How to be a Discipleship Training Small Group Leader ~

TEAM Discipleship & Leader Development Seminar

Discipleship Small Group Dynamics & the Leader’s Role

Session One

Four Quaker Questions + One

     At age seven where were you living and how many were in your household?

At age seven what do you remember about your house and neighborhood?

At age seven what was the center of warmth in your life (person, place, thing…)?

When did God become more than a name to you?

What do you think of when you hear the word “discipline”?

There is no instant godliness. Discipline is the key to spiritual maturity.

“ . . .train (discipline) yourself to be godly.” I Timothy 4:7 (Bible) (Training) (Holy Spirit) Revealed Truth + Discipline Obedience + The Power of God’s Spirit = Change & Growth & Maturity & Godliness

Spiritual Disciplines

 Inner – Meditation – Prayer – Fasting – Study  Outer – Simplicity – Solitude – Submission – Service  Corporate – Confession – Worship – Guidance – Celebration

Why Small Groups?

Life is meant to be shared. Jesus ministered in the context of a small group of disciples. He could have chosen more, but smaller is better . He knew twelve is about the maximum size you can have in a small group if everyone is to participate. God had made an incredible promise about small groups of believers:

“For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst.” Matthew 18:20 (NASB)

In real fellowship people experience authenticity. It is only as we become open about our lives that we experience real fellowship. The Bible says:

“If we live in the light, as God is in the light, we can share fellowship with each other… If we say we have no sin, we are fooling ourselves.” 1 John 1:7-8 (NCV)

The world thinks intimacy occurs in the dark, but God says it happens in the light. Darkness is used to hide our hurts, faults, fears, failures, and flaws. But in the light, we bring them all out into the open and admit who we really are. The Bible says:

“Make this your common practice: Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you can live together whole and healed.” James 5:16a (Msg)

In real fellowship people experience mutuality. Mutuality is the art of giving and receiving. It’s depending on each other. The Bible says:

“The way God designed our bodies is a model for understanding our lives together as a church: every part dependent on every other part.” 1 Corinthians 12:25 (Msg)

Mutuality is the heart of fellowship: building reciprocal relationships, sharing responsibilities, and helping each other. Paul said:

“I want us to help each other with the faith we have. Your faith will help me, and my faith will help you.” Romans 1:12 (NCV)

All of us are more consistent in our faith when others walk with us and encourage us. The Bible commands mutual accountability, mutual encouragement, mutual serving, and mutual honoring. Over fifty times in the New Testament we are commanded to do different tasks to “one another” and “each other.” The Bible says:

“Make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.” Romans 14:19 (NIV)

You are not responsible for everyone in the body of Christ, but you are responsible to them. God expects you to do whatever you can to help them.

People will remember . . .

 10% of what they read  20% of what they hear  30% of what they see  50% of what they see & hear  70% of what they discuss with others  80% of what they experience personally  95% of what they teach to others

Specific Kind of Group

 Process-oriented – Focus: spiritual and social relationships of the members  Discipleship – Primary activity: to make mature, Christian disciples through high commitment and accountability

“Off To A Rocky Start”

Leading Discussions

DT Leader Qualifications &Small Group Life Stages

Session Two

 Is “discipline” a word that characterizes your Christian walk? If not, do you want it to be?

 Have you ever discipled a believer in Christ, placing them firmly on the path of spiritual growth? If not, would you like to?

Children of a Lesser God

Qualifications for Disciplers

 You must be a Christian living in a vital and dynamic relationship with Jesus Christ.

 Your spiritual gifts should include teaching or encouraging (exhorting). Pastoring is also acceptable.

Qualifications for Disciplers

 You must have completed at least one level of DT higher than the one you will be teaching.

 You must be committed to the life and growth of your home corps.

 You should attend a training session for disciplers.

Qualifications for Disciplers

 You must be willing to be accountable to the corps officer or lay leader in charge of DT in your corps. This includes a willingness to be receptive to constructive suggestions and evaluation of your classes by the program director and disciples who complete the class.

Qualifications for Disciplers

 You should maintain the same disciplines you are teaching disciples to observe (e.g. Quiet Time, Scripture memory, Bible study, etc.).

