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Jesus has given the Great Commission to make disciples to the entire church. Why can’t we all disciple the same?
- Why?: Jesus has given the Great Commission to make disciples to the entire church. Why can’t we all disciple the same?
- What?: Although God has formed the local body of believers, in His infinite creativity, no two bodies are identical. While the principles of discipleship are universal, the practice must be localized and even individualized. Universally, while acknowledging and perhaps meeting felt needs, believers can help people meet their ultimate need of being conformed into the likeness of Christ. We can do that individually, as in one-on-one discipleship. We can do that collectively, as in the various ministries of the local church. We can do that informally, as in intentional relationships. We can do that formally, as in a scope-and-sequence of Christian education. However it is done, the work of the church is helping ourselves and others to be conformed by God to the image of Christ. With limited resources in any ministry context, every activity in and by the church needs to be assessed as to its effectiveness in making maturing, reproducing disciples of Jesus. Efforts that prove ineffective need to be culled; efforts that are effective need to be improved so that they are more effective; efforts that have not been tried may need to be explored. Locally, the size and location of a church determines the forms of discipleship. The larger the church, the larger the variety of forms discipleship may take. Potential variety is both an asset and a liability. It is an asset in that it allows for customization of approaches to a diverse population. It is a liability in that variety requires oversight of many more relationships and activities. The location determines the neighbors available to disciple. The culture of those neighbors informs the methods that may be used to reach and teach disciples.
- So What?: Individually, the personality, passions, talents, and gifts of the members of a church help the church discern the ministry opportunities the Lord has given the local body. No church can do everything and no individual can be involved in everything the church is doing. The key is allowing God to use people in the way He has designed them for the purpose He has called them. Regardless of church size, there is a tendency to overtask some and undertask others. By calling every member to live out his or her own calling and gifting, the body can function as a unified whole as the church carries out the Great Commission.
- So What Now?: Will you commit to understanding how God has formed your church body as you strive to disciple those God has entrusted to your teaching ministry?
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By Dr. Danny R. Bowen @ TeachersOfTheBible- Why?: Jesus has given the Great Commission to make disciples to the entire church. Why can’t we all disciple the same?
- What?: Although God has formed the local body of believers, in His infinite creativity, no two bodies are identical. While the principles of discipleship are universal, the practice must be localized and even individualized. Universally, while acknowledging and perhaps meeting felt needs, believers can help people meet their ultimate need of being conformed into the likeness of Christ. We can do that individually, as in one-on-one discipleship. We can do that collectively, as in the various ministries of the local church. We can do that informally, as in intentional relationships. We can do that formally, as in a scope-and-sequence of Christian education. However it is done, the work of the church is helping ourselves and others to be conformed by God to the image of Christ. With limited resources in any ministry context, every activity in and by the church needs to be assessed as to its effectiveness in making maturing, reproducing disciples of Jesus. Efforts that prove ineffective need to be culled; efforts that are effective need to be improved so that they are more effective; efforts that have not been tried may need to be explored. Locally, the size and location of a church determines the forms of discipleship. The larger the church, the larger the variety of forms discipleship may take. Potential variety is both an asset and a liability. It is an asset in that it allows for customization of approaches to a diverse population. It is a liability in that variety requires oversight of many more relationships and activities. The location determines the neighbors available to disciple. The culture of those neighbors informs the methods that may be used to reach and teach disciples.
- So What?: Individually, the personality, passions, talents, and gifts of the members of a church help the church discern the ministry opportunities the Lord has given the local body. No church can do everything and no individual can be involved in everything the church is doing. The key is allowing God to use people in the way He has designed them for the purpose He has called them. Regardless of church size, there is a tendency to overtask some and undertask others. By calling every member to live out his or her own calling and gifting, the body can function as a unified whole as the church carries out the Great Commission.
- So What Now?: Will you commit to understanding how God has formed your church body as you strive to disciple those God has entrusted to your teaching ministry?