Introduction to the discipleship encounters




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 in the Appendix. Many basic questions about discipleship are answered there. Please check this box when you have read the Practical Helps. 2)The Bible, God, and People 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. There 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 the appendix Optional Starting Points--The Bible, God. & People, and The Bridge Illustration. 3) Now look at the Progress Sheets. 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 to The 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.


Discipleship Home \|Jump-Start \| The 10 Steps \| Ordering Material\| About the Authors\| Other Resources All materials Copyright ©2003 by Jerold & Nancy Reed. All material in these Discipleship Encounters may be copied and passed on to others.