Training Session 8Skill Session: Discipleship
OBJECTIVES
- To understand why the primary target is to make disciples who make disciples.
- To have a disciple-making strategy that fits your context and a way to measure it.
- To obtain some frameworks and tools that you will use in disciple-making
EQUIPMENT
FCA's E3 method of Engage, Equip, Empower is rooted in a desire for discipleship. Read the E3 Playbook if you have not yet.
The three Frameworks that Tony references in his video: Pursue God, Leadership Square, Cross Discipleship
WORKOUT
Watch the following videos and reflect on the questions. You will discuss them with your coach.
In the session after this one, we will discuss how to facilitate small groups and go further into specific resources for discipleship. But first - let us consider HOW we go about discipling others. What does a life of discipleship look like? To be a disciple? To disciple others? Consider Daniel's teaching and then really spend time on the questions he poses at the end of the video.
Take time to truly answer the following questions:
- Who are 3 people that seem interested in learning from you, and you believe in them?
- What are the first 3 things you’d teach someone about following Jesus?
- Who walked alongside you? What lessons were caught not taught?
- What do you think about learning in a group that is all in, vulnerable, and going the same direction?
- Is your life accessible or slow enough that others could join? What do you need to alter to increase buy-in?
- Is your life a life worth following? Is there some inner stuff you need to let go of that's holding you back?
Now hear from Tony as he guides us in thinking about where to start with someone and shares how he manages discipleship for a collegiate athletic department.
- Where have you typically begun with someone when you disciple them? How has this caused to to rethink where and how you will start?
- What has typically been your goal when discipling someone? How has this caused you to rethink your end goal?
- Check out pursuegod.org in general or the Pursue God Athletes 101 that Tony mentioned. Also check out Habitudes, and Discovery Bible Study Method. Which one(s) resonate with you and might you use in the future?
REPLAY
Disicpleship is a relational way of teaching someone something, much like apprenticeship. In Matthew 28:18, Jesus promises His relationship to us in that He will be with us as we disciple others. How do we make disciples? We say "come, follow me" and invite them into experiences. We share our lives with them so that they can see what following Jesus looks like. What do we teach them? His command was to make learners of Himself. The best thing we can teach them is to listen to God and obey what He is telling them. The multiplication of discipleship is powerful. In Acts 19:4-10 Paul disciples 12 guys for 2 years and 1.5 million people heard the word of God.
So where do we start and what's the win in a discipling relationship? The download above gives three images of ways to think about discipleship and determine where the disciple is/where they want to be. Three practical tools you can utilize as conversation starters with a disciple are Pursue God, Habitudes, and Discovery Bible Study Method.
PRACTICE
Take time to think and pray. Truly listen and obey. Write down how you believe the Lord is leading you:
- In what area of life or work do you want to grow? Who do you know that has mastered that area? How can you “join them” and be a disciple of their life or work?
- How you can invite others to not just meet with you, but actually follow you? This may be challenging with the schedules of some athletes and coaches. But think outside the box. How can they be invited into your family life, personal life, work life, or church life? How can you set up such a relationship for an athlete/coach with someone else who might be a better fit in terms of schedule, interests, experience, etc? Where will you start with them? What are your next steps in making disciples who make disciples?
DEBRIEF
Write or video record a reflection that explains what you believe the Lord is telling you about discipleship - both discipleship for yourself as well as for the athletes and coaches you serve. Try to make any goals as SMART as possible (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time-Defined). Turn in below.
OVERTIME
- Video: A Simple Way to Disciple Millennials (3:45) - A simple framework to consider applying
- Book: The Passion Generation: The Seemingly Reckless, Definitely Disruptive, But Far From Hopeless Millennials, by Grant Skeldon. Fascinating and Easy read that is more about discipleship than the millennial generation. Practical and will make you rethink your priorities and methodology regarding discipleship
- Podcast: If You Want to Be Discipled, Be Hungry (33:59) - Interview with Grant Skeldon
- Video: 70:20:10 Discipleship
(2:12) - we learn best by doing, interaction, then listening
- Website: Growing Leaders - a global nonprofit aimed at growing leaders in the next generation. Check out their Habitudes curriculum as well as their blog for great resources. You can subscribe to get emails with each new blog post.
- Website: Cru - Train and Grow - Foundational concepts of walking with God. Meant to be easy to apply and transfer from disciple to disciple.
- PDF: Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Personal Assessment - take a short assessment to determine your degree of emotional maturity
