Reaching the Lost METP 107

Making Disciples

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 Course Description
Evangelism and discipleship is the primary activity of the church.
What the Great Commission to make disciples of all nations looks like in the local
context.
Making disciples will also be placed within the framework of loving our
neighbours as ourselves
How evangelism combines with social work and social justice to serve our
communities.
The process of conversion will be clearly defined in terms of entry into the
Christian life and
The steps to Christian maturity will be outlined as a part of the discipleship
process.

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 Learning Objectives
Know and understand (head-educated):
◦ the biblical mandate for evangelism and discipleship
◦ the biblical mandate for neighbour engagement
◦ what constitutes a good conversion?
◦ the growth processes that lead to Christian maturity
Be able to (hand-equipped):
◦ guide someone into a good conversion
◦ guide someone into Christian maturity
◦ engage those outside the faith with Christian love in ways appropriate to their situation
Develop an appreciation of and value for (heart-enriched):
◦ God’s love for people who are outside the faith
◦ The different contexts that require different methods of outreach
◦ The individual journeys of faith that people are on

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 Introduction: Definitions

Evangelism—Reaching the Lost

The Gospel
Making Disciples—Developing mature Christians
Discipleship
The primary objective evangelism and disciplemaking

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 LEARNING ACTIVITY: GROUP DISCUSSION

Is there a difference between evangelism and discipleship?

If so, what it is?
Can we separate evangelism and discipleship?

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 Biblical Foundations of Evangelism and Discipleship

Biblical Evangelistic Encounters. What can we learn them?

◦ Jesus and Nicodemus (John 3:1-21)
◦ Jesus and the Woman at the Well (John 4)
◦ Peter and the Crowds on Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:14-40)
◦ Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch
◦ Peter and the Household of Cornelius (Acts 10:22-48)
◦ Paul and the Athenians (Acts 17:16-34)

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 Biblical Foundations of Evangelism and Discipleship
(2)
Disciple-making in the Early Church
◦ Jesus Strategy for Making Disciples
◦ Careful Selection (Luke 6:13-17)
◦ Intentional Association (Mark 3:14)
◦ Call to Commitment (Luke 9:23, 62; Mark 10:2)
◦ Spiritual Impartation (John 14:12)
◦ Exemplary Demonstration (Acts 1:1-3)
◦ Delegation of Responsibilities (Luke 9:1-6, 10; 10:1-12)
◦ Supervision of Ministry (Mark 6:30; Luke 9:10)
◦ Expectation of Fruitfulness (John 15:5, 8 16; Matthew 25:14-30)
◦ Relational Growth (John 15:15)
◦ Personal Attention (John 1:35-42; Luke 5:1-10; Matthew 16:13-24; 17:27; John 13:6-10; Luke 22:31-32; John 18: 10-11;
21:3-22).
◦ The apostles engaged the early converts in small group instruction in the home as well as
larger gatherings. (Acts 2:42-47; 5:42; 11:26.)
◦ The example of Apollos being discipled by Priscilla and Aquila (Acts 18:24-26)
◦ Paul’s discipling ministry in Ephesus. (Acts 19:9-10; 20:18-20)
◦ Paul as presents himself as a spiritual parent to those he discipled (1 Corinthians 4:14-18; 2
Corinthians 6:11-13; 12:14-15; Galatians 4:19; 1 Thessalonians 2:7-12)
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 Biblical Foundations of Evangelism and Discipleship
(3)

Theology of Salvation summary (see also METP 101)

Evangelism and Disciplemaking is in Partnership with God

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 LEARNING ACTIVITY:
Scriptures God’s Our
Responsibility Responsibility WRITING EXCERCISE
Colossians 4:2–6 Read the indicated scriptures and
John 16:7–8 identify which things are God’s
responsibility and which are our
Romans 10:14–17 responsibility in the partnership of
Romans 1:16 evangelism and disciplemaking.
1 Peter 3:15–16 Make a list in the appropriate
2 Corinthians 5:11, places in the chart on your paper.
18–21 Prepare to discuss your answers in
John 6:44 class.

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 THE SPIRITUAL JOURNEY OF AN INDIVIDUAL
Spiritual Journey Assessment (Engel’s Scale)
Stage Description Person Requires Discipler’s Action
-8 Awareness of Supreme Being Knowledge Questions
-7 Some Knowledge of Gospel Knowledge Proclamation
-6 Knowledge of Fundamentals of Gospel Knowledge Proclamation
-5 Grasp of Personal Implications of Gospel Faith Proclamation
-4 Positive Attitude toward Act of Becoming a Christian Attitude change Proclamation
-3 Problem Recognition/Intention to Act Intention Call for Decision
-2 Decision to Act Decision Call for Decision
-1 Repentance and Faith in Christ Action
New Creature Conversion
+1 Post Decision Evaluation Discipling Follow-up
+2 Incorporation into Church Discipling Follow-up
+3 Conceptual and Behavioral Growth Teaching Mentoring
[1] James F. Engel, Contemporary Christian Communications: It’s Theory and Practice. (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1979), 183, 207.

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 THE SPIRITUAL JOURNEY OF AN INDIVIDUAL (2)
Section Introduction
How to assess an individual’s spiritual journey
Personalities
Multidimensional gateways to a relationship with Christ
◦ Introduction to the Gospel gateways into people’s lives
◦ Logical: Thinking
◦ Physical: Sensing
◦ Emotional: Feeling
◦ Social: Relating
◦ Spiritual: Worshipping
◦ Conclusion

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 LEARNING ACTIVITY:
PERSONAL REFLECTION AND DISCUSSION

Which of the dimensions or gateways were important for you when

you came to Christ?
Which dimensions do you see as gateways for your friends?

