Steps Toward Discipleship

3

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Faithful Witness to Motivated Ministers

A disciple who has completed this phase has become a genuinely maturing follower of Jesus. He/She is a bold and resourceful witness to the gospel, having learned to be fruitful even in the face of rejection, suffering, or sacrifice. He/She has life and ministry experience so that he/she not only walks consistently with the Lord, but has developed the character, skills, and training to lead other disciples into leadership and service.

Major Intent

To deploy disciples as disciple-makers, leaders, or helpers of ministries, those who can reproduce the training, character, and functions they have acquired by following Jesus, to further challenge and support disciples to maintain basic habits and add new habits; to deepen their Christian character and resemblance to Jesus Christ.

Duration

9-24 months

Disciple's Involvement

  • Works alongside key leaders
  • Leads or serves in a ministry

Commitment

Willing to give their life for Christ; continues to be mentored by other ministry leaders

Distinctives

  • Highly committed, dedicated disciple and servant
  • Shows evidence of their fruit John 15
  • Continued growth process with focus on more advanced habits and character
  • Passionate about God's word, spends quality time with mentor and other Christian leaders

Ministries

  • Ministry Teams (ushers, greets, children's workers, mission trips, etc.)
  • Ongoing Accountability Groups: Impact Groups that continue to meet and serve as a ministry team for
  • service and Prayer, Care, Share outreach to unchurched loved ones.
  • Disciple-maker's Leadership Community: This is a monthly small group huddle meeting of disciple-makers who are leading groups within the same ministry or life-stage.

Transformative Indicators

By the end of this phase a disciple:

Exhibits Maturity

  • A disciple does whatever is necessary to keep from sin. Matthew 5:29
  • A disciple listens carefully and obeys God's word, knowing that the more they listen/obey, the more God will reveal to them. Mark 4:23-24
  • A disciple realizes the dangers associated with ministry and life among evil people in general and responds in shrewdness, innocence, and guardedness. Matthew 10:16-17
  • A disciple forgives others always for everything. Matthew 18:22-35
  • A disciple never allows other priorities of any kind to distract them from ministry. Luke 9:62
  • A disciple is not lured away from real life by any kind of greed. Luke 12:15
  • A disciple-maker seeks direct guidance from scripture and faithfully carries out all scriptural directives. Acts 1:21
  • A disciple-maker praises God for all He does. Acts 4:24
  • A disciple-maker is sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit. Acts 11:17, 16:6, 16:10
  • A disciple-maker knows his/her calling. Romans 1:1
  • A disciple-maker perseveres. Romans 15:4
  • A disciple-maker evaluates all of life from God's perspective. 1 Corinthians 2:15
  • A disciple lives so as to gain heavenly reward. 1 Corinthians 9:24
  • A disciple-maker lives by the Golden rule. They do not wrong, corrupt, or take advantage of anyone. 2 Corinthians 7:2
  • A disciple seeks approval from God, not man. 2 Corinthians 10:18
  • A disciple's knowledge and wisdom grows. Philippians 1:9
  • A disciple-maker dwells on positive, Godly thoughts. Philippians 4:8
  • A disciple-maker practices what he/she preaches. 1 Thessalonians 1:5
  • A disciple-maker usually uses gentleness instead of authority to minister to others. 1 Thessalonians 2:6-7
  • A disciple-maker is not addicted to any substance. 1 Timothy 3:3&8
  • A disciple-maker is able to exhort in sound doctrine. Titus 1:9, 2:1
  • A disciple-maker counts trials as joy because of the growth & reward they bring.
  • A disciple-maker uses the Holy Spirit to bridle the tongue. James 3:2-18
  • A disciple-maker is humble. James 4:6 & 10; 1 Peter 3:8, 5:5-6

Gains sufficient ministry experience

  • A disciple is intentional and totally committed in his/her ministry. Luke 9:51
  • A disciple-maker teaches willingly in small groups. Acts 20:20
  • A disciple-maker serves his/her church. Romans 16:11
  • A disciple-maker words hard in his/her ministry. 1 Corinthian 15:10
  • A disciple is steadfast & unwavering in his/her faith and fruitful ministry. 1 Corinthians 15:58, 16:1

