Disciple the Church
MAKING DISCIPLES THAT MAKE DISCIPLES
“If you abide in Me, and my words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be my disciples.”
– John 15:7-8
Starting Discipleship the Wesleyan Way
Where can we begin with someone new to the life of following Jesus?
As people come to know Jesus through the witness of the Church, the local church should be where people can find avenues of biblical & relational discipleship. Here is one tool for starting with a new believer: walking through the Scriptures & learning to activate loving obedience through the means of grace.
Guidelines for Leading a Group
Read these guidelines to the group as you begin the first three or four sessions.
1. Everyone shares in sentences, not paragraphs.
2. Focus only on what this passage is saying, not on other passages. Try to refrain from cross-referencing other biblical material.
3. Silence should be embraced. Give people time to respond.
4. The facilitator should be careful to facilitate discussion, not teach. (“That’s interesting… where did you find it in the text.”) The leader should lead mostly through asking questions, not providing content. Let the Holy Spirit speak to people through the Bible. Ask questions to help guide them.
5. Everyone is encouraged to lead different parts of the gathering. This gives the opportunity to develop leaders who will start new groups.
6. Keep the session on schedule and complete all sections, though not necessarily all questions.
7. Prepare before by studying passages, looking for the main idea, and think of some examples, stories or applications from your own life.
8. Respond to questions by asking the group, “What in the passage helps us answer that question?” Respond to distracting comments by asking, “Where is that found in this passage?” Respond to “strange” answers by asking, “Help us understand what you are thinking.”
7. Stay in touch during the week to check in on members of your group. How are their commitments going? How can you pray for them?
8. Look for opportunities to lead people to a profession of faith in Jesus and do not delay.
9. Be attentive to people who may be called to launch other groups. Always be willing to allow new people to join a group. If a group becomes consistently too large for everyone to regularly share responses, it is time to multiply. Who is God calling to lead a new group?
Joining Together
The Commission on Discipleship, Doctrine, and Just Ministry is actively serving the Global Methodist Church with strong vision & leadership, & the Kingdom Advancement Commission supports their meaningful work. It is through collaboration of the two commissions that this page is made available, as discipleship is vital to Kingdom Advancement.
See their page on the Global Methodist Church Website for updates.
What is a disciple?
“In light of the mission of the church and our covenant in Christ, the Global Methodist Church engages the commandment to make disciples of Jesus through an intentional process grounded in Scripture and in our Wesleyan heritage. The Global Methodist Church defines a disciple as:
a person whose life reflects the character of Christ and extends the mission of Christ in holy love of God and neighbor.
The disciple’s character and practice are informed by the Scriptures, nurtured by the community of faith, and empowered by the Holy Spirit.
The goal of transformational discipleship ministry in the Global Methodist Church is to make, develop, and nurture disciples of Jesus Christ through small groups where each person is invited, challenged, supported, and held accountable in living sanctified lives that reflect the practices, character, and mission of Christ.”
- ¶ 405. TRANSFORMATIONAL DISCIPLESHIP in the GMC Book of Doctrines & Discipline