Many years ago when I was a newbie in disciple making, I did things the hard way. I remember meeting for hours at coffee shops as different students would come in for 45 minutes each. I would disciple every one of them individually. Many times a disciple making session would go overtime, and disciples would need wait in line for their turn.
It was then I figured I needed a new strategy to simplify my disciple making or I would be jittery from spending all day in a coffee shop. I began reading authors like Robby Gallaty who were passionate veterans at making disciples. When I came across a much more simple, effective way to make more disciples, my life got much easier.
#2 Simplify Your Disciple Making Method
The first step to simplifying your disciple-making strategy is discipling an average of three at a time. This strategy will allow you to not only make more disciples at one time, but also your discipleship group will become a community that you can send out to start more groups.
The second step to simplifying for your disciple-making strategy is figuring out what your discipleship group sessions look like. You will find many different strategies when it comes to planning out individual discipleship sessions, but as long as the strategy points your group to Jesus, His Gospel, His Word, and personal spiritual growth, then feel free to choose whatever method you would like.
When it comes to Student Ministry, these sessions generally need to be as simple as possible. When I meet with my groups, I use what I call the Luke 24 method. In Luke 24, we find the extended version of The Great Commission, where Jesus commanded every disciple to make disciples. Here : Bible, Gospel, Personal.
Bible
Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” (Luke 24:44)
Disciple making always starts with God’s Word. God’s Word is always pointed to Jesus. Disciples simply follow Jesus and bring others with them.
When I meet with a group of students, I always study a passage of Scripture with them. Disciple making is not only a Bible study, but we always study the Bible. Like Jesus said in Luke 24, we want to study the Bible from any passage in such of a way that it is interpreted in light of Him.
I also like to start a group text with my D-Group guys daily to discuss what we learned in our devotions that day.
Gospel
Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead.” (Luke 24:45-46)
This are my favorite verses in the Bible. Don’t miss this. When our minds are opened by Jesus Himself to actually understand what the Scriptures are all about, what do we see?
The Gospel must be central to our disciple making! Bible study falls short when it is not centered on the Gospel. After we study the Bible passage, we actually spend intentional time discussing how this passage points us to the person and work of Jesus.
Personal
“And that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in His name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.” (Luke 24:47)
If the Gospel call us to proclaim repentance and forgiveness in the name of Jesus, then disciples must be discussing these huge categories in our own lives personally.
I always end my D-Group sessions by discussing sins to repent of, forgiveness needed to give or receive, and how to grow in our witness that week.
The simple strategy of “Bible, Gospel, Personal” while making disciples will move your students on mission with Jesus.
Check back next week for the third step in growing a disciple-making movement right where you are.
All Posts in this Series
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
Part 6
Part 7
Part 8
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