Our last tele-conversation (previous two posts) raised the issue of “discipleship pathways.” How do we address healthy disciple-making (spiritual formation) in the context of simple/house church?
I think this issue has much to do with how we view the process of discipleship. If it is just information downloading (my old way of thinking), then it’s simply a matter of a well-designed program. If, however, it is about relationship, modeling, life and lifestyle transmission, well… that is going to be a different matter altogether.
To get my own juices flowing on this subject, I decided to review some of the different perspectives and approaches to this topic that I found interesting.
Neil Cole
Neil encourages discipleship to begin in groups that are smaller than organic/house churches. He calls these small incubators “Life Transformation Groups.”
"This is a group of two or three people who meet weekly to challenge one another to live an authentic spiritual life. Members of these non-coed groups have a high degree of accountability to one another in how they have walked with the Lord each week, which involves mutual confession of sins as well as reading a large volume of Scripture repetitively. LTGs are also missional, in that they actively pray for the souls of lost friends, associates, and neighbors."
These groups, as you can see, focus on accountability, Scripture (lots of Scripture reading), and actively praying for the lost. Neil feels strongly that one cannot improve upon the Bible for curriculum and that helping people immerse themselves in Scripture provides them with the needed foundation:
"Do we really think we can improve upon God’s Word? Why do we so often give people our own teachings and curriculum rather than Jesus’ teaching? … The helps that are available to us are not sinister or wrong, but they are also not the seed of God’s Kingdom."
I particularly agree with Neil’s desire to see Christians learn to be “self-feeding” as quickly as possible.
Neil sponsors Greenhouse Conferences and the quotes above are from his book, Organic Church.
Wayne Jacobsen
Wayne’s view of discipleship is far more fluid. Here are some quotes from his book…
“Jesus didn’t leave us with a system he left us with his Spirit. He gave us his Spirit as a guide instead of a map. Principles alone will not satisfy your hunger. That’s why systems always promise a future revival that never comes. They cannot produce community because they are designed to keep people apart…
“Just keep in mind the simplest lesson that has been repeated countless times since Jesus was here: The more organization you bring to church life, the less life it will contain…
“That’s where religion has done the most damage. By making people dependent on its leaders, it has made God’s people passive in their own spiritual growth. We wait for others to show us how, or even just follow them in hopes that they’re getting it right. Jesus wants this relationship with you and he wants you to be an active part in that process…
“‘But can we do it on our own? Don’t we need some help?’ Marsha asked.
“Who said you’re alone? Jesus is the way to the Father. As you learn to yield to his Spirit and depend on his power, you’ll discover how to live in the fullness of his life. Yes, he’ll often use other people to encourage or equip you in that process, but the people he uses won’t let you grow dependent on them.”
The value of Jacobsen’s writings is that he challenges us to stay away from formulas and remain dependent on our relationship with the Father.
These quotes are from his book that is available free online.
More to come on this subject…
Comments
3 responses to “Thoughts on Discipleship Pathways”
Thing is – disciples follow. So Jesus teachings have to be absorbed somehow. It is almost impossible for me personally to put myself in the situation of not knowing what Jesus said (as opposed to not following what he says which is sadly still the case only too often!), so I think – without anything of the Word in me – would the Spirit still be leading & teaching me? I have no doubt he would – but I am also sure that it would be heaps easier WITH the word! Like Jesus said in John 14:23 if we love him we will do what he says, so how does a brand new believer who has heard the gospel and responded get to start knowing the rest of what Jesus was about – which is how we are meant to live? Are there not some core things we can do to help? Like – take them through key teachings?
The type of discipleship would definitely depend on what it is we are trying to do. If we are simply trying to get people to have good morals then you might want to buy a building and get a speaker and come to listen to him week after week. If our discipleship is connected with reaching out (missional) then we would ask ourselves what reaching out means. Does it mean evangelism (bringing others to Christ)? Does it mean works of mercy? Does it mean helping out the neighbour? A combination of all the above? What exactly do we mean when we are talking missionally? What is it exactly we are trying to do?
We need a good dose of fluidity but we cannot discount the importance of prayer, reading scripture and worship (not necessarily singing). The most important question will be; Are we willing? What is the use of talking about community when we do not have time for one another? What is the use of continually talking about reaching out when we never make contact with our neighbours? What is the use of talking about the importance of prayer and scripture when we don’t take time for them? I think it was Neil Cole who said “We want to lower the bar of doing church and raise the bar of what it means to be a disciple.” So what does discipleship mean in the context of simple organic churches?
Three things have come to my heart in the last two days. It is something that I have always taken for granted and not given much thought to. It precedes all forms of discipleship. The first is that JESUS IS ALIVE and is passionately interested in what we are doing. The second is that God is an active God. He is more than willing to work in those hearts that have been given over to Him. Thirdly, the role of the Holy Spirit is essential.
I think the first and foremost role of discipleship is to re introduce our selves to the person of Jesus. Re acquaint ourselves with the stories of Jesus. In all our ways, in all our dealings, in all journey, is it Jesus that we are full of?……….. I know its easy to shrug our shoulders and say of course but none of us should take this lightly. It needs to be our first priority.
If we are first full of Jesus than our task will be easier in the sense that people will be attracted to the Jesus in us rather than our methods. But that in itself does take equipping and discipling.
On Neil Cole’s site I came across this article by Bob Roberts…… I think it is worth reading.
http://www.cmaresources.org/articles/why_theystart.asp
Thought-provoking post, Roger.
Bud Ford over at http://www.missionmiamivalley.com has some great thoughts, as well, about this subject. His book, “Transformation: The Missing Piece,” is among the best books I’ve ever read on the subject of personal, Church, and community-wide spiritual transformation. The guy is all about discipleship, and his book is packed with scriptural examples of what has worked.
Among the scriptural concepts that he shares that stick out to me is the model of how Christ discipled. First, He showed them while they watched. Then, at the right time, He did it as they helped. Then, at the right time, they did it and He watched. Ultimately, He sent them out to do it themselves.
Simple, Biblical, duplicatable.
I offer Dr. Ford’s book as suggested further reading on the subject of your post, Roger. I think everyone would benefit on numerous levels.
Blessings…….
Ben