EVERY CHRISTIAN A DISCIPLE-MAKER

Great Commission Initiative

A GREAT COMMISSION INITIATIVE

¹⁸ And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. ¹⁹ “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ “teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. Matthew 28:18-20 (NKJV)

The early church succeeded in “turning the world upside down” within just a few years following the ascension of Jesus (Acts 17:6). They clearly understood Jesus’ Great Commission to “make disciples.” They had not yet learned to be ineffective at disciple-making by focusing primarily on making converts. Yet they had fewer resources than the church of the 21^st century, as they did not even have Bibles to give to each new Christian…or any Christian. What was the difference maker?

There is a vast difference between making converts and making disciples!

Indeed they were serious about the Great Commission but they understood the words of Jesus in a way that few leaders today do. For the sake of argument let’s differentiate between a disciple or convert and a disciple-making disciple. Today we often hear leaders challenge their church people to share Christ and we hear some leaders talk of making disciples. However, few church leaders interpret Jesus’ words as he intended—“make disciple-making disciples.” Churches that focus on only soul-winning often fail to connect the new convert to the body of Christ–the church. They further fail to teach the new Christian how to nurture themselves. In contrast, a disciple-making disciple not only continues the gospel work in her own life repetitively but also replicates the passion to make disciple-makers in others.

An automobile without a working alternator or generator will last only as long as the power within the battery (convert). However, an automobile with a working alternator or generator can continue to generate and regenerate power (making disciple-makers).

Does your church make converts or does your church make disciple-making disciples? You can tell by how many Christians it takes to produce one more Christian in your church.

If we are to see a genuine Great Commission Resurgence in our time, we must launch a discipleship revolution with a grassroots movement to make disciple-making disciple-makers. It’s the only way! It is to that end that I have launched a new initiative to challenge leaders to equip all Christians to not only share Christ but also to disciple those they win at least to the point of being able to spiritually feed themselves.

Disciple-Maker's Toolkit

BECOME A CERTIFIED DISCIPLE-MAKER

I realize that some may say, “My disciple-making certificate comes from God.” Yes, but there are many Christian leaders and laymen and women who have never been nurtured to be able to spiritually feed themselves. There are some who would benefit from a refresher course. I have developed The Disciple-Maker’s Toolkit as a power-packed workbook for this Great Commission Initiative. By employing seminars and online training, I am leading Christians through the Toolkit and teaching them how to use it with others. Here are some of the details of the certificate training called Disciple-Coach Training:

Session 1:

What is Simple Discipleship and how to use it

 The Biblical Basis of God’s Expectations of Christians

How to Have a Daily Worship Time

Session 2:

 How to use the Simple Discipleship Spiritual Vitality Assessment

How to use the Christian Life Balance Assessment

Helping people understand the Stages of Spiritual Growth

Session 3:

How to use the Doctrinal Beliefs Assessment

Simple Evangelism- SE Card Edition

Simple Evangelism- Napkin Evangelism Edition

Session 4:

Simple Discipleship New Life Coaching

Disciple-Maker

How to use the DISC Personality Profile for disciple-making

Session 5:

How to use the Disciple’s Spiritual Gifts Assessment

Applying Simple Discipleship

Simple Discipleship Key Ideas

Click HERE to order The Disciple-Maker’s Toolkit!

Some have asked why I include a section on DISC Personality Traits. A growing Christian understands the issue of serving in all four discipleship domains but immature disciples may gravitate to one area. DISC explains part of the reason people “camp out” in their comfort zone. In our world of virtual friends and inauthentic relationships I believe teaching people skills will help Christians in their disciple-making. One of the real benefits of the assessments in the Toolkit is the opportunity to increase self-awareness of one’s own personality in Christ and how to best relate to others.

With Disciple Coach Training Certification you receive permission to print assessments in the Toolkit as needed at no additional cost.

5 REASONS TO SEEK DISCIPLE-MAKING CERTIFICATION

1. Seminary and Bible college provides very little of this concentrated training…sadly.
2. Refresh disciple-making skills.
3. Specialize in the main purpose of the church…making disciples.
4. Focus resources on disciple-making now for new growth later.
5. Create momentum for new growth.
6. You fill in your reason here: ______________________________________.

4 WAYS TO MAKE DISCIPLE-MAKING DISCIPLES

1. Provide at least one church leader with disciple-making coach certification so he/she will train others.
2. Provide the training for Sunday school teachers and small group Bible study leaders.
3. Host a disciple-maker’s seminar to train the most people at once. (http://drthomreece.wordpress.com/2011/02/01/plan-a-make-disciples-weekend-conference/)
4. Develop a culture of disciple-making in every class and throughout the church.
5. You fill in your idea here: _________________________________________.

Disciple-Maker’s Certification is for any Christian or church desiring to launch a real Great Commission Resurgence.

The Disciple-Maker’s Toolkits as well as registration for the Disciple-Maker’s Certificate Training are available at http://www.simplediscipleship.com/home . You may also learn more about the training at this link: http://drthomreece.wordpress.com/online-discipleship/ . I am currently expanding and formatting the Toolkit into a 12-week Bible study for Sunday school and small groups. Join me as we launch a disciple-making revolution.

SD Blessings,

Dr. Tom Cocklereece, The Disciplist

QUESTIONS:

1. Do you agree that Jesus’ intent of the Great Commission is that we make disciple-making disciples?
2. What is the difference between making converts and making disciple-making disciples?
3. Does your church make converts or make disciple-making disciples?
4. Do you think learning “people skills” is useful in disciple-making?
5. Compare top-down evangelistic/discipleship efforts and grass roots efforts and consider which have launched revivals.
6. What is the baptism ratio in your church. How many people does it take to produce one more Christian in your church? (I realize this is a conversion ratio and not a disciple-making ratio since they are not necessarily the same…at least for the sake of this discussion.)

——————–
Dr. Tom Cocklereece is CEO of RENOVA Coaching and Consulting, LLC
Author “Simple Discipleship,” contributing writer L2L Blogazine
He is a pastor, an author, professional coach, and leadership specialist
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