 You must love people and earnestly desire their growth and maturity in Jesus Christ.

Active Types • Extrovertive • Outgoing • Optimistic • Involved • Introvertive • Reserved • Realistic • Withdrawn Passive Types

Task-Oriented Types People-Oriented Types High-Tech • Plans • Programs • Projects • Process • Caring • Sharing • Relationships • Emotions High-Touch Form & Function Feeling & Fellowship

Task Oriented Types Active Types D I C S Passive Types People Oriented Types

“D” Type - CHALLENGE

Descriptive words:      Dominant Decisive Direct Demanding Disciplined Responds to a leader who:      Provides direct answers Sticks to business Stresses goals Provides pressure Allows freedom for personal accomplishment Environment Needs:     Freedom Authority Varied activities Difficult assignments  Opportunity for advancement Needs to Learn That:     People are important Relaxation is not a crime Some controls are needed Everyone has a boss  Verbalizing conclusions help people understand

“I” Type - RECOGNITION

Descriptive words:  Impressive     Inducing Inspiring Interested in people Influencing Responds to a leader who:  Is a democratic manager     Provides social involvement outside of work Provides recognition Offers incentive for risk taking Is also an “I” Environment Needs:  Prestige     Friendly relationships Opportunity to influence Opportunity to inspire Chance to verbalize ideas Needs to Learn That:  Time must be managed     There can be too much optimism Details are important Humility is a virtue Not EVERYONE has to be a friend.

“S” Type - SECURITY

Descriptive words:   Sincere Steady    Sensitive Responds to a leader who:   Stable Security-oriented Is relaxed and amiable Allows time to adjust plans    Serves as a friend, gives personal support Allows people to work at their own pace Answers the “how” ?s

Environment Needs:   An area of specialization Identification with a group    Consistent familiar environment Needs to Learn That:   Established work patterns Stability of situation “S” can also stand for “sucker” It is possible to say “NO”!!

   Change provides opportunity Friendship isn’t everything Discipline is good

“C” Type - QUALITY

Descriptive words: Environment Needs:     Calculating Conservative Cautious Competent     Clearly defined tasks Sufficient time & resources Explanations Team participation  Responds to a leader who:      Compliant Provides reassurance Maintains a supportive environment Provides an “open-door” policy Defines concise, detailed standards   Is happy to answer questions  Limited risks Needs to Learn That:   Total support is not always necessary Thorough explanation is not always possible Deadlines must be set Self’s standards are higher than most

Activity

 Mark a “C” by those roles which you think will be challenging for you  Mark a “N” by those roles which you think will come more naturally to you  Do they correspond with your personality assessment?

“For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, and in Him you have been made complete. . .” Colossians 2:9-10 (NASB)

Small Group Life Stages

 Covenanting  Affirming  Celebrating

Implementing DT in Your Corps

         Corps Officer approval Discipleship Training Format Leadership Team Structure Pulpit Support Pastoral Letter Sing-up Deadline Information Session Group Size Social Events & Graduations

Ins & Outs of DT Material

 Attendance  Scripture Memorization  Prayer Partners  Accountability Logs  Bible Study

Attendance

Accountability Log

Hebrews 12:1-2 (NRSV)

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perserverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Hebrews 12:3 (NRSV)

“Consider him who endured such hostility against himself from sinners, so that you may not grow weary or loose heart.”

Positives & Negatives

 Exercised 3 times  QT is 15 – 30 min.

 Day 2-4,6 are good  Good question at bottom  Reads at least 1 chapter per day  Learning theme about loving his co-workers  Didn’t memorize Scripture  Only 10 min. on Day 4  Day 4 is all emotion, no connection to the passage  Day 7 is all summary, no application

Bible Study

Sample Class

 Discipler hands back Accountability Logs from previous week  Sharing, Prayer Requests, Praises (25)  Teaching & Discussion (30)  Prayer Partners – Recitation of memory verses (5)  Disciples hand in their Accountability Logs

Operation Brainstorm

   Who are possible people to approach for being in the first DT group with you in your corps? (Think about people who would be potential leaders for other DT groups.) Who might lead the first group?

Who are possible people who would want to be discipled under you?