Willing to forsake all for the Gospel

  • A disciple has an "eternal perspective" on suffering and reward in life. Luke 6:20-26
  • A disciple fasts. Matthew 6:16
  • A disciple expects persecution as a result of obeying Christ. Matthew 10:17-18
  • A disciple does not allow anything to distract them from their calling. Luke 10:4
  • A disciple serves others even to the point of death. Mark 10:43-45
  • A disciple praises God for his/her tribulations. Romans 5:3
  • A disciple-maker shares his/her faith even when persecuted. 1 Thessalonians 2:2
  • A disciple-maker is always ready to defend his/her faith. 1 Peter 3:15
  • A disciple-maker is faithful unto death Revelation 2:10, 2:13, 6:9 & 15

Loves other believers more than self

  • A disciple loves (seeks the best of) all (both good and evil) men at all times, imitating God.  Matthew 5:44
  • A disciple knows that, in the kingdom of heaven, greatness comes from serving others. Mark 9:35
  • A disciple gives every person the positive benefit of the doubt when seeking to reach them. Luke 10:4-5
  • A disciple loves his/her neighbor as his/her self. Matthew 22:39
  • A disciple is lovingly devoted to other Christians. Romans 12:10
  • A disciple-maker empathizes, rejoicing or weeping, with others. Romans 12:15
  • A disciple-maker loves his/her disciples. 2 Corinthians 11:11
  • A disciple-maker goes the second mile when asked for a favor. Philemon v.21
  • A disciple-maker lays down his/her life for other Christians. 1 John 3:16

Boldly and correctly interprets and articulates God's Word

  • A disciple believes in the inspiration and certainty of every letter of every word in the Bible. Matthew 5:18
  • A disciple practices and teaches every truth in God's word. Matthew 5:19
  • A disciple judges right from wrong based on biblical principle, not just outward appearance. John 7:24
  • A disciple-maker has an in-depth knowledge of scripture. Acts 2:25
  • A disciple-maker (that is so gifted) teaches God's word to encourage and strengthen others. Acts 15:32-35
  • A disciple-maker is bold in proclaiming God's truth. Acts 28:31
  • A disciple-maker is always prepared and preaches God's word. 2 Timothy 4:2
  • A disciple softens his/her heart, trusts God, and is diligent to his/her rest. Hebrews 4:7-11, 12:25
  • A disciple has learned an overview of the entire Bible and each individual book.

Accountable and subordinate to other church leaders 

  • A disciple-maker makes themselves accountable to more mature leaders. Acts 15:2
  • A disciple obeys the decisions of their church leaders. Acts 16:4
  • A disciple brings legal/moral grievances against Christians to church leaders, not civil courts. 1 Corinthians 6:1-8
  • A disciple-maker who is an elder or deacon is first tested for faithfulness and character. 1 Timothy 3:10
  • A disciple-maker is a team player (not self-willed). Titus 1:7
  • A disciple is submissive and obedient to his/her spiritual leaders. Hebrews 13:17
  • A disciple submits to all human authorities to silence the criticism of unbelievers. 1 Peter 2:13-15, 2:17

Depends on God for their needs

  • A disciple stores up heavenly treasure. Matthew 6:19
  • A disciple seeks God's kingdom and righteousness and does not worry but trusts God to provide for their needs. (Matthew 6:25-34
  • When a disciple prays, they ask for their needs to be met. Luke 11:2-4
  • A disciple trusts God to supply his/her financial needs. 2 Corinthians 9:10
  • A disciple-maker is content in all circumstances. Philippians 4:11-13

Has a proper view and practice of stewardship

  • A disciple is a good steward by serving God, not money, being trustworthy in the use of God's possessions, and using money to please/befriend God. Luke 16:1-13
  • A disciple uses God's resources to produce more fruit as a God steward. Luke 19:17
  • A disciple-maker knows it is better to give than to receive. Acts 20:35
  • A disciple-maker does not use Christianity for financial profit. 2 Corinthians 2:17
  • A disciple-maker practices equality in relation to basic needs of life as a steward of God's wealth 2 Corinthians 8:13-15
  • A disciple-maker is free from the love of money. 1 Timothy 3:3,8

Has established times of individual renewal and reflection

  • A disciple prays. They pray privately, to God, to the point. Matthew 6:5-13
  • A disciple rests when necessary. Mark 6:31

Multiplies themselves through discipleship.

