Discipleship: Individual & Corporate

Transcription

1 Discipleship: Individual & Corporate L i v i n g t h e M e s s a g e : S h a r i n g G o o d N e w s & G r o w t h L i f e S p r i n g S e m i n a r S e r i e s P r e s e n t e r : I s r a e l S t e i n m e t z

2 Presentation Outline A Merger in Discipleship How Disciples Mature Models of Individual Discipleship Models of Corporate Discipleship Bringing it All Together This presentation is developed in large part from Bill Hull, The Complete Book of Discipleship

3 A Merger in Discipleship According to Bill Hull, The Complete Book of Discipleship, a significant merger is taking place in regards to discipleship. Three merging streams: Classic Discipleship Spiritual Formation Environmental Discipleship The merger allows for the strengths of each to be highlighted, while the weaknesses are diminished.

4 A Merger in Discipleship Classic Discipleship Characteristics: One-on-one mentoring, disciplined program of Bible study, training in witnessing and speaking. Strengths: Focus on Scripture and sequenced/segmented growth. Weaknesses: More focused on performance than inner life, program rather than ongoing lifestyle, some developed unhealthy dependence upon individual mentors.

5 A Merger in Discipleship Spiritual Formation Characteristics: reclaim ancient practices of spiritual discipline, including solitude, silence, frugality, worship, fasting, meditation on Scripture. Strengths: emphasizes relationship of grace and effort, allows for reflection and awareness of growth. Weaknesses: often susceptible to liberal and non-christian spiritual influence, can tend toward isolation and inaction.

6 A Merger in Discipleship Environmental Discipleship Characteristics: Focus on group dynamics, healthy environments and how people grow in relationship with others. Strengths: Emphasis on corporate growth, health and relationship. Weaknesses: Can be susceptible to societal definitions of acceptance, trust, love, etc. Still in its early stages of development.

7 How Disciples Mature Factors in Christian Growth: God s transformative work The corporate life of the Body of Christ The individual life of the disciple Do we really need all three? Isn t everything up to God? Isn t my church responsible for my growth? Isn t this just between me and God?

8 Models of Individual Discipleship Individual discipleship: Popularized in the 1950 s by groups such as the Navigators. Typically includes a more mature individual and a less mature individual who engage in segmented, sequential training. Segmented = a planned training time for people at certain stages of spiritual maturity Sequential = graduating from one level of development to another

9 Models of Individual Discipleship Coaching- a process of imparting encouragement and skills to succeed in a task through relationship. The Coach s Function To impart skills To impart confidence To motivate people in order to bring out the best To model the importance of learning the basics of a skill To point people to other resources To observe people in action To evaluate people s experience and give them feedback Stanley & Clinton, Connecting

10 Models of Individual Discipleship Mentoring While coaching requires the coach to be competent in specific skills, mentoring focuses on the mentor s character. At its heart, mentoring involves the transformation of a person s soul. 3 Primary Aspects of Mentoring: Helping a person enter into the true meaning of personhood [to] live out God s dream for her in society. Moving into an existential, right-now relationship to God s Word. We read God s Word, we let it read us, and then we do what it tells us. Living in community and participating selflessly in its most profound act: worshipping God together.

11 Models of Individual Discipleship Spiritual Direction the structured ministry in which a gifted and experienced Christian helps another believer grow in relationship with and obedience to Christ. see quote on Hull, 222 Characteristics of a Spiritual Director A person of vital Christian faith A possessor of needed knowledge in theology and the spiritual classics An individual who is seasoned in ministry A person of loving concern A person who possesses discernment Someone who has experienced some suffering and failure Bruce Demarest, Satisfy Your Soul

12 Models of Corporate Discipleship Every Aspect of Church Life is an Opportunity for Corporate Discipleship Classes Corporate Prayer/Worship Scripture Reading/Memorization Preaching Small Groups/Ministry Teams Formal and informal Fellowship If our corporate life is not moving us through the process of discipleship, then why are we meeting together?

13 Bringing it All Together Two great pitfalls await us in discipleship: Neglecting the process altogether Becoming focused exclusively on one or two elements The great merger in discipleship Classic discipleship Spiritual formation Environmental discipleship

14 Bringing it All Together A final word: Pursue opportunities to embrace the process of discipleship in its fullness. Balance individual and corporate approaches to discipleship. Prioritize organic relationships. Keep your eyes on Jesus!