Relational Discipleship

Relational Discipleship is just what it says it is. Making Disciples relationally. Terry Bowland has written a book called "Making Disciples" published in 1999 by College Press Publishing. In a sermon not too long ago, I addressed Bowland's book frequently. I am currently reading this book and am forming ideas for making a "Discipleship Class". My goal is to gear it toward the various stages of believers and where they are at currently in their walk with Christ. I am not sure when this will be ready, but know that I have the idea in the works.

If the Bride of Christ is going to experience a growth spurt again, relational discipleship is where it is going to begin. Here is the problem...and I have met with some resistance with this idea: every child who grows up in the church should have the knowledge equivalent to a Bachelor's Degree in Genral Biblical Studies by the time they are 18. Someone told me this isn't possible. Unfortunately, they don't know how accurate they are. You see, most of the adults sitting in church pews (or chairs) on Sunday morning have a basic knowledge at best. It is why our children grow up in Sunday school knowing the stories and basic applications of them, but cannot dig deeper into the text of the Bible. In order to grow the children, we need to grow the parents and adults simultaneously. We must equip the adults teaching the Sunday School programs with the knowledge they need to teach it. (Keep in mind that the knowledge I am talking about instilling isn't the end all...we must teach practically how to use the knowledge and pass it on to others.)

The reason an 18 year old kid needs this is so that they are prepared (and already have started preferrably) to go to work in God's Kingdom and make a difference. Remember, everyone is a pastor. Everyone is a minister. It is the job of the paid minister to put himself out of a job. Relationships always have been and always will be the key to sharing Christ's salvation. You have more influence in your family and friends that someone else might. That is why I push to invite people to Sunday school. It is why I invite people to invite those who do not attend a small group to do so. The small groups are where we grow. It is through the accountability and relationships in that small groups where the process is practiced. Then, we take it into the world and practice it on our relationships out there.

Our lives must be centered around God. This Sunday I am preaching a sermon titled "Spiritual Maturity" and we will cover the three levels of spiritually mature people. In it there will be an insert of what the description looks like for each stage. I will post it on the blog next Monday so that you can use it to evaluate yourself too. My guess is that you aren't where you think you are. I know I wasn't. We have a tendency to inflate ourselves a bit...

Relationships are the key...but first, you have to realize that it is you who holds the ability given to you by Christ to do so. You can make a difference if you think you can, do the necessary equipping, and allow yourself to be used by God. Don't shoot yourself down before you even get airborne. Give Christ a chance to use you. He can't use you if you don't allow Him to.

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