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 ENGAGING THE OUTSIDER COMMUNITY
The context of evangelism
◦ Cultural (language and ethnicity)
◦ Social (poverty or wealth)
◦ Level of education
◦ Age related matters
◦ Geographical (rural, urban, coastal, inland, island, continental)
◦ Religious (Hindu, Buddhist, Islam, Animist, cults, denominations, etc.)
◦ The Outsiders in your own “household” (oikos)—people in your circle of influence.
Obstacles to Evangelism
Earning the right to be heard

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 EVANGELISM ATTITUDES AND HABITS
Models of Evangelism
Evangelistic Activities Progression Summary (Using an agricultural metaphor)
◦ 1. Preparing the ground
◦ 2. Sowing/Planting
◦ 3. Watering
◦ 4. Tending
◦ 5. Reaping
◦ 6. Making Disciples
◦ 7. Making disciple makers
The role of the church in evangelism and disciplemaking (As an expression of the
whole Christian community)
Our attitude toward reaching the lost

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 EVANGELISM ATTITUDES AND HABITS (2)
Key concepts of being a guide on the spiritual journey:
friendship/relationship evangelism
◦ Working in cooperation with the Holy Spirit
◦ Many people today come to faith in the context of a community.
◦ Spiritual friendships is the context in which genuine and transformational
conversation can take place.
◦ Stories are the best way for the whole of the truth of the gospel to be told.
◦ Jesus needs to presented not as an institutional figure or a religious person, but as a
person who is open to friendship with anyone.
◦ The good news that Jesus preached was about the kingdom of God which has come
to rule and begin to make everything right in the here and now.
◦ Conversion is a journey for an individual which leads towards a commitment. We are
like travel guides.

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 EVANGELISM ATTITUDES AND HABITS (3)
The gospel presentation
◦ Telling your story (Learn to follow this pattern)
◦ Before I accepted Jesus, this was my situation:
◦ These are the things that led to my decision to accept Jesus:
◦ After I accepted Jesus, my life was changed in this way:
◦ Telling God’s story (a suggested outline-shorten if necessary)
◦ Inviting your friend into God’s story
Evangelism Prayer
◦ Prayer for unbelievers
◦ Prayer for the evangelizing church

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 Learning Activity: Group Prayer

Take time to pray

◦ for the lost
◦ For the evangelizing church

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 The Seven Elements
of a Good Christian Conversion
The Beginning of a New Life in Christ
INTERNAL ELEMENTS
◦ (1) Belief (the intellectual element)
◦ (2) Repentance (the penitential element)
◦ (3) Assurance of forgiveness, trust, and joy (the emotional element)
◦ (4) Commitment, Allegiance, Devotion (volitional element)
SUPPORTIVE ELEMENTS
◦ (5) Water baptism
◦ (6) Receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit
◦ (7) Incorporation into Christian Community

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 A Good Christian Conversion
Assurance of
Belief Repentance Forgiveness,
Trust and Joy

Receiving the Commitment,

Gift of the Water Baptism Allegiance,
Spirit Devotion

Incorporation
into Christian
Community

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 Learning Activity: Group Discussion

Why are all of these seven elements important?

Consider each element separately and discuss what the danger is if
that element was missing.

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 DISCIPLEMAKING ATTITUDES AND HABITS
The Heart of a Disciplemaker
The Habits of a Disciplemaker
◦ A disciple maker is first and always a disciple of Christ
◦ Make disciplemaking a lifestyle.
◦ Promote local church unity as you make disciples
◦ Rely on the Holy Spirit
◦ Use Jesus’ strategy for disciplemaking
◦ Practice the art of hospitality

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 Learning Activity: Group Discussion

Describe how you were discipled.

◦ What stands out to you in the person who discipled you?
◦ What will you do the same?
◦ What will you do differently?

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 Discipleship Priorities:
Christian Character Formation

Spiritual Intimacy

Community Godly
Relationships Character

Service
Ministry

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 What does your devotional life look like?
How would you describe your regular time
Spiritual alone with God?
Intimacy: What How is your prayer life?
is the quality of How is your engagement with Scripture?
your
relationship How do you express worship?
with God? How would you describe your knowledge of
God?
How do you express your love for God?

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 How do you relate to other Christians?
Community ◦ In your church? Small group? In other churches?
Relationships: What is your family life like? How do you
What is the relate to your family members?
◦ Spouses? Children? Parents? Siblings? In-laws?
quality of your
relationships How do you relate to people in general?
with the people How do you express God’s grace and
in your life? generosity to others?
Are you forgiving?

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 What aspects of the fruit of the Spirit are
present?
How do your ethics reflect biblical
Godly instructions?
Character: How How do you manage your emotions?
Christ-like are
you? Are you able to control your physical
desires in appropriate ways?
Do you show evidence of humility
combined with confidence?

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 How do you serve God?
How do you serve fellow Christians?
How do you serve those outside the Christian
faith?
Service: What Do you use your gifts to serve others?
attitudes do you Do you understand your sphere of ministry?
have as you Are you prepared to support others?
serve in How well do you work on a ministry team?
ministry? Is your ministry attitude characterized by a
“kingdom of God” mentality?
Do you acknowledge with gratitude what God is
doing through other ministry initiatives?

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 Learning Activity: Personal Reflection

Study these questions and then choose one question from each
section that stands out to you.
How would answer that question to someone who was discipling
you?

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