What matters most in disciple-making?

[Skip Garmo]

One of God's gracious blessings to me late in 2015 was that the Mission America Coalition leadership team entrusted me with the responsibility to coordinate & facilitate the Disciple Making affinity sphere for MAC's "Love2020" initiative.

As a steward of this privilege & responsibility, I need YOUR advice.

Here's why: Our "Disciple Making Sphere" networkers (DMS) will convene in Long Beach, CA as part of the larger MAC Leadership Consultation (Feb 16-18). When our DMS group meets, I'll ask them 3 key questions.

What do YOU recommend that those 3 questions should be?

One possibility: "What matters most in disciple making?"

BTW, do YOU want to interact with us in person at the Consultation? Who knows what God may do in and through those DMS networkers--and through your ministry alongside others in that group? You may register via www.MissionAmerica.org.

[Janice S. Garey]

One question that could be asked is how to be a humble servant leader in today's world? Compare and contrast similarities and differences of the time in which Jesus lived and now and show word or visual pictures of how to more closely model Jesus' love through actions today.

Another question could be related to how to model productive righteous anger in a world of counterproductive rants.

I am not sure if these questions are in line with what you are considering. Perhaps these thoughts with give you different angles for approaching your subject.

[Jay Lawrence]

[Jay Lawrence]

Please forgive me for being SO VERY basic in my walk as I tend to simplify when elaboration is usually needed.

To me, the question "What matters most in disciple making?" is assumptive as it implies a LOT of prior activity so my best answer is: "It depends."  

Why? Because to get to that question, I would need to go through a process similar to the following:

Something like "As a Christian, how can I go about meeting non-Christians without seeming to have an agenda?" would be the first consideration. Then "How can I develop friendly relationships with the non-Christians I meet?" then "How can I effectively witness to my new friend?" is the question, when answered, that allows me to consider your question; one potential disciple at a time.

[Don Gordon]

Skip, One question I would suggest is, "What strategies, processes, curriculum do we have in place to teach Christians to pray to God and listen in prayer to what God says back?" 

[Janice S. Garey]

Those are certainly good questions. I think the process of making friends might be harder for those who have been Christian since childhood because they might not know what life is like as an adult without Christ. I became a Christian as an adult so I can relate to what it feels like to meet a Christian with an agenda.

Jay Lawrence said:

Please forgive me for being SO VERY basic in my walk as I tend to simplify when elaboration is usually needed.

To me, the question "What matters most in disciple making?" is assumptive as it implies a LOT of prior activity so my best answer is: "It depends."  

Why? Because to get to that question, I would need to go through a process similar to the following:

Something like "As a Christian, how can I go about meeting non-Christians without seeming to have an agenda?" would be the first consideration. Then "How can I develop friendly relationships with the non-Christians I meet?" then "How can I effectively witness to my new friend?" is the question, when answered, that allows me to consider your question; one potential disciple at a time.

[Janice S. Garey]

Another good question! I had thought that a question about the role of prayer in discipleship would be good, too.

Don Gordon said:

Skip, One question I would suggest is, "What strategies, processes, curriculum do we have in place to teach Christians to pray to God and listen in prayer to what God says back?" 

[Gary E. Blackwell]

1. Are you leading individuals to be disciples of Christ or to be your disciple?

2. How do you enlist members on a discipleship groups? Do you recruit toward a vision of becoming a person who disciples others or do you just recruit people who are interested in their own spiritual growth and formation?

3. Do you include apologetics as a part of your discipleship training? Are you helping them be prepared to give an answer at any time and to related to all persons so that they may lead some to know Christ as Lord?

[Gary E. Blackwell]

Why not just connect and develop a friendship based on common interest, such as fan of the same sport team. I can talk and get to know anyone wearing a LSU shirt. Start with that a beginning and then follow the Spirit.
 
Jay Lawrence said:

Please forgive me for being SO VERY basic in my walk as I tend to simplify when elaboration is usually needed.

To me, the question "What matters most in disciple making?" is assumptive as it implies a LOT of prior activity so my best answer is: "It depends."  

Why? Because to get to that question, I would need to go through a process similar to the following:

Something like "As a Christian, how can I go about meeting non-Christians without seeming to have an agenda?" would be the first consideration. Then "How can I develop friendly relationships with the non-Christians I meet?" then "How can I effectively witness to my new friend?" is the question, when answered, that allows me to consider your question; one potential disciple at a time.

[Gary E. Blackwell]

Spend time with God that involves not talking but being silent and listening for the still small voice. Read God's word with the expectation that He will speak and then just listen.
 
Janice S. Garey said:

Another good question! I had thought that a question about the role of prayer in discipleship would be good, too.

Don Gordon said:

Skip, One question I would suggest is, "What strategies, processes, curriculum do we have in place to teach Christians to pray to God and listen in prayer to what God says back?" 

[Skip Garmo]

Thoughtful input, Don, Janice, and Jay!
Rephrasing--correct me if needed--I see 3 core questions so far:
• How does Christ want a Christlike disciple to act & react in today's world?
• What are best practices for equipping disciples in prayer?
• What are best practices for equipping disciples to build healthy relationships that develop into 2 Timothy 2:2 disciple making?
BTW, in which state/province are you each living? Part of the fun of this growing dialogue is seeing interacts from where. :)