I. WHAT

Enabling (and helping) believers to follow (and become like) Christ.

Moving the Curious to Convinced, Committed, Conformed and ultimately  Crowned {See TOYL Survey of Discipleship}.

II. WHY

This fulfills the greatest commands to love God (via glorifying Him {See Survey of Glory}) and to love others (desire what's in another's best interest) as well as the explicit Great Commission (baptizing & teaching to obey - Mt 28). It is in someone's best interest now, as well as in the future, to become like Christ. God's glory is best revealed now as He is seen in the lives of His people (disciples) and most displayed in the future as He pours out His glorious blessings upon the faithful.

III. WHEN

Becoming like Christ is an lifetime-ongoing process which: 1) has as its starting point being convinced (believing) that Jesus is the Prophet/Priest/King who: a. revealed God's will for His creatures; b. died for our sins so we won't have to; and c. is coming back as the Messiah to judge, reward and rule over the promised kingdom; 2) has as its first step a faith-motivated commitment to die to the old way of conducting one's life and live as a follower of Christ, symbolized in NT times by baptism (Rm 6); and 3) has as its journey millions of decisions (and consequent attitudes and actions) to deny our old desires and live for God's desire and pleasure in serving Him and others.

IV. HOW

The sine qua non of discipleship is self-denial, but of disciplemaking is an Imitation of the Incarnation (the Word becomes flesh by the power of the Holy Spirit, and dwells among men). Jn 8:31-32; 15:1-8; Mt 28:20; etc.

A. Means: The Word becomes fleshed out in one's life as they order their lives (mind, will, emotions, actions) according to God's Revelation. A disciple must Recognize (learn/discover) and be convinced of what God has said, and then Respond accordingly {See Biblical Worship}.

Our Initial Discipleship materials are designed to follow up a (new or used) convert's entrance into the family of God, introduce them to the relationships and disciplines of a healthy Christian life, and init         iate them into the joy of inductive Bible Study on seven key passages. The passages should be tailored to the individual's needs with a focus on discovery learning and conviction building. The passages address one's Relationship with:

1) God in Salvation: review of Bridge & questions/doubts, assurance of salvation (justification), introduce sanctification & glorification

2) The Word of God: reliability, primacy and profitability of Scripture; Quiet Time; Bible Study   

3) The Father in Prayer: Privileges and Prerequisites

4) Jesus in Lordship: Faithfulness and Rewards; TOYL Purpose and Objectives; Will of God

5) The Holy Spirit in Sanctification: Leading/Filling; Recognizing and Overcoming Sin; Motivation and Methods

6) Other Believers in Fellowship; One-another; Church; TOYL Friendship

7) Non-Believers in Evangelism; Loving others; Friendship and Reasonable Discussions

Our Training Objectives are designed to develop the basic competencies of the Christian life, deepen the disciplines, and serve as the base from which one can minister to others. The Objectives should be evaluated and ordered from greatest to least need (pressure points) and then accomplished within two years.

Our Shepherding Goals help identify a disciple's greatest areas of need (or desire) and provide the motivation and framework for self-fulfillment (especially in the area of ministry).

B. Manner: ...whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets. Mt 7:12

V. WHO

Discipleship is open to anyone willing to pay the cost, who would have forsaken their own interests/desires to follow Jesus and his band of disciples into the wilderness or the next town. Lk 9:23-26; 14:26,27,33

VI. RESULT

Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. John 15:8

Questions for Reflection/Discussion/Response:

1. How does discipling compare to/differ from mentoring, friendship, teaching, training, coaching, etc.  How do you teach an adult to obey?

2. What draws people to discipleship? Where are you on the path of Discipleship: Curious...Convinced...Committed...Conformed...Crowned?

3. What's the most difficult aspect of Discipleship?  And how can we help people take that step(s)?

4. How can one avoid the passing on of individual weaknesses and idiosyncrasies in the discipling process?

5. What's the most difficult aspect of Disciplemaking for you? And how can BAC help you in that?