For greater things have yet to comeAnd greater things are still to be done in this city

-God of This City Chris Tomlin

Bridge To Grace August 2011

Equipping intentional disciples to be authentic & deployed into their spheres

of influence

“OUTCOMES”

• Clarity “Disciple”• Responsibility “Disciple Maker”• Basic Discipleship “Concepts”• Committed to BTG Process• Wise Path totally accessible

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Nehemiah – Holy Ambition by Chip Ingram “For the eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His.” 2 Chronicles 16:9 Carpe Vita=“Seize the Life” Carpe Diem=“Seize the Day”

Dislocated Heart

Broken Spirit

Radical Step of Faith

Personal Commitment

Courageous Soul

Strategic Plan

Holy Ambition

George Barna Research

- Less than 1 in 10 Christians live like Christians Hebrews 10:24-25 - Increased teenage youth group activity but no

improvement in religious practices

. Proverbs 22:6

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Why Disciple?If you do not disciple a person who professes Christ, he will almost always become:

• Lukewarm in Faith

• Worldly in Behavior

• Hypocritical in Witness

by Patrick Morley Man in the Mirror 2 Timothy 4:3-5

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“Spiritual Direction”

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Spiritual Growth To Become An Equipped Authentic Disciple

• Does not begin by: Focusing on Behavior or Focusing on Attitudes • Always begins with: Focusing on Thinking

– The battleground for your soul is the mind– Be transformed by the renewing of the mind – Romans

12:2 • Accomplished by the Spirit of God, through the Word of God,

in the context of authentic community for the purpose of glorifying God.

• Demands that by faith we appropriate the Grace of God.

R12 – True SpiritualityBy Chip Ingram

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The Whole Counsel of GodActs 20:26-27

Therefore I testify to you this day, that I am innocent of the blood of all men. For I did not shrink from declaring to you the Whole Purpose of God.

Galatians 5:1-6And I testify again to every man who receivescircumcision, that he is under obligation to The Whole Law.

Ephesians 4:15Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will In All Things grow up into Him who is the Head, that is, Christ.

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The Whole Counsel of God (Cont.)Colossians 1:28

And we proclaim Him, admonishing every man and

teaching every man With All Wisdom, so that every man

stands complete in Christ.

Colossians 4:12Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of

Christ Jesus,sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer

for you, that you may Stand Firm in All the Will of God,

matureand fully assured.

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Disciple Life = Spiritual Direction

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Disciple Strong’s Dictionary (from Greek, first century)

• A learner, pupil• Indicating thought accompanied by endeavor (Romans 12:2)• Denotes one who follows one’s teachings• Defined by Jesus in John 8:31

- “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples”• A Disciple was not only a pupil, but an adherent; hence they

are spoken of as imitators of their teacher.• Acts 4:13 – They understood that Peter and John were

uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed, and began to recognize them as having been with Jesus.

R12 Christian “The Executive Summary”

• Surrender to God “All In”

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Romans 12:1 – “Therefore, I urge you, brothers in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship.”

Romans 12:2 – “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing, and perfect will.”

• Separate from the World

Venture Church & Living On The Edge

R12 Christian “The Executive Summary”

• Sober in self-assessment

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Romans 12:3 – “For by the grace given me, I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance to the measure of faith God has given you.”

Romans 12:9-10 – “Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.”

Romans 12:14 & 21 – 14 “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse… 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

• Serving in love

• Supernaturally responding to evil with good

A Disciple is one who puts Christ first by…

- Having a personal relationship with Jesus. - Being held accountable within a small group. - Serving others through acts of love and

compassion to build God’s Kingdom. - Demonstrating a life of Stewardship. - Sharing the Gospel—Reproducing Disciples. -Maturing in these five dimensions results in a

high impact Christian with a Biblical World-View.

