This series of articles explores thirteen major methods that are effective for making disciples. Keep in mind that in a ubiquitous (all encompassing, everywhere present) disciple-making process, virtually each method is not only encouraged but is planned into the church ministries. Here is a list including links to articles that have been completed in the series:
- Simple Discipleship: A Comprehensive Disciple-Making Plan- The Simple Discipleship Virtual Book Tour- (updated) originally posted in 2010
- DISCIPLESHIP BEST PRACTICES: 13 Ways to Make Disciples
1. Passive Discipleship: the least effective method but essential to support other methods
2. Private Discipleship: the Christian and the Holy Spirit (most effective but under used)
3. Presence Discipleship: In times of crisis the disciple invests time, assistance, and prayer.
4. Participation or Proximity Discipleship: applies to all areas but most of all to giving
5. Projected Discipleship: Actively but humbly projecting a Christian example of living Christ’s teachings.
6. Platform or Presentation Discipleship: preaching in church and lecture-style Bible study
7. Program Discipleship: Pre-packaged materials delivered in large or small groups.
8. Personal Discipleship: One-on-one discipleship (very effective but seldom used)
9. Peer Group Discipleship: Bible study and Sunday School
10. Practical Discipleship: Hands on service, evangelism, and missional projects
11. Proficiency Discipleship: Leadership Development
12. Proclamation Discipleship: Evangelism and preaching to unchurched
13. Process Discipleship: All of the above delivered in a systematic way
PRACTICAL DISCIPLESHIP IS LACKING IN MANY CHURCHES
Several of my discipleship articles explore the fact that the 20th and 21st century western church has generally turned biblical discipleship upside down. Christians sit for an hour in lecture-style worship with preaching. Afterwards many go home unchanged. Church leaders assume that a large percentage of Christians participating in worship are transformed simply by hearing the message. I once asked a church planter how he was discipling his people and he replied, “I’m preaching through the book of Romans verse by verse.” By the way, his church has dissolved and the people scattered to other churches. His is an example of a silo mentality. Silos are used to store grain or some other commodity until it is shipped to market for processing. Church buildings are not supposed to function like silos. Church buildings are but a resource used as a gathering place where Christians are equipped to do practical discipleship, often called service or good works. Here is what practical discipleship looks like as presented by Niki and Kelly Tshibaka of Foursquare Church:
PRACTICAL DISCIPLESHIP IS NECESSARY
Microsoft introduced Flight Similator 1.0 in October 1983 and it has certainly come a long way in complexity and realism. My son and I would spend hours enjoying it together. We learned how to enter navigational coordinates and “fly” from Dallas, Texas to Chicago, Illinois. Am I qualified to fly a real plane? Not at all! Practical experience is necessary.
During my training as a medical lab technologist I received a couple of years of classroom training. Our training also included clinical experience in each medical laboratory discipline. Only after our intense training that was a mixture of didactic and supervised clinical application (along with graduation) were we qualified to perform procedures that affected the lives of patients.
A critical reading of the Gospels reveals that Jesus spent some time teaching his disciples but a lot of time requiring them to apply his teachings in the real world. I suggest that Jesus’ seminary course required 10% classroom instruction (platform discipleship) and 90% practical discipleship. Ephesians 4:11 suggests that ministers are to show Christians how to do ministry and then be there with them as they do ministry.
11 He is the one who gave these gifts to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. 12 Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ, Ephesians 4:11-12 (NLT)
Today, many churches appear to have flipped Jesus’ ministry model upside down by providing 90% classroom teaching and less than 10% practical application. This is what I call the practical to platform discipleship ratio. This is part of what is wrong with today’s church.
The practical to platform discipleship ratio is the percentage comparison of how much time is devoted to each of the two activities.
WHAT IS PRACTICAL DISCIPLESHIP?
Practical discipleship is applied faith, often called works. Here is what the Epistle of James says about doing good works:
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. James 1:22 (NKJV)
Dear brothers and sisters, what’s the use of saying you have faith if you don’t prove it by your actions? That kind of faith can’t save anyone. James 2:14 (NLT)
Some see an apparent conflict between James and the Apostle Paul but they both indicate remarkable agreement as we compare James’ remarks with Paul’s discussion about genuine love in one of his epistles:
1 If I could speak in any language in heaven or on earth but didn’t love others, I would only be making meaningless noise like a loud gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I knew all the mysteries of the future and knew everything about everything, but didn’t love others, what good would I be? And if I had the gift of faith so that I could speak to a mountain and make it move, without love I would be no good to anybody. 3 If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would be of no value whatsoever. 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 (NLT)
One may not have faith but do good works but for Christians, good works should be an automatic outgrowth of faith. Values-based coaching and discipleship agree that “People act on heart-felt values.” It is also true that “People do not act on values that are not heart-felt”…at least not in a sustainable manner. Leaders can persuade people to do some good works for a short while but a genuine community of Christ sustains good works that we often call “missional.” Sustainable good works based on faith and driven by heart-felt love is something every church should emulate.
SIMPLE DISCIPLESHIP ACTIVATES PRACTICAL DISCIPLESHIP
Simple Discipleship as a process works best (and perhaps only) when activated with practical discipleship. This is usually done through Sunday school classes and small groups. Classes leaders and small group facilitators are empowered to lead their groups to do missional ministry projects in the community. Coupled with training to share Christ and make disciples using The Disciple-Maker’s Toolkit or other materials, all the people are released into the community for practical application we call ministry. Classes and small groups plan and do ministry projects such as:
- Firehouse community cookouts
- Block parties
- Community J.U.M.P. Sports events
- Backyard Bible clubs
- Community medical fairs (with qualified people)
- Acts of love for the elderly in the community
- Small construction and clean-up projects for the elderly and others in the community
- Serving concessions at community events
The sky is the limit as to what groups can do together. The events and projects are only the vehicle for the important things… relationship building, outreach, personal evangelism, to name a few. The by product is maturing disciples, fellowship, motivated Christians, and a vibrant church.
QUESTIONS:
- Eight projects for practical discipleship are listed. Can you share some more?
- Are your Sunday school and small group leaders equipped to make disciples?
- Is disciple-making the focus of your Sunday school and small group Bible study units?
- What is the practical to platform discipleship ratio in your church?
SD Blessings,
Dr. Tom Cocklereece, The Disciplist
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Dr. Tom Cocklereece is CEO of RENOVA Coaching and Consulting, LLC
Author “Simple Discipleship,” contributing writer L2L Blogazine
He is a pastor, an author, professional coach, and leadership specialist
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January 31, 2012 at 3:51 pm
I agree that practical discipleship is lacking and is a necessary part of faith. Thanks for helping bring this to light, Tom! Keep doing what you’re doing.