Special thanks to all for reading and/or commenting on the discipleship discussion hosted here the past two weeks. I have a new discipleship model brewing based on your comments, but first I’d like to debrief on highlights I’ve gathered from our discussion and the models themselves…
Regarding Content
- Discipleship should have such simple beginnings that it doubles as “outreach.”
- We need concrete goals/mile markers, but flexibility on how to get there.
- Accountability only helps if it is relational. Checklists of do’s and don’ts only work when friends hold each other to shared values.
- The purpose and plan of discipleship must be revisited/highlighted in each gathering so as not to lose focus. A one page write-up carried by each participant could help.
- Love for God and people are the final measurement of effective discipleship. Love should measured by actions, not knowledge or emotion.
Regarding Structure
- Discipleship structure has to be conducive to a movement. It has to be able to run without clergy or staff. Responsibility must be invested in everyone.
- Same sex relationships are recommended.
- Discipleship happens best in the closest proximity available to a culture – friendship in our case at the bare minimum. Discipleship amongst friends in the workplace or neighborhood would be ideal.
- Gatherings should happen no less than weekly.
- Group settings (about 12 people) and triad settings (2-3 people) each add something the other cannot, and therefore a model should incorporate an element of both… but without becoming a scheduling nightmare!
Anything you care to critique or elaborate on the above? Anything I missed?
2 responses so far ↓
ericka howard // May 14, 2008 at 10:40 pm |
I am impressed by the depth of discussion on all these related blogs, and I agree with your summary points above. I have a few comments that I’m not sure how/where they fit in, so I’ll add them here.
Over the past couple of weeks, I have been mulling over discipleship and its role in my own life. Since I gave my life to Christ in 1993 (and leading up to that, actually), I have been discipled by many, but one friend in particular has been a more constant influence. At first, we were together once weekly in a small group that she led. I wanted to go deeper in accountability, so she and I started talking by phone once each week. The small group ended, but for eight years and counting, she has “lived” life with me. We don’t live close enough to get together now physically very often, but her guidance has been critical in my maturing process, and especially in my growth toward Christ-likeness. We have not used a specific “plan” or had delineated “goals;” we’ve only discussed what is going on in my life, and by her gentle guidance, she has allowed me to come up with a plan moving in the best direction. She has then held me accountable by asking me about the plan I came up with the previous week. Because she is further along in her walk than I am, she has been like Paul to me–an example of Christ for me to follow.
In the last year or so, I have begun to mentor/ disciple two other women in this same manner. And I’m finding great joy in that role, too.
However, I am struck that my PRIMARY discipleship role is with the children whom God has placed in our family. (Deut. 6, among other scriptures, keeps rolling thru my mind….) When I stand before God, how will I answer the question: did I daily and intentionally lead my children toward Him?
I’m wondering how this concept might fit into the church’s plan for promoting discipleship. How can we work to turn the hearts of the parents more fully toward their children? How will student small groups fit into this plan? How can we encourage parents to take greater responsibility for their children’s need for discipleship? These are questions I have just begun to ask myself, too, so I don’t have many ideas to offer, yet….
I’m blessed and humbled to be part of such a thoughtful and insightful group of Christ-followers.
brian hofmeister // May 16, 2008 at 1:44 pm |
Ericka,
I’m embraced to say that I never thought of the kids regarding this discussion. The youth will work with most adult models, but something unique should exist between parents and children. I wonder if we should address this more in the current discussion or start a new discussion on that particular topic at a later date?
Either way, I look forward to hearing more from you on the topic knowing God has equipped you with an amazing ministry in this regard.