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Having a real relationship with Jesus

A disciple sees and knows Him as a living friend, not just a historical figure. The relationship is personal, not institutional, and it is motivated by how the Disciple can give glory to God in all aspects of their life. By practicing the Spiritual Disciplines, one will come to know Jesus as both Lord and Savior.

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Accountability within a small group

Gives others the right to speak into your life as you progress in putting off the “old self”. The Twelve Disciples comprised the first small group because Jesus knew that becoming an intentional authentic Christian could not be accomplished in isolation.

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Serving others through acts of love & compassion

This is reflected through our spiritual gifts as we seek to glorify God. A Disciple will answer the call to act for those in need. Jesus came to serve, and as a disciple, we are compelled to follow His example as we build the kingdom. For some it may be carpentry shown through the building of a Habitat for Humanity house, teaching a Bible study, serving on a mission team or praying for babies in the nursery.

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Demonstrating a life of Stewardship

A Disciple readily acknowledges that God created the universe and owns it all. Because God owns everything, we acknowledge that we are simply stewards of the gifts of time, talent, resources, relationships, and truth. “God gives us enough time to do everything He wants us to do,” the talent to serve the Church, the resources to support ministries and to nurture relationships with grace.

18Quote of Patrick Morley

Sharing the Gospel—Reproducing Disciples

Sharing the Gospel, modeling a Christ-centered life, and nurturing other disciples is our fundamental calling from Christ. We are called to share our own personal faith journey, for the purpose of bringing others to Christ. We live our lives reflecting authenticity and transparency to reflect His Lordship. We invest our life in the lives of others to help engage, equip and encourage disciples for Christ. The cycle of Christian life is perpetuated when a Disciple’s life is committed to reproducing more Kingdom builders.

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How We’re Going To Do It...

And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All Authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. Matthew 28:18-20

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Fundamental Concepts For Equipping Disciples

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Lasting Transformation

Theology / Doctrine+ Spiritual Disciplines+ Authentic Community= Spiritual Maturity

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No Man Left Behind

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Capture

Create

Sustain

….Through “Next Steps” by Man in the

Mirror

Sanctification “Life Cycle”

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ConvictionOf Sin

Focus onThe Law

Drawn ToJesus

by Jerram Barrs

Commitment to Daily Personal Worship

Journal the Following: - Short Prayer for Discernment - Specific Confession (of previous day’s sins) - Scripture Reading Plan - What did I hear? - Commentary Opinion - How do I apply in my life? - By God’s Grace & The Holy Spirit I will…. - Thoughtful Prayer

25Joshua 1:8

What is Discipleship? - Christian Discipleship is a concentrated process

that occurs when a more mature believer prayerfully enters into a committed relationship with a group of faithful and teachable believers for the purpose of building Godly character, imparting true knowledge, and developing ministry skills under the direction and power of the Holy Spirit, so that they will follow Christ without reservation and do what he tells them to do. John Musselman The Jackson Institute

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John 15:7

Discipleship Process - Step 1 – Prayer list is accumulated of potential candidates - Step 2 – Covenant provided to candidates to be reviewed with spouses - Step 3 – Discipleship Leader to review the Covenant and answer questions - Step 4 – Signed Covenant is due each year at the end of Week # 2

27Mark 3:13-14

R.E.A.L. Men Discipleship Model

- The Guide - The Mentor - The Discipling Leader - The Reproducer

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Discipleship Model: Biblical Example: - Peter & John - Barnabas - Paul - Timothy

Phase I - The Guide

- Faithful - Available - Teachable

Create Curiosity29

Assess the Heart for F.A.T. Men

2 Timothy 2:2

Phase I – The GuideBasic Teaching provided 1 on 1or ingroup of 5 – 7 and topics are pickedto cover the following: - Basic Scripture - Understand Depravity - How to Make Life Managable - Your Spiritual Gifts

