Discipleship is one of the most neglected ministries of the church. Some equate discipleship with other church activities. Others limit discipleship inside the four walls of the discipleship classroom. It is no wonder many churches are either stagnant or dying—
both numerically and spiritually. The four sessions devoted to the essential functions of the church stressed spiritual maturity and church growth. These essential functions are discipleship, fellowship, ministry, worship, and evangelism. The latter was discussed in the early part of the seminar. The participants learned how these functions contribute to the spiritual and numerical growth of the church.
Session 11: Discipleship and Church Growth
This session occurred on May 20, 2012 (see Appendix 11). I intended to broaden the understanding of the participants as to what was involved in discipleship.
The session began by emphasizing that discipleship begins right after conversion. The objective is spiritual growth and productivity. Discipleship then, is the key to spiritual and numerical growth of the church.31Next, I talked about the definition of a disciple.
Simply, a disciple makes sacrifices to adjust his lifestyle to obey God. Hull asserts that “a disciple was and is a person of concrete action and commitment. It means more than just a believer, but a person who demonstrates belief by action.”32The word of Jesus
describes the characteristics of a disciple: (1) he denies self, takes up his cross daily, and follows him (Luke 9:23-25), (2) he puts Christ before self, family, and possessions (Luke
31Gene Warr, You Can Make Disciples (Waco, TX: Word, 1978), 65-66.
32Bill Hull, The Disciple-Making Pastor (Grand Rapids: Fleming H. Revell, 1988), 56-57.
14:25-35), (3) he commits toChrist’s teachings (John 8:31), (4) he commits to evangelism (Matt 9:36-38), and (5) he bears fruit (John 15:8).33
The next section was about the biblical principles of discipleship. I adapted these principles from Leroy Eims.34I came up with the acronym IDEA to help participants easily remember these principles: (1) the principle of Instruction, (2) the principle of Demonstration, (3) the principle of Exposure, and (4) the principle of
Association. I pointed out that many churches just focus on the principle of instruction as their only means of discipleship. They neglect the other important principles that further equip a believer. Without these other principles, a believer would grow up deficient in his spiritual life and maturity.
I spent some time emphasizing the method of discipleship of Jesus. He conducted his discipleship instructions mostly outside any structure. He demonstrated what a disciple is as he travelled, ministered to, and interacted with people. He exposed his disciples to different circumstances of life to give them opportunity to practice what they had learned. For three years, Jesus closely associated himself with his disciples. He allowed them to watch the way he lived his life, his reaction toward circumstances of life, and his attitude toward other people. The disciples learned how to overcome their Jewish prejudices against the Gentiles, Samaritans, and those seen as social outcasts as they watched how Jesus treated and ministered to them (Luke 8:26-33; 19:1-7; John 4:1-26).
We progressed to the last section of the lesson—pastoral roles in discipleship. I explained that the pastor is expected to show his commitment to discipleship ministry by practicing it himself. As a pastor, I serve as a coach by teaching and showing members how it is done.35In addition to this, as one helps others become disciples, I serve as a
33Ibid., 57-73.
34Leroy Eims, The Lost Art of Disciple Making (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1978), 27-36.
35Hull, The Disciple-Making Pastor, 90-92.
mentor, faithful spiritual parent, and steward of the people I have to equip.36I encouraged them to give their suggestions and observations about my discipleship ministry in order for me to improve personally and as a pastor.
As usual, the participants received a list of guide topics for them to discuss in their respective groups. The topics were as follows:
1. Discuss the different approaches of discipleship mentioned in this lesson.
2. Share with the group what aspect of your spiritual life needs further discipleship.
3. How can we improve our church’s discipleship ministry?
4. What suggestions do you have to assist the pastor improves his discipleship ministry Session 12: Fellowship
and Church Growth
Many believers tend to believe that fellowship is just another church activity.
They take it for granted and attend as their schedules permit. The Word of God, however, encouragesbelievers “not to give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching”
(Heb 10:25). This session occurred on May 27, 2012 (see Appendix 12). It underscored the necessity of fellowship with other believers for spiritual growth.
I beganthis session by quoting Rick Warren’s definition of fellowship:
Real fellowship is so much more than just showing up at services. It is experiencing life together. It includes unselfish loving, honest sharing, practical serving,
sacrificial giving, sympathetic comforting, and all the other ‘one another’
commands found in the New Testament.37
The basis of fellowship, however, must be grounded in the teaching of the Word of God.
If discipleship is to take place in a fellowship, people ought to believe in the same God, proclaim the same message, walk in the light, and experience purification by the blood of
36“Basic Training for Church Planters,” inGrowing Believers in the Faith (Alpharetta, GA: North American Mission Board of the SBC, 2003), 73.
37Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven Life (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2002), 138.
Jesus (1 John 1:1-10). Hull strengthens this idea as he points out that the early believers committed themselves to God’s word, to one another, to prayer, to praise and worship, and to outreach (Acts 2:42-47).38
We discussed the five functions of fellowship in the early church: (1) an opportunity for mutual ministry (Eph 4:13), (2) an opportunity to practice unity and cooperation in spite of diversity (Acts 4:32), (3) an opportunity to exercise church discipline and accountability (Acts 5:1-11), (4) the availability for mutual support and assistance (Acts 2:44), and (5) a venue for discipleship and worship (Acts 2:42).39These five functions of fellowship enhanced the growth of the early church.
The last section focused on the characteristics of genuine fellowship. We studied several characteristics that determine the genuineness of a fellowship that leads to discipleship and church growth. Fellowship is genuine when members have authentic relationships, experience mutuality, practice sympathy, and readily grant mercy.40 Disciple-makers would do well to avail themselves of the effectiveness of discipleship in fellowship that leads to church growth. In fellowship times, people tend to readily accept admonition, correction, and instruction of the Word of God.
A list of guide topics were given for their group discussion.
1. How does fellowship cause discipleship and church growth?
2. Discuss the biblical basis of fellowship that generates discipleship and church growth.
3. How do you contribute to a fellowship that leads to discipleship and church growth?
38Hull, The Disciple Making Church, 50-73.
39Robert Coleman, The Master Plan of Discipleship (Old Tappan, NJ: Fleming H. Revell, 1987), 59-76.
40Warren, Purpose Driven Life, 139-43.