ministry, in many ways, he said, (John 14:12) do as I have, (1 John 2:6) walk as I have and (John 13:15) follow my example. The degree, at which we follow Jesus Christ, is the degree at which we shall see movement of disciple multiplication. Why Discipleship is so important to the local church The principle of the bible is important to the church’s growth as well as its health. The church must also be a part of cross-cultural work of which is not so easy. A good home church has workers looking to disciple people, and willing to serve. Leaders of groups need to assist in coordination as well as overseeing the discipleship provisions in a group. Each person that needs discipling has some form of provision. At this point, we need to understand the definition of discipleship in a context that is wide enough to encompass all involved variables, yet specific enough to give some direction and focus for church. A disciple is someone, who according to Paul Col. 1:28, 29 endeavors to present mature people, complete in Jesus Christ in two important areas of God’s purpose for all believers: ministry and sanctification. By either ministering in a common way within the church, the discipleship models emphasize a lot of person to person discipleship, and yet we need to also recognize that discipleship requires a corporate aspect--significant input from various other Christian workers as well as friends. Even Jesus Christ discipled people within a community. In addition, healthy home groups as well as broader church involvement form the foundation of healthy 2environments for the growth of younger Christians. However, if one moves into a discipleship, one must make it clear that there 34will be accountability and expectations, and this is significant for both discipleship as well as avoiding misunderstanding. Discipleship is critical in helping young Christians get ahead in their relationship with Jesus Christ. Leaders must model the significance of shepherding. A good time to implement shepherding is after home group meetings whereby it is less likely for people to fellowship with people they disciple with, and are more likely to fellowship with people in need of shepherding. Role and importance of the local church for making disciples is instilling Christian faith in the followers by being an ideal example. As stated in the Book of Discipline in 1996 , "The mission of the Church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ. Local churches provide the most significant arena through which disciple-making occurs”5 This means that the church is viewed as a tool in nation reformation to spread holiness over the nation. This action is done by bringing outsiders into the church, and encouraging church members to take more seriously their Christian identity. Tha main mission of the church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ. Pastors are to act as good role models for the congregation in the disciple-making act. They are to reform the world as Christ instructed and spread holiness across the globe. The main mission of pastors is to transform individuals into Christ’s likeness. This refers to training individuals into a dynamic sense of Christian Perfection, this is a life-long process. As Paul put it, Christians perceive things rightly and act appropriately only when they have the "mind of Christ" (Phil. 2). A sermon conducted by Wesley on the model of Christian life, emphasized on the word ‘re-act’ to make a point: “[T]he life of God in the soul of a believer...immediately and necessarily implies the continual inspiration of Gods Holy Spirit: Gods breathing into the soul, and the souls breathing back what it first receives from God; a continual action of God upon the soul, the re-action of the soul upon God; an unceasing presence of God, the loving, pardoning God, manifested to the heart [But] God does not continue to act upon the soul unless the soul re-acts upon God. ... He first loves us, and manifests himself unto us ... He will not continue to breathe into our soul unless our soul breathes toward him again; unless our love, and prayer, and thanksgiving return to him.”6 Peter and Paul are regarded as saints. Saint Peter is traditionally seen as the first bishop of Rome. Saint Paul is regarded as the earliest Christian missionaries, together with St. Peter. The role of saints is to reveal the worth of being disciples by the deeds that they do. In reality, the deeds conducted by saints show how a Christian should behave towards other people even though they are not Christians. Peter acts as a role model for Christians as seen in Matthew 16:18. Here, he was viewed as the rock foundation with which the church would be built. Paul is regarded as a vital interpreter of the teachings of Jesus; thus, he is viewed as the most important figure in Christianity development. In addition, every spiritual gift from God is needed, and disciples have to discover their God- given gift. In conclusion, disciple making within the Local Church is very beneficial in that it has a personal 7fulfillment that is important. Growth ministry as a means is emphasized by a committed discipleship ministry, of which sanctification is dependent on investment. Besides, to social time and meetings, one must have regular, weekly time schedules specifically for discipleship. Effective discipleship requires time, preferably an hour, or even longer, on a weekly basis. In addition, home group ministries will even be more successful when they are discipled because with home groups many problems can be worked through and remain stable in discipling others. 10.0 Bibliography Newton Gary C. ”The Church’s Role in Making Disciples”. Evangelical Training Association. 2003 p 2,4-6. http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:http://covcrc.org/userfiles/GTSM/3B%2520The%2520Church%27s%2520Role%2520in%2520Making%2520Disciples.pdf (accessed April 3, 2014) Madox Randy L. “Wesleys Prescription for Making Disciples of Jesus Christ: Insights for the 21st Century Church.” P 3. https://divinity.duke.edu/sites/default/files/documents/faculty-maddox/22_Wesleys_Prescription_Duke.pdf (accessed April 3, 2014). Brookhills. “2011 Making Disciples Confrence. The church of Brook Hills.” 2011 p 5-7,8-10. http://www.brookhills.org/contribute/2011MakingDisciplesConferenceNotes.pdf (accessed April 3, 2014) Stromsmoe Linda. “Making disciples: a foundation for an integrated mission program.” University of Calgary, 1979. 2011 p 20-25 http://www.rts.edu/Site/Virtual/Resources/Student_Theses/Stromsmoe%20-%20making%20disciples.pdf (accessed April 3, 2014). Anderson Duane L. “Church planting through Disciple Making”. American Indian Bible Institute p 8, 14-31. http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:http://aibi.org/topical/cptdm.pdf (accessed April 3, 2014). Read More