INTRODUCTION TO THE
DISCIPLESHIP ENCOUNTERS
Stop! Don't read any further until you have read the Preface to these Discipleship Encounters. The warning in the Preface against
the "information trap" is important background for effective discipleship.
Please check this box when you have read the Preface.
Great! Thank you for reading the Preface.
Here are some considerations to help you as you proceed in the discipling process:
1) Review the Practical Helps for Discipleship
found on pages 19 and 20 of the Appendix. Many basic questions about discipleship
are answered there.
Please check this box when you have read the Practical
Helps.
2) Turn now to pages 21 and 22. These are entitled The
Bible, God, and People and represent optional starting points in
the discipling process. You can see from the content that this step opens up conversation about who God is, what the Bible
is, and what God has done in Christ so that people can know Him. Turn to page 23. This is an explanation of the Bridge Illustration
which many have found useful for leading someone to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Please check this box when you have read pages 21, 22, and 23.
3) Now look at the Progress Sheets on pp.
24 and 25. Make copies of these two pages for each encounter group that you have. Then write the name(s) of your disciple(s)
in the spaces provided at the top of the page. At the close of every discipleship encounter check off the points and subpoints
covered. (Some days you may not cover the points in the outline because you are dealing with other important items). Write
in the date of your next encounter beside the point where you plan to begin.
Please check this box when you have
made copies of the Progress Sheets.
4) Remember the importance of asking a question. The
question is your friend. Use them as you disciple others. Questions allow your disciple(s) to talk and share
their insights and understandings and to ask their own questions which will often guide your conversation in unexpected but
important directions.
Now, turn toThe Discipler's Guide on page 1a to find the"Prompts and Notes”
for STEP ONE. (This page is opposite
page no. 1 (STEP ONE)) and observe the following:
a) Page 1a
is the guide for page 1 of the Encounter
outlines and page 2a is the guide for page 2,
etc.
b) Notice that at the top of the page the Purpose of Step One is stated. The purpose for each Step
is important to keep in mind as you proceed through the Encounters with
your disciple(s).
c) There are Remember paragraphs highlighted with a shadowed background
on each "Prompts and Notes” page. These paragraphs emphasize the importance of Christian formation in the discipling
process. Here you will find ideas for enriching the process and helping your disciple(s) begin discipling others. Sometimes
you will discover suggestions for Review. Remember these are just general guidelines.
d) The numbers down the left side of the page refer to the
line numbers in the Encounter outlines. An arrow () before a number means that there is a question written in italics
that you may want to use to start a conversation about that point. A number without an arrow (for example 2.3 on page 1a)
is information just to tell you what we had in mind when we put the outline together.
e) Finally, the footnote at the bottom of the page is the
first reminder of what has already been stated, namely that the questions provided in the Discipler's Guide are only suggestions. Be relaxed and confident in the guidance of the Holy Spirit,
-- free to create your own questions or pattern for working through the outlines as you spend time growing with your disciple(s).
Please check this box when you have carefully studied page 1a.
5) As you start, agree together on the length of time you will meet together. You might
suggest just two or three weeks and then re negotiate for a longer time period if you and your disciple(s) are agreeable.
An option for the first round with someone is to make a copy of Step One without
the top line that says "STEP ONE and page -1-". In this way Step One stands alone and
does not suggest that there is more to follow. Thus it becomes easier to have early closure if you discover that the group
is not working out. Be careful of "sag" in your relationship halfway through. Help those being discipled to have a sense of
progress, bit by bit, as you grow together. When you end make sure you have strong closure. Do not just fade away.
6) The last consideration before you begin discipling someone is basic and easily overlooked.
What are your objectives or expectations for discipling the person(s) you have in mind just now? There are different ways
to answer this question.
Possible answers could include such things as having a basic understanding of what the Christian
life is all about, the ability to train new Christians, raise up leaders among youth, leadership training for small groups,
preparation for planting a new church, training people who can share pastoral responsibilities, preparing those who can teach
Sunday School, and/or equipping those who might share in leading worship . One major objective in all of the above is to raise
up another generation of disciples. Use your imagination to think of many more possibilities for giving sharp focus to the
discipling process. Again, what is your purpose for discipling someone at this time?
Write your purpose(s) here by completing the following sentence.
My purpose at this time for getting together with
[fill in the name(s) 1, 2, or 3 people here]
______________________, ______________________
______________________
is to: ______________________________________________
__________________________________________________
Check this
box when you have written down your purpose(s).
Remember that the nervousness
you will experience as you approach those with whom you want to get together and grow comes from our spiritual enemy. He does
not want this powerful and effective process to begin. But we have victory in Jesus. Therefore pray and go, asking the Holy
Spirit to fill you and use you