VolunteerCentered » Discipleship

Discipleship Requires a Plan

James Higginbotham — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 11:10:24 +0000

I mentioned recently that I often have seasons of teaching new leaders how God wants to use them to lead. During every season, I am reminded that it requires a plan to disciple these leaders. We have been developing a plan for some time and must continually revisit it to ensure we are on track and effective. But, it requires more than just teaching new leaders; it requires continually discipling them.

Paul outlined God’s plan for discipleship: “And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.” Col 1:9-10

What is God’s plan for discipleship?

Being filled with Godly wisdom and understanding
Leading to a changed life
Which produces good works and spiritual fruit

This is the understanding that we are building into each team through their leaders. Each leader then does the same into their own team. It isn’t an easy process, but it is essential. We have a long way to go, but we are getting there.

Finally, remember that we are simply participating in God’s process of building the church: “So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.” 1 Cor 3:7. Don’t get too far ahead of God by trying to do it all. Develop the plan, implement it, but remember that the focus is on God, not ourselves.

What is your plan for discipleship?

Discipleship Requires More Than Basics

James Higginbotham — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 11:06:13 +0000

I find that it is so easy to see a believer that is serving and assume they are a mature disciple. But a sign of service isn’t a sign of a mature disciple. In fact, many that are serving with you in your ministry may grasp only the basics of their faith.

Heb 6:1 says “let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity…” How are you encouraging those you lead to grow into maturity as disciples of Christ?

I recently spoke to a good friend and pastor of a church plant about this. He mentioned that while he was a youth pastor at his previous church, he saw so many youth praising and worshipping God. When he spent some time one-on-one with them, they couldn’t even explain their faith or provide one shred of evidence as to why the Bible is God’s Word. He wasn’t speaking of the intense apologetics that many spend years studying to defend the faith. He was speaking of a simple foundation for which their own faith depends. These were youth that in a few years would be entering college and their faith tested outside of their current support system.

Do you consider it normal for disciples to grow and mature? If so, it is time that you start to encourage them to develop beyond their “elementary doctrine of Christ” to maturity.

Are You Making Disciples or Making Work?

James Higginbotham — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 11:03:49 +0000

I go through seasons of writing and seasons of teaching. During the seasons of teaching I focus on leading small groups to learn more about how God can use them to lead. Whether we end up leading one person, a team, or teams of teams, we all lead someone somewhere. The question we must ask ourselves during this leadership: “Are we making disciples are just making work?”

It isn’t just about progress

We are often focused on progress. Progress helps us feel important. The problem is that the progress may be the wrong kind. The easiest thing to do as a leader is to get caught up in the work to be done. This kind of progress pays off, but when that is the only thing we focus on, we have failed. We have failed because we didn’t make disciples.

It is about making disciples

When we create tasks, we create workers. When we create servants of Christ, we create disciples. The difference is where we put the focus.

Jesus never said to go forth and do stuff. He said to “go forth and make disciples of all nations.”

So, are you making disciples or making work? Take some time and think about how you are filling your weeks. Are you leading teams of people doing the work of ministry, or are you leading teams of people making disciples?