  • A disciple prays for others to become disciples and helps them. Luke 10:2
  • A disciple includes children as equal with adults in value when it comes to making disciples. Mark 10:14
  • A disciple-maker teaches disciples God's word. John 17:14
  • A disciple-maker shepherds his/her disciple. John 18:8-9
  • A disciple-maker deploys disciples in ministry. Acts 11:25
  • A disciple-making church sends church planters/preachers/missionaries. Romans 10:15
  • A disciple-maker lives his/her life as a model for other disciples. 1 Corinthians 11:1
  • A disciple-maker feels personal concern for those he/she ministers to. 2 Corinthians 11:28-29
  • A disciple-maker prays for his/her disciples. Ephesians 1:16
  • A disciple-maker exhorts other disciples to ministry. Colossians 4:17
  • A disciple-maker loves and desires to be with his/her disciple. 1 Thessalonians 2:17

Actively declares truth to a pagan world.

  • A disciple is to live in a way that exposes and glorifies God. Matthew 5:14-16
  • A wise disciple evaluates the audience and offers truth or help only to those who will receive it. Matthew 7:6
  • A disciple ministers with a sense of urgency knowing a time will come when their efforts will be useless. John 9:4
  • A disciple reflects heaven's priorities by befriending unbelievers and winning them to Christ. Luke 15:7
  • A disciple knows the gospel must be preached to every nation before Christ's return. Mark 13:10, Matthew 24:14,10
  • A disciple-maker uses God-given opportunities to preach the gospel. Acts 2:14
  • A disciple-maker bears witness for Christ even in dangerous circumstances. Acts 4:10
  • A disciple-maker travels to other places to preach the gospel and do ministry. Acts 8:5-6
  • A disciple-maker proactively seeks opportunity to present the gospel. Acts 8:30,35
  • A disciple-maker takes the gospel to the whole world. Acts 13:4
  • A disciple-maker is opportunistic and wise in presenting God's truth to unbelievers. Colossians 4:5-6
  • A disciple-maker testifies to the truth he/she knows. 1 John 1:1-3, 4:14

Engages in spiritual battles and exercising spiritual authority

  • A disciple recognizes the reality, presence, and power of demons. Mark 5:2
  • A disciple knows Jesus has all power over demons. Mark 5:13
  • A disciple knows he/she has spiritual authority and uses it to release others from spiritual bondage. Matthew 10:1, 28:18
  • A disciple-maker overcomes evil with good. Romans 12:21
  • A disciple uses spiritual weapons to accomplish ministry. 2 Corinthians 10:3-6
  • A disciple totally dissociates from satanic knowledge and activity. Revelation 2:24

Maintains Christ-honoring relationships

  • A disciple continues to spend time with the disciple-maker. Mark 3:1
  • A disciple knows that breaking any marriage vow constitutes adultery. Matthew 5:31
  • A disciple makes his goal to give more to, not to get even with, evil persons. Matthew 5:39
  • A disciple knows it is a grave sin to cause (even) a child to sin. Matthew 18:6
  • A disciple-maker treats/loves all people equally. Acts 10:34
  • A disciple encourages others. Romans 1:12
  • A disciple-maker practices hospitality. Romans 12:13
  • A disciple forgives and restores a brother who repents. 2 Corinthians 2:7
  • A disciple-maker assumes responsibility for having a ministry of reconciliation - being Christ's ambassador. 2 Corinthians 5:18-20
  • A disciple-maker appropriately uses church discipline. 2 Corinthians 1:32
  • A disciple-maker has a good reputation with those outside the church. 1 Timothy 3:7
  • A disciple-maker pursues peace with all men. Hebrews 12:14
  • A disciple respects marriage and is sexually pure. Hebrews 12:15
  • A disciple-maker protects the flock by confronting bitterness. Hebrews 12:15
  • A disciple-maker does not tolerate evil men. Revelation 2:2,20

SERVING OTHERS FOR THE SAKE OF GOD'S KINGDOM; PART 2
Demonstrating God's Love by using gifts and abilities to serve within the church, the community and beyond!