Bible Study Are We Making Disciples or Just Big Crowds?

[ezrider]

People qualified to make disciples is sadly lacking.


First a person must have been discipled himself before he can make disciples.

What is the qualification to making disciples? If there are none qualified, then who can teach? Must the first disciple be taught of an Apostle in order to be qualified?

 

[JLB]

What is the qualification to making disciples? If there are none qualified, then who can teach? Must the first disciple be taught of an Apostle in order to be qualified?

The qualification for making a disciple of Jesus Christ, is first being a disciple of Jesus Christ.



JLB

 

[Christ_empowered]

i think a lot of this is because of how society works now, in 21st century America (possibly elsewhere, too...not trying to zero in on American culture, I just don't know much about how other places operate...).

people move. families are not as stable as they once were. community bonds...not as tight. in this context....

how can a church do much, honestly? people work, some work a whole lot...people know about each other, they might be acquainted with each other, but...speaking as someone who has lived in the south my whole life, mostly in small towns...

social connections...real bonds that might help....are increasingly a thing of the past. not that it was amazing when i was a kid (I'm 34, btw), but...things have changed. Add in Barna data that shows that many, many -church goers- don't even believe in standard Christianity 101, and...

blah. its not all bad news, of course. the violent crime rate is at a low point in the US. the divorce rate stabilized. wages are up for some workers. its just...

in the context of a society that's largely disintegrated, or at least...loosened apart, isn't as genuinely interconnected...its really, really difficult for the church to disciple people.

 

[stovebolts]

This is probably one of the best books I've studied on the matter. Teaching it is another matter all together. Most have fixed ideas and put limits on themselves to not make disciples because most think discipleship is about teaching the right doctrines and having all the right answers.

Walking as Jesus Walked: Making Disciples the Way Jesus Did (Like Jesus Series): Spader, Dann: 9780802447098: Amazon.com: Books

Walking as Jesus Walked: Making Disciples the Way Jesus Did (Like Jesus Series) [Spader, Dann] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Walking as Jesus Walked: Making Disciples the Way Jesus Did (Like Jesus Series)

www.amazon.com

 

[for_his_glory]

Actually anyone who is in Christ and He in them being indwelled with the Holy Spirit are disciples of Christ as they are a student of the Holy Spirit teaching them all things that Jesus taught. It began with the 12 who were sent out as all of us are sent out to preach the good news of the Gospel. We all have a witness and a testimony, which is the best place to begin to help teach others.

 

[stovebolts]

Actually anyone who is in Christ and He in them being indwelled with the Holy Spirit are disciples of Christ as they are a student of the Holy Spirit teaching them all things that Jesus taught. It began with the 12 who were sent out as all of us are sent out to preach the good news of the Gospel. We all have a witness and a testimony, which is the best place to begin to help teach others.

As always, well said.

A few years ago I was part of a study modeling the way Jesus made disciples.

It didn't take long to see the pattern.

1. Belong
2. Believe
3. Behave

The modern church does this backwards. They want you to behave, then believe and once those two criteria are met, then you belong.

 

[ezra]

How ironic is it that those in places like third world countries who are so severely persecuted by other religions for the sake of Christ know Him better than many Christians here in America. The church needs to get away from being politically correct and being led by a socially acceptable word and get back to the business of being the disciples of Christ no matter what opposition they will face.

no disagreement from me america needs missionaries here

 

[ezra]

The modern church does this backwards. They want you to behave, then believe and once those two criteria are met, then you belong.

you have to conform to their doctrine right or wrong do not question it

 

[ezra]

What is the qualification to making disciples

disciple is a student

 

[Christ_empowered]

What is the qualification to making disciples? If there are none qualified, then who can teach? Must the first disciple be taught of an Apostle in order to be qualified?

hey ezrider...

i -obviously- cannot speak for JLB, but my take on his statement is that those who have never genuinely converted are in no position to disciple the next cohort of believers.

 

[ezra]

A disciple of Jesus is a worshiper, a servant, and a witness.”

 

[ezrider]

hey ezrider...

i -obviously- cannot speak for JLB, but my take on his statement is that those who have never genuinely converted are in no position to disciple the next cohort of believers.

Hey CE, I hope all is well with you. I really don't think I originally found the right words to frame my thoughts as to being qualified to teach/disciple what. It goes back to ezra original question. Are the churches making disciples or just big crowds?

What does a disciple do? Does he serve the body of Christ? Or does he grow the body of Christ. I find myself more in a situation as JohnDB described and it has been rewarding in more ways than I can describe, but it was not within a church organization and happened very much organically.

If the focus is to make large crowds, then I would ask are they more focused on making a proselyte rather than a disciple? As Jesus said of the Pharisees, you hypocrites, you search the world over to make one proselyte, and when you find him, you make him twice the child of hell than yourself.

 

[Christ_empowered]

good point.



I think the best "crusade for Christ" is probably done on a personal basis, especially in this postmodern age in which much of the established church has lost its power. here in my general region, a megachurch minister got so caught up in the numbers, the numbers, the numbers...that he ended up canned from his position, and the church was million$ in debt when he was removed.

I keep thinking back to the Barna studies that show that so many self-professed US Christians and church goers don't even have the basics of a Christian worldview down. Is it...a lack of discple-ing? Is it what happens when faith becomes an event, a form of entertainment....another good and service to be consumed in a competitive economy? maybe its always been this way, at some level?

 

[ezra]

I think the best "crusade for Christ" is probably done on a personal basis, especially in this postmodern age in which much of the established church has lost its power. here in my general region, a megachurch minister got so caught up in the numbers, the numbers, the numbers...that he ended up canned from his position, and the church was million$ in debt when he was removed.

i am not a mega church fan.. personal basis is a very good approach.. i dont like mass altar calls raise your hand say this prayer if you said this prayer and meant it come forward how ever the Church has not lost the power . many are having a form of Godliness but denying the power there of.
2 Timothy 3:5

“Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.”

actually this was just a article i came across .the church i attend runs around 50 some odd our attendance fluctuate up and down.. the lack of enthusiasm with some seems to be there.. the pastor preaches a great pastoral message.encouraging along the line hey if you have gotten away from the way you use to be. you can get back on .. what i am trying to say times are changing , in this area of southern mo even going north .churches use to have saturday night singings...good attendance good love offering . you call for church revival the attendance is slim.. many churches no longer due sat night services no body will how up.. i preach a lot on sunday nights me and another man..we give the pastor a break.. i mainly have gma and gpas .its hard to preach to those who been in the Bible longer than i been alive.. the Church needs youth on fire for jesus hungering and thirsting . it takes true HOLY GHOST CONVICTION . the book of acts they had all things in common. this is a personal thing with each one of us.. i cant do it for you and you cant do it for me.. the LORD adds to the church daily such as should be saved . it takes a good pastor a good congregation and a heart that is willing