If you were to observe a two or more people interacting could you tell if disciplemaking was taking place? Probably not.
We all influence others all the time. Everyday people doing everyday things are influencing one another. They are making disciples when they are encouraging one another to live godly lives and when they are modeling that – living godly lives in the everyday.

 Last week I was talking about making disciples – helping others grow to maturity in Christ.

We know we’re supposed to be becoming more like Christ, but on our own it’s too easy to fade out and stop growing. We need others to encourage us to keep growing.

 According to Paul, in his letter to the Corinthians, all growth comes from God. Paul and Apollos, you and I, cannot make things grow. Only God can do that. We are totally dependent on the Holy Spirit and need to be praying.

 For all that, Paul also calls himself and Apollos “servants” and “God’s co-workers” and says they will be rewarded. We have a part to play in God’s work – a crucial role.

 No gardener can make a plant grow. The gardener can only provide the best possible conditions for growth. How can we, as Christian leaders, provide the best possible conditions for the growth of people’s faith?

 In what contexts is growth most likely?
– worship, including preaching
– personal spiritual disciplines
– Bible study (e.g. Small groups)
– being in relationships (small groups, ministry teams, communal living …)
– mentoring relationships (one to one, small group, peer, etc)
– ministry (serving within the church and/or in the community)
– being outside the disciple’s comfort zone
– suffering
What would you add?

How can we encourage people to be in those situations?

And when they are, how can we best facilitate growth?

 How did Jesus grow people?
Characteristics of Jesus’ way of growing people:
– be very intentional
– select a few
– build relationships (more than programs)
– being with him (mentoring)
– relationship with God
– community
– lead from birth to maturity (implies measuring growth)
– train on the job
– commission them to repeat the process

 Jesus invested:
– time
– healing
– effective training strategy
– demonstration (modeling, personal example)
– instruction
– reflection (questions, de-briefing)
– experimentation (practical ministry, test of progress)
– equipping e.g.Matt. 10 – example, instruction, authority, warnings, promises)

 How can we build each of these characteristics into the growth contexts above? E.g. How can we have small groups that are very intentional about growing people to Christlikeness?

 Jesus saw his disciples through these Growth Stages:

     

Cold

Come and see

John 1

What do you think?

Curious

Follow me

Mark 1:17

Allegiance

Committed

Be with me

Mark 3:14

Life transfer/Training

Coached

You do it

E.g. Mark 6:37

Practical ministry

Contributing

Go (but abide in me)

John 15; Matt.28:16-20

Graduation

Commissioned

Teach others

    

Coach of coaches

 A good mentor is someone who …
– is warm, supportive and trustworthy
– is committed to your growth
– has time – preferably regular time
– will listen carefully
– knows more than you and is willing to demonstrate
– will let you have a go but will support and reflect
– will hold you accountable. Challenges and questions
– doesn’t always tell you the answers and refers you to other resources
– will pray for you

 How churches can make disciples
Our mission is to grow in Christ and to serve him in love.
Discipleship is growing to maturity in Christ in the context of service.
According to our mission statement it is what we are about. Therefore it has priority. Making disciples is our mission.