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Romans 3:23Matthew 11:29

Phase 2 – The MentorImpart: Knowledge

Skill Character

Through: “I” & “We” Activities chosen using the Discipleship Worksheet

31Luke 6:40

Equipping Curriculum

- _____________ - _____________

Adult Education - _____________ - _____________

Church Community - _____________ - _____________

Discipleship Worksheet

Develop

Service _______________ _______________

Caring _______________ _______________

Mission _______________ _______________

DeployGroups/Activities Books/Studies

Books - _____________ - _____________

Studies - _____________ - _____________

Name: ____________ Stage:______________________Date: ____________ Spiritual Gift: ________________Mentor: ____________ Meth. Of Discovery: ___________

Growth Objective: _____________

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Groups/Activities

Phase 2 – The MentorTopics: Selected from the

Discipleship Grid

Objective: Answer Jesus’ 3 Questions to Peter1. Who do you say I am?2. Do you love me?3. Will you stay with me?

33John 21:15-19

Imparting Knowledge, Character, and Skills

Seek Follow Abide Remain Reproduce

Hurting

Relationship with Jesus

-Spiritual Disciplines

-Bible Study Techniques

-Prayer-Personal Worship

-Apologetics-Sanctification-Doctrine

-Biblical Worldview

-Caring Ministry

Small Group

-Sunday School

-Basic Discipleship

-Progressing to Authentic Community

-All In Disciple

-Discipling Leader

-Celebrate Recovery-Divorce Care

Service -Local Christian Organizations

-Spiritual Gifts

-Mission Trip

-Equip Around Gifts

-Unique Purpose-Mission

-StephenMinister

Stewardship

-Time Management

-Crown -Ramsey -Generous Living

-Giving Champion

-Summit Counseling Center

Mentoring the Lost

-Personal Testimony

-Leading Others to Christ

-Spheres of Influence: Family, Community, Work Life

-MentoringLife-On-Life

-Multiply the Multipliers

-Beacon of Hope

Discipleship Grid Topics

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Phase 3 – Discipling Leader

- Right Character - Right Goals - Right Approach

35Matthew 20: 25-28

Phase 3 – Discipling LeaderT.E.A.M.S. Approach - Theology - Equipping - Accountability - Missional - Supplication

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(10%)

}(75%)(15%)

John 17:20-23

Phase 3 – Discipling Leader

Courses:1. Classic Discipleship (16 hour course)2. Master Plan for Evangelism (8 weeks)3. Assigned a Group to lead (in pairs)4. Monthly “Leader Gatherings” - What is Life on Life Discipleship? - What are the outcomes desired? - How to recruit members? - Components of a good curriculum? - Coaching and Leadership?

37Luke 10: 1-24

Phase 4 – The Reproducer“To the Fourth Generation”

- Missional Prayer List- Create Relationship- Be Invitational

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2 Timothy 2:2Paul Timothy Faithful Men Others

Phase 4 – The ReproducerTools: - Life Isses Booklets (4) - 4 Spiritual Laws - What do you think? - Born to Reproduce - The Mulligan - The Servant

There are a 1,000 ways to disciple and no reasonable way to know how to answer every question, but there are “4 filters for a Spirit Filled Conversation”

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Spiritual Maturity DefinedRelational Sphere

Aspects

God Family Church World

Head(Intellect)

-Theologically sound-Personal Worship

-Role as Spiritual Leader

-Vision, Mission, Values-Spiritual Gifts-Ecclesiology

-Biblical World-view

Heart(Passion)

-Live for Christ-“Love God—Love People”

-Love family before self

-Love the Church family above self-interest

-Heart for the lost and for those in need

Hand (Behavior)

-Spirituality guided by the Holy Spirit

-Servant Leader

-Stewardship -Time -Talent -Resources -Relationships

-Engaged in discipleship to the 4th generation

A Man Called, Equipped, & Deployed

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Romans 12:1-2

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“OUTCOMES”

•Clarity “Disciple”•Basic Discipleship “Concepts”•Responsibility “Disciple

Maker”•Committed to BTG Process•Wise Path totally accessible

Habakkuk 2:2-3