Disciplemaking A Community Project

This week's principle is Restoration from Lead by Paul Tripp.

Each week in February, class members share a summary of various booklets from the 9Marks Question series.  Here are the booklets we have covered so far.

• Is It Loving to Practice Church Discipline?  booklet
• What If I've Been Hurt By My Church?  booklet
• How Can Women Thrive in the Local Church?  booklet
• How Can I Encourage My Pastors?  booklet
• How Do I Get Started in Evangelism?  booklet
• Who's In Charge of the Church?  podcast

This past Week's Class was Community in Discipleship.

Last week's lesson - Elders, Deacons, Deaconesses, & Congregation - was not a class on church governance.  It was the first part of the lesson on the importance of community in discipleship.  

The church plays an essential role in your discipleship and the discipleship of others.  Discipleship disconnected from a church is not Biblical Discipleship. 

"The Christian life is the discipled life and the discipling life."  (Discipling, Mark Dever)

Over the last two weeks, we talked about these two questions.

How Can I Find Someone to Disciple Me? 

2 Timothy 2:1-2 is a discipleship chain.   Paul taught Timothy and told him to teach faithful men who teach faithful men.  Strategic teaching multiplies.  Timothy was discipled by Paul to do the work of the gospel ministry.  

How Do I Disciple Others?

Matthew 28:18-20, the Great Commission passage, talks about teaching disciples "to observe all that I have commanded you."  

Psalm 78:4, 7 says, "Tell the coming generation the glorious deeds of the LORD and his might, and the wonders that he has done."  The purpose of this telling is so they will hope in God and keep God's commandments."

Discipleship is more than teaching information.  It is about helping people live out the truth of God's Word.   Discipleship is living out Biblical truth that is learned.  

Here is a very Basic Definition of Discipleship

SEEKING someone TO HELP YOU FOLLOW Jesus.

HELPING someone FOLLOW Jesus and

A new believer needs people to help him with Bible reading, praying, connecting with others, and serving others.  As this believer continues to grow, he looks for people to help him grow while looking for people to help him grow.  

Let's pray that our church will be filled with members who are growing in their fellowship with Jesus Christ and are seeking to help others grow into the